The 11+

[The Esk]

Has anyone here been through this themselves or have got kids doing it?

My eldest has hers in just under a month. She was only 10 last month. Her whole school year has been focused on this two hour exam to come. It's crazy.

A two hour exam at that age (something like 150 questions) to have a big impact on a kids life.

Where we live the local grammar schools are in the top 20 in the country. The competition is insane with stories of kids being tutored since the age of 6!

If she doesn't get in the choice is the nearest comp where last year only 2% of kids got 5 GCSEs in maths, English, science, language and history/geography or a private school at c£12k pa (and goes up every year).

We've been doing two hours study each weekend for last year but there comes a point where you just think what the hells going on in this world. Aged 10 I don't think I had ever sat even a classroom test before.

Any wise words most appreciated!

The British education system is weird, so much focus on testing not learning..........

Nothing I can add about the suitability of the grammar school v private school v local comp, clearly the Grammar School would be most parent's preferred choice.

What I can say though is that a child with ability that comes from a loving family, that clearly values education and the opportunities it brings, will usually do well in life all things being equal.

So armed with that belief it's important to strive for the best but not to be too downhearted if at 10 your child does not get into the school of choice. Much more important that there's balance between learning, the effort required to succeed and to have a proper family life with family interests, hobbies and play.

I'm sure your daughter will do well DB regardless of the results, don't get too stressed, if you all do your best and she get's in - great, if she doesn't then it's not the end of the road, she's still got it all in front of her.

Good luck!

(ps we're going through the Uni application process - doesn't sound that different from what you're going through lol)

 

[Baines' left foot]

It's a lot of pressure to put on a 10 year old.

In my primary school in year 6 the class was practically split in to two; those who were taking the 11+, and those who weren't (including me). The half who weren't taking it were clearly treated as lesser pupils. It was blatantly obvious even as a 10 year old. I actually had a private tutor once a week to help me through it but my teacher was adamant that I wouldn't pass it, which knocked my confidence for 6 (even though the tutor was adamant I would pass it). This teacher wanted her best pupils to go to the best schools and for the less academic pupils to not 'spoil' the crop.

All children should have the right to have a good level of education regardless of their background. I think intelligence is overrated anyway and that in order to get the best out of children (and people in general) they need inspiring to give them confidence in their own ability.

I wish I would bump in to that teacher now and that she'd recognise me. I'd remind her of exactly what she said to me and where I am now. The horrid horrid goblin.

As for children taking it now, it's not nice to say but I'd be doing my best to try and get my kids to a grammar school. Children are massively influenced by what is around them and if they have a classroom full of kids that have no interest, then that will rub off on them.

 

[The Esk]

Should be in breaking news that nobody is interested in thread but Miss the esk got straight A's in her AS level results this morning.

On course for medical school...

Hope others got what they wanted.

 

[paulbefc]

It's a lot of pressure to put on a 10 year old.

In my primary school in year 6 the class was practically split in to two; those who were taking the 11+, and those who weren't (including me). The half who weren't taking it were clearly treated as lesser pupils. It was blatantly obvious even as a 10 year old. I actually had a private tutor once a week to help me through it but my teacher was adamant that I wouldn't pass it, which knocked my confidence for 6 (even though the tutor was adamant I would pass it). This teacher wanted her best pupils to go to the best schools and for the less academic pupils to not 'spoil' the crop.

All children should have the right to have a good level of education regardless of their background. I think intelligence is overrated anyway and that in order to get the best out of children (and people in general) they need inspiring to give them confidence in their own ability.

I wish I would bump in to that teacher now and that she'd recognise me. I'd remind her of exactly what she said to me and where I am now. The horrid horrid goblin.

As for children taking it now, it's not nice to say but I'd be doing my best to try and get my kids to a grammar school. Children are massively influenced by what is around them and if they have a classroom full of kids that have no interest, then that will rub off on them.

Weirdly, almost the exact opposite for me.

 

[Bluefin]

I took the 11+ in 1968 and being a swot passed it and was sent to a grammar school and thats where it all went wrong!

 

[Tramps_mate]

I will tell my kids never to stress about exams. Its not worth it, at all.. I found that out the hard way.

If they do well in exams then so be it. But to be honest the way University degrees are thrown around they'd be better getting a trade instead now. Or as eldest wants, to join the RAF and train as an engineer through them..

 

[Deleted member 24970]

I find it crazy that one test a year could make or break a childs life, i mean a test is basically a whole academical years work rolled into a two hour memory test. It doesnt matter if you cant understand the subject, you only need to remember everything the teacher has said.
Also i find it really annoying when you hear of programmes set up to help little idiots gain qualifications via community programmes because they couldnt be bothered at school because school isnt cool anymore (if it ever was).
If someone doesnt want to help themselves then leave them be. Focus on the kids of the future who actually want to make a difference to the world. I am sure there are many millionaires and billionaires out there who dont have a collection of certificates because they couldnt fit a years work into a two hour exam.

To the original poster im sure everyone at GOT wishes your children the best of luck. Just remember if he or she becomes a billionaire there is a business project in the waiting, it begins with E and ends in N.

 

[Tramps_mate]

It's a lot of pressure to put on a 10 year old.

In my primary school in year 6 the class was practically split in to two; those who were taking the 11+, and those who weren't (including me). The half who weren't taking it were clearly treated as lesser pupils. It was blatantly obvious even as a 10 year old. I actually had a private tutor once a week to help me through it but my teacher was adamant that I wouldn't pass it, which knocked my confidence for 6 (even though the tutor was adamant I would pass it). This teacher wanted her best pupils to go to the best schools and for the less academic pupils to not 'spoil' the crop.

All children should have the right to have a good level of education regardless of their background. I think intelligence is overrated anyway and that in order to get the best out of children (and people in general) they need inspiring to give them confidence in their own ability.

I wish I would bump in to that teacher now and that she'd recognise me. I'd remind her of exactly what she said to me and where I am now. The horrid horrid goblin.

As for children taking it now, it's not nice to say but I'd be doing my best to try and get my kids to a grammar school. Children are massively influenced by what is around them and if they have a classroom full of kids that have no interest, then that will rub off on them.

Common sense is what kids need!

 

[Zatara]

I took it in Kent, I think everyone over the age of 30 with a grammar school nearby will have taken it.

Questions were very basic from what I remember and everyone passed and went to the grammar apart from sone who went to the private schools out of choice or the ones whose parents wanted them to go to a school closer by as the grammar was a coach ride away.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Weirdly, almost the exact opposite for me.

Really? You're from Heswall aren't you? Which primary did you go to?