11+ 2025 support thread

[AquaPeer]

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

Grateful for the thread - people seem to be very opinionated if you discuss prep work for the 11+ in real life.

DD1 is at our local grammar. I empathise with those having wobbles over whether they're doing the right thing when their kids are having a hard time with tutoring. DD1 had times when she didn't want to put in the work and it was tough. She's now thriving at grammar.

DD2 is starting the prep work now. They're changing the exam for this year so I'm a bit worried. It already feels like poor DD2 is under more pressure (self-imposed) given that DD1 is at the grammar and she wants to live up to her sister. The school have given very little info about the format of the new exam and it now includes a creative writing element which I'm unsure how to help DD to prepare for, beyond reading lots.

We've just had the end of term report from DD's tutors. She is doing brilliantly in NVR and VR, really well in english, but not so well in maths. She is marginally above the average mark for the tutees but only got 63% in the assessment (average was 59%). For comparison she got 100% in NVR, 97% in VR and 85% in english.

I had a brief search and high NVR score but low maths can indicate dyscalculia...I am wondering whether to raise this with school but I think they would think I was being ridiculous as she has always been greater depth in maths. She does struggle with things like telling the time, reading timetables and graphs, which is strange as she is otherwise very bright. Obviously it is all relative. She is autistic and we also wonder about ADHD, which I know is linked to dyscalculia. Anyway I am wondering how best to support her in maths - I'm wondering about an ATOM subscription - does anyone know if it possible to just focus on areas she is weak in (tutors have helpfully provided a list) ? I think she might be more motivated to do extra work online, rather than more homework from books. Probably best would be a 1-2-1 tutor in maths but I'm not sure we could afford it unless we switched from the general 11+ tuition.

Edited to add - I do think grammar school would suit her, but I don't want to push her too hard and have her struggle when she gets there if it is not the right place because she's going to struggle with maths, but she is in general a very keen learner and hard worker.

The maths is a year ahead though so it makes sense that they won't be scoring really high just yet? Are they testing them at the final 11+ level or what they think they should be at at this stage?

My DD does have ADHD and it's a huge issue for us. It drops her scores by 30-40% sometimes e.g. by literally not seeing questions or not reading them properly.

Re Atom, you can customise it and set work on very specific areas, and it will tell you which areas your child needs to practise the most based on their performance - see pic. We’ve found it very good but it is expensive (even more so if you would be using it for only 1 subject I guess). Let me know if you’d like a discount code (they do a free 5 day trial).

It’s the final 11+ level.

We have lots of ADHD in the family (both sides) and in fact it’s what we first referred her for ND assessment for, but they assessed for autism only and then we’ve got to go back on the waiting list for ADHD assessment. She can focus really well when she’s interested in something, but not so much when she’s not…does make a lot of mistakes like missing questions etc when she’s doing the practice at home.

Perfect, thankyou - and yes please to the code

I posted a month ago when my DD was struggling with Maths and her tutor suggested going 1-2-1.
Well, I’ve managed to persuade her to finish this term that I’d paid for, but it’s honestly been a struggle getting her to go!
She has refused to continue next term full stop.
I’m quite annoyed, as this particular tutor had a waiting list since Year 3!! (SW London). We were so lucky to get a place.

DD still wants to try for private school, however.
But now I cannot find a 1-2-1 tutor for next term!

Looks like I’ll be doing it via Atom … @TheWrongBus could you possibly share your account code with me aswell please..?

I’ve realised also I’m a bit too emotionally invested as I’ve found it all quite upsetting (the weekly dramas)… I’m very close to just giving it up all together but then I know I want her to have this chance. I wish I could be more cool and calm about it all! I really thought I was a laid back Mum but it’s just bringing out the worst in me!

Oh no poor you! How stressful and upsetting. Could you keep the tutor open until after Xmas break in case she changes her mind?

@TheWrongBus thanks so much for the code, much appreciated.
I am not sure an online tutor would suit her tbh, but thanks for offering. May come back to you next year…!
@AquaPeer No, the tutor needed to know either way last week as she still has a waiting list and can fill her space!

It is all so bonkers! Back in my day, I did a few months and it was really no big deal at all! Aargh.

@EdgarAllenRaven @Chenanceau it seems Atom have changed their referral system and no longer allow you to use a code, instead it works only if the Atom account holder sends an invitation to the email of the person interested in trying it.

If the code I shared with you looks like it will still work to get you £30 off then great, I don't mind missing out on the credit. But if it doesn't get you a discount and you can't find one anywhere else you can pm me your email address if you would like a discount link.

If you do atom I'd make sure you also do a lot of pen and pencil work. We have relatives who relied on atom, their DC were getting 100%s for months leading up but something about switching to paper and pencil meant they actually failed. It was a big shock for them.

Yes this is a good point and one I forget, as my son's target school actually uses Atom for the exam. I think Atom offer a few printable paper tests with the subscription but if you want more they charge more - probably cheaper to get CGP or Bond books.

