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Secondary education

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Original poster

11+ waiting for results

313 replies

Mumoftwinsandanother · 13/09/2018 14:46

Hi there

My twins have both taken the 11+ in Bucks today. Results come out on 13th October, I think. It could really go either way for both of them. My biggest fear is that one gets in and the other does not (really quite possible).
Saw that last year there was a thread from parents during the waiting period and I wondered if anyone wanted to take part in a hand holding thread this year (for any county). Obviously have to be very careful what I say to DTs so would be useful to vent here.

Anyone else in similar position?

OP posts:
hibeat · 12/10/2018 17:16

Thumbs up everyone !

ShebaFelix · 12/10/2018 18:52

Congratulations all who got it. DS didn’t so we are gutted here, especially as the secondary moderns round here are dire. Oh well, onward and upward.

origamiwarrior · 12/10/2018 19:14

I don't recognise Font's assertion that The VAST majority of children at Bennett opted out of the 11+. Their parents deciding from an early age they were not going to enter into the divisive and highly pressured system.

The majority of children I know who go to Bennett (probably about 4 or 5 each year from our primary school) were intensively prepared/tutored but failed the 11-plus (including our Vicar's two children). Lots of parents have the school as a 'back up' option and have been Bennetting (as it is widely known in our church) to fulfil the attendance criteria, just in case the 11-plus doesn't go their way. The only ones I know who actively choose it from early on are those with non-academic children. Words you don't hear in West Kent: "We'd prefer Bennett over TOGS/Judd"

Don't get me wrong, it's a great school (my best friend went there), but I think that it's misleading of Font to claim the parents who send their children to Bennett are morally superior to those who send to grammar school - a large proportion (in my experience) are playing both systems at the same time!

Holidayshopping · 12/10/2018 19:30

Lots of parents have the school as a 'back up' option and have been Bennetting (as it is widely known in our church) to fulfil the attendance criteria, just in case the 11-plus doesn't go their way. The only ones I know who actively choose it from early on are those with non-academic children

I love Bennetting 😂. It’s exactly the same round here-people find that tutoring for the 11+ isn’t going to plan and suddenly decide to find God!

brisklady · 12/10/2018 19:47

Commiserations, Sheba. Hope your DC isn't too upset.

Original poster
Mumoftwinsandanother · 12/10/2018 19:56

Sorry it didn't work out Sheba, take care of yourselves. Congrats everyone that got in.

Our result was mixed - twin 2 passed easily (as I knew she would), twin 1 scored 120.75 - pass mark is 121. I will look into a selection review, hoping school will be supportive. I think based upon past results and the fact that she was so close she is more likely than not to get in on a review. However, right now she is devastated and I don't seem to be able to comfort her like I usually can (I thought I had been playing it all down but obviously haven't been as successful as I thought). I think she is more devastated than she would have been with a score not so close as there would have been more chats about its "just one step on a journey", "it was just down to the day" etc etc whereas now we have been chatting about how close it was and how she is likely to be successful on review rather than how it doesn't matter IYSWIM.

Twin 2 is simultaneously celebrating silently and vowing not to go to grammar as she doesn't want to be away from her sister. I am just not sure what to feel, this wasn't quite what I was expecting but hey ho - first world problems.
Wish everyone else well and that those who don't get it take care of themselves.

OP posts:
steppemum · 12/10/2018 20:01

Oh mumoftwins, that is pants.

seems really cruel to put that .75 in, why don;'t they just round it up!

How long will you have to wait for review etc?

hibeat · 12/10/2018 20:05

Congratulation for the results, this might be very stressful time but you are there for her, you are going through this together and this is all that counts. She will pass, I have no doubt about it. You are her tower of strength right now. They are both going to grammar. Big hugs and cuddos for having two brilliant girls !

Momasita · 12/10/2018 20:06

Dc got 120.
Is there any point appealing that?

Momasita · 12/10/2018 20:16

We did have heart set on one grammar but, having seen other schools we did like one closer that is non grammar.

Is there any point in appealing in case this closer non grammar doesn't work out? Or will 120 still stand in good stead if we need to change s hols?

