2023 Eleven Plus support thread

[elevenduck]

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!

CEM are finishing this last year but Bexley chose to move a year ahead of that.

CEM stopped doing paper tests last year but offer online assessments.

How are all the kids handling the waiting?

I thought DS had put it out if his mind a bit, just happy for it to be done but he got really upset last night. I went to parents evening and his report was generally glowing but his teacher did say he makes silly mistakes in maths (mock SATs recently) because he rushes it and he got really upset and annoyed. Once he'd calmed down he burst into tears and said he was just really worried that he might have done that in the 11+ and he was really anxious waiting for the results.

I hate this 😞

DD seems to be OK. She hasn't mentioned it and I haven't bought it up. She liked some of the comprehensive schools we've looked around so that's a good sign.

I just want to know one way or the other now! I had to say to my manager today that I might need to take time off next week at short notice (or I might not!) because if she does pass I will have 4 schools to get around in a week! I also had a consultation with DD's headteacher last week (he meets with all yr6 parents) but it was a bit awkward because he had the results from the Kent test but obviously couldn't say anything!

We haven’t discussed it much at home and I thought she was ok, but she had been anxious a few times at school lately. Overreacting, getting tearful. I wonder if the test result is looming over her 👎

I think that's what I realised @Paddingtonthebear it was on his mind but he wasn't mentioning it.

@BlackLambAndGreyFalcon didn't realise Kent heads had results already! That's worse somehow, knowing someone else knows but you don't

My DS has asked a few times when we will hear. I can tell he's getting anxious now. I imagine most of them are.

I didn't know the school heads knew the results. Is that the same in all primary schools?

Tbh I imagine a lot of the kids made silly mistakes with the strict time restraints they wouldn't have time to check answers :( they are all in the same boat so hopefully will all even out 🤞

@Coraline353 yes it's because there's a part of the Kent process called the headteacher review which happens before the results are released to parents. If any child is borderline, headteachers can essentially appeal on their behalf they believe the child's work evidences that they should be granted a passing score. It all happens behind closed doors - parents have no idea if their child is going through the review or notll! The results go to all headteachers of students who take the test, not just those in Kent. We're in Greenwich.

@Tore121 in my area it's just Kent where the results are released to headteachers early because of this review process that I described above. My DD also sat the Bexley test and a Bromley school test, and for those I think the head finds out at the same time as the parents do.

No head teacher review here. Results are posted out on Friday directly from the grammar school. Wondering whether the post will arrive on Saturday or not. Quite miffed that the boys school email their results on Friday but we have to wait for a letter on the post!

E mail would be so much better. The Royal Mail is very unreliable 😬🙈

Shame all don't get the headteacher review. Sounds like a good idea. I guess would take them ages to go through them all though

In Bucks the headteacher rates the children ahead of the exam on aptitude and attitude and that's taken into account in case of appeal (though is disregarded if it's proven the headteacher's predictions are overall optimistic among the cohort).

From what I’ve read on other threads/pages, the schools have had the results since 27/28 September and the headteachers had 48 hours to actually form a head teachers appeal. Those appeals were heard the beginning of this week (either Monday or Tuesday) so I think it’s all done and dusted now. Just a matter of another agonising wait of 7 days 🫣

In our area of Bucks, the results are out via email this Friday from 4pm but the headteachers get the results the day before to prepare for selection review.

How is everyone feeling tonight? Good luck tomorrow for all those in Bucks.

We are in Bexley and at my DD’s school they all seem convinced that the results are coming tomorrow- anyone else heard this?
Good luck for tomorrow Bucks!

We are in Bexley too. Chis n Sid has the 13th on their website but LB Bexley has the 17th. I have heard that the primary schools will know tomorrow but I don't know that for sure and I don't know why as they don't do headteacher appeals at this stage.

Good luck to everyone getting results tomorrow.

Is Bexley GL? Makes sense they may get them tomorrow if it’s the same exam and exam board as Bucks?

GL here and results are sent out tomorrow.

Yes it’s GL in Bexley - the first year it’s been GL so not sure how the internal appeals work and when the heads get the results?

I have also heard tomorrow for Bexley - eek!!

The Bexley website says results "by" 17th October so theoretically could be early.

I do think it's the Chis and Sid site saying it's the 13th that has us all thinking they'll come early. Apparently usually come on a Friday too but obviously this is first GL year.

I don't think Bexley have said they're sending them to HTs earlier than parents.

I'll be staring at my inbox all day tomorrow just in case.

Good luck everyone.

I have to wait for the post. UGH!