SW London 11+ Preparation - too late?

[StellaRae]

Hello all - I'm new to this thread and expect I'll be spending a lot of time here over the next year!

DD is currently in Y5 and she's doing ok academically (not top of the class, but doing reasonably well). We want her to end up somewhere she'll be happy and will fulfil her potential - whatever that may be.

We definitely don't want to her to be out of her depth with entrance exams etc, so are trying to identify some realistic options for her.

I'm conscious that some people advise starting 11+ preparation in Y4, but we didn't want to start that early. She's been doing fortnightly sessions since the start of Y5 with a maths tutor to help build her confidence in a few areas , but nothing other than that.

Do those of you with 11+ experience think it's too late for us to be getting started? Grateful for your thoughts!

I definitely don't think its too late. get some bond revision books and get started. we also found these revision cards beneficial, particularly as they cover all the subjects and i could take them with me on the go, so in the car we could go over some questions. all the best x

Absolutely not - in fact IMO it's the perfect time to start. Not too long away that its a huge chore and not too close so you feel panic. We started with a tutor for 11+ for my DD in February last year and she took indie entrance exams this January - received offers at all schools (London, so hectic). It was a good amount to sell to her - that is, I said work hard for 2 and a half terms and you'll see the results so it didn't feel like it went on forever and ever. Christmas holidays and you have to work a little each day though. Good luck!

Not too late at all! We started after Easter holiday last year and DD got into some top west London schools. You do need a plan in place though - which Bond books to go through by when, which areas are your DC's focal areas, start reading the news (for interviews!) etc. We are in a prep which helps. If you are not in a prep and don't have a tutor, as parents you definitely need to be very organised! A friend made a revision calendar - I thought it was OTT but started making one by end of summer myself! Good luck!

Visit all the schools at least twice - get a feel for them. Don't take exams for any schools you wouldn't consider going to. There is a right school for everyone. It might not be the most academic school, but there is a right school, that feels just perfect. A bright child from any school can do well. Prep schools really do help with all the advice and practice papers though - they know what they are doing.

Not too late at all. Is your DD currently in the state or private sector? If the former, you may need to do a bit more work, not that she'll be behind but because what they look for at 11+ and what they test for in SATS is a bit different.
Agree with the PP - we applied for a school which, when we got the offer (and were still waiting for other offers), I then realised that we could never accept it so wondered why on earth we'd applied!

Get her into regular practice now and narrow the prep down to the schools you wish to focus on. Preparation for Graveney (Wandsworth test) is slightly different than Sutton Grammars, which again is slightly different than independent schools tests.

Thank you - very helpful and reassuring!

Hi Stella - Just to add another thought, if you are close enough to Sheen, Laidlaw Education run mock exams. If I remember correctly there is one in the summer term of year 5 and it is open to anyone who wants to sit. The timing of that is especially helpful if like me you are applying from a state school with no guidance. The result might help to see which schools are going to be the right sort of fit academically, before you have to start registering and paying deposits in year 6.

Best wishes!

Ar you out of catchment for the Sutton grammars or in? It makes a big difference to the standard you need to get to.

You need to be top 5-10 in your class and have covered all the Year 6 topics by the time you take the exam at the beginning of Year 6. If your tutor has experience of getting people through the 11+ then they can advise.

Book a couple of 11+ mock tests as well at Wilsons or Wallington (the Wallington PTFA will give you a mock free if you have free schools meals or pupil premium).

It's definitely not late. We are in SW London and my DS just went through Wandsworth, Sutton, and independent schools exams and he started to prepare the exam exactly last March, and being offered a place for all independent schools he applied while 1st choice is offered in State school.

Agree with the other ppl suggested, it's essential to understand where your DD's position within her age group (e.g. by taking mockup exams) in order to apply the potential schools. Most schools' exams are focusing on English, Maths and verbal reasoning (Wandsworth test is different - verbal & non-verbal)

If she is within the top 20% of her age group, then she stands a good chance to get in a grammar school or a good independent school. If your goal is a super-selective or prestige school, then she needs to be within top 10% of her peers in order to secure an interview.

It's a challenging year but look back, it's an unforgettable experience and definitely worth it.

Good luck.

Thanks again. Very grateful for your tips and advice.
We're in Barnes/Putney area, so not in catchment for Sutton grammars.

Hello, mum of 3 just coming out the other side with the third 11+. In SW London with all 3 in different schools so I feel I should almost write a book..or a blog or something! Wow, what a ride. Is your DD in state primary or independent? I have experience of both and trust me from my experience the prep required was very different.

Toomuchpressure169 - well done on surviving the process 3 times! Hope all has gone well for you this year. I'm dreading the experience!
DD is in a state primary.