BonfiresOfInsanity · 12/10/2018 20:16

Scores of 120 are most defined Neely worth taking to selection review especially if they have a good academic record. Please do it. Speak to the HT on Monday to get their support.

The Bucks scoring always rounds down to the nearest whole number - not sure why as all the maths my kids have been taught is round up from 5, perhaps they should practice what they preach!

BonfiresOfInsanity · 12/10/2018 20:17

*Definitely

ShebaFelix · 12/10/2018 20:19

Thanks brisklady. Mumoftwins, that is so close I’m sure she’ll be successful at the selection review. How frustrating to be so close. I thought they rounded down the scores but it’s good that you can see you were only 0.25% away. The journey isn’t over yet and I’m sure you’ll get there.

We’re going to do the selection review if we get the backing of the school which I hope we will.

Momasita · 12/10/2018 20:22

But is it worth doing if we aren't going to put in grammar right now. But maybe later on?

BonfiresOfInsanity · 12/10/2018 20:27

Oh no probably not then, this will only be for 2019 intake, if you want to go later you will have to retest. DS’s school do their own tests for subsequent years.

TheClitterati · 12/10/2018 20:46

argh MumOfTwins that is really tough. Best of luck with your appeal.

bellabelly · 12/10/2018 21:09

Mumoftwins, if you're not already familiar with it, do have a look at the elevenplus forum - there's nothing they don't know about appeals! Loads of really helpful advice and there's a poster on there who went through exactly this with her twins a couple of years ago - she gave me some v helpful advice last year (am a fellow twin mum here and thought one dt had really messed up). link here

Bythebeach · 12/10/2018 21:15

Mumoftwins how difficult! I hope your twin 1 can be proud of her score and successfully review and your twin 2 gets to enjoys her success.
I’ve just read this thread as waiting on DS2’s results- apparently they should have been posted first class today and I am suddenly really anxious....it’s a tough time even though we haven’t made a big deal out of it.

Liz79 · 12/10/2018 21:30

Mumoftwins that's awful I really feel for you. Here there are only 3 outcomes to the test: pass, fail or waiting list. If you're on the waiting list, you're told where you rank. We've had good news today, DD and the bestie she's had forever (as in since she was a month old!), have both passed. Good luck to all those still waiting and appealing

Gizlotsmum · 13/10/2018 07:47

What a tricky line to have to walk @mumoftwins

Bizarrely even if we pass it doesn’t guarantee a place so we still have to wait till March to know if we are in ( although if we fail it does make choices easier)

namechangedyetagain · 13/10/2018 07:55

Same here. Have to wait until March to find out if there's a place based on the usual ordering criteria, LAC, siblings, forces, DL , church attendance, then distance. Depends how many passed and how far down the list i guess.

Trying not to stress too much as this bit is beyond our control ultimately and there are worse things that can happen in life than not getting the preferred school, even when is been worked so hard for.

Gizlotsmum · 13/10/2018 08:19

Absolutely @namechangedyetagain my biggest issue will be persuading her if she has failed that it doesn’t mean she is stupid ( she’s naturally very self critical)

Greenleave · 13/10/2018 09:48

Momoftwins: what a situation you are in. There must be a special policy for twins especially for such a narrow miss. I am keeping fingers crossed that the school will understand and make it an exception for your twin.

Original poster
Mumoftwinsandanother · 13/10/2018 10:02

Apparently we have to review (appeal) before 3 November but don't find out the result until February. Twin 1 is a hard working child and gets good results although her performance in exams tends to bring her down - so I wouldn't say the academic support from the school is going to be clear cut (although I may be wrong - she does tend to get As despite poorer exam performance). She seems happier this morning which is good. Lots of shock results for her friends - some that everyone felt were guaranteed to pass didn't and the whole worry of separating friendship groups based upon exam results (the negative impact of the grammar system). As far as I am aware there isn't any special dispensation for twins (would be nice but not holding my breath). I have been on 11+ forums to look around and will work my way up to posting there for advice - although may wait until I hear from the school what support they can give me.

OP posts:
Holidayshopping · 13/10/2018 10:24

3 days to go until the Essex results are out-am finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else-is anyone around to share my woes?!