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Private Tutor Wanted for Common Entrance Assessment (Grammar School Test)

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Hi

Can anyone recommend a good tutor for the Grammar School Common Entrance Exam? I'm looking for one preferable in East or South Belfast or at a push Holywood.

I know I could probably find adverts somewhere but would prefer to get someone who comes recommended rather than someone who needs to advertise.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Comments

  • weanie
    weanie Posts: 268 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    look up fleet tutors on website
  • catnia
    catnia Posts: 82 Forumite
    Think carefully before getting a tutor.....if your child needs tutored to 'pass' the exam perhaps he/she is not Grammar school material. I'm not criticising you as I don't know your reasons for needing the tutor but, as someone who works in education, I have seen firsthand the problems with children being tutored for the 11 plus, getting into Grammar school and then struggling when they are there. I accept that the whole 11 plus debacle is very worrying for parents but every primary school in N.Ireland, through provision of the Revised Curriculum, is preparing the pupils for their next school, Grammar or otherwise. Tutoring should only be needed in exceptional circumstances, such as when a child has missed a lot of school through illness etc.
  • Ex-Spendaholic
    Ex-Spendaholic Posts: 1,766 Forumite
    Catnia, thanks for your comments. I'll be totally honest. My child is in year 6 and excels at everything. He has no problems whatsoever. However his school have clearly stated that they will not be involved with any preparation of children for the entrance exams. I have always been very anti-tutoring for the same reasons which you have stated. However based on the fact that up to now children have had large numbers of practice papers for the 11 plus through schools I cannot reconcile the fact that suddenly they don't need preparation in order to sit a test. :confused:

    In contrast I know of children in other primary schools who have been sitting practice papers since November. In my mind those children are already at an advantage hence I feel I have to do something to help my own child. I'm not a teacher myself but am involved in education and although I will help my child I want him to have the help of a qualified teacher.

    AQE, the primary schools and grammar schools all say that tutoring or preparation is not required in order to sit the entrance exam. That is all very well but it doesn't marry up with the fact that every tutor I have contacted has been booked up for months. :rotfl:
  • Ex - we used a tutor this last year, more for a confidence boost than anything else, for our very capable child who was petrified. I can thoroughly recommend the one we used, and will pm you the details.
    Feel free to thank me, it makes my toes tingle and my ears go warm :T
  • Thank you very much Supermum. You're an absolute star. :beer:
  • Honkycat
    Honkycat Posts: 499 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    And all this to get rid of academic selection. Got to be the definition of irony I think..
  • catnia
    catnia Posts: 82 Forumite
    It's such a nightmare the whole thing, isn't it? Just want to say all the best for your son - he sounds like he will do great and you are obviously a clued in Mummy/Daddy that wants to make sure he has the opportunity to show his true ability. It definitely is ironic that the kids will now have to sit more tests, in unfamiliar surroundings, to enter the school of their choice. Poor things, I say. Anyway, all the best - I have two wee ones of my own and just hope that by the time they reach that stage (quite a while off!) there will be a better system in place.......
  • Hi

    Can anyone recommend a good tutor for the Grammar School Common Entrance Exam? I'm looking for one preferable in portadown area.

    I know I could probably find adverts somewhere but would prefer to get someone who comes recommended rather than someone who needs to advertise.

    Thanks in advance for any information.
  • shirl036 wrote: »
    Hi

    Can anyone recommend a good tutor for the Grammar School Common Entrance Exam? I'm looking for one preferable in portadown area.

    I know I could probably find adverts somewhere but would prefer to get someone who comes recommended rather than someone who needs to advertise.

    Thanks in advance for any information.
    I have used http://www.helpinghandtutoring.co.uk/index.htm twice and both times been first class
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