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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

11 plus support thread

208 replies

user153876909 · 21/08/2021 21:19

Hi folks,

My DS is sitting the 11 plus for some of the superselective grammar schools in London next month. We did a mock test today and got the results back, which have put me in a bit of a panic mode. I thought we were almost there with the prep but it seems we still have quite some work to do.

Anyone else have DC taking the 11+ next month and what last minute prep are you doing?

OP posts:
ElvenDreamer · 15/09/2021 06:31

@WithCatLikeTread oh no, everything crossed for you that it all works out, the whole covid bit just makes the already stressful situation a whole lot worse. Hang in there.

Ps as an aside I love your user name, I actually walked down the aisle to that song 🤣

Turefu · 15/09/2021 07:11

Hi, can I join in? My son is in year 5 and I’d like him to sit exam to the grammar school next year, there’s only one in the county , we’re North based.

Original poster
user153876909 · 16/09/2021 11:14

We're done (for now anyway). We've hardly done any work on creative writing though and if DS gets through to second stage of sutton tests, he will need that. Told him he could have time off now but since stage 2 is only 2 weeks away, we will probably only have a couple of days off and then work on the creative writing.
Heard some of the stats for entry to these schools though - apparently ~3500 candidates for QE and they will take 250 (at least that's what DS heard them say). Gosh, those odds are ridiculous!

OP posts:
smogsville · 16/09/2021 11:19

@user153876909

That ratio doesn't sound too ridiculous for QE, 14:1 chance? When I did 11+ many many moons ago it was generally accepted that it was 10:1.

I live in High Barnet, the streets yesterday and this morning were full of parents just standing around on their phones near the school/ high st. Why don't they go and sit in a cafe?! Isn't the exam long enough to allow time for that?

Original poster
user153876909 · 16/09/2021 11:23

yeh I went shopping and sat in 2 coffee shops, was holding a big bag of H&M when I went back to pick DS Blush - it's just daunting because almost all the parents there seemed very serious about it, as in their kid hasn't just wandered in to do the 11+, so those odds are particularly sobering given that that 13/14 of those kids will not get in.

OP posts:
BumbledBee · 16/09/2021 11:41

Lots of those children are sitting tests all over the place though - either as practise for the one they really want or are closer to, or to hedge their bets, or because they're ready to relocate and are open to several - so the numbers aren't as bad as they first appear. I have seen lists of postcodes of the applicants for these school and it is enlightening to say the least!

Original poster
user153876909 · 16/09/2021 11:44

yes I suppose so. DH has a colleague whose son got into and is now going to QE but he also gave exams for schools in Manchester Confused

OP posts:
smogsville · 16/09/2021 11:52

What happens to older siblings already in their schools that are geographically incompatible? The mind boggles!

BumbledBee · 16/09/2021 12:35

Yep, DS is at a super-selective and half his friendship group relocated from various places after securing their place. They had taken 6 or 7 exams and I'm sure scored highly in all of them, but can only choose one school!
Plus many who end up going the independent route also take the grammar tests to have a state option, or as practice.

Original poster
user153876909 · 16/09/2021 13:20

I'm so behind with work - have emails piling up that need to be replied to and just generally behind because I've found this whole 11+ process so all-consuming. How do parents balance it with working full time? It's mentally so draining that my work has suffered. Sorry, just having a whinge now that we're done with some of it and can take a breather.

OP posts:
ElvenDreamer · 16/09/2021 13:32

@user153876909 I hear you. We've not gone overboard like many seem to, but as you say, it's very stressful and I find it consumes all my thoughts currently, making me behind on life generally.

@Turefu I think most on this thread have DCs sitting 11+ literally this week end, for me it's DD, but I also have to do it all again next year for my yr 5 DS so am right there with you if you need to stress!

Sweetsweetsoul · 16/09/2021 20:32

I was so busy at work that I managed not to think about it for a while today - bliss!

Turefu · 17/09/2021 10:09

Thank you, ElvenDreamer. Threads like that are eyes opening. When I read some parents stating tutoring their children for 11+ from year 3, I feel I left preparations way to late. My son just started year 5. I want him to get into grammar school based on his ability, I know he's bright, but he'll compete against other bright children. I want him to go to Ripon Grammar School, the only grammar in our area.

Placido · 17/09/2021 11:34

Poor kids.

WithCatLikeTread · 17/09/2021 17:42

[quote ElvenDreamer]@WithCatLikeTread oh no, everything crossed for you that it all works out, the whole covid bit just makes the already stressful situation a whole lot worse. Hang in there.

Ps as an aside I love your user name, I actually walked down the aisle to that song 🤣[/quote]
ElvenDreamer - cool wedding song!
I have played it in orchestras (clarinet) and I have the tune for that bit, it sticks in my head!

DD seems calm for tomorrow, has a plan for a face mask and a bath - 🤷‍♀️ Whatever works.

Can’t wait for it to be over!

ElvenDreamer · 18/09/2021 06:52

Well it's all going to be over in a few hours, good luck everyone if your day is also today!

WithCatLikeTread · 18/09/2021 08:21

DD dropped off, all very smooth and easy.
My stomach is in knots but she seemed ok.

Nowhere near as busy as when DS did it, huge queue then, today we walked in, split into surname letters, handed in paperwork and left.

They are doing 2 sittings today, then some on Monday and maybe some on Tuesday too? Glad to be the first sitting to get it done.

12.15 pickup and then a nice lunch out, with cake.

annaseal · 18/09/2021 09:02

DD Dropped off! Hers very early morning shift. Must admit way better managed by the school than last week’s. Also lot less crowd. Now waiting ...... can hear music, actually loud music .... wine .... dance..... hurray!!! Its all done at last Grin Grin Best of luck everyone!!

ElvenDreamer · 18/09/2021 10:21

Husband texted to say DD dropped off successfully 9am bang on, he also commented much more smoothly run than last week.

NotAQueef · 18/09/2021 11:35

ah joining as DP just walking ds to his exam now. we're doing the CSSE paper in Colchester.
ds had a wobble last night so just praying he gets through the door and tries his best at this point.
best of luck to you all

lawofdistraction · 18/09/2021 11:59

DD doing her first right now, then have to go through it all again next Saturday!

WithCatLikeTread · 18/09/2021 13:39

We are all done!!

She came out very happy and said it was better than she’d expected.

Have to forget about it now for a few weeks. Nothing we can do to change anything.

ElvenDreamer · 18/09/2021 14:07

Done here too, hard to tell how it went although she seemed happy with the maths in particular as usually runs out of time on that paper. Everything crossed now for results!

NotAQueef · 18/09/2021 17:04

All done here now
Phew. He said it seemed harder than the mock he did and last year's paper. Managed to finish both which is good as he ran out of time in his mock.

changingstages · 18/09/2021 21:59

Just discovered this thread, a bit late really, as DD took hers (CSSE) today. She said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, but also later said it was harder than the (two) test papers we did, so who knows. We couldn't afford a tutor and I am worried she'd have stood a much better chance if we'd been able to as although she's bright there were things in the maths when we practised she hadn't really come across. She's brilliant at the English stuff.

I was surprised how nervous I was when she was doing it. And I felt pretty awful about the whole thing when I saw them all come out afterwards. They all looked so young. It's a bit brutal. So glad it's over with.