11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi All

I wonder if you can help with this question? My son is in year
4 and I want to start preparing him.
I was told to buy aged 9-10 in Maths and English.
But my son is finding them difficult, though
he's top in everything at school.

Should he be able to do 9-10 material in year 4?
Or is it ok to start with 8-9 and then in year 5 work through 9-10?
But than my understanding is when he comes to take exams in year 6
he should be at a stage of 10-11 material. Is this correct?

Also if anyone can PM me any good tutors who are specialist in the Sutton Grammar, Wilson's and Wallington for boys schools. And who have a proven success record.

Thank you.

Tamara

I am bit out of touch; but I believe that Bond assessment books are not considered to be too difficult or at the same level as needed for grammar schools entrance test. If you are going by bond assessment books, DC would need to be doing much better.

For English, basically, you need to cover all of KS2 requirements and DC would need to be good in creative writing. We did Bond books upto 6 (12-13 yr old) and also their Comprehension books, Athey papers, Bond & GL test papers, Junior English book, Students Companion, test papers of independent schools.

And same with maths. Cover all of KS2 maths. We started with Bond books, but also did other papers. Believe Latymer and DAO school specimen papers are very helpful. Schofield and Simms Maths and Word Problem upto book 6. Then GL test papers. Independent school test papers, particularly City of London, Manchester Grammar, North London Schools Consortium etc.

One or two mock tests (including Sutton GS PTA one) would be helpful. Afraid can't advise about tutors. One is being discussed on another thread. You may have seen it. Hope other members would give you better advise.

Can only talk about Birmingham but my ds did up to bond 10-11 and sat test in Sept of year six. Means he did up to year six, albeit at the very beginning. This is consistent with him always being about a year ahead of his expected progress. Now as sats approach he is around level 5/6. He did well enough to get into any Birmingham school. I have read the Birmingham test is difficult but have no real idea. I would also say tutors are over rated and if you can do it yourself. Hope this helps you judge what your child needs.

rabbie burns wrote:Can only talk about Birmingham but my ds did up to bond 10-11 and sat test in Sept of year six. Means he did up to year six, albeit at the very beginning. This is consistent with him always being about a year ahead of his expected progress. Now as sats approach he is around level 5/6. He did well enough to get into any Birmingham school. I have read the Birmingham test is difficult but have no real idea. I would also say tutors are over rated and if you can do it yourself. Hope this helps you judge what your child needs.

I don't think Bond 10-11 would get you anywhere near the level required for Tiffins or even the independent schools around here! Life is easier up north I guess!

I think we went through Bond 10-11 last year sometime (Year 4) and are now enjoying Bond 11+-12+ with the tests in October this year and January '14 for Sep 15 entry. Though most papers for VR/NVR are currently not Bond but other companies.

I don't think Bond 10-11 would get you anywhere near the level required for Tiffins or even the independent schools around here!

Quite our experience too. Bond is good introduction, though.

I agree - Bond 10-11 at the beginning of year 5. Mine did a few of the 12+ books much closer to the exam date. The Bond books were a great base but make sure you use other providers too such as GL and Daughtrey.

Tamara - It has to be a good mix of variety and complexity. Bond is not close to stuff asked for super-selective but good for foundation in Y4 and early Y5.

Deleted by user.

Not sure if I should be impressed or sceptical. Also not sure if the standard expected by the king Edwards schools in Birmingham can be that much lower. After all their a level results etc seem pretty good. The children going grammar here tend to leave primary with high level 5s and 6. What do your children achieve? Could you be talking your schools up and scaring other people? Obviously I don't know but good luck to you all. Oh by the way the real up north in Britain does not have grammar schools so life is much simpler.

Since Tiffins have been open selective for a very long time and children all over the place have been applying here (even some from Manchester), the admissions have become very very competitive due to sheer numbers involved. That is the main reason that the test demands high level of preparation (rather than natural ability). Tiffin boys tests so far are only NVR and VR, and prone to over-coaching and extreme practice. SAT levels are all together different thing. however, I note that children in Kingston and Richmond (a neighbouring borough) were the top 2 boroughs in whole of England for achieving level 6 in English and Maths.