Page 27 | 11+ 2025 support thread

AquaPeer · 2024-11-02T15:24:00+00:00

Hi all, I really enjoyed reading previous 11 plus support threads and I think we’re probably ready for a new cohort of year 5s start their prep? so I thought I’d set up one for next year. All welcome! we are trying for dame Alice Owen. DD currently has group tutoring once a week but we are looking to increase to twice a week before Xmas. i am *trying* to get her to do a cgt GL 15 min tests a day very unsuccessfully! This half term is going to be all about embedding routine 😀 look forward to meeting other parents preparing

SFV · 09/09/2025 18:59

doofdoofdneighbour · 09/09/2025 18:48

The worst part at this stage with children who've done lots of preparation, is preparing for them to learn the lesson aged 10 that sometimes even if you work really hard that it doesn't always pay off. Obviously that's something we all find out at some stage - but usually a bit later in life! I really didn't want DD demotivated at age 10 by having put in so much work and still not having managed it. Fingers crossed for everyone going through it in the next few weeks.

Gosh, you're so right. That's a hard lesson to learn so early on. I've told my DD that if I could teach her one thing in life, it's that everything happens for a reason (this is what I believe). If you get in, great. If you don't, there's a reason that it wasn't meant to be... I'll be sp gutted for her if she doesn't get in, as she really wants it.

Magnificentkitteh · 09/09/2025 19:07

I agree about that harsh lesson. DD is saying even if she doesn't get in she learned a,lot, which is lovely to hear, but I know it'll still sting for her if she doesn't get in. Dd1 didn't get in but at least could tell herself she didn't really try.

SquareElephant · 09/09/2025 20:22

I am keeping ds off school tomorrow because I am so worried about him getting sick before the test on Thursday. Norovirus is doing the rounds and a boy was throwing up in the playground at pick up today.

teachermum26 · 09/09/2025 20:36

peacypops · 09/09/2025 09:05

We were Stretford last year (and previous years). There were two entry points last year as so many children. All clearly signed and you have to leave your child at the gate to be taken in. It's all very well organised and I think children from same primary schools are in the same rooms. Best of luck as I know how nerve wracking a process it is.

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@peacypopsthank you so much, your message really helped us know what to expect. It is so incredibly nerve wracking but the end is in sight

SFV · 09/09/2025 20:47

SquareElephant · 09/09/2025 20:22

I am keeping ds off school tomorrow because I am so worried about him getting sick before the test on Thursday. Norovirus is doing the rounds and a boy was throwing up in the playground at pick up today.

I don't blame you!

SquareElephant · 09/09/2025 21:01

SFV · 09/09/2025 20:47

I don't blame you!

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I am relived to hear that you agree with me. I think my husband thinks I have gone mad.

TheWrongBus · 09/09/2025 23:01

SquareElephant · 09/09/2025 21:01

I am relived to hear that you agree with me. I think my husband thinks I have gone mad.

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I thought you were being ridiculous until I read “Norovirus” and “Throwing up in the playground.”
😩

I’d 100% do the same in your shoes!

Tiredlady1 · 09/09/2025 23:32

Most if my son's friends have been off most days.

DolphinOnASkateboard · 10/09/2025 09:53

doofdoofdneighbour · 09/09/2025 18:48

The worst part at this stage with children who've done lots of preparation, is preparing for them to learn the lesson aged 10 that sometimes even if you work really hard that it doesn't always pay off. Obviously that's something we all find out at some stage - but usually a bit later in life! I really didn't want DD demotivated at age 10 by having put in so much work and still not having managed it. Fingers crossed for everyone going through it in the next few weeks.

The biggest lie society tells children is that if they work hard and do their best they can achieve anything. It's a lovely sentiment but it's just not true.

Magnificentkitteh · 10/09/2025 09:57

It's a start I guess. All of us can see that without prep our kids would not stand much of a chance. I think a better lesson is to try to put yourself in a good position to avail yourself of opportunities as they arise but to keep an open mind. It's a more difficult lesson to learn though as it also involves learning to manage disappointment and cultivate resilience

DolphinOnASkateboard · 10/09/2025 10:34

@Magnificentkitteh Yeah, I agree. DS is feeling pretty confident in part because he knows he's well-prepared for whatever Thursday throws at him, more so than some of his classmates. And as I said above, he's certainly learned lessons about the value of self-motivation and independent study. I guess the danger is that if, for whatever reason, he doesn't pass he's going to think "well what's the point of putting in that much effort on anything else?"

doofdoofdneighbour · 10/09/2025 10:36

DolphinOnASkateboard · 10/09/2025 09:53

The biggest lie society tells children is that if they work hard and do their best they can achieve anything. It's a lovely sentiment but it's just not true.

