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

@Poonu we're in Bucks, so GL.

@troppibambini6 I am an 11 plus tutor and I actually created weekly vocabulary quizzes via Google forms which my students seem to find much more engaging than going through endless lists of words. I can send a link to some samples if that's something you might be interested in?

Hindsight is 20-20 as they say. Tip from my recent experience:

• Identify the schools early.
• lock in the open days as soon as you have your list. Some school have open days starting in June/July before the summer break. Popular schools will have these days filled up quite fast.
• Applying for 6 schools is pretty common in this process, as I was told. Our list fluctuated from 5-7, ended at 7 (9 if included state schools with tests). I'd recommend a lower number if possible.
• Some schools are part of a consortium (London 11+ Consortium), though it's one pre-test/exam, the 2nd round if accepted will be a load to consider, so it's not just the pre-tests, but the scheduling of the 2nd round and their days may clash.
• Start preparing early, mocks, online practices once you know your target schools. This will ideally reduce the level of cramming and stress level. This should be a given.
• Practice interview questions, be natural, authentic and generally led by the child's view. ie not scripted and heavily influenced by the parents.
• Be aware of current affairs... We left this too late, but didn't encountered any questions on this, but was informed it's a topic/aspect.
• Most importantly, have faith in believe in your children and also yourself... Staying positive, things tend to work out, even if it's not the no 1 choice. It's not the end of the world.

@Pipsquiggle
CGP is recommended
For the GS you are interested in check the entry criteria, additionally you will now be able to see how far out of catchment they offered.
Apologies for delayed response

@Poonu Thanks. Yes I have all the CGP books plus know the distances.
We already have an elder DC at GS so distance is probably the only thing we're not worried about - should DC2 pass.

It was more if anyone had an NVR app or website to recommend. I have already checked out Atom and CGP online - thanks to those who recommended them

We used the CGP revision cards which were good to pick up for short bursts. Also look up Top Dog Tutoring for really good NVR you tube videos. My son loved that format and pausing the video to answer

That's reassuring. I know JHGS and RGS increased their catchments (boys).
Kendrick (girls) reduced theirs😔(which is Berkshire).

How's the revision going?

Hi all

smashing into Easter holidays which needs to be more dedicated to practise. Things seem to be going well but not coming together in terms of practising exams/ seeing how far she’s progressed for the exam. We have just joined atom so hopefully that’ll give us some direction when she’s done enough content

Joining because I'm starting to panic - we're planning for DS to sit for a super-selective Grammar in September as well as a non-selective indie and whilst he's been having weekly English tutoring and 11+ maths prep at school I feel that everyone else is doing so much more - it seems everyone is doing daily atom/quizzes/videos/tutoring plus monthly or weekly mock exams. What else should we be doing that doesn't lead to complete overwhelm?

@midlandsmummy123 which exam board? Is it Birmingham

@Poonu its CSSE.

Hello :)

Decided to use the Easter holidays as a bit of time to relax before going for it over the final lead up. We're still working on maths in line with what he's doing with the tutor but otherwise we're having 2 weeks off VR and NVR. I kind of feel like he's learned everything he can with those now and it's just a case of practising to improve, whereas he's still learning some of the Y6 level maths concepts so I guess it's important to keep backing that up at home.

@midlandsmummy123 it's hard to get the balance right isn't and not tip over into being overwhelmed or just taking on too much for the individual child. There are kids in my son's class who have 2-3 different tutors and do 2+ hours per week with each, and then do a mock every week (already!) as well as homework in between. I feel as though we just have no chance when we're up against that and we just cannot compete with the money or time spent. My DS is reluctant to put much effort in but he is naturally bright and everyone at his school seems to give the grammars a go so we're going along with it for that reason. If he passes with minimal tuition then I will feel more relaxed that he won't struggle once he starts at grammar. If I felt he needed full time learning out of school hours I would wonder if grammar school was actually right for him.

We have a mock booked for next month so that should be interesting. I don't think the idea of everything being so tightly timed and sitting in exam conditions has really sunk in with him yet so it could be a bit of a wake up call!

@midlandsmummy123 Idk know about that exam hopefully more people will be able to help

There’s absolutely no need to go this overkill.

I will assume KEGS or CRGS. The issue with CSSE is the substantial number of boys vs girls and therefore much harder entry requirements for the boys. Are you in or out of catchment?

I suppose it depends on your child, but one that belongs at these schools doesn’t need this intense tuition - yes doing their work regularly and mock exams is important, but daily quizzes are just fun to keep the brain active. I do implore you to sit mock exams though - and decent ones with a solid reputation, not all are created equally.

There’s a strong monopoly from Indian parents on creating 11+ companies simply because their child passed - this is a bizarre world and one where the ethnicity is very important in understanding the situation.

Get a proper qualified teacher to do the tutoring with expert knowledge of the exam and you’ll be grand.

thanks @inquisitivemind its the one without a catchment, I'm just worried that the kids who do so much preparation and I know a large number of the entrants will be doing that and that they will have the advantage. But tutoring plus atom plus buying past or mock papers would really start to add up. I do like the way Atom have everything structured but I'm not sure I'd like to rely on it.

I emailed our tutor and the plan is to do one mock / past paper over the holidays and then see where we're up to and how much we need to do this term, summer term is a busy enough time as it is.

I don’t think Atom is worth it if you’re only doing CSSE. Tutoring and past papers is where the value is - just remember English is about inference now not recall and the maths is pretty much a foundation level GCSE paper style, they’ve got wordier but ultimately if you know methods you’ll be fine.

Definitely do a mock (it’s best amongst other children in an organised way) to see how they score amongst that cohort

Really - 11+ Indian Parent companies. Where is this data from? Do you mean because a high number of children of Indian origin pass.

The children in my daughter's class attend 8 different tuition companies - 7 are white British and 1 is a Pakistani British tutor. We are south east. My nephew in Primrose Hill has non Indian company tutor. I find your line of language unnecessary and irrelevant to the matter in hand - supporting each other and our children through 11+

Ethnicity discourse has no place on this board. Maybe try AIBU
"There’s a strong monopoly from Indian parents on creating 11+ companies simply because their child passed this is a bizarre world and one where the ethnicity is very important in understanding the situation"
Midlandsmumy was asking what activities they should be doing in preparation.

I’m Indian 😂

I know because I know pretty much every 11+ company in Essex or aiming for that exam (majority are London end) and they are all owned by Indian people - I know most of them. We literally talk about the trust built within that community.

Your anecdotal evidence from where you live (a different area to myself and OP) is not fact for where we live. Look it up yourself.

Oh and to add, it does help with OP’s enquiry because it is literally helpful advice for the area we live and what to avoid and be careful of. There’s Facebook groups dedicated to it and WhatsApp groups. As great as the parents are at teaching their own children, it’s not always transferable when they’re not qualified teachers.

Stop looking to be angry all the time.

Race discourse has no place on the 11+ board. End of.

We have a 11+ revision camp next week. Followed by a mock so will update to see if it made a difference!!
Good luck with the revision over the holidays.

where is everyone getting practice papers from? I printed out some free ones from the cgp website. Does anyone have any reputable websites? Should I be buying them? First time doing the 11+ so I’m clueless! Feel like I’m starting to panic a bit…

So far our tutors have provided our practice papers