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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 2022

623 replies

PalindromemordnilaP · 23/09/2022 20:35

Anyone else have a DC sitting 11+ this Autumn?

If so, would you like to chat on a support thread?

DD is sitting her exam tomorrow.

Anyone else? Waiting for the results will be nail-biting.

OP posts:
Aethelfleda · 14/10/2022 21:40

Pipsquiggle · 14/10/2022 21:21

@Aethelfleda sorry about that, do you think you'll appeal?

I wasn't aware of 'exam tourism' - everyone I knew that took both exams were in catchment for both areas

Appeals are after March and rarely work: Bucks is unusual in that they have a pre-appeal called Review, which tops up children to the pass mark if it’s deemed they should have passed. Not everyone makes it. but loads of kids from London/MK/Herts who have no chance of a place by distance sit it each year. because it’s a %pass exam, each out of towner who “passes” will push two local kids below the pass mark. Bucks uses the Review system to make it less unfair on the locals. Slough doesn’t care because they just like having high achievers. Loads of slough kids have to go elsewhere for school
necause the places are taken by out of towners

Aethelfleda · 14/10/2022 21:42

well done to your DS @Pipsquiggle !

Aethelfleda · 14/10/2022 21:45

so yes I think we’ll ask for a Selection review . though no guarantees as it’s literally a letter from us and one from the Head to say he’s GS material. if they aren’t convinced then that’s it. Apparently they do a whole pile of them: about 6 minutes per decision sometimes.

Octoberfishing · 14/10/2022 22:01

Aethelfleda · 14/10/2022 21:45

so yes I think we’ll ask for a Selection review . though no guarantees as it’s literally a letter from us and one from the Head to say he’s GS material. if they aren’t convinced then that’s it. Apparently they do a whole pile of them: about 6 minutes per decision sometimes.

Looking at those really helpful links you sent, it seems there's an 85% chance of success. Good luck!

Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 14/10/2022 22:17

@CreateAName123 are you in Calderdale by any chance?

We're in the same position following a fair banding assessment. The last 3 weeks have dragged.

OP posts:
Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 14/10/2022 22:18

I hope the selection review goes in your favour @Aethelfleda . I'm sorry you're having to go through it. I don't really understand what exam tourism is or why anyone would put their child through an unnecessary exam.

OP posts:
Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 14/10/2022 22:20

Fantastic news @Pipsquiggle . Well done to your DC.

OP posts:
CreateAName123 · 15/10/2022 06:52

PalindromemordnilaP · 14/10/2022 22:17

@CreateAName123 are you in Calderdale by any chance?

We're in the same position following a fair banding assessment. The last 3 weeks have dragged.

Yes we're calderdale. I wish they did the results by email, what with the royal mail strikes I'm hoping it doesn't delay the letter.

Oh well only a week to go

Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 15/10/2022 07:45

@CreateAName123 I also wish they did the results by email, like the fair banding results. If it's possible to assess all of the children for fair banding across many different primary schools and a sitting in the secondary school hall, then have the results to the parents within a week via email, why is it soooo long for the grammar results?!

I'm hoping that we may get the results earlier in the week next week.

Good luck to your DC.

OP posts:
JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 15/10/2022 11:12

Congratulations @Pipsquiggle you must be very pleased.

For those that haven’t passed, or came close, it’s just one exam on one day. Your DCs are still amazing ❤️

MagnaQuestion · 15/10/2022 11:35

Waiting for the post here...

Dynamix · 15/10/2022 12:01

MagnaQuestion · 15/10/2022 11:35

Waiting for the post here...

We're second class but I'm still on tenter hooks just in case it arrives today! Best of luck Magna 🤞

MKDmumofflash · 15/10/2022 13:01

Dynamix · 15/10/2022 12:01

We're second class but I'm still on tenter hooks just in case it arrives today! Best of luck Magna 🤞

Show quote history

Best of luck to all today. I'm like a jack in a box jumping up and down with every car engine in case its the postie (rural)

Dynamix · 15/10/2022 13:19

Same- we're out in the middle of nowhere too (took over a week for our letter with the test details to arrive at the end of August). I nearly had heart failure when my daughters friend knocked on the door to play as I thought it was the postie Grin The posts literally just dropped for today so here's hoping it arrives on Monday!

MKDmumofflash · 15/10/2022 13:57

Post has just been. Massive pile. No letter 😪

Dynamix · 15/10/2022 13:58

MKDmumofflash · 15/10/2022 13:57

Post has just been. Massive pile. No letter 😪

Fingers crossed for Monday!!

Pipsquiggle · 15/10/2022 15:53

It's been very quiet on the WhatsApp groups since the results came out yesterday.

It usually takes someone who's DC didn't get the marks to say something and then others are more forthcoming

I did see another mum this morning whose DD 'scraped a pass' but they've decided grammar is not for them.

I hope you are all OK. I only appreciate now how much this past year has weighed on us. Thank goodness it's over

elevenplusdilemma · 15/10/2022 16:06

Our post came! DC has passed! Absolutely delighted as we couldn't afford a tutor and everyone told us we'd have no chance.

MagnaQuestion · 15/10/2022 16:08

Passed here too! So pleased.

Dynamix · 15/10/2022 16:19

Well done! That's great news Smile

starpatch · 15/10/2022 16:44

Well done both so exciting!

Aethelfleda · 15/10/2022 17:31

well done both!

MKDmumofflash · 15/10/2022 18:08

Oh thats great news! Well done all!!!

ElvenDreamer · 15/10/2022 18:53

Well done!

Confrontayshunme · 15/10/2022 19:19

I came here as my DD passed by the exact pass mark, but I know the year group locally is the biggest in years as they warned us at the open evening. The idea of not knowing until April whether she has a place is really tough, plus would she even cope if she is the bottom of the top kids? She is very calm and laidback, and my DH (who went to grammar) thinks she won't get pushed enough at the very good local comp.

Anyone have any advice or kids who have dealt with this?😓