Page 17 | 11+ 2025 support thread #2

AquaPeer · 2025-09-23T11:27:21+00:00

we are on the home run now! Continue to support, love and share in this thread link to previous [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5200929-11-2025-support-thread?page=40&reply=147336748 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5200929-11-2025-support-thread?page=40&reply=147336748]] continued good luck to all x

Ahmawa · 06/10/2025 14:35

Just reading the 11plus forum about Crossley Heath and North Halifax tests - there seems to be a significant issue.

There were issues with the portal sending out invites so now apparently 60 kids will be sitting the supplementary test in November. But how will this work?

You need to apply for secondary school by 31st of October so the results that you are given for your child are provisional now until after these kids sit their tests in November?

But what happens if your childs ranking changes now that there are 60 extra kids sitting the test?

DolphinOnASkateboard · 06/10/2025 15:08

Can I vent for a moment?

The wait for Bucks result day is driving me insane. Though not as insane my mother, with her endless "Oh don't worry, you're very clever, you've obviously passed" directed at my mildly stressed 10-year-old. I've tried explaining the concept of cohort standardisation, I tried explaining that it's not the kind of maths and spelling test she had to do in when she passed (as she keeps telling us) in the mid 1960s. All in one ear and out the other. The only time she's acknowledged that things are different to her day was when she said "oh yes, back then it really was just the elite who passed". 😡

DS's biggest worry, the one that actually reduced him to tears a couple of times this summer, isn't what a failure to pass means for his educational future but what other people will say and think of him. He's always been "the smart one", always does well in tests and things, everyone assumes he'll pass and he's dreading everyone's reactions if he doesn't, what it means for his self image. So we're trying to manage his expectations downwards, focus on how hard he worked etc and then along comes my mum banging on about how he's obviously going to pass because he's so clever.

Sorry, rant over.

Lamarais · 06/10/2025 15:35

DolphinOnASkateboard · 06/10/2025 15:08

Can I vent for a moment?

The wait for Bucks result day is driving me insane. Though not as insane my mother, with her endless "Oh don't worry, you're very clever, you've obviously passed" directed at my mildly stressed 10-year-old. I've tried explaining the concept of cohort standardisation, I tried explaining that it's not the kind of maths and spelling test she had to do in when she passed (as she keeps telling us) in the mid 1960s. All in one ear and out the other. The only time she's acknowledged that things are different to her day was when she said "oh yes, back then it really was just the elite who passed". 😡

DS's biggest worry, the one that actually reduced him to tears a couple of times this summer, isn't what a failure to pass means for his educational future but what other people will say and think of him. He's always been "the smart one", always does well in tests and things, everyone assumes he'll pass and he's dreading everyone's reactions if he doesn't, what it means for his self image. So we're trying to manage his expectations downwards, focus on how hard he worked etc and then along comes my mum banging on about how he's obviously going to pass because he's so clever.

Sorry, rant over.

Ugh I feel this. My Mum is absolutely sure my son will pass. I am on the fence and think he could go either way. If I say I’m feeling nervous about the results coming out she says what are you feeling nervous for? He’s obviously passed. It’s lovely she has such faith in her grandson but it makes me feel neurotic for daring to consider the alternative outcome!

Poonu · 06/10/2025 15:42

@DolphinOnASkateboard lol to elite! But seriously I hear you I hope your son is 🆗 my daughter hasn't really mentioned it at all, roll on Friday!)

thing47 · 06/10/2025 15:45

Whereabouts in Bucks are you @dolphinOnASkateboard? And what is your fallback Secondary Modern?

BBQCF · 06/10/2025 15:50

DolphinOnASkateboard · 06/10/2025 15:08

Can I vent for a moment?

The wait for Bucks result day is driving me insane. Though not as insane my mother, with her endless "Oh don't worry, you're very clever, you've obviously passed" directed at my mildly stressed 10-year-old. I've tried explaining the concept of cohort standardisation, I tried explaining that it's not the kind of maths and spelling test she had to do in when she passed (as she keeps telling us) in the mid 1960s. All in one ear and out the other. The only time she's acknowledged that things are different to her day was when she said "oh yes, back then it really was just the elite who passed". 😡

DS's biggest worry, the one that actually reduced him to tears a couple of times this summer, isn't what a failure to pass means for his educational future but what other people will say and think of him. He's always been "the smart one", always does well in tests and things, everyone assumes he'll pass and he's dreading everyone's reactions if he doesn't, what it means for his self image. So we're trying to manage his expectations downwards, focus on how hard he worked etc and then along comes my mum banging on about how he's obviously going to pass because he's so clever.

Sorry, rant over.

We had the same in Bucks with DD (who thankfully did pass) - her ego was very tied up with being "the smart one", top of the class etc.

