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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:
Jules912 · 19/01/2023 08:49

I'm really conflicted for DD as she's bright enough but has SEN and really struggles with any kind of formal assessment to the point that currently she wouldn't cope with the exam even with adjustments. I'm also not convinced grammar schools know what to do with ASD children. Fortunately there's quite a big age gap so I don't have to decide yet, and our grammar schools are single sex so she couldn't go to the school DS's hopefully going to anyway.

ElvenDreamer · 19/01/2023 11:01

@Jules912 DC 2 who I'm waiting on now has an ASD diagnosis. We applied for reasonable adjustments for the exam and were given everything we asked for (this was done by an external body) . The school he was sitting at then phoned the week before to ensure they'd understood everything that he needed and the actual day went so smoothly I can't tell you. Normally a timed assessment would freak him out but he came out so comfortable that I feel it was a worthwhile experience whatever the result. When we looked around the schools initially we were impressed by the senco at the one we're hoping for, seemed very clued up and there was a plan for extended transition etc. Now just hoping he gets in! Of course it may all sound fine and then still fall apart, but that is true of anywhere, and as I say, test experience was very good. If you do go ahead, do apply for adjustments.

Dynamix · 19/01/2023 11:47

We've got a biggish age gap so luckily don't have to think about it yet. My DD who just passed the 11+ scored a really high mark (50+ marks over the cut off). We are waiting to see if she secures a place based on distance from school only (unfortunately!) We are a bit out of catchment and it's not usual for children from her primary to sit the exam, but it would fit in really well with her extra curricular activity that takes place in the same town the Grammar is in.

We didn't decide that she was going to sit the 11+ till April / May time when she asked to do it as all her friends from her activity were sitting it. I had no firm idea /gauge of the standard required as it is just not something we'd come across before. We did CGP books at home and I was thrilled by the outcome based on pretty light prep.

I'd definitely consider it for her brother, as from reading stuff on here I'd imagined that you had to be some kind of freaky genius to even pass, and she really excelled at it. My DD is bright (greater depth across the board) but certainly no freaky genius!

Jules912 · 19/01/2023 14:59

@ElvenDreamer that's good to know, I'll definitely talk to the SENCOs nearer the time.

Aethelfleda · 19/01/2023 20:50

they are all different! DD1 bright and quick, passed easily and loves grammar.
DD2 just as bright, dyslexic and didn’t pass, decided not to appeal, she has done just as well in her comp and now in y11. DS is my DC3…
we gave him the choice too and he wanted to try for the grammar.

Aethelfleda · 19/01/2023 21:54

@Dynamix , I think regarding the “freaky genius” thing, it is very, very geography dependent. Some schools are super selective and literally have 3000 children put in for 180 places (they have multiple “rounds “ of testing and intense tutoring for almost every entrant)
others have a more sensible/laid back set of families entering and as a result the chances for a normal/non hyper tutoured child are better.
Some areas are notorious for the super competitive parents “winning” places for their children by overdoing the prep to the exclusion of all other things, and the schools can be a bit exam-factory as a result. (one of our local everyone-excels school regularly trumpets how fab their marks are but they admit based on score and are always going to out perform the comps with genuine all-ability intake.)

Dynamix · 20/01/2023 09:35

Aethelfleda · 19/01/2023 21:54

@Dynamix , I think regarding the “freaky genius” thing, it is very, very geography dependent. Some schools are super selective and literally have 3000 children put in for 180 places (they have multiple “rounds “ of testing and intense tutoring for almost every entrant)
others have a more sensible/laid back set of families entering and as a result the chances for a normal/non hyper tutoured child are better.
Some areas are notorious for the super competitive parents “winning” places for their children by overdoing the prep to the exclusion of all other things, and the schools can be a bit exam-factory as a result. (one of our local everyone-excels school regularly trumpets how fab their marks are but they admit based on score and are always going to out perform the comps with genuine all-ability intake.)

That is definitely true Aethelfleda and the Grammar we're waiting on is one that takes roughly the top 25%. I guess what I mean is, as a complete outsider to the system, I found a lot of the online stuff around Grammar entrance and what was required really opaque, and what I could find out about it was extremely intense (11+ Forum) with parents (not all of whose children were applying for super-selective) really undertaking what I would consider to be an awful lot of extra work / tutoring that seemed to go on for years before the exam. This definitely freaked me out and nearly put us off as we had no frame of reference as to what was required, ie. Johnny from the year above got in and is similar ability to put DD etc, so it just seemed that anyone passing was a candidate for that hideous Child Genius TV programme 😆

It has been nice finding more supportive threads on here and I'm really hoping everyone gets the outcome they're hoping for with reviews and national offer day.

Aethelfleda · 23/01/2023 20:40

<grumbles and kicks a can about>

Aethelfleda · 23/01/2023 20:48

ps Child Genius… that was on when DD1 was first taking the 11 plus. Kale smoothies and shouty parents galore!

MKDmumofflash · 24/01/2023 07:37

How are we all coping with the spectre of ofsted? I know many schools haven't been assessed for years and in some cases have had poor reports following years of Outstanding.

Our 3rd choice (we only get 3) had ofsted last term and the report still hasn't been published, our 2nd choice had them last week so the report won't be out for a while, what the hell do people do if their first choice or allocated school suddenly has a damning report (although I completely get that it depends on the reasons why)?

Dynamix · 24/01/2023 11:09

MKDmumofflash · 24/01/2023 07:37

How are we all coping with the spectre of ofsted? I know many schools haven't been assessed for years and in some cases have had poor reports following years of Outstanding.

