Eleven Plus Entrance to Grammar School

[sups]

My daughter is in Yr5 & is trying to get into Henrietta Barnett. Do you know if there is any preference for Music/dance talent as a selection criteria? If yes, what is the minimum level required.

Don't want to hi-jack this thread , but I also have a Y5 dd looking into Henrietta B and St Michaels - any comments/advice/hints from anyone?

Have a look at the elevenplusexams.co.uk forum, there's a lots of info on these schools there (under the hertfordshire section). But beware, there are also some seriously obssessed parents posting on the forum!

I don't think HBS have a music/dance thing going on, but check the prospectus.

Bar, if you want info about t'other place, CAT me. Dd2 did entrance for both a couple of years ago (passed both, but obviously only went to one!)

I wouldn't advise the 11+ forum for anyone of a nervous disposition, btw. That seems to be where all the crazed exam loons congregate to psych each other out.

LOL, frogs - it is a bit scary over there...........

Lots of mad parents saying "Jethro only got 97% on his practise papers - has he a chance of passing the real thing?"

Thanks frigs. haven't set up CAT yet but plan to - ATM am in middle of large freelance project so have limited time - obviously i should be working now but am just employing delaying tactics! (how like DS with hw).
I had a loojk at the 11+ site - you are all right it does look scary - not sure what I might be letting myself in for!

Thanks frogs. haven't set up CAT yet but plan to - ATM am in middle of large freelance project so have limited time - obviously i should be working now but am just employing delaying tactics! (how like DS with hw).
I had a loojk at the 11+ site - you are all right it does look scary - not sure what I might be letting myself in for!

There's lots of good advice on that 11+ site - you just have to be firm with yourself about being sucked into their bizarre world! I scared myself quite badly about dd's chances of passing because of all the incredibly high fliers on there!

bar in a nutshell, st M is a really lovely school, we're very happy with it. wider intake than HBS, but liked it better. results are broadly comparable, so they must be doing well with the intake they have. v. v. good pastoral care. Not a school for the rebelliously inclined, though.

The 11+ site cheered me up no end! I was beginning to think I was being weird planning to move (rental) a short distance to get DS1 into a particular comprehensive when the local one's 'OK'. Now I realise my feelings are 'mild apprehension' not 'raving psychotic'.

I can't for the life of me understand how ANY sane parent can think that if their DC needs 3 years of intensive prepping to PASS the 11+ they're grammar school material!

I DO find it offensive how they commiserate with each other if a final appeal fails, like there's been a death in the family 'and the future now looks so bleak'...

Get a grip, people!

I know, kayspace - my dd did the 11+ two years ago now, but I still visit that site occasionally -it's a bit like going to the zoo to look at all the exotic life forms there. You should see it on the days when results come out.....

Hoever, it is very useful if you have a specific question, or want to know exactly how the system works in your area. And the moderators have a huge volume of knowledge between them.

Hi there, my dd has recently taken HB exams and we are now waiting to hear how she got on. The entry criteria is in two stages. The first stage is a verbal and non verbal reasoning test and if the child has performed well enough they are invited to paticipate in the second round which involves a maths and english exam. However, if the school is vastly oversubscribed the school will award places based on how far you live from the school, irrespective of exam performance. We live some distance from the school and for this reason we have applied to other schools, including schools in the independent sector. You can obtain lots of information about the admission process from the HB website and about grammars generally on the eleven plus site. However, there are some parents who post their opinions all day every day on the eleven plus site and you do wonder whether they are all genuine or people just having a laugh.

Or just SO caught up in the process of 'my child's education is the most important thing in the known universe, I live and breathe it?! No one would go there 'for a laugh, surely!