Whilst she did pass with room to spare, it was humbling for her to see some of the other kids (including one who wasn't tutored) not only pass but get higher scores in a couple of cases. And if that wasn't humbling enough, actually starting at grammar school has certainly made her reassess what makes her her, if that makes sense. Whilst she's absolutely in the right place, and towards the upper middle of the class (at an estimate), she's absolutely not top of the top!

I think at some point everyone has to learn they're not the smartest in the world, and far better at age 11 than at university, I reckon!

I think the tougher lesson would be "sometimes really hard work just doesn't pay off". We have DD2 going through it next year, and once again, that's the thing I'm dreading most.

Good luck for Friday!

Tiredlady1 · 06/10/2025 16:53

Lamarais · 06/10/2025 12:51

Feel like I’m losing my mind waiting for these results. We sat our first one at the very start of September and the results aren’t due til next week. Feel like I’m constantly trying to work out how likely it is and it’s such a totally pointless exercise because what’s done is done and the result is already determined. Just put us out of our misery!

We're in a similar boat. So much so that I have been continuing life as though he is not made it through and getting comfortable with other options. It's helped me not care so much as I am over it !

Sai35 · 06/10/2025 17:58

IsThatYouPam · 06/10/2025 13:33

Also just want the results out of the way! Think we've got at least another 2 weeks (guessing it will be anything between October 21st-23rd going by the last few years). We went to see the schools DS could choose between if he doesn't pass over the last two weeks and he really loved one (and will have friends there) so we just want to be able to know what he can put on the council application form once and for all!

Pretty sure they have the results well before they release them too as two years ago one of the grammars here accidentally published them 2 weeks early (then swiftly removed them off the system) and they were the exact results that were pubished officially on the real results day!

I’ve been checking aplicaa intermittently hoping they make the same mistake again 😅the wait is nearly over, which open days have you been to recently? I missed Sale High, but we’re not in catchment for there I don’t think, DS has an all day assessment at MGS this Friday but that’s also quite far for him to make a daily commute…

Lamarais · 06/10/2025 19:00

Sai35 · 06/10/2025 17:58

I’ve been checking aplicaa intermittently hoping they make the same mistake again 😅the wait is nearly over, which open days have you been to recently? I missed Sale High, but we’re not in catchment for there I don’t think, DS has an all day assessment at MGS this Friday but that’s also quite far for him to make a daily commute…

Show quote history

Ha omg so have I 😂 I was wondering whether there may be some sort of glitch! Sadly thus far my committed efforts have been in vain.

troppibambini6 · 06/10/2025 19:28

@Lamarais We’ve looked at BTH. My friends son has just started at MGS and loves it.

I didn’t love BTH another option for us would be north cestrian which I didn’t like when I looked last year.

I think we would probably look at St Bedes which I loved when I looked for dd, maybe Cheadle or kings but kings feels too far.
They idea of spending that much makes me feel a bit queasy as does the thought of more entrance exams in January!

Firsttimer31 · 06/10/2025 21:00

troppibambini6 · 06/10/2025 19:28

@Lamarais We’ve looked at BTH. My friends son has just started at MGS and loves it.

I didn’t love BTH another option for us would be north cestrian which I didn’t like when I looked last year.

I think we would probably look at St Bedes which I loved when I looked for dd, maybe Cheadle or kings but kings feels too far.
They idea of spending that much makes me feel a bit queasy as does the thought of more entrance exams in January!

Can I ask what you didn’t like about North Cestrian? We won’t be paying for private schools. I went to a comprehensive and had amazing confidence and a full set of As when I left due to being one of the bright ones and getting extra attention and special treatment.

If my children don’t pass the 11+ I’d like that for them. Plus they can walk to school and have local friends. I know of several parents whose children are thriving at North Cestrian.

IsThatYouPam · 06/10/2025 21:23

We've been to Ashton on Mersey, Altrincham College and Sale High. We're not catchment for anywhere else, although I think some kids from around here go to Knutsford as they take from South Manchester (and there is a school bus). Too much of a commute for us personally though.

Quite a few kids from our school have gone to Manchester Grammar over the years and are really happy there.

I also know a few at North Cestrian who love it. I always thought it was a really popular school, although I have no personal experience myself.

Oh and I caved and also checked Applicaa earlier just in case they made the same mistake twice 😅

CheerfulMuddler · 07/10/2025 08:12

"I think at some point everyone has to learn they're not the smartest in the world, and far better at age 11 than at university, I reckon!"

I think this. DS very much thinks he's the clever one and school has always come very easily to him. I don't think it would be a bad thing for him to be surrounded by other smart kids and have to work for a change.

But it will be a huge blow if he doesn't pass. Especially if other kids in his class do. He takes it for granted that he's the smartest kid in the class. And he is very smart. But we also did less prep than many families did.

