Anyone with a DC taking Bucks 11+ in Sept 2015?

[anotherdad]

Yep year 3....Unfortunately she's already been tested on her reading/spellings/ comprehension/vocab etc etc and the 11+ tutor has already confirmed to me that my daughter is just "average" and definitely not in the top quarter of 8/9 year old girls right now.
So for her sake, I'm trying to build the foundations now for this exam instead of leaving it too late when she could academically be really behind then.

As Guest55 has said, more information on current levels would help ascertain whether you have been worried unnecessarily. I'm sure there are many good and honest tutors out there, but of course there is a vested interest in suggesting that a child requires lots of help...

[lily11+]

Not too sure what levels she's on, she's got 2 sat exams in May I know that.
I've just had her report and she got a B in English and a B in Maths but its difficult to go by grades really.

If anything, I feel even more determined now to get her to pass when somebody says your daughter is "average".

It makes me more hungry for her to do well now, and she is really trying too. I even said to the tutor well let's get her working really hard for this so she is in the top quarter then.

I've got 2 1/2 years!! Even that doesn't sound long enough! Lol

[Guest55]

What did she get in Year 2?

There are some excellent Uppers schools; some get a lot of children with three level 5s and even level 6 maths - a GS does not suit everyone.

[lily11+]

I'm not too sure they have exams called PIE's and PIM's. She's currently in a private school at the moment and just in case she doesn't pass, I have put her on a waiting list for Pipers Corner School in Bucks.

I'll ask the school when she goes back after Easter.

I'm trying to do 20 minutes every night going through the CGP books for everything. I can't do any more for her really apart from buying more materials and tutoring which is what I am doing anyway.

The tutor has said to me, don't worry I will definitely not be wasting your money and will tell you straight away if she's not going to pass.

[diamondgirl]

you really are doing your best for your dd, but you can really only help along the way and love her for who she is. GS isn't the be all and end all. From personal experience I would make sure that you are happy with your plan "B", and your tutor. Don't forget she is only little and any child (even a sure bet for passing) can mess up on the day.

[Guest55]

lily11+ - no tutor can tell if a child is going to qualify and a reputable one won't tell you this.

I'd be cautious and there's lots of advice on how to support your daughter is other ways than 'formal' tutoring.

[southbucks3]

Year 3 is far too early to decide if your girl should push herself for the 11+ and far far to early to tutor specifically for the 11+
Your child attends a private school, you are paying huge amounts of money for this, ask them how she is doing, ask them if she needs more parental support in any areas.
Lay on the pressure now and whatever happens there is the potential for a huge confidence crash along the way, pipers is an amazing school, she can start there early if you wish, therefore no stress to pass what so ever.
As far as the tutor, I am sure she is small cohort peer comparing your daughter and means well in her supposed honesty, but if you compare where my son was in year three, to where he got to in year five and his shock at passing the 11+ and then his continued progress in year six he is a shining example of how a child can simply academically mature later than their peers or even their siblings, without the help of outside tutors forcing non specific worksheets and word lists on them. (Sorry extra long sentence)
Time to communicate with the teachers at your expensive primary and tailor her support to her needs, not the 11+exam.

Good luck kitty mum, I am sure all will be well.

[ToadMum]

I'm not too sure they have exams called PIE's and PIM's. She's currently in a private school at the moment and just in case she doesn't pass, I have put her on a waiting list for Pipers Corner School in Bucks.

I'll ask the school when she goes back after Easter.

I'm trying to do 20 minutes every night going through the CGP books for everything. I can't do any more for her really apart from buying more materials and tutoring which is what I am doing anyway.

The tutor has said to me, don't worry I will definitely not be wasting your money and will tell you straight away if she's not going to pass.

I'm just wondering why you are spending your hard-earned cash on a private school? Presumably not for the quality of the education there, if you feel that all this outside input is required??

Also, not wishing to be unkind, but the idea of being determined to have a child coached into a grammar school regardless does make me think of Cinderella's stepsisters and the glass skipper .

BTW, it would appear that if you know your DD's raw scores in the Progress in Maths and Progress in English tests, you can find the NC equivalents on the GL Assessment website (look at the relevant Performance Indicators tab). I must admit that I'd never heard of these tests (can't think what possessed GL to call something child-related 'PIE' - think recently publicised scandals of a few decades ago? - though!), so looked them up. You would be hoping for a level 3 at the end of year 2.

[Amber]

... Cinderella's stepsisters and the glass skipper

In the little-known alternative version to the story - the one where she gets on a yacht and sails to the ball.

+1 to thinking poor little thing in Year 3 - please think about how she is going to feel after 3 years of coaching and an expensive education if she still doesn't make the grade. It is piling on the pressure and of course she is willing at the moment - she is what? 8? and will be very anxious to please you. 'Only average' sounds horrible - but please remember that 50% are above average and 50% are below; and that children mature at very different rates. I have watched several very average children daydream and play through primary school and shoot off later in life.

[lily11+]

She's been a private school since she was 3 years old so it's not just for the 11+ that I'm keeping her there.

The tutor specialises in 11+ but [child's name removed by Moderator] is just receiving extra coaching overall in English and Maths.
I'm just providing her more support in areas of weakness right now. I asked her to spell "Know" this morning and she said "no" and "come" she spelt "cum".
So for a girl who is turning 9 very soon, I'm just a bit concerned about a few things so yes....I don't feel bad at all about hiring a tutor to start teaching her the foundations of what to expect in the 11+ exam.

The school where she is currently at right now don't really stretch the children to pass the 11+ as the teachers are expecting them to stay on throughout secondary.

Even if she doesn't pass, at least she would of had enough coaching to perhaps pass a common entrance exam at the school that I would like her to go to.

It's best not to identify your child too closely on the internet. Moderator Sally-Anne.