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I agree with this. I was watching an episode of Malory Towers with my kids at the weekend, and they had a character who has Down Syndrome. The character said, "I can do anything I put my mind to!" (or words to that effect). The kids have a close friend with Down Syndrome, so we had to have a conversation about, how actually - whilst it's brilliant that they're a close friend, there will be things that the child actually can't and won't be able to do as they get older - like learning how to drive a car - and not because they aren't "putting their mind to it"! The flip side of this thinking is the blame that if you don't achieve something, it must be because you didn't try hard enough.

Magnificentkitteh · 10/09/2025 10:41

Yes and sometimes luck plays a part and is no reflection on either capability or preparation. It is a tough world!

Chenanceau · 10/09/2025 11:24

And I think this is a hard one as they can't do anything about how everyone else performs and because it is against other children rather than a set pass mark to aim for it is very much out of their control, other than preparing for it as best as they can themselves. My daughter said the practice test yesterday was OK too. Good luck for tomorrow Bucks people.

idriveaVauxhallZafira · 10/09/2025 11:44

Anyone sitting Bexley this week? DD who lives outside Bexley sat yesterday. Looks like the results are posted in the portal where you signed up in "early October"?

Tiredlady1 · 10/09/2025 12:43

We just received the results back for our son's mock exam. The worst he has ever done WTF . There does look like there was an issue of how he marked and transferred his answers on the marking sheet and that lost him 8 marks but WTF. We have decided to take him out of school tomorrow and most of next week.

penguinumbrella · 10/09/2025 12:45

Anyone sitting Sutton? How on earth is it less than a week to the test and we still don't know when or where it will be?! There is so much about this process that is based on privilege, and assuming parents can just rearrange their work days with less than a week's notice is pretty poor!

Araminta1003 · 10/09/2025 12:55

It does seem strange that kids in Sutton do not sit it in their local state primary itself like in Bucks, Kent or Bexley. Would be easier for parents. I guess it is a “superselective” area then? You opt in specifically rather than opt out?

penguinumbrella · 10/09/2025 13:00

Yes its superselective, as far as my understanding goes. I'm only aware of one other child at my son's school sitting the test (we're only sitting because, out of all the wonderful secondaries locally, we aren't guaranteed a place at any! Talking like 0.9m catchments etc)

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 10/09/2025 13:16

@penguinumbrella- my DD is! I’ve been asking around to check if anyone has heard at all?! It is getting ridiculous that they’ve not confirmed anything for a test on Tuesday! Even tried calling one of the schools but got nowhere. Hope to hear today per their email.

Araminta1003 · 10/09/2025 13:24

We did Sutton last year. I just checked my emails and we were told venue on 11.09 for a test on 17.09.24. Hopefully you will hear today or tomorrow. For stage two we were told just 4 days in advance. On the day, there were loads of people and parking was crazy but we sat at Wilson’s and it was extremely well organised.

sweetmelody · 10/09/2025 13:25

DAO music aptitude results out -early!

Magnificentkitteh · 10/09/2025 13:52

sweetmelody · 10/09/2025 13:25

DAO music aptitude results out -early!

Oh good luck anyone who entered that. Music not my dd's forte

Magnificentkitteh · 10/09/2025 13:54

Tiredlady1 · 10/09/2025 12:43

We just received the results back for our son's mock exam. The worst he has ever done WTF . There does look like there was an issue of how he marked and transferred his answers on the marking sheet and that lost him 8 marks but WTF. We have decided to take him out of school tomorrow and most of next week.

Tired lady sorry to hear this. You did mention something about transferring the answers at the end. Might it be worth him practising completing the answer sheet as he goes along? I would have thought there's more scope for error the other way

penguinumbrella · 10/09/2025 14:20

@FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth Its so crazy. I know they technically managed expectations in the email by saying 'end of day 10th' but I am more and more gobsmacked that no one thinks families might need a weeeee bit of time to sort logistics!