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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:
Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 02/10/2023 12:28

I think I’ll do the same as you @ComfortFoodCorner. There will be people in his class with very high scores so I won’t tell him his if it’s not good.

Tore121 · 02/10/2023 14:12

Will they be told scores at this point?

Jellycats4life · 02/10/2023 15:03

I guess it depends on the region, but my experience was that results came in a letter or online. The child only knows their score if their parents tell them. There will be a lot of comparing scores unfortunately.

Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 02/10/2023 18:49

We find out the score online in a couple of weeks.

GarlandaChynoweth · 03/10/2023 06:39

We got DS2's results yesterday two weeks earlier than promised and he passed! So off to the grammar with his brother next year.

On the flip side his best mate didn't pass so he's going to he sad about that, and one of his other friends who we all thought was guaranteed the pass didn't either. Seems a very unfair and brutal process sometimes.

Tore121 · 03/10/2023 07:21

My friend said they were surprised as a child in the class top of the year (last year) didn't pass. They always were top of the cohort in mocks as well. It really is impossible to say how they did on the day. Very well done for the pass though that's amazing news :) 2 weeks early as well! I bet that was a surprise e mail/letter! Star

ComfortFoodCorner · 03/10/2023 07:39

Congrats... very first news in this topic, and positive one as well... all the best to your DS

Paddingtonthebear · 03/10/2023 08:04

Congrats to your son! When did he sit the test?

curiousmamma · 03/10/2023 08:17

That's fantastic! Well done him. That's very early to get results- you must've been really surprised! Smile

historyrepeatz · 03/10/2023 08:24

Congrats what a lovely surprise. How long was it between the test and results?

Coraline353 · 03/10/2023 09:20

Great news @GarlandaChynoweth ! Congratulations to your DS2.

Who was your test provider/where in the country are you? God, I'd love DS results to come early! (If they're good anyway). He's at our local comprehensive open morning today which is a good school. One of his best friends ' sister goes there and absolutely thrived so at least he's got a positive image of it from someone he knows.

GarlandaChynoweth · 03/10/2023 10:54

The test was 16th September (Salisbury) so just over two weeks ago. I'm very glad the wait is over before I'd even started really thinking about it.

Hoping for good news for everyone still waiting 🙂

GarlandaChynoweth · 03/10/2023 10:59

Salisbury is GL by the way, when DS1 sat it was CEM and the results were very late.

Ladybowes · 03/10/2023 11:42

We haven't even sat the exam yet.... it's Thursday and he has a cold... does not look promising.

bobberra · 03/10/2023 12:23

Congratulations! You must be so relieved!

Still no results for us and the test was September 5th (GL also). Hopefully we hear back soon and can start moving on from this whatever the result!

Numeri19 · 03/10/2023 12:45

Medway test results are out today.

My daughter got 582 and we are out of catchment area. I'm wondering if this score is high enough for Rochester grammar school (girls)??
I think it's a still good score but there are so many children got over 600 so I'm not sure how we should do....

Paddingtonthebear · 03/10/2023 16:01

ComfortFoodCorner · 02/10/2023 07:36

I am sorry preparing myself to have the "talk" if the results go the other way. Dd's classmates always discuss the scores and compare themselves. I told her that I will only tell if the score is good or not and I will not tell the actual score as it will lead to unhealthy comparison... we have picked up few hobbies like crochet, and reading books for fun etc, to keep our mind off..

This is a good idea but not sure how clear cut it would be here. I believe the situation here is that we receive a letter showing her score and if she has has “met the expected standard” or “did not meet the expected standard. But there is no set pass mark, just the top 190 odd scores will be offered a space, by catchment area first. So could be in a position where she could “meet the standard” by scoring enough, but still not be offered a space if there are others who scored higher that do accept a space.

ComfortFoodCorner · 03/10/2023 16:09

@Paddingtonthebear I understood, as far as I gathered, that there is a qualifying score to apply for the grammar schools in an area. If DC's score is equal to or above that score, then they are considered 'Passed'. The moms of the children I have met (acquaintances) would just say 'passed' (although I have never asked anyone about the exams or scores) and hardly anyone would say the score unless the kid has scored exceptionally well.

DH and I know that we will send her to good school, and I also repeatedly told DD that, "if you haven't scored enough for the Grammars, then may be Grammars are not for you... Its not a bad thing, you will go to a school where you are happy". She seems quite alright with that, but still I feel she should score decent enough, so it won't put her off from working hard in the future.

In Birmingham, the results are supposed to arrive "By 20th Oct" - so looks like we could expect the results anytime..

Paddingtonthebear · 03/10/2023 16:17

Yes, I think here they can “pass” the test but their score will determine whether they actually get offered a space or not. So I think scores will be discussed as no one knows for sure until spaces are offered in March?

Coraline353 · 03/10/2023 16:39

Different here (Bexley). The top 180 can pick whichever grammar school they like. After that anyone above the 'selective/pass' mark is subject to the usual criteria - looked after children, EHCP, siblings, distance. So for us if DS passes we're reasonably confident he'd get in to 2, maybe 3, of the schools on distance.

Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 03/10/2023 17:21

There is no pass mark here. The schools across the consortium take the top scorers that have applied, so there will definitely be a lot of talk about scores and trying to work out if it’s high enough! They all publish the lowest admitted scores for the past few years so we should have some idea of whether it’s enough or not.

Tore121 · 03/10/2023 17:22

I knew someone that got yes's to 3 schools (pass) but didn't get in. They don't seem to tell you scores in my area until March time when you find out for definite.

Idlovetostayhereandbenormal · 03/10/2023 17:23

Well done to your DS, @GarlandaChynoweth ! That must be a huge relief.

GarlandaChynoweth · 04/10/2023 21:34

DS2 was the only pass out of seven boys in his year who sat the exam. He's really surprised, there were at least two others he thought would pass. I was expecting a few of them to move up together so next September is going to look a bit different than we'd imagined.

Tore121 · 05/10/2023 06:55

Well done to your DS. That's tough for his friends and a big shock I'm sure. I think it really is impossible to know how they will perform on the day.

I'm sure your DS will find other children he knows and have a great time ::)