Thankyou - I think I will leave it until after Christmas and try then.

Likewise , many thanks

Hi everyone, I am the lady from last year who went on the spa day as a reward! It was fab and I'll be booking another one 😂

I'm still lurking but wanted to pass on my thoughts re: ADHD kids and 11+. My son passed comfortably but definitely struggled this time last year with word based maths problems. I think plenty of practice over the year helped, also working with him to underline key information.

I also tried my best to keep practice light. Maths is actually his best subject, so when we came to practice papers, he'd get everything right in most cases apart from a couple, where he'd done something daft and read '4 blue marbles and 3 red marbles' rather than the other way around. We tried to laugh together about it and move on, which kept him happy and not feeling under pressure. I also accepted he would never perform as high as he could due to ADHD difficulties, so accepted he'd always drop a few marks here and there due to silly mistakes.

I also found doing targeted comprehension work was important. For DS, he was trying to dip into the text to pick out answers, but for him it was more important to read the text first, then complete the answers.

Lastly, I wanted to say you've all got plenty of time, so if you can keep them going with weekly tutor for now, then you have time to ramp up practice in the Summer term/holidays too. Good luck 💐

I understand all referrals should be posted on the referral thread (Mumsnet guidelines) @TheWrongBus and let people know thats where you put it. Also you're likely to get higher traffic there for your credits. Thanks

Hi all 👋🏻

well we have a lazy DD here- it’s like pulling teeth to get her to do anything but laze in front of the TV. We have school homework tutor homework and practise VR tests to get through as well as music. Her music teacher has given up on her even taking grade 1 as she isnt doing enough practise 🙈 she’s driving me potty. She had a break over Xmas to recharge too

I am by no means perfect, but no tv time until work is done? My DS has just been through 11+, and tutor homework was done on a Sat am before any gaming time.

My son plays violin and does 15 mins each morning before school. He has a habit tracker type chart to tick off which helps as he likes a streak.

We use routines a lot here so he knows what to expect/when work will be done during the week.

Hope that helps, it's not easy.

Why is she doing music if she is not keen on it? I would drop the music and focus on the other stuff....as long as she does some other extra curricular activities?

Also, make her do some work before tv. I feel your pain...my ds spends quite a lot of time watching tv/gaming....but during the 11+ I would get him to do some work before or reading etc. Every little bit counts.

During the 11+ prep I would take a break from the music if she is not keen on it....as you need to focus on studying for the exam (unless she was good enough in music to qualify for scholarship).

Have to say 11+ is a very different experience with DC2. A lot more cajoling to get work done

will have to say no TV until how work done. It’s a pain though as I’m not always home in the week so she can get herself into it by charming her dad 😂

she likes music, she likes attending her orchestra and wants to take some (not competitive obviously 🤣) music entrance tests. She just doesn’t want to try or practise anything

Hi everyone!

Can I ask what everyone is doing these days re 11+ prep? This is our first time embarking this journey so don't know exactly what we should be doing and how much. Haven't started on practice papers but have just bought the cgp 10 minute tests.

Hi @teachermum26 ds does a group session for an hour a week. I was planning to stop this in Y5 (he did it in Y4) but he enjoys it and pulled at face when I said we were going to stop (anything he doesn't moan about I will take as a win!)
He does an hour one on one with an 11+ tutor. He usually sets him either a comprehension, reasoning or maths paper for homework. The group session sets a piece of bond online a week.

I'm in Trafford and this is my fourth dc to sit. I think this does help a bit as he's seen all his siblings do it and knows it just has to be done. I also sat down at the start and said if you don't want to do it fine. I am not chasing you it's your exam and your choice.

Hi @teachermum26 , my DS is doing 1 hour per week with a tutor (one-to-one). His tutor sets no homework (which is really annoying me but we're too far in to change now) so I sit down with him three times per week and we go through mainly CGP books. We also use the 10 minute tests but at the moment we go through them together and I get him to explain how he's worked things out or talk about anything he doesn't understand rather than use them as timing pratice yet. We've stayed away from any practice tests yet as I think he's doing really well and I don't want him to be discouraged if he doesn't do too well with one (although he will do mocks etc. nearer the time).

@AquaPeer I agree with the poster above who suggests sticking to a routine with it all. We do three lots of learning at home per week and these have always been on the same days and times (Sunday morning, Wednesday evening etc.). We even have a set day for each component (maths, NVR etc.) which we stick to religiously and he does just get on with it.

Also lots of reminders that in another 8 months or so, it'll all be over and we'll never have to pick up a CGP book again!

Thanks all! @teachermum26 DD has one hour group session with a tutor via zoom, we are likely increasing this to 2 hours a week soon.

ideally, I would like her to do a VR 10 min test daily, and the tutors homework, but that’s where we are stuck 😂

once a week I would like her to do a target your maths page, a music aptitude test practise and a comprehension exercise all from workbooks 😄