11+ 2025 support thread #2

[AquaPeer]

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

continued good luck to all x

I don't really know. She clams up a bit if I ask and says StMM is nearer but agrees that it might be a shame not to pick one of the others since she worked so hard for them. if pushed I think she might say HBS but I think she's looking for guidance really.

Dd1 has mostly been very sweet about it as she's seen dd2 work hard, but she did get upset the other day and said she feels a bit inadequate in comparison. I pointed out that dd2 had a bit of a monomania about these tests and she said she was worried she'd never care about anything enough to do very well in it. It's a difficult one as if I tell her she's just as bright as her sister she gets cross that I'm comparing their efforts. And apparently I just don't get that she's not very clever! But I don't think she really wants me to agree with that, even if I did (I don't). She's very good at art and also sees connections most people don't. She can argue you inside out. She loves debate club and anything like that. But writing it down seems to come harder for her.

@Magnificentkitteh - remember you are only choosing 11-16. Your DD2 could change to Latymer in Sixth Form. So if the commute is nicer and more straight forward and you feel safer with it and can pick her up in 20 minutes (if required), it is really a no brainer. And was for your DD1 she can reapply to whatever Sixth Forms she wants. She just needs to knuckle down and do well in her GCSEs now.

Yes @Araminta, I think that's where I am coming to. Even though the day to day commute might be similar time wise there are more options to get to HlBS quickly if we needed to and so it feels less far away, and if she found a friend or two to walk to the bus with it would be really quite a pleasant start and end to the day. Latymer would be a scrum to get on the bus probably, and even though StMM is nearer she was a bit freaked out by the busyness of the station at rush hour, so she'd probably get the bus instead, which is slower and involves a less nice walk this end.

And you're right re dd1. She "just" needs to knuckle down and then the world is her oyster for 6th form. She could even apply to latymer etc herself if she wants, though she's mentioned Woodhouse and Camden school for girls. I'm hoping she will find her feet with studying this year though she finds it much harder to do than dd2.

Thanks for indulging me. I think it's decision made in my mind, though dd2 is still at her residential so can't talk to her till the weekend.

Big results day today - well done to all the kids, whatever their results. And keep hanging in there those still waiting. It's torture!

DD has, in the last couple of months, been diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. I have had a MH breakdown over the fortnight, but it's been brewing for nearly two years and school were aware. Headteacher supports us going for review, despite score of 110 and review of 2:3 due to what we/she's been going through, plus shes on PP.

In the meantime I'm trying to get a tour round the local upper school we havent visited yet which, gallingly for her, is next door to her brothers extremely fancy grammar school. The downside of being in Bucks is that the non grammar schools are not really well set up for spiky profiles of SEN kids who are very academically able but struggle with demonstrating their ability.

I feel so guilty. Ive let her down so badly.

@Backinthedress I’m so very sorry. No advice, just an offer of a hug. I hope it works out for you and your daughter.

Me too @Backinthedress . Your daughter sounds like my dd1. Who is harder to parent than Dd2 in many ways but makes me very proud. You haven't let her down, you have shown her how you can go through tough times and keep putting one foot in front of the other and come out the other side.

Gosh this is brutal for all isn’t it?
@DolphinOnASkateboard - I had no idea about the Bucks system. That is awful. Good luck with the process.

We got out SMMA rank - mid 40s… it’s not our first choice but we will put it on CAF as a back up and I accept it’s not guaranteed.
(I too have read upto 60/80 has got in in past and sometimes into the 100s. But many restrictive variables this year though - VAT on indies and smaller numbers)

well done @Magnificentkitteh great for you to have options for your DD (also hope your mum is doing ok). You might already know this, but I think I remember reading about a school bus for latymer which I looked at if it became our best bet. it would have meant that our DS had to get super super early due to our location. But depending on where you are might be helpful.. whatever you decide at least you have good options.

I can’t quite keep up with everyone on here. But hope everyone is doing ok(!)

Oh that's good news Nookandcrannying - 40s sounds safe to me. I'm sure the school would only say ,it often reaches the 60s if they're confident about that. Good luck with the rest of your tests. I'm now on a WhatsApp group for hopeful Henrietta Barnett parents where they are chatting logistics etc so hopefully will get some useful advice.

Thanks also for the wishes for my mum. She's perhaps a little better thanks.

Hi, any idea on how I can join the WhatsApp group for HBS please?

@Backinthedress you haven’t let her down at all ❤️ you obviously recognised there were difficulties and sought out answers, these things can take time and it isn’t your fault you didn’t have them sooner. But take it to appeal. I assume she didn’t have extra time on the day? She would have been entitled to it most likely and that may have made the difference. I’m not going to say I’m sure your back up will be amazing for her because I assume that like me, you felt there was a right school for her and you haven’t got it. And that is crap.