Private isn't an option for us. If he doesn't pass either the 11+ or the music aptitude test, he'll likely be going to a boys' Christian school. I'm not wild about either boys or Christian and neither is he. Annoyingly, his three closest friends are all going to a school we're way out of catchment for. I think he'd be fine with that as a second choice.

DolphinOnASkateboard · 07/10/2025 08:31

Read somewhere that Bucks primaries are sent the results a week before they're published and so the latest rabbit hole I've fallen down involves staring intently at every teacher I see to try and read their faces for any signs of positivity or negativity.

Ahmawa · 07/10/2025 08:56

A pleasant surprise the other half checked their junk mail and in there was sitting an email from Heckmondwike Grammar, congratulations my child ranked 102.

But is this the raw ranking of the test scores or after all the criteria for places has been applied?

https://www.heckgrammar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2025-HGS-Admissions-Arrangements-11-16-4.pdf

The oversubscription criteria are set by the School and are reviewed and checked on an annual
basis to ensure that these criteria do not disadvantage students from a particular social or racial
group, or children with SEN or a disability.
If there are more students meeting the required standard than places available, the following
admission criteria will be applied in order of priority:

Children of selective ability who are in public care (in or outside of England) or have previously been in public care. (Children previously in public care are children who were in public care and ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order) 2
Children of selective ability who are eligible for the Pupil Premium3.
Children of selective ability who reside in the catchment area4 (a map of the catchment area is available on the school’s website). The place of residence is the child’s permanent address on the date of sitting the entrance exam.
Children of selective ability who already have siblings5 in the school, where those siblings will remain on roll when the child is admitted.
Children of selective ability who have a parent who is employed by the school and has been so for two or more years at the time of sitting the entrance examination, or who has been recruited to a post where there is a recognised skill shortage.
Children who have gained grade 2 or above in Music6. The percentage of children offered a place under this criterion shall not exceed 5% of the total number of offers made. If more candidates meet the criterion for Music, places will be offered to those children scoring highest on the entrance examination. Once criteria 1 to 6 have been applied, the remaining places will be offered on the basis of overall performance in the entrance examination. The criteria will be used to create a ranked list of selected students which will be forwarded to the Local Authority

https://www.heckgrammar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2025-HGS-Admissions-Arrangements-11-16-4.pdf

TeaandHobnobs · 07/10/2025 09:19

Oh @DolphinOnASkateboard I know!
When DS took it a couple of years ago, I knew that my friend (who was on the SLT at his school) knew on the Wednesday before we found out the result on the Friday! That was uncomfortable!

only three days to go, only three days to go…
I think DD will be really crushed if she hasn’t passed.

Magnificentkitteh · 07/10/2025 09:31

Ahmawa · 07/10/2025 08:56

A pleasant surprise the other half checked their junk mail and in there was sitting an email from Heckmondwike Grammar, congratulations my child ranked 102.

But is this the raw ranking of the test scores or after all the criteria for places has been applied?

https://www.heckgrammar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2025-HGS-Admissions-Arrangements-11-16-4.pdf

The oversubscription criteria are set by the School and are reviewed and checked on an annual
basis to ensure that these criteria do not disadvantage students from a particular social or racial
group, or children with SEN or a disability.
If there are more students meeting the required standard than places available, the following
admission criteria will be applied in order of priority:

Children of selective ability who are in public care (in or outside of England) or have previously been in public care. (Children previously in public care are children who were in public care and ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order) 2
Children of selective ability who are eligible for the Pupil Premium3.
Children of selective ability who reside in the catchment area4 (a map of the catchment area is available on the school’s website). The place of residence is the child’s permanent address on the date of sitting the entrance exam.
Children of selective ability who already have siblings5 in the school, where those siblings will remain on roll when the child is admitted.
Children of selective ability who have a parent who is employed by the school and has been so for two or more years at the time of sitting the entrance examination, or who has been recruited to a post where there is a recognised skill shortage.
Children who have gained grade 2 or above in Music6. The percentage of children offered a place under this criterion shall not exceed 5% of the total number of offers made. If more candidates meet the criterion for Music, places will be offered to those children scoring highest on the entrance examination. Once criteria 1 to 6 have been applied, the remaining places will be offered on the basis of overall performance in the entrance examination. The criteria will be used to create a ranked list of selected students which will be forwarded to the Local Authority

Congratulations! I don't know the answer to your question but it sounds like good news?

Ahmawa · 07/10/2025 09:38

Magnificentkitteh · 07/10/2025 09:31

Congratulations! I don't know the answer to your question but it sounds like good news?

Show quote history

So can someone clarify the process.

Sit the test and get a raw score.
Normalise score for age.
Now rank the the kids.
Create the minimum standard.
Apply the criteria from above.