Our 3rd choice (we only get 3) had ofsted last term and the report still hasn't been published, our 2nd choice had them last week so the report won't be out for a while, what the hell do people do if their first choice or allocated school suddenly has a damning report (although I completely get that it depends on the reasons why)?

This happened just after DD started primary and was a bit of a horrible shock! There was a change of Head and most staff so we stuck with it and they finally got a 'Good' about 6 months ago after the inspections were reinstated following Covid. It's definitely a bit of a leap of faith though.

Aethelfleda · 24/01/2023 23:04

honestly, Ofsted ratings are often just a snapshot of how well the school data-gathers for Ofsted. Mine have gone to schools with ratings of everything from 1-4 and the only thing we noticed was that all the “naice” mummies pulled their little darlings out of the suddenly “4” ranked infant one (which gave our DD1 a class size of 17 that year, fab ratio, thanks naice mummies!) and they sought “better” pastures. The actual school was fine, and the downrating was just because they inspected two days after a new term when a combo of mat leave, retirement, sabbaticals and a random RIP left 50% of the teaching staff suddenly replaced. so they were a bit at sea and unprepared for Ofsted.
plus the smug not-inspected-for-20’years outstanding schools are often surprised when they do get inspected. The whole thing’s a circus and honestly not as big a deal as everyone makes out…

MKDmumofflash · 25/01/2023 07:35

Our 1st and 2nd choices are the smug not inspected for 20 yrs ones 😫and yes, you're right, may have a rude awakening.

Jules912 · 25/01/2023 08:28

I don't pay too much attention to Ofsted. It's worth remembering that inadequate schools tend not to stay that way for long (unless there's some underlying issue outside the schools control) as they get money thrown at them. As it happens if DS doesn't get into grammar our first choice comprehensive is rating inadequate, but the new head has really turned things around (I've spoken to parents of existing children so don't think they're just managing to put on a good show).

UsernameOfMine · 25/01/2023 09:56

Our first choice (grammar) has previously been rated outstanding and not been inspected for a long long while. In fact they're into their 2nd new headteacher since then. But our eldest is happy there and we've been happy with the school.

Our top choice comp was previously rated inadequate but a year/two ago was taken over by a trust which has a reputation of taking an inadequate school and improving it to outstanding. Parents there have been impressed so we'd be happy with that.

ElvenDreamer · 25/01/2023 13:11

Our 1st choice was downgraded 2 years ago, consequently when we initially looked around we weren't expecting to like it. The advantage now however is eyes are firmly on them and they are rapidly sorting things out. More recent interim reports are very encouraging. When we looked around we really liked it and felt confident about the things Ofsted had picked up on being improved. Local news now tells me that it may become part of an academy trust to continue its improvement so more changes ahead!

Maybetoofarsouth · 26/01/2023 13:18

Next week, we'll find out next month. 😁

thing47 · 26/01/2023 13:48

Jules912 · 25/01/2023 08:28

I don't pay too much attention to Ofsted. It's worth remembering that inadequate schools tend not to stay that way for long (unless there's some underlying issue outside the schools control) as they get money thrown at them. As it happens if DS doesn't get into grammar our first choice comprehensive is rating inadequate, but the new head has really turned things around (I've spoken to parents of existing children so don't think they're just managing to put on a good show).

Yes, never underestimate the influence of a good HT and strong SLT, they can turn some things around pretty quickly and while others may take a little longer, they can be changed too.

DD2 went to a secondary modern that a couple of years before parents would do anything they could to avoid. But a very dynamic HT had already had an impact, and we only had one or two issues throughout DD's 7 years there. She actually did well enough in her GCSEs to switch to a grammar school but chose not to. 5 years on, the HT is still there, the school is rated Good and is over-subscribed every year.

ElvenDreamer · 01/02/2023 11:26

Final month of waiting...!

Unsuredad123 · 01/02/2023 11:31

@ElvenDreamer and a shorter month. Fear kicking in application not filled in, put them in the wrong order, DC doesn't get first 2 choices.

I was less nervous last year went DC1 was going through it all

ElvenDreamer · 01/02/2023 12:09

@Unsuredad123 same fears here, and yes, worse than last year with DC1, there seems to be even more at stake 2nd time round. I'll be a nervous wreck when I do 3rd and final DC I should think. But you're right, it's a short month. I am resigning myself to 4th choice school and trying to think of all the positives about it so I'm ready with bright and breezy 'isn't it wonderful, you'll be going to x school' face!

Dynamix · 01/02/2023 12:16

Yikes- just 4 weeks now... it's the hope that kills you!!

UsernameOfMine · 01/02/2023 16:41

Waiting for a place for 2nd child is worse than 1st. I so want them in the same school. If not then 3rd choice would be ideal as it's just down the road from dc1 school. But that's not a guaranteed place. We're Def feeder school/catchment for choice 4/5 but they're in the opposite direction from current drop off

Not long now....

Maybetoofarsouth · 14/02/2023 16:45

Everyone is being very restrained.... 😁

2 weeks tomorrow. And I'm alway with work so DH will have to deal with it whatever the outcome.

I was doing fine until this morning I was reading a thread about a family moving to London and someone posted stats showing the high birth rate in 2011 and 2012. Typical!

How is everyone else holding up?

Aethelfleda · 14/02/2023 20:00

two days til the Bucks Review results here!
(which is the big decider for us)

Though apparently someone in Bucks pressed “publish” early on the aggregate results, which I’ve not seen before. Means some of the lower scoring review appeals (where there is only 1 or 2 Reviews for that score) could work out in advance of results if they are through or not.
DS’s score (0.5 points off) had 139 reviews so we are still crossing everything, as it could go either way….