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Original poster

Quirky DD - story choice for exam

31 replies

DachsAndPups · 09/10/2022 11:46

So DD is sitting various exams for 11+ entry to senior schools at the moment. She had her first one yesterday and they had to choose between a story about pets or a story inspired by a photo of a fairground. She chose the photo.

When questioned about what she wrote about she revealed that she’d written a story about a werewolf apocalypse.

We’re doomed, aren’t we.

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/10/2022 11:52

I'm imagining an examiner sitting there saying 'dog story', 'dog story', 'dog story', cat story', cat story', 'dog story', 'where's my whisky', 'werewolf apocalypse - yes, please!'

Hopefully, her spelling and grammar were above average!

Hoppinggreen · 09/10/2022 11:55

Every story DD wrote from the minute she could write them up until her GCSEs ended with everyone dying.
She did well in the 11+, got a part scholarship to Private school and ended up with excellent GCSEs
As long as your DD followed the brief she will be fine and may get extra points for making it interesting

SoupDragon · 09/10/2022 11:57

That's just the sort of thing that will make her stand out from the crowd of heavily tutored "standard story" children.

i remember DS2 sitting these exams and, after a particularly dubious story where everyone ended up face down in a swimming pool having been shot, I had to give him some guidance before each exam reminding him "nobody is to die!"

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 09/10/2022 11:57

I think it's quite common for young kids to want to write about disaster/apocalypse-type scenarios, isn't it? I remember dd's secondary school English teacher telling them in around year 9 that those stories were fine when they were younger but that she was looking for something a bit more mature/nuanced/creative as they got older. So I don't suppose she'll be alone in writing that kind of thing!!Grin

Original poster
DachsAndPups · 09/10/2022 11:57

She did at least spell apocalypse correctly so maybe there’s some hope! 😂

OP posts:
ExpulsoCorona · 09/10/2022 12:04

DachsAndPups · 09/10/2022 11:46

So DD is sitting various exams for 11+ entry to senior schools at the moment. She had her first one yesterday and they had to choose between a story about pets or a story inspired by a photo of a fairground. She chose the photo.

When questioned about what she wrote about she revealed that she’d written a story about a werewolf apocalypse.

We’re doomed, aren’t we.

😂 My DD did very similar to yours and got into the schools she did this at. Don't worry. They're looking at quality of writing and love a bit of quirkiness.

WilsonGick · 09/10/2022 12:25

My DS did something similar when sitting 13+ entrance exams for in Year 8. Creative writing was his great strength (had won short story competitions) so we had concentrated on his terrible maths other subjects when prepping for exams. He emerged from one exam and announced that for the creative writing element of the English paper he had written one paragraph. Three blank pages in the booklet available to fill, and he wrote one single paragraph.

I immediately assumed it was a write-off since he hadn't even managed to show he knew how to use paragraphs properly 😂. DS would never tell me exactly what was in his solitary paragraph, but not only he was offered a place at the school, he was also offered an academic scholarship for his potential in English.

If it's the right school for your DD, they will love her quirky story. If they don't appreciate her story, it probably isn't the right place for her.

Zib · 09/10/2022 12:33

Don't worry. For my 11+ scholarship exam I wrote a detailed account of assembling and detonating a nuclear bomb. Clearly I stood out from the crowd for my knowledge of how to handle radioactive substances.

Rubiesue · 09/10/2022 14:31

Seriously, don’t double guess. My child wrote THE most bonkers 11+ story and he passed (SS grammar, London). I was convinced he was doomed. That said, he could have been.

We really don’t know what they are looking for. I know he’ll have had great grammar and spelling since he was really good at both (but he was hopeless, honestly, at creative writing). In fact, thinking on it, he didn’t even really answer the question correctly (took the topic, and went off-piste). Maybe the examiner just thought he was quirky (he is, tbf). He’s excelling now fwiw, including in English (he was always more mathsy), so they made the right decision with him.

Ps fwiw I’d love to read about an apocalypse fairground — when the time comes, pl can you update us and let us know whether she passes?

pointythings · 09/10/2022 16:34

I think it'll be fine. Her story will stand out. Within that, they will be looking for excellent vocab, spelling and grammar and use of literary skills for effect as well as a coherent narrative with a beginning, middle, end and plot that makes sense.

