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

@Poonuso true…..: think that’s all you can do! Good luck in the mock.

Aww well done to your son, he did fab in his mocks! We have our mocks straight after half term, we did however just do a mock test on atom and my ds got 85%.

How is everyone getting on? We are doing a bit of work everyday and a couple of practice papers a week. I can’t wait for this to be over lol

A friend recommended starting group tuition (explore learning) in the September before the 11 plus because they have a set program in place? Has anyone heard of this kind of thing? We planned to tutor a bit next year but not as early as this year?

Round here (Bucks), tutoring tends to be for the whole of year 5 . Explore and those kind of companies will have a curriculum and lesson plan that they will stick to.

@teachermum26thank you I’m really looking forward to this being over too!
Thats an amazing score for your ds you must be really pleased.

@Barbarella35 I think a years tuition is pretty standard around here too. I usually do a group one for year four to make sure all the foundations are in place then a years one to one for year 5. I think it depends on your area though. Where I live it’s definitely become more competitive.

Hi all - just came across this thread today whilst looking for somewhere to rant about 11+ :) Can't wait for it to be over. We're North London based and it seems to be crazy competitive .... I'm torn between "there's only 3 months left" and "OMG there's still 3 months left". Anyone else?

Once it's over, no matter what happens, I'm treating myself and my daughter to smthg! :)

@SFV I'm also north london but luckily this will be next year for me. I just wanted my DD to give it a go and see where she lands but it's so competitive that im wondering whether I need to be more on top of things

@Barbarella35 So we started towards the end of Y4... I know some kids who've done it without tutors and crammed the whole summer holidays, but I felt like for my daughter a slow and steady approach was better. CGP books aged 9-10 from Amazon is a good place to start, if you just want to give her a taste. Obviously, things like Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning aren't taught so can be tricky for them to get their heads around. (NVR will only be needed if she applies to an all girls school like St Michael's or Henrietta).

@SFV we are only really doing the north london consortium and ideally all girls. HB seems way too competitive and we haven't got the religious aspect for St Michaels. So just leaves the consortium!

@Barbarella35 so do they just sit maths and English?

Hi all
yes it’s not much fun here either! We are taking a couple of music appitude tests in June which will be a bit of a relief as one thing will be over. The academic tests don’t seem to be going too well, we’re getting 50% at the mo😭

Your post made me laugh. Good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I call it the "11 plus armageddon". I'm feeling more angst as the dates approach because I keep discovering weak spots. Whichever way, I've said we will be able to look back and say we tried.

Is anyone here applying for Tiffin Boys school?
My boy has been on Atom and doing papers for a few months now.
Would be nice to chat with anyone in the same boat!
We have an Atom code if anyone is interested.

@TwoProngedFork it's a horrendous process isn't it? I think I'm more over it than my daughter - she still gets on with work that needs to be done and honestly, I admire that! I would've packed it up ages ago if I were a 10 year old... where are you based?

We're in North London (Barnet). We've got Latymer and DAO to try for. Getting nowhere near the kind of marks needed to get a sporting chance. Now looking at the state schools to see what the options are.

@TwoProngedFork oh we're NL too. We're aiming for St Michael's, but went to see Latymer. Lovely school, but a bit if a trek on the bus for us. Will visit DAO on the open day. We'll def sit round 1 of DAO though as it's just VR (unlike Latymer where you have to sit everything) so I figure it'll be good practice and an opportunity to get the nerves out!

Isn't DAO limited to those in the catchment area?

@Barbarella35 yes, there's a catchment, but it's quote wide - covers most of Barnet borough and Islington. https://damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form/admissions/secondary-transfer/local-priority-areas/

@SFV i just checked and we are out of catchment for DAO and also Latymer. We are just going to try out the NL Consortium next year and see what happens. Realistically I don't want DD to do a really long commute at such a young age so we do have limited options.

We are doing ok here. Practicing non verbal every day and making some progress by getting DD to verbalise why she is making decisions. Before she seemed to just choose and answer and hope for the best!

English and verbal thankfully seem natural so at least we can relax a little there.

Maths I've left to DH but the problem is DD knows how to pretend to listen and nod and subtly get DH to do the test for her! DH says he knows she does this...but falls for it every time. So I might have to step in on the maths too.

Tutor says she's doing well but I want her getting very good scores so she can drop a bit on the day.

@Barbarella35 yeah, I don't blame you. Long commutes are tiring for adults, so for children it'd be really tough. We'll sit the DAO and Latymer, but we're really hoping for St Michael's. Whichbis on our doorstep. Who knows what will happen. She's studying off her own back and is hoping for the best... that's all we can do really.

@bubonic that sounds like a good plan... we really need to get going with NVR!

Anyone doing the music aptitude exams coming up this month in North London?

If you are seriously considering Tiffin, just know the exam is WAY more difficult then Atom. Atom is easy compared to what comes on the exam. The first part is not so, but if you pass that round to the second stage that is a lot more difficult.

I know it’s going to be a miracle if he gets in!! Let’s see how he does. We are moving to the area in the next few years so have seen some excellent state schools in Kingston/Teddington.

He knows it’s going to be difficult but he’s up for the challenge and we honestly don’t mind because all the practices he’s doing will make his year 7 a lot easier. You can never learn too much. He’s enjoying the learning and practices so it’s not like a weight in his shoulders.

We’ve just registered him for the sports aptitude test so me may get a 10% leeway.

Please keep your fingers crossed for him.