Tutoring for 11+ or not?

[MacaroonMama]

Hi All,

First post on this board so apologies if it should be on another board.

DS1 is just 9, in Y4 of a SE London C of E all-through school. He is exceptionally bright (from teachers not just me being doting mum!) Also I am a secondary teacher (on extended mat leave) and can see how he is way ahead in many subject areas.

So anyway, we are thinking of applying to a grammar school, probably just one as otherwise distance will be too much (no car). Just wondered if we should tutor or not? I think we should go through some past papers to familiarise him with the style of test, but surely if he needs masses of coaching, he shouldn't really be thinking of grammar school?

Any thoughts? DH and I both went to (and have taught in) comprehensives so we are unfamiliar with the system.

Thanks for any suggestions

I would consider a tutor if 1) your child is in a state school (as has been said many times, the private school children have an advantage as the 11+ is prepped for in school, and/or 2) who don't have time to go through papers / problems with your child yourself because, say, you are working.

Quite simply, some preparation is needed - you can do it yourself using practice books and papers, or you can pay someone. Either approach is about familiarisation with techniques for the questions which come up, plus working on areas of weakness. It really doesn't matter if you pay someone or do it yourself if you are competent to research the type of exam and access the materials and devise a study timetable for your child and get them to do it. Some people prefer to farm it out and pay rather than research it, get the resources and deliver it, whilst others like the control of doing it themselves and saving the money - but either can certainly work.

Doing nothing and sending your child into the exam cold, without ever having seen the style of Q (especially if VR or NVR is on the paper) is just not setting them up for success and whilst a tiny number might succeed from that position, many very able children won't - so it is important to familiairise.

The real question is not whether to do it, but with what intensity and over how long - that is where the real debate lies.

Have you thought of private schcools? (alleyn's, Dulwich, Emmanuel, CIty of London ).You never know, he may get offered a scholarship place - though in most cases that only ammounts to a fraction of the cost of the school fees. Depending on your income, you could qualify for a bursary too. My son has a scholarship plus top up bursary and I know a few people who have 100% bursaries. Though competitive, it's not impossible. As for preparation, I stated my son gradually a year before he was due to sit the exams. Mainly self study e.g. Bond series. For creative writing, I recommend misswritelondon.weebly.com which has great resources and guidance. Even though your son is good, there are others who are also good but have been heavily tutored as well, so the standards are crazy. So a tutor could be good if he is not very self-motivated (or since you are a teacher, if he may allow you...

Lots of kids have tutors from year 4 in North London for the super selective grammars.