Has my son got a chance in passing

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:49 am

Hi. My son is currently in year 5 and attends a catholic primary school. We are not catholics, but this is the closest school and also the best school around.

The problem I now have is that they do not 'coach' or prepare the children for 11+ as they want them to go to the catholic secondary school.

He is a bright boy, but i feel that without the correct preparation he may not stand a chance in passing the 11+.

Financially I cannot afford to send him to a private tutor. What are your views on his chances of passing. Would me giving him sample papers help him, or would this not be enough?

Thanks for any input/advice.

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:39 pm

A lot of people on this forum have coached their children themselves - the familiarisation is NOT enough - even NFER acknowledge this!

If you are talking about Buckinghamshire - there is a lot of good advice on this site -

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:46 pm

Guest55 wrote:A lot of people on this forum have coached their children themselves - the familiarisation is NOT enough - even NFER acknowledge this!

If you are talking about Buckinghamshire - there is a lot of good advice on this site -

I am in Kent. I am prepared to do all the coaching myself to help him but am just really confused in where to begin, what books, papers etc to use.

I have called the school he wants to go to and they have told me they sit

1 x Verbal Reasoning mutiple choice

1 x English

1 x Maths

So has anyone got a list of good books, which 'brand' to use, and how much should I do with him at a time.

He is in year 5, so I am not sure when the exam will be - this years was in January which will give him a year, but there is talk of it being brought forward to November.

Bo Peep · Post by **Bo Peep** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:05 pm

Click below to get some basic info about the Kent tests.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11-plus-kent.php

I certainly am a firm believer that a parent CAN do just as good a job of coaching as a tutor. In fact one 'professional tutor' I know only started working as an 11plus coach after successfully getting all three of her children through the exam - I'm sure she's not the only one.

The Kent section of this website is quite active so hopefully you'll find lots of help, advice and support there.

chathamgrammarhopeful · Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:09 pm

Thanks Bo Peep

I shall take a look at the link now. I am just trying to find out as much as I can at the moment before I make the decision whether to do it myself or with help.

guest59 · Post by **guest59** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:34 pm

Hi
My child used to go to lovely Catholic primary which also did not prepare for 11plus. A lot of parents were able to pay tutors but it was hushed whispers in playground as most children went to Catholic comp. As others have said, Kent forum has great advice. Have you considered getting together with other like minded parents to help motivate children and share resources/tutoring sessions - books, papers etc. I expect that there will be other parents like you who would like the grammar school option instead of predestined comp. I have a child in year 5 and am expecting 11plus to be in January 08, although like you I have heard rumours (so far unfounded) about 11plus being moved to November

good luck

Catherine · Post by **Catherine** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:26 pm

Once you have found out more on the tests in the Kent section, you can also read and ask questions in the '11 plus subjects' section. There are quite a lots of tips on how to tackle each subject.

Best of luck

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:41 pm

Hi Guest,
my daughter has just done the Kent 11+, we used a combination of Bond fifth papers first and then moved on to NFER multiple choice papers nearer the time. I must say that the CD available from this site was invaluable. Kids are sometimes more willing to work when it's on computer. You can definately self coach and it can even be (sort of) fun, so don't give up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:43 pm

Hi Guest,
my daughter has just done the Kent 11+, we used a combination of Bond fifth papers first and then moved on to NFER multiple choice papers nearer the time. I must say that the CD available from this site was invaluable. Kids are sometimes more willing to work when it's on computer. You can definately self coach and it can even be (sort of) fun, so don't give up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:43 pm

Hi Guest,
my daughter has just done the Kent 11+, we used a combination of Bond fifth papers first and then moved on to NFER multiple choice papers nearer the time. I must say that the CD available from this site was invaluable. Kids are sometimes more willing to work when it's on computer. You can definately self coach and it can even be (sort of) fun, so don't give up.