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Secondary education

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Original poster

2023 Eleven Plus support thread

854 replies

elevenduck · 19/10/2022 16:30

I thought it might be useful for parents of 2023 children taking the 11+ test next school year to have a space to talk everything 11+ - tips on managing stress, approaches to the different papers, ways of relaxing etc.

Let's try and keep it positive and supportive!

OP posts:
PreplexJ · 02/09/2023 09:49

There will be small variation of exam content for a specific school every year, you don't won't expect big changes, if so the school will announce way before exam registration.

If the kid tutor and prep well I don't think it make much difference.

Coraline353 · 02/09/2023 15:55

Bexley this year has two papers. One is comprehension, English (SPAG) and verbal reasoning. The other is maths, NVR and spatial. But it's the first year GL have done Bexley so don't really know any more than that.

Coraline353 · 03/09/2023 12:36

I just got our email with details and so did DS best friend @BlackLambAndGreyFalcon . Have you got yours?

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 03/09/2023 20:49

@Coraline353 just received it now this evening. That saves a phone call tomorrow morning. Good luck to your DS.

Coraline353 · 03/09/2023 21:13

You too. Just over a week to go!

Discodiva101 · 04/09/2023 09:49

Do others feel “burn out” is a thing? I’m trying to decide if it’s better for DD to keep prepping or have a break in lead up to exam 🙈

Ladybowes · 04/09/2023 10:15

Discodiva101 · 04/09/2023 09:49

Do others feel “burn out” is a thing? I’m trying to decide if it’s better for DD to keep prepping or have a break in lead up to exam 🙈

Yes definitely. But with school starting again this week we are going to be doing less and properly nothing the week before the exam. I have that feeling if he doesn't know it now it's too late.

Also the reality for us is he is unlike to get in - but we thought we would give a try. As we are trying for a super-selective where about 1800 apply for 180 places. So don't want to stress him unnecessarily. Luckily for us the alternatives are amazing so nothing to lose either way.

PettsWoodParadise · 04/09/2023 14:45

Do remember that when you see the stats of how many sit the test, not all will be after the same places. DD's superselective grammar which she recently left had about 1700 sit for 168 places but some were using it as a free test for practice, some were also attending tests for nearby grammar areas (where I am it is usual to sit Kent, Bexley and also for one of the Bromley grammars). Some just get the results for bragging rights and choose an independent and try and get a scholarship discount based on the result. Good luck all!

Ladybowes · 04/09/2023 15:32

@PettsWoodParadise thanks - that's useful to bear in mind.

LimeCheesecake · 04/09/2023 16:16

Oh DDs come back from school a different child, relaxed, smiley- saying she’s seen the hall all laid out for the desks and last year they got extra playtime at break between papers and it’s like she’s relaxed. Still think she won’t pass, so am not going to push any further- although she’s got a session booked with the tutor tomorrow evening, that’s going to be a “woo yay let’s go!” Hour- Not actual tutoring!

curiousmamma · 04/09/2023 16:18

Completely agree with @PettsWoodParadise. Same thing happens in this area. There are 360 places available between the two schools but the reality is that if you come around 420 - 450 you still stand a good chance of getting a place. There are another couple of grammar schools about an hour away from us and lots of kids use this one as a mock before theirs the following week.
Just under three weeks left to go for us. We're not doing too much at the moment as I feel if she's not got it by now then it's too late to stress about it.

curiousmamma · 04/09/2023 18:05

That's good to hear @LimeCheesecake. Am I to take it that all the kids sit it in school time? That must be hard on the kids as don't they just want to see their friends again after a long summer? Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick but I've not heard of the schools near us do that.

LimeCheesecake · 04/09/2023 18:32

@curiousmamma - those taking it do, on Thursday, they’ve got set up and let them see the hall to help relax them. In dds class, all but 2 kids are taking it and I know at least one of those won’t be in all this week. It felt singling her out not to do it, given this.

just hopeful she stays calm. I’m past caring if she passes, so perhaps parent burn out is real! (I’m rubbish at being a pushy parent)

Ladybowes · 04/09/2023 18:40

@LimeCheesecake good luck to your dd. Interesting that they do it at school like that. I guess there are advantages (as well as downsides - as you say being singled out etc) being in a familiar environment etc to doing it like that. Fingers crossed for you both. It will be over soon.