My DD2 was given 'A time I got lost' as one of her GCSE cues and wrote about being stranded on a desert island and being rescued by sharks (she has autism and knows a lot about sharks). She scored full marks in the creative writing paper and it is now being used as a teaching paper at her school. She is studying Marine Biology.

AllThatHoopla · 09/10/2022 16:43

I'm pretty sure that the actual story line will have absolutely nothing to do with the marking.

It will be extended noun phrases and subordinate clauses they will be looking for. A picture of a fair is a pretty common stimulus as it gives children a really good opportunity to use descriptive language.

Perhaps an extra mark if it didn't end 'it was all a dream'.

PinkFrogss · 09/10/2022 21:14

I don’t think they actually care that much about what kids write about.

I imagine they give topics either to stop children wasting time trying to think of something to write about, or to stop children just rewriting a pre prepared story.

Original poster
DachsAndPups · 11/10/2022 09:07

So DD has her interview for the werewolf story school on Friday. We're at a state primary so not getting a lot of support in the whole application process. What kind of things can she expect in the interview? I'm assuming standard kind of 'what do you enjoy at school/out of school/why do you want to come here', but is there anything else we should be prepared for?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 11/10/2022 09:14

DD was asked about current affairs too.

WilsonGick · 11/10/2022 13:02

The questions vary hugely from school to school. From my experience across a handful of schools, examples of the sorts of questions that might be asked include:

  • What is your favourite/least favourite subject/book/film, and why?
  • What superpower/magical ability would you choose and why?
  • What was the last book you read?
  • Talk about a current/recent topic in the news.
  • Talk about a time that you found something challenging/had to solve a problem and explain what you did.
  • Talk about something interesting that you learned at school/read about recently.
  • What is your favourite hobby/sport/thing to to do outside school?
  • If you /your friends described you in 3 words, what would those words be?
  • What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?
  • Talk about something you've done that you're proud of.
  • Variations on "Is it better to be happy or rich?" "What is more important, happiness or success?"
  • If you could change one thing about your current school, what would it be?
  • What are you most looking forward to if you come to X school?

Some schools also do some academic testing as part of the interview process - for example, some mental maths, or a poem/news article/painting to look at and comment on.

It's definitely a good idea to prep on the basics of current affairs - who is PM, which party is in government, Queen's death, who is the new monarch, what's going on in Ukraine, climate change, etc. For other questions, don't do too much practising or preparation of answers in advance as that can sound coached or over-rehearsed.

Additional things to tell your DD:

  • Sometimes the interviewer will ask a left-field question to see whether children can think on their feet, so she shouldn't be thrown off her stride by a weird question.
  • If she gets a question about a topic she knows nothing about or is struggling to answer, rather than say "I don't know" and then sit in silence, it is better to "think aloud" about the question - e.g. "I don't know much about that. I suppose I would start by wanting to know....I wonder whether....This makes me think of [other vaguely related topic that she does know somehting about]"
  • If she's getting questions that seem tricky, it's quite likely to be because she's doing well, not because she's doing badly (no point in asking difficult questions of a child who's struggling with the easy ones).
  • If she needs to pause and think before answering a question, it's perfectly fine for her to say that to the interviewer.
  • If she doesn't understand a question, it's also fine to say that and ask for clarification.
Original poster
DachsAndPups · 11/10/2022 13:18

WilsonGick · 11/10/2022 13:02

The questions vary hugely from school to school. From my experience across a handful of schools, examples of the sorts of questions that might be asked include:

  • What is your favourite/least favourite subject/book/film, and why?
  • What superpower/magical ability would you choose and why?
  • What was the last book you read?
  • Talk about a current/recent topic in the news.
  • Talk about a time that you found something challenging/had to solve a problem and explain what you did.
  • Talk about something interesting that you learned at school/read about recently.
  • What is your favourite hobby/sport/thing to to do outside school?
  • If you /your friends described you in 3 words, what would those words be?
  • What 3 things would you take with you to a desert island?
  • Talk about something you've done that you're proud of.
  • Variations on "Is it better to be happy or rich?" "What is more important, happiness or success?"
  • If you could change one thing about your current school, what would it be?
  • What are you most looking forward to if you come to X school?

