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2008 entry

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 10:18 pm
by Guest55
Open evenings for 2008 entry [current Y5s] now on Buckinghamshire's helpful website:


http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/external_ ... -598316116

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 11:04 pm
by Sally-Anne
Thank you Guest55

That will shortly be very useful to some people I know. Please do post everything that you pick up on a.s.a.p.

For anyone with current Year 4 children, I strongly recommend that you take the chance to go round the schools this year, because next September is a bit of a pressure cooker in the lead-up to the 11+. Look at all the options this year, even if it means a late night or two, and re-visit your favourites next year if you need to.

Sally-Anne

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:22 am
by Guest55
I would also encourage parents and Y5s to go round during a working day rather than these 'show evenings'. Having been involved in running these I know they are not necessarily a reflection of the day-to-day experience....


I also echo Sally-Anne's suggestion for Y4 parents - sometimes 'competing' schools clash as the individual school nominate the dates.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:25 am
by patricia
Dear All

Looking at schools in year 6 should be avoided if possible. They take place so close to the practice/real 11 plus.These evenings can go on to 9 o'clock plus, by the time you have travelled home and manage to get your, by now buzzing child to bed it CAN be VERY late. Bearing in mind you could be visiting multiple schools, the last thing you want is your child having late nights at this stage of their preparation.

As a parent you could revisit these schools in year 6 to get an up to date picture, leave the children at home with a babysitter, Alternatively complete your daytime tour at this stage.

ALL schools should be capable of putting on a 'good show' in the evening, but can they keep up that same level of order during the day? I always recommend that my parents take a day time tour, how do the children move round the school at lesson change?

Patricia

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 11:30 am
by Catherine
I really agree that parents should try their hardest to visit the schools before the year 6 open evenings.
They are much too close to the tests, and you will be under time pressure and generally very stressed. We had to visit 3 grammars and a secondary, going to the open everning and day school tour. They are both important, but that makes a lot of visits overall.
It is definitely a good idea to go to the open evenings when the child is in year 5, and to book school visits before the official school tour day.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 6:06 pm
by Guest55
If they are not keen for you to visit on another day you should ask why!!

A good school should have nothing to hide ...