11 plus

lika_86

Exams don't test natural intelligence though, they test the ability of the taker to understand what is being asked of them and their ability to respond accordingly.

I wouldn't go nuts (a year to go and it's a bit late?!) but I can't see that a bit of preparation will hurt.

lauhol1980

My daughter has just passed the 11+ (we're in Kent) She was given some of the Bond test books on Maths, Verbal and Non verbal reasoning by a friends mum who had passed the year before and all she did with them was sit down occassionally through the 6 weeks holidays and practice doing timed tests. We told her it didn't matter either way if she passed or not because we knew she would do well whatever school she went to and we were proud her either way! She however wants to go to our nearest grammar school which is why we put her in for it.
I know lots of girls that went in for it that seemed to crack under the pressure from their parents and the constant questioning of how well they thought they had done afterwards!

emsywoo123

hi OP :T

DD is also due to take her 11+ next year (we are 1st week of September in Kent)

She has had a tutor for a while, 2 key points I would highlight from our information evenings etc are:

• READING-let her read to you, and you read a higher level to her. Great exposure to vocab.
• Practice papers-not timed at first, just so she gets used to them, then timed nearer to the exam

I *do* understand what you are saying about NEEDING to pass the 11+. We are in the same boat. Be prepared to defend yourself on here though

Bamama

Oh jeez. Do people realise how little most of these results mean? Tests, GCSE's, A-levels... even university degrees.
I wasn't pushed to do well when I was young, ended up in the top classes at high school, then disappointed everyone by not putting in the effort to do well in GCSE's or A-levels.
Help them prepare by doing practice tests by all means. But don't go over board. Realise they may not be the best. Give them goals they can achieve and help them get there. They'll have much more self esteem than if you push them and end up feeling like they've disappointed you.

choccymoose

My son has recently passed the 11plus, he was already having tutoring for his Maths as his school were not meeting his needs or challenging him enough. Speaking with his tutor ref 11 plus she just recommended practicing verbal reasoning with him as it is not really done at school. And to sit some passed papers. Which is what we did. When we were looking at schools we looked at 2 of the 4 grammars and 2 community colleges not the one at the end of our street though, we made sure he felt positive about all of them. Our final application form following receipt of the guidance letter which stated yes to 3 of the 4 grammars ( 4th one was girls) was grammar a first, grammar b second and then community college in next town for 3 rd choice.
I wouldn't send him to the one at the end of the rd as its a sports college and not suited to him. My youngest though I would not hesitate in sending to the local one, as their support for dyslexia is fantastic.
It's a really hard thing to have to go through and to be sure the decision is right, but as other s have said if the signs are there that the child has the natural ability then just go through the basics, prepare them for the types of questions.

Hope that makes sense

Coccyx

JC9297

In an ideal world children shouldn't need tutoring for the 11+ and the most able will pass (like it used to be), in reality most children are tutored intensively so even a naturally bright child needs preparation just to keep up. It is not a level playing field.

In many areas parents send their children to private schools topped up with extra tutoring to get them into a state grammar school, thus saving on school fees for the secondary years.

jaxjax123

JC9297 wrote: »

In an ideal world children shouldn't need tutoring for the 11+ and the most able will pass (like it used to be), in reality most children are tutored intensively so even a naturally bright child needs preparation just to keep up. It is not a level playing field.

In many areas parents send their children to private schools topped up with extra tutoring to get them into a state grammar school, thus saving on school fees for the secondary years.

I know a boy top in the school going to grammar whilst in primary because he was beyond primary school work, he was tutored 4 hours a week for over a year. Yes he passed his 11+ but ended up in hospital with stress in the process. Poor little lad, he'd have passed anyway left to his own devices.

Our lad got shown what he'd have to do with some books and papers. He wasn't bothered if he'd pass or not and he is happy to go to grammar or comp. He passed too and we have put a mixture of grammars and comps on the app form. I think he'll do well anywhere if he puts the work in as he gets older. They are so young.

divadee

I know so many children who were tutored to get them into the local grammer with the 11+. I would say approx 80% of those have struggled in the grammer as the tutor is dropped as soon as they get in.

I would give them practice papers and see how they get on. Dont constantly tutor them unless you plan to do for it there whole time at the grammer.

I have seen children who would be top in a state school, get so disheartened at constantly being bottom in the grammer school as all the additional help has gone. Grammers in my eyes are good schools for the very bright and gifted children, But, I also feel they come out of the grammer a little un worldy and dont have much common sense that the state school kids seem to have.

At my daughters current school it is amazing how many grammer kids come over for 6th form (when the grammers have a 6th form) and it is a real culture shock!

Lokolo

peachyprice wrote: »

Pushing your children to pass the the 11+, which is designed to be a test of their natural ability, is not going to give them the skills they will need to be able to survive at grammar school.

It's a shame you didn't research schools thoroughly before moving from Bucks to Beds.

TBH the 11+ isn't great. I know plenty who got full marks and then were "failures" in secondary school, and I know those who didn't pass and got through on appeal and did exceptionally well (one friend got 117, is now studying medicine).

I agree about Bucks to Beds though! Bucks is awesome. :cool:

meer53

My son passed his 11+ and went to a Grammar school. I didn't have a tutor for him or give him any extra help. When we went to look round the Grammar school, the head teacher specifically asked parents NOT to have their children tutored to pass the exam. His words were "if you feel your child needs to be tutored, then you shouldn't be thinking of putting them through the test"

My daughter sat a practice test at the same school (not available when my son went there) to see how she would do. From that test, it was patently obvious that she would never pass so we left it there. If she had been tutored and ended up going there, she would have really struggled, i didn't want to put her through that. She now goes to the local high school and loves it.

I also have friends who spent a fortune on tutoring their kids, who all passed the test, but then were told there was no place available for them as the school was oversubscribed. I also know that several pupils have been expelled from this Grammar school for dealing drugs.

My opinion is that you should make sure you are aware of your childs limitations, for some kids, the local state school, even with the kids who swear, may be the better option.