11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi

New to this forum so any help much appreciated.

Earlier in the year our then 9 year old expressed a desire to go to the local(ish) grammer school. We discussed her ability to take the 11 plus with her teacher who said that her maths and spelling might let her down and not to bother.

She has since taken her mock SATs and whilst spelling is still a problem she has achieved a 5c in reading, 4a in litreacy, 4b in science and 4c in maths. Her projections for the end of Y6 are all 5's apart from maths with a 4a.

With these results could she stand a chance in passing the 11 plus?

What area are you in? Different authorities have different formats.

Maths plays a very minor role in the VR test we have in Gloucester and my DS just received roughly the same english scores as your daughter for his Y6 SATs so IMHO her english is certainly good enough for Grammar. My DS can't spell either and though frustrating that alone shouldn't be used as a reason for not having a go.

Cottagegirl - tests vary in content and difficulty from area to area/school to school so you need to post in the relevant area. You also need to take into account whether the grammar school you are interested in is selective or super-selective. Selective grammars generally offer places to children who have passed (regardless of score) based on distance. Super-selectives tend to administer their own tests and take the top scorers.

Could you give her some help to boost her maths and spelling?

Thank you.

We are in Wiltshire so would apply for the grammer school in Salisbury.

Her reading age is 14.6, but her spelling age is 7.8

Have a look in the Wiltshire section of the forum and they will give you some help.

There are some specially designed spelling programs you could try to help with the spelling. One I know of is Spelling made Easy, my sons welsh primary school used it when they started teaching the children english in Y3. Annoyingly he left in Y4 so missed out and by the time I picked up on the problem it was too late. A friend also uses it with dyslexic children.

There are others if you post in the english section there are a few teachers on here who will give you good advice.

You could give her a go on http://www.spellanywhere.co.uk/spellings.php
You will need to find a school with enough lists on it for the standard you need - we always try the bigger schools. For some reason DS finds using this programme is much easier to use than normal spelling lists from school or home. I suppose it doesnt feel too much like work when its on the computer.

If she is in the state eduction then my teacher would have said not to bother aswelland my results for SATs were pretty much the same, though I passed the 11+. I think as long as she thinks the questions through she should do well, dont worry if her spellings aren't perfect because this shouldn't alter her results, she should stand a reasonable chance.
Hope this helps.

Hi
All children are good enough to take the 11+.
I don't know much about the system in Wiltshire, but my DS has just achieved level 5s across the board in his Y6 SATs, he already had good level 5s in maths, reading and science in Y5, level 4C in writing - spelling awful. He didn't pass his 11+, we didn't tutor or coach him for the test at all. He is really looking forward to going to the local secondary modern and I expect him to be a high achiever there.
His SAT scores were the same as one sibling, better than the other and they both attend the grammar.
Don't rely on SAT scores, teachers often know which children will gain most from certain schools, so their opinion is useful. But you know your child best - do what you think is right.

9 years old and you are asking teachers if she/he is good enough to pass the 11 plus?

Most primary school teachers are not good enough to pass the 11 plus!

Rome may not have been built in a day, but the amount of time you have
you can definitely prepare your child to have a good chance of attaining a place at a Grammar School if she/he is a willing learner.

Trust not in primary school teachers.

2 cents worth

On what evidence do you base your opinion of primary school teachers?

They are no less qualified than secondary teachers. I have a degree in Chemistry and a post grad teaching certificate as well as training in a wide range of specialist teaching.


To get back on track, definitely have a go at the 11+ , especially if she wants to try. They are good scores. My friends daughter had dreadful spelling in primary school and has just gradueted with a first. Now working as a pharmacist.

You will find lots of good advice on the forum and there is usually someone who can answer a query or provisde support