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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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:
WhoAteAllTheDinosaurs · 16/09/2023 14:41

Just dropped DD off for hers. There were absolutely hundreds there. Just hoping she manages to stay calm!

Questionsquestions121 · 16/09/2023 18:47

Hope all went ok. :)

WhoAteAllTheDinosaurs · 16/09/2023 20:16

Thanks, she came out relatively happy. Tight for time on some sections but found she had plenty of time for English. All in all, she seems ok (phew! As could easily have gone the other way!) so all good and wait to see what happens.
Am personally very relieved it's all done with and considering burning the 11+ books!

GarlandaChynoweth · 16/09/2023 21:58

DS2 came out chilled as ever. Bit tight for time on NVR. I'm happy he did all he could but no idea whether that will get him a pass. Now the long wait for results, but for now we're relieved it's done and he can relax and enjoy Year 6.

Hope everyone else did ok and good luck to those DC still to sit exams.

ComfortFoodCorner · 17/09/2023 19:42

Just discovered this thread.... DD sat the exam yesterday in West Midlands area.. She too thought the exam was easier than the mocks she took. The 2nd round had some harder questions, and she has to guess few questions. She tried to recollect the number of questions she had to guess, the number grew as the hours went past, so I stopped her doing that. What's done is done, although she seems pretty confident that she will score well. According to me, I'm just glad that it's over... half of it... we have KEHS exam in 3 weeks time. Good luck to all the kiddos...

Questionsquestions121 · 17/09/2023 20:26

It’s hard to ask them how it went isn’t it? I guess as long as they seem happy that’s all that matters. What’s done is done now. I know my DS had a couple of surprises (don’t want to mention as know someone else got in trouble before.) I just said they are all in the same boat and all would have been thrown. It’s a waiting game now :)

I have bundled all the papers up and looking forward to getting rid of them!

GarlandaChynoweth · 18/09/2023 09:50

I see today that the exam DS2 sat on Saturday had over 450 boys sitting for 160 places. That is a lot, about 100 more than usual. When DS1 sat in 2021 there were 348 boys. I wonder what effect the larger birth year will have on the pass mark.

AutumnLemon · 18/09/2023 09:57

GarlandaChynoweth · 18/09/2023 09:50

I see today that the exam DS2 sat on Saturday had over 450 boys sitting for 160 places. That is a lot, about 100 more than usual. When DS1 sat in 2021 there were 348 boys. I wonder what effect the larger birth year will have on the pass mark.

I thought the academic year of 2012-2013, had a lower birthrate the previous year?

I know 2012, had a high birth rate, but I thought the majority of these fell into the year above, and 2013's low birth rate meant that this year group was smaller than last?

GarlandaChynoweth · 18/09/2023 10:43

@AutumnLemon good point, DS2 is an autumn 2012 baby. I assumed the high birth rate affected 2012/2013 too as there was a real scramble for primary school places in 2017 round here at least, lots of people couldn't get in where they wanted. The higher number of boys sitting on Saturday reflected that but could be another reason I guess.

curiousmamma · 18/09/2023 11:08

It's definitely a low birth rate around us. All the schools were full but then for the current year 6s there are lots of spare spaces. It might be different in 5he more populated larger towns near us. I've also been wondering if less will go in for ours on Saturday. Traditionally it's always about 1200 kids for 360 places.

Questionsquestions121 · 18/09/2023 12:55

My sons exam had 380 for 168 places (but can apply from other schools so could go up)

ModeWeasel · 18/09/2023 12:56

Could the high numbers include people who would normally go private but are concerned by Labour’s plans to add VAT on school fees?

Not going to bother the properly rich but for some might make it just out of reach and mean grammar is the go to option?

Discodiva101 · 18/09/2023 14:17

I know some children that go to private primary that are applying for Grammar secondary. Not sure if the motivation.

AutumnLemon · 18/09/2023 14:22

The private schools around here aren't very academic as those who want an academic education for their children spend money on tutoring to try and save money on private school fees! I'm sure the private schools locally are good for networking and sports facilities but their results aren't as strong as the grammars.

11plusmum2023 · 19/09/2023 16:49

Got my dcs registration card for local grammar she is number 500 for 180 places, she said 'I've got no chance' !!

Ladybowes · 19/09/2023 18:11

Feel the same as our local grammar is super selective quite often 1600 children sit the test for 180 places!! It’s nuts!

Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 19/09/2023 18:45

Last year around 3,500 children sat ours for roughly 350 places across the schools in the consortium. It doesn’t fill me with optimism! I think there are quite a few out-of-towners.

Jellycats4life · 19/09/2023 19:11

The numbers look brutal but I think it’s complicated somewhat by families having their poor kids sit multiple exams across multiple counties with the idea of moving house (or for some kids, a brutal commute) once a school offer arrives.

PreplexJ · 19/09/2023 19:20

By any count of odds, the kids who didn't passed or put in the waiting list would be the absolute majority. Most of whom will be thrived at secondary schools anyway.

Torvi1211 · 21/09/2023 12:10

Just curious what happens if you don’t get a tick in the box when you get the letter in October. Does that mean you absolutely can’t apply? Or can you ask for test scores? Do the letters get sent the same day all over the country?

Thank you.

ThePlacesYouGo · 21/09/2023 16:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

AutumnLemon · 21/09/2023 17:22

Torvi1211 · 21/09/2023 12:10

Just curious what happens if you don’t get a tick in the box when you get the letter in October. Does that mean you absolutely can’t apply? Or can you ask for test scores? Do the letters get sent the same day all over the country?

Thank you.

Edited

I think the process depends on your local area. Each county has its own rules.

WorldofKnitting · 21/09/2023 19:05

Torvi1211 · 21/09/2023 12:10

Just curious what happens if you don’t get a tick in the box when you get the letter in October. Does that mean you absolutely can’t apply? Or can you ask for test scores? Do the letters get sent the same day all over the country?

Thank you.

Edited

I am not sure about this, but have heard of some children getting into an undersubscribed grammar school with below pass mark at 11+.

NotAKangaroo · 21/09/2023 21:33

In the grammar nearest to us in East Kent, I've heard that almost half get in on appeal because there's not enough local children who pass the Kent Test (I guess there's more money for tutoring in West Kent).

Tore121 · 21/09/2023 21:44

The appeals process at the local grammar sounds quite unsuccessful l. I read about someone bringing the headteacher with them and still not getting a place Confused Despite greater depth and exemplary sats scores. I guess it's down to the individual schools.

Feels like a long wait. The Royal Mail isn't that reliable I almost wish they e mailed the result rather than posted.