So what rank is the minimum standard? 400?

TeamGeriatric · 07/10/2025 11:02

I thought the planned intake was in the region of 200, so rank 102 should have no issues getting in.

Pipsquiggle · 07/10/2025 11:08

TeaandHobnobs · 07/10/2025 09:19

Oh @DolphinOnASkateboard I know!
When DS took it a couple of years ago, I knew that my friend (who was on the SLT at his school) knew on the Wednesday before we found out the result on the Friday! That was uncomfortable!

only three days to go, only three days to go…
I think DD will be really crushed if she hasn’t passed.

@TeaandHobnobs and @DolphinOnASkateboard

Is that really true??!!

Nearly had a full blown argument with my DH this morning.
I was saying how much the 11+ was taking up so much of my headspace and I was finding it super annoying. He said that he just compartmentalizes everything so that he can be effective at work.
I told him that's the main difference between men and women how we can have multiple things going on in our brains and still be effective. He said he didn't think this was possible ...............AAARRGGHHHH!! The fucking patriarchy mixed in with the 11+ makes my blood boil and sends me insane!!!

FlatStanley50 · 07/10/2025 11:15

BBQCF · 06/10/2025 15:50

We had the same in Bucks with DD (who thankfully did pass) - her ego was very tied up with being "the smart one", top of the class etc.

Whilst she did pass with room to spare, it was humbling for her to see some of the other kids (including one who wasn't tutored) not only pass but get higher scores in a couple of cases. And if that wasn't humbling enough, actually starting at grammar school has certainly made her reassess what makes her her, if that makes sense. Whilst she's absolutely in the right place, and towards the upper middle of the class (at an estimate), she's absolutely not top of the top!

I think at some point everyone has to learn they're not the smartest in the world, and far better at age 11 than at university, I reckon!

I think the tougher lesson would be "sometimes really hard work just doesn't pay off". We have DD2 going through it next year, and once again, that's the thing I'm dreading most.

Good luck for Friday!

Show quote history

Do the results really come out after 4pm? That is what google tells me. If so Friday is going to be a very tense day.

My DD also v much bases her ego on being the smart one/ top of the class. When she's got upset over thinking about not passing it's been all about what will people think of her. We have a good back up in the village so the thing worrying me is not her not going to grammar school, it's her reaction to it (I don't think she did very well on the day so we are braced).

BBQCF · 07/10/2025 11:29

FlatStanley50 · 07/10/2025 11:15

Do the results really come out after 4pm? That is what google tells me. If so Friday is going to be a very tense day.

My DD also v much bases her ego on being the smart one/ top of the class. When she's got upset over thinking about not passing it's been all about what will people think of her. We have a good back up in the village so the thing worrying me is not her not going to grammar school, it's her reaction to it (I don't think she did very well on the day so we are braced).

Show quote history

It says results by 4 p.m. I think. They try to do it so you're not discussing it in the playground. When we got them (two years ago) I actually got the email at 3.30 p.m., which was much earlier than I was expecting. But they might send them out in tranches so we might just have been first tranche and lucky.

DolphinOnASkateboard · 07/10/2025 11:32

FlatStanley50 · 07/10/2025 11:15

Do the results really come out after 4pm? That is what google tells me. If so Friday is going to be a very tense day.

My DD also v much bases her ego on being the smart one/ top of the class. When she's got upset over thinking about not passing it's been all about what will people think of her. We have a good back up in the village so the thing worrying me is not her not going to grammar school, it's her reaction to it (I don't think she did very well on the day so we are braced).

Show quote history

4pm is what I've been told, the idea being it removes the problem from the school site - nobody wants bawling children at pick-up, or one parent punching the sky with glee while another stares down the barrel of an under-performing upper. By Monday morning everyone's calmed down a bit.

FlatStanley50 · 07/10/2025 11:35

DolphinOnASkateboard · 07/10/2025 11:32

4pm is what I've been told, the idea being it removes the problem from the school site - nobody wants bawling children at pick-up, or one parent punching the sky with glee while another stares down the barrel of an under-performing upper. By Monday morning everyone's calmed down a bit.

Show quote history

That makes sense, but I'd rather have some time to process the result myself without DD around! She knows it is Friday so I'm not really going to have the choice of waiting for a good time to tell her, unfortunately.

MamaKiwi · 07/10/2025 11:39

Silly twins made it through the examination stage of the Radley Keys Award selection process and have been called back to the final stage on Saturday, which apparently compromises a workshop and interview. I'm a bit - stunned? Relieved they were both invited back, daunted because we haven't prepared for interviews at all and we have super limited time in which to work on this skill!

The boys are absolutely over the moon; Radley is their number one school by far and they are dreaming of both being chosen, and boarding together.