Page 5 | 11 plus support thread

user153876909 · 2021-08-21T20:19:25+00:00

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?

ElvenDreamer · 19/09/2021 20:41

@changingstages never too late, plenty of anxious waiting still to do! They did all seem too young to be doing exams didn't they.

Original poster

user153876909 · 21/09/2021 12:15

Anyone else really nervous waiting for results? I think we're expecting one of ours tomorrow to see if through to the second stage. Haven't prepared much at all for the second stage so should really get going.

OP posts:

NobbyButtons · 21/09/2021 14:40

DS had his test yesterday along with a few other boys from his class (only one was there at the same time, as they had at least two sittings). He had the same problem as in the mocks - not enough time! Plus the room was quite hot and stuffy apparently and he got tired towards the end. It's a long exam for children of 10 or 11. I'm very glad it's over.

OP - do you have a second stage? I hadn't heard of that!

Original poster

user153876909 · 21/09/2021 15:08

We sat the Sutton tests, which has two stages for some of the schools. If you pass Stage 1 you get invited to give the Stage 2 exams which are in ~ 10 days.

OP posts:

ElvenDreamer · 21/09/2021 15:34

Gosh, more angst for a second stage, that sounds like hard work OP, I feel for you. In Essex we're done and dusted in one hit. That being said, DD also now has some aptitude tests to sit for another couple of potential schools but at least we can't really prep for those.

annaseal · 21/09/2021 21:53

@user153876909

We sat the Sutton tests, which has two stages for some of the schools. If you pass Stage 1 you get invited to give the Stage 2 exams which are in ~ 10 days.

Best of Luck! 🙏🙏

Original poster

user153876909 · 22/09/2021 10:06

Thank you @annaseal. We were so fixated on Stage 1, haven't done much prep at all for the second stage and it's getting difficult to motivate DS to do anything.

OP posts:

Pipsquiggle · 22/09/2021 12:48

I have loads of queries - my DC is in year 5.

We live in a village that borders a county 11+ system, we are therefore within catchment.

We are about to embark on the tutor journey. I have been very clear with the tutor that if he feels that my DC won't thrive in a grammar school environment that we won't continue - when do you tend to make that call? Around January?

smogsville · 22/09/2021 18:33

Like @Pipsquiggle I have a Y5 DD.

I'm interested in your views on the hoary old question of spelling - how much weight does it carry in English/ literacy 11+ exams?

If it's very important then it may not be worth us bothering with the process as DD's is rather erratic (we are awaiting an appointment for a dyslexia assessment).

smogsville · 22/09/2021 18:37

Oh and I am also hearing that if they can't already do all the Y6 work comfortably by start of Y5, round our way (north London) they're unlikely to be successful. Would be interested in people's views. If so it definitely sounds more competitive than when I were a lad (so to speak).

annaseal · 22/09/2021 18:43

@smogsville

Oh and I am also hearing that if they can't already do all the Y6 work comfortably by start of Y5, round our way (north London) they're unlikely to be successful. Would be interested in people's views. If so it definitely sounds more competitive than when I were a lad (so to speak).

Ohhh Not from North London. So cannot comment on your region’s competition, but I know loads start preparing beginning of year 5 and succeed to get a place in a grammar. TBH main prep start from year 5. Before that you really try to build a strong foundation. Best of luck to you

smogsville · 22/09/2021 18:59

Thanks @annaseal - to me it sounded a bit OTT to say they have to know everything they'll learn in Y6 before they even start Y5 (presumably with a view to spending Y5 getting faster and practising exam technique). But i know a lot of people locally whose children are involved in the process now so I guess I can see who gets places and then assess. We are lucky insofar as the local girls' option is excellent so if we decide not to go ahead with exams it won't be a biggie.

dreadingthetime · 23/09/2021 09:36

Even though I decided to take the indie route for my DD, must say it is equally stressful. Good that grammar school exams are all nearly over now. DD will be taking hers from November ono.. So still few months of anxious grinding.

dreadingthetime · 23/09/2021 09:42

@smogsville

Oh and I am also hearing that if they can't already do all the Y6 work comfortably by start of Y5, round our way (north London) they're unlikely to be successful. Would be interested in people's views. If so it definitely sounds more competitive than when I were a lad (so to speak).

Even though I am from this part of Essex outside M25, but heard kids from far east and as far as up to North of London sits for the indie school exams here. Not sure how they will then manage to commute to school every day, or may be they will relocate. But yes talking about competition, situation is becoming worse and worse by day now.

smogsville · 23/09/2021 09:57

@dreadingthetime I am going to talk to some people with Y6 children who I know I can trust to tell me honestly whether their children were doing new learning and exam practice/ prep during Y5, or if they knew everything already. I'm assuming that if your child is in an academic prep school, you're banking on them being ahead of national curriculum already but these particular children are in local state primaries. I will report back!

KillingEvenings · 24/09/2021 17:52

Has anyone on here gotten to second stage with the Sutton Grammars? We received the scores on Tuesday and were over the moon to see that DS has made it to second stage, but we still haven't received an actual invite. Has any one else gotten theirs yet?

BumbledBee · 24/09/2021 18:11

@KillingEvenings

Has anyone on here gotten to second stage with the Sutton Grammars? We received the scores on Tuesday and were over the moon to see that DS has made it to second stage, but we still haven't received an actual invite. Has any one else gotten theirs yet?

They haven't gone out for the boys yet. We got DD's yesterday for tomorrow's exam. When DS did his we got the details 4 days before the stage 2 exam.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 24/09/2021 18:41

@BumbledBee - good luck for tomorrow. My dd also through to second round. All feels very surreal and so quick.

BumbledBee · 24/09/2021 18:44

[quote Lockdowndramaqueen]@BumbledBee - good luck for tomorrow. My dd also through to second round. All feels very surreal and so quick.[/quote]
Thank you, and good luck to your DD too. The wait for the scores will feel long I'm sure!

ElvenDreamer · 24/09/2021 19:52

Good luck every one!

Lockdowndramaqueen · 24/09/2021 21:04

🙏🙌🙌 yes good luck to all

Lockdowndramaqueen · 25/09/2021 21:41

Glad that’s over. Onwards with Tiffin next week. Dd seemed quite happy today so 🤞

Hope everyone else found it ok today.

BumbledBee · 26/09/2021 08:41

@Lockdowndramaqueen

Glad that’s over. Onwards with Tiffin next week. Dd seemed quite happy today so 🤞

Hope everyone else found it ok today.

DD was happy with yesterday's exam. We are local to Nonsuch and the odds are very good for in-catchment, so that's it for us. Now we just wait

WithCatLikeTread · 26/09/2021 20:05

Good luck to anyone still with tests to sit.

3 weeks til results I think.

Found out local grammars weren’t doing open evenings but they are doing some visits after the results come out which is handy as we won’t bother if DD hasn’t passed!

ElvenDreamer · 26/09/2021 20:43

@WithCatLikeTread you were Essex grammar schools weren't you? I haven't seen anything about open days?