Coraline353 · 04/09/2023 19:06

LimeCheesecake · 04/09/2023 16:16

Oh DDs come back from school a different child, relaxed, smiley- saying she’s seen the hall all laid out for the desks and last year they got extra playtime at break between papers and it’s like she’s relaxed. Still think she won’t pass, so am not going to push any further- although she’s got a session booked with the tutor tomorrow evening, that’s going to be a “woo yay let’s go!” Hour- Not actual tutoring!

That's really nice. I do think it's a bit easier for kids doing it in their own school. Fortunately the venue we've been assigned for DS is a school that he visited as part of a year 5 taster day in July so he's going somewhere he's been before. He's got an afternoon slot though which is tough. He'll go to school in the morning, then we'll pick him up and have a good, filling lunch at home and then bring him down for 1.15
He'll be finished around 4.15. It's a long day especially to really keep up focus a d attention to detail at the end of the 2nd paper.

curiousmamma · 04/09/2023 19:10

@LimeCheesecake It's a really interesting way of doing it and it makes more sense in a lot of ways. Being in a familiar setting and having most of your friends doing it must help.
I'm waiting for the exam info to come through. I don't even know the venue let alone the time! Hopefully we'll get the info soon although I'm more impatient than DD to know.
There are 3 or 4 of them in my DDs year taking it but she's in a tiny year group of less than 10 kids so not comparable. Shes generally calm about it but did have a wobble earlier as I gave her a different style of answer sheet and it threw her completely!

racheyc · 05/09/2023 06:36

Sorry jumping on late here! Is everyone doing any last minute 'cramming'?
I'm completely letting DC chill this week (test is this week) as I don't want them doing it stressed.

What is the general consensus though - keep prepping or let them relax?

euff · 05/09/2023 07:34

Definitely chilling. Have done for a couple of weeks. Have no idea whether DS will pass but I do not want it to be stressful in any way. We talked yesterday about it not being a big deal if he doesn't pass. I have asked him to read everyday and that's it. I think a couple of weeks off at some point in the holidays is good for them.

curiousmamma · 05/09/2023 07:42

We've had a break over the holidays too. I'm taking the time to reread some of the comprehensions and go through her mistakes as this is her weak spot. I'm talking no more that 20 mins a day and even then it's not everyday as we're going out to have fun too. Back to school is more important and exciting in her world so we're not stressing over the test.

Coraline353 · 05/09/2023 08:12

Doing a bit today but back to school tomorrow so just 10 min tests then. Might do a bit at the weekend to keep focus up then test on Monday - then we're FREE!

LBOCS2 · 05/09/2023 10:41

racheyc · 05/09/2023 06:36

Sorry jumping on late here! Is everyone doing any last minute 'cramming'?
I'm completely letting DC chill this week (test is this week) as I don't want them doing it stressed.

What is the general consensus though - keep prepping or let them relax?

We're doing cramming this week as we've done very little for the last six weeks and she's getting anxious about it.

At this point, I feel very much what will be will be.

Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 05/09/2023 17:21

We’re doing little bits here and there but trying not to overload him. 10 minutes tests but not every day and a bit of talking about exam strategy. Agree that at this point there’s not much more that can be done anyway.

racheyc · 05/09/2023 18:16

When is everyone doing theirs then? Ours is Thursday, so two days to go!

LimeCheesecake · 05/09/2023 19:12

Ours is Thursday too- Kent test.

dd has just had a tutoring session that went well, and nothing more now.

But we aren’t convinced she’ll pass so didn’t want to push.

curiousmamma · 05/09/2023 19:25

Two and a bit weeks to go here. Good luck to all the kids sitting theirs this week. I hope all goes really well for you all. Smile