Idling away after the 11+

[Berry12345]

Hi everyone, I'm seeking some advice regarding my son's upcoming transition to secondary school.
He recently passed the 11 plus exam and secured a place in a highly selective academic secondary school. Since then, he's stopped his tutoring and seems to be idling away his days. With about half a year left before he starts secondary school, I'm wondering if there are any specific ways he can prepare for this next chapter academically or otherwise.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[ButterflyTable]

Rest.

[StressedMumOf2Girls]

If he’s happy then he leave him be. Unless his secondary explicitly gives him something to do then no he doesn’t need to do anything to prepare.

My DD goes to a Grammar and we didn’t do anything over the summer with her academics wise and she’s doing just fine.

[minipie]

DD is the same - she’s at a prep and they are doing a load of other stuff - cultural, creative, presentations etc.

I’m quite glad tbh, the 11+ prep was so narrow and boring it almost put her off school for good!

I don’t think you need to worry as it seems likely all his fellow joiners will be in the same boat. Unless you think he only got in because of tutoring and will struggle to keep up without it, but hopefully not.

[Return2thebasic]

Depending on the school, I suppose. Some schools can get intensive from start, some may not pile on pressure until after Y7. Have you done any research about the expectation of your DC's school on Y7?

The kids deserve a good rest after the brutal 11+...tbh. Mine spent nearly all his after school time catching up with old and new sport hobbies. Probably too much of them! I had to ask him to give up one of them next term, as it's not sustainable. But he's happy (though tired) and he deserves it with all the sacrifices in the past two years.

[Mumof3girls9]

I would just let him enjoy his last few months in year 6. He has worked hard to gain his school place. I’m assuming the Y6 SATs are just around the corner for him so as long as he works hard for them then it will be nice for him to have time to relax.

[Pumpkins89]

Standard. Let him chill.

[Berry12345]

Thank you for your response! I suppose it's probably me who feels that not having regular study time leaves something missing. I rather enjoyed having a structured day. It feels like such a long gap between passing the exam and actually starting school!
DS is totally chilling now. I guess I need to learn from him.

[MeanLeanRunnerbean]

Slightly out of the left field but maybe learning an instrument (if he doesn't already) or similar could be a fun and constructive use of his time a d replicate the structure with focus and regular practice? Year 6 is often a bit of a barren waste land for kids once they have their school places locked in, they can drift a bit. Once they get back from the Easter hols it tends to pick up with sats/residentials, leavers events so hopefully that will help.

[SamPoodle123]

I would say let them enjoy the free time. Take up an extra sport to try out or another activity. Plan more play dates with friends.

[Nevermindtheteacaps]

I think there's an error in your post OP, you wrote your son's age as 11 and then complained he's resting?

Did you mean 21?

[NotInYourForrest]

Just to say in the same position and been wondering the same! I've encouraged him to pick up his guitar and play more sports. We got quite focused for a bit there and so it's a good contrast as it's for a finite time.

But I worry he'll forget everything he learned!