One more day of painful waiting for us here. Roll on tomorrow. And then next week for the final school. I’m literally going insane with the waiting.

I'll see if I can send you a link via PM

You haven't let her down, @Backinthedress. SEN kids with spiky profiles are another group who are royally fucked by this system.
Two days to go here. Also going insane. Have convinced myself the most of our back up schools won't let him in. Liverpool is short around 200 secondary school places so all the good schools are oversubscribed.
DS is blithely confident, is sure he's passed. I just hope he's right.

Tha k you all. Haven't got the available brain space to reply individually, but i appreciate all the support.

She did have some extra time and a quiet room on the day of the test because school recognised she struggled, but she didnt have as much extra time as she probably needed.

Im so tired.

Bucks only allocate 10% extra time as there is no written component to the exam.
maybe other adjustments such as a prompter and movement breaks were also required. I’m sorry you’re having to go through this, wishing you lots of luck with your selection review.

@Magnificentkitteh your DD1 sounds very similar to my DS (he’s AuDHD). Is she in a grammar school? How is she finding secondary school life? My husband and I were just saying although Ds was close-ish to selective but maybe it’s for the best that he didn’t get selected for a grammar because he would have struggled with the fast paced nature, pressure and demands etc as he’s quite self directed.

He’s a bright boy and incredibly creative. He is so quick witted and thinks outside of the box. He produces beautiful detailed art works, loves drama and debate mate clubs (especially if he’s passionate about the topic). Also writes the most creative and imaginative stories but SPAG all over the show as well.

So hopefully he’ll thrive in an all rounder school rather than schools that focus mainly on academics. Just need to find the one. It was quite hard sharing the Bexley results with him and then seeing his little face drop but trying his best to hold a brave face.

Good luck with the 6th form search too!

SWH results are out tomorrow and it's very stressful. DS will be so sad, if he doesn't get in anywhere, and he's worked so hard... He went to an open day today to check out another grammar, the closest to us, which was like the 5th on our list so far, but I fear it might be our only choice.
Does it seem to you that the competition level is higher this year due to VAT on private schools? Is it likely that private schools will get fewer applications this year?

I can not believe that we still haven’t heard anything from the Trafford consortium??? No email telling us when the results will be out at least.

I called stretford admissions office and I was told “we don’t know sometime next week, we’re still working on them.” Surely not?!

This is what we are waiting for too and it feels we’ve been waiting forever. I don’t know how to tell him if he hasn’t scored highly enough as he will be upset. What schools are you hoping for?

@teachermum26i know it’s ridiculous! I don’t think we will have any further info though I think they will just turn up.
I spoke to st Ambrose this week as they originally said but the 20th but have changed it on the website to by the 24th. I asked them to clarify as two different dates had been given. She told me they were aiming for Monday but the date was to give them so wiggle room for any issues. I felt like shouting you have had the papers for over a month!!!!! Sort any bloody issues this week not next!!!!!!
Im hoping Monday for Ambrose and then Tuesday for consortium the same as last year.

Also waiting for Trafford. I wonder what sort of issues they anticipate might come up with the results? Two years ago they definitely had them at least 2 weeks before they released them as Urmston accidentally published theirs and they were identical to the final results. We didn't get them until the Thursday of the last week of school then too. And there was no email that year advising of the results day! Wish we could have that at least so I can stop waiting for information to arrive!

No she's at our local comp girls' school. She's doing ok thanks. Academically probably not fulfilling her potential right now but given her additional challenges she's in a good place with friends and life in general. She's not great at transitions so y7 was tough and this time of year is never her best, and I do want to show her a bit of love, but she is 14 so you do have to pick your moments!

@troppibambini6I know, it’s ridiculous isn’t it!!! They’ve had the papers for ages — how many “issues” can there be?? Not mad at the idea of it just showing up in our inbox but some info would’ve been nice! Fingers crossed for Monday for Ambrose and Tuesday for the consortium. I just want it all done and dusted now!

@IsThatYouPamI remember hearing about that mix-up with Urmston! You’d think after all that they’d have the process running smoothly by now. I’m with you — it’s the waiting that’s the worst part! I just wish they’d confirm a day so we could stop refreshing our emails every five minutes.

Just received an email it said my child was in the top 360. A friend received a similar email but it said something different - "has an order of merit which falls between PP" - so not sure what that means.

It’s absolutely ridiculous they haven’t, at the very least, sent out an e-mail by now advising of a date the results should be published by, the CAF has to be completed and sent in by 31/10 if i’m not mistaken?