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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:
Tore121 · 21/09/2023 21:47

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).

That's good news for some of the children. You often read how they shouldn't need a tutor. I guess that's how it should be. The problem is the exams are unlike anything they would have done before. Even if it's a parent "tutoring" them. They need some guidance don't they?

I hope everyone gets good news :)

NotAKangaroo · 21/09/2023 22:07

Yes, they need some guidance. There's no way a child who has never seen NVR before could do as well as those who have practiced it for months beforehand. And 10 year olds have no exam technique - why would they? Tutoring makes a big difference, even if it is home tutoring.

Saying that, I don't know how anyone can tutor at home, it was a nightmare trying to get my child to actually listen to me!

Tore121 · 22/09/2023 12:01

I know just the "homework" became hard work after awhile. It was ok in the beginning. It must be difficult for those that can't afford the tutoring as it's sooooo expensive :(

I do think it's a shame they can't do it on school reports or SAT results. I guess it's always been this way though.

AutumnLemon · 22/09/2023 16:14

Tore121 · 22/09/2023 12:01

I know just the "homework" became hard work after awhile. It was ok in the beginning. It must be difficult for those that can't afford the tutoring as it's sooooo expensive :(

I do think it's a shame they can't do it on school reports or SAT results. I guess it's always been this way though.

In the 1950s my Mum passed her 11+ on continuous assessment. Not sure how fair it was though as she said her whole class passed!

Tore121 · 22/09/2023 16:19

I would love all of them to pass Grin. I know that's not practical though 🙈

curiousmamma · 22/09/2023 17:32

I'd like everyone to pass too especially as I know how much hard work and prep goes into these exams.

We're having a chill evening tonight before the test tomorrow. I just want it all over but at least dd appears calm at the moment.

Tore121 · 22/09/2023 19:36

Hope the test goes well and have a lovely relaxed evening :)

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 22/09/2023 21:25

Last grammar exam today. Feel very relieved, but anxious about the results which are not too far away!

Lime03 · 22/09/2023 21:44

Same here! All done but it's the waiting game now. Are you in the Manchester area? If so, do you have any idea of the result dates?

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 22/09/2023 22:43

@Lime03 no sorry I'm in SE London! Best of luck!

bobberra · 23/09/2023 07:13

@Lime03 I'm in the Manchester area (Trafford) and people seem to think we'll have them by October 13th (though I've not seen anything official saying this). Trafford's test was early though - September 5th. Feels like we've been waiting forever already!

Paddingtonthebear · 23/09/2023 07:22

Exam starts here in 1 hour . She seems ok this morning but I’ve been awake since 5:30 for some reason. Can’t wait for it to be over !

WorldofKnitting · 23/09/2023 07:50

Paddingtonthebear · 23/09/2023 07:22

Exam starts here in 1 hour . She seems ok this morning but I’ve been awake since 5:30 for some reason. Can’t wait for it to be over !

Wishing your DD best of luck!

Ladybowes · 23/09/2023 08:20

@Paddingtonthebear good luck and hope you have something nice planned for this afternoon for both of you when it's over....

11plusmum2023 · 23/09/2023 08:45

Dropped off DC, whatever the outcome, never have to deal with this unfair system again thank god

Paddingtonthebear · 23/09/2023 09:01

Agreed. I think it’s really unfair some kids get to take the test during their normal school day in their usual environment, and others have to take it at 8:30am on a Saturday in a school they are not familiar with

11plusmum2023 · 23/09/2023 09:05

Lol if only it was just where they sit the exam that I thought was unfair

Paddingtonthebear · 23/09/2023 09:17

Well yes all the rest of it too but at least the conditions could be consistent

ComfortFoodCorner · 23/09/2023 09:33

@11plusmum2023 I totally share your feelings. Until an year ago I was so sure that I wouldn't let my DD go through this 11+ pressure. Kids in other countries don't have to do this, it's only in UK. Such unfair system. All the hard work, and only a small percentage of kids gets the good outcome, while each and every child who worked hard deserved to be placed in a good school.. it's not their fault that not every state school is as good as the grammars. I totally stayed away from the 11+ prep, but Dad's school has regular tests and kids comparing scores.. then we picked up the prep so DD won't have her confidence crushed. Now we are dreading the results day.

11plusmum2023 · 23/09/2023 09:40

@ComfortFoodCorner it is only in pockets of the UK too. Where I grew up the grammar school had been done away with and I went to a very good school, but the neighbouring county still had them.

Ladybowes · 23/09/2023 09:54

@11plusmum2023 and @ComfortFoodCorner agree with you both the system is unfair. Good luck to both of dc today.

Although I am putting my child through this I do worry how it might impact their confidence if the result is not what they would like. He so wants to go the same school as his friends and if they get into the grammar and he doesn't I imagine he will be quite upset. Hoping they all get in or they all don't get in..

curiousmamma · 23/09/2023 16:51

@Ladybowes I completely agree with the impact it might have on their confidence. That's also a worry here too. How everyone else who had theirs today has come out feeling ok.

Dd has just come out of hers reasonably happy. She said it was rather tricky in places, especially the Maths and NVR and that she had to guess a fair few but she was pleased it's over. I'm not sure how I feel about it all at the moment. Numb I guess. We're celebrating with a takeaway of her choice and then a day out tomorrow.

Let the long wait commence. Confused

JustAnotherUsey · 23/09/2023 23:16

Only just found this post so would like to join the chat! A bit late but nevermind! I was on the 11+ website forum for Bucks but not many people post and there seems to be a lot of rules about what you can and can't say, so I guess most people don't bother!

Anyway! I'm in Bucks and my son sat the 11+ a few weeks ago. He found the practice paper tough on the Tuesday as he felt there wasn't enough time. But the real test he said he found easy. So hoping he passes. He's worked so hard for it and was pretty uncomplaining during the summer about the constant work so would be sad for him if he doesn't pass.

Will check back in around result day to share in the stress!

Good luck everyone

Tore121 · 24/09/2023 06:25

It took over summer for many of us didnt it? I really hope everyone does well. :)

Return2thebasic · 24/09/2023 09:04

@ComfortFoodCorner , A lots of countries do have this kind of exams. Worse, there's only ONE regional/national level exam day. Only ONE chance. Here we sit different exams for different schools, so not all eggs in one basket.

There's no perfect system. When lots of people compete for resources, the means for allocation is limited. If the UK, not everyone wants to sit and there's no obligation. Just you would have to settle with local schools.

We only sat for two schools. One of them needs to be 5% out of over 1k applicants, whilst the other still requires to be the top 15-20%. I'm prepared to send him to a local school if nothing else.