11 Plus Exams Forum

Hello all parents with sons at a Grammar School and to those who are entering their sons for the Eleven Plus.

My son is now entering Year 13 at KE VI Aston and I thought I'd let you know how it's gone, so that you can make a better informed choice.

My DS had no tutoring for the exams and didn't get accepted to KEGS (by two marks), but did get offers from our first choice KE VI Aston, QMGS and KEFW. He had good SAT results in Year 6, but not stellar and so I was worried about how he might keep up.

I needn't have been concerned. His first 2 years were very encouraging and he gained super results. In his third year, he slumped somewhat, but was still doing okay. In the end, his GCSE results were good (7 A*s, 2 A's and a couple of B's).

I was unsure about him staying there for 6th Form, but I didn't need to worry as it has been the making of him! He has matured into a wonderful young man, with a great character, immense motivation and amazing prospects for both University and his passion, sport.

He has been supported by the school to become an elite athlete and is currently being coached by a Team GB coach and is looking to compete in the European and World Championships! He is very passionate about going to Loughborough University to study Criminology and Social Policy so that, should he not become an Olympic gold medallist, he can join the Met Police or MI6.

KE Aston VI is a lovely school, very informal and supportive, with enough challenge to get the best out of the boys. My DS loves going to school and is already sad that it's his last year. It is a great environment to develop the whole child, not just an exam-factory!

If you are looking at options for your son, I really recommend this school. It sometimes seems a little puritanical, but it's really very relaxed and extremely friendly

It sounds like he's done really well, and has his future well planned.

How have you found it's worked fitting in sport at that level alongside school? My ds is also competing at international level (although in a different sport, not athletics) and it's one of the questions we have, how it will fit in. A lot of the training camps and competitions do fall into the school holidays, but it does also mean that some availability inside termtime is necessary. If you've had that how have the school been with it? We're getting fairly positive reactions at the moment from the school he's going to (not Aston) about allowing it and just setting him work which he can do remotely but until it happens it practice we just won't know.

Thank you snakeyfly

It was wonderful to read your post. My DS will start at Aston in September and we have the same reservations, as to whether he will struggle, that you seemed to have when your DS started there.

The thing that appealed to us about Aston on open day was that it seemed very relaxed and welcoming but at the same time expecting the boys to work hard.

I have been really encouraged by your post and I am now sure that my DS will, like yours will have an incredible time and opportunities at KE Aston.

Good luck to your DS in both his sporting and academic pursuits and thank you once again for such a positive and encouraging post.