Some schools also do some academic testing as part of the interview process - for example, some mental maths, or a poem/news article/painting to look at and comment on.

It's definitely a good idea to prep on the basics of current affairs - who is PM, which party is in government, Queen's death, who is the new monarch, what's going on in Ukraine, climate change, etc. For other questions, don't do too much practising or preparation of answers in advance as that can sound coached or over-rehearsed.

Additional things to tell your DD:

  • Sometimes the interviewer will ask a left-field question to see whether children can think on their feet, so she shouldn't be thrown off her stride by a weird question.
  • If she gets a question about a topic she knows nothing about or is struggling to answer, rather than say "I don't know" and then sit in silence, it is better to "think aloud" about the question - e.g. "I don't know much about that. I suppose I would start by wanting to know....I wonder whether....This makes me think of [other vaguely related topic that she does know somehting about]"
  • If she's getting questions that seem tricky, it's quite likely to be because she's doing well, not because she's doing badly (no point in asking difficult questions of a child who's struggling with the easy ones).
  • If she needs to pause and think before answering a question, it's perfectly fine for her to say that to the interviewer.
  • If she doesn't understand a question, it's also fine to say that and ask for clarification.

Thanks! That's really helpful.

Much appreciated

OP posts:
SuperheroBirds · 11/10/2022 13:32

Going back 20 years to mine, the deputy head who interviewed me had a lot of artwork hung in his offices. He asked me what medium each was painted in, and then which was my favourite one of his collection and why. I was also asked about the last book I read.
Then he finished with the tricky question - how would I describe the colour green to a blind person? I can’t even remember what I said now, but I think I asked some clarifying questions and did some thinking aloud, and whatever I said was enough to get me in.

SoupDragon · 11/10/2022 22:42

DS2 was asked what his faults were. Apparently he was very forthcoming 😂 They offered him a scholarship though!

Original poster
DachsAndPups · 20/10/2022 19:08

Sadly DD was ill on the day she was meant to have her interview. Offers for this school go out on 28 October but her interview has been rescheduled for 1 Nov. Does this mean her chances of getting in are compromised, or do you think she'll be ok?

OP posts:
KathieFerrars · 20/10/2022 19:35

If they want her, they will offer. Remember they offer more than places available because not all will accept. Don't stress, I am sure it will be fine.

Original poster
DachsAndPups · 08/11/2022 12:16

Rubiesue · 09/10/2022 14:31

Seriously, don’t double guess. My child wrote THE most bonkers 11+ story and he passed (SS grammar, London). I was convinced he was doomed. That said, he could have been.

We really don’t know what they are looking for. I know he’ll have had great grammar and spelling since he was really good at both (but he was hopeless, honestly, at creative writing). In fact, thinking on it, he didn’t even really answer the question correctly (took the topic, and went off-piste). Maybe the examiner just thought he was quirky (he is, tbf). He’s excelling now fwiw, including in English (he was always more mathsy), so they made the right decision with him.

Ps fwiw I’d love to read about an apocalypse fairground — when the time comes, pl can you update us and let us know whether she passes?

So we found out today - she got a place and a scholarship ‘near miss’ letter saying how wonderful she was but that she just been slightly pipped to the post by another candidate

OP posts:
caringcarer · 08/11/2022 12:25

My dd sat an 11+ entrance exam and wrote about a magic roundabout that children got on then got catapulted off into different countries. She sat happily telling me about it and I remember thinking thank goodness she is good at Sport. Amazingly she not only got offered a place but 50 percent bursary too. Must have been the Sport.

SoupDragon · 08/11/2022 12:30

DachsAndPups · 08/11/2022 12:16

So we found out today - she got a place and a scholarship ‘near miss’ letter saying how wonderful she was but that she just been slightly pipped to the post by another candidate

Show quote history

Great news, OP! Shame about just missing out on the scholarship though.

secondaryquandries · 08/11/2022 21:38

Love it, good for her. Sounds like a great setting for a horror.

secondaryquandries · 08/11/2022 21:43

Ooh and congratulations on the offer!!