Information and advice

Eleven Plus (11+) in Gloucestershire (Glos)

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
cluelessmum
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:01 am

Information and advice

Post by cluelessmum »

My son has passed for Crypt (just). He is no doubt a bright boy who does very well at school and has acheived high SAT results and CAT Scores. His class teacher was of no doubt that he should go to grammar school.

In my wisdom I decided he didn't need a tutor and that I would buy some practice papers and see how he got on. I got him some bond books initially so he could suss out verbal reasoning I then went on to buy the NfER pack of practice exams (11 a,b,c and d). He consistently scored 90%+ in these papers and I thought he was more than capable of passing.

When the results came through he didn't have enough marks for Tommies and is a few marks over the threshold for Crypt. I was really surprised he didn't get higher marks. He did say on the test day that the first paper was fine but that the second paper was much harder than anything we did at home and there were certain questions he didn't recognise.

I have another son who will be due to take the entrance test in 2 years time and want to be able to prepare him as well as possible. Can anyone offer me advice on where I have gone wrong, what papers I should have got etc?

Thanks in advance
haeckel

Re: Information and advice

Post by haeckel »

Personally I would not tutor, or start practising any earlier, if I did it again. But might try some harder practise papers than the NFER that the schools recommend as a tryout, as long as the dc was up for it.
Last edited by haeckel on Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:59 am, edited 3 times in total.
mum23*
Posts: 417
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:28 pm

Re: Information and advice

Post by mum23* »

clueless, congrats that your DS has passed for Crypt. I know other boys who seemed very able that have missed the pass for Tommys this time. It appears that vocabulary has been an important factor so build that in to your future prep, maybe try some of the vocab builder books or English 11+ papers for preparation. Try using a variety of papers eg Walsh and IPS and the Letts (giraffe) papers have been re issued to incorporate more vocab. I know that there have been posts to say Tutors level 3 and 4 are challenging too. The prep classes at Tommy's apparently gave vocab to look up so I think that this must be the way to go - similar meaning, opposites, vocab for collective nouns, occupations, animals etc. Hope this helps, meanwhile I think Crypt is on the up and I am sure your DS would get on well. Good luck and don't feel bad, both you and your Ds obviously worked hard and the competition is intense. A pass is great and your DS achieved that.
cluelessmum
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Information and advice

Post by cluelessmum »

Thank you both for your replies. I am proud of my ds for passing I was just a little taken aback that his scores weren't higher. I have also beaten myself up that I didn't properly prepare him.

Thank you too for the advice. I think i will look more at the vocabulary as I know my ds finds the maths questions easier.

On the plus side my ds actually preferred Crypt to Tommies and is over the moon that Crypt is now our first choice option! I must say I too was very impressed by the headmaster who appears to have a real passion for the school to succeed.
gloucestermum
Posts: 739
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:14 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Information and advice

Post by gloucestermum »

Well done to your DS for passing-which is no mean feat these days!!

My son is in Year 9 at Crypt-if you need any infomation or have any questions please feel free to ask.there are not many of us Crypt parents on here!

GM
haeckel

Re: Information and advice

Post by haeckel »

gloucestermum, do you know anything about the bus from Cheltenham to Crypt? Or anyone else? If would be great if someone could pm the phone number for Rob Dix (??)
gloucestermum
Posts: 739
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:14 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Information and advice

Post by gloucestermum »

Sorry don't know the phone number-there was a thread last year about the service,apparently very efficient and friendly.If you ring Crypt I'm sure they will have the information.

GM
cluelessmum
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Information and advice

Post by cluelessmum »

Gloucestermum are you happy with the school? I found it has a really nice feel to it. Am I right to think that they are normally able to take all that have passed. Would hate to be in a waiting list situation!
Milla
Posts: 2556
Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:25 pm

Re: Information and advice

Post by Milla »

Two friends of ours are teachers there and I SO wish that Tommy's had smarties them. Both are fairly new but really impressed by the school and by the boys' manners etc.
gloucestermum
Posts: 739
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:14 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Information and advice

Post by gloucestermum »

We have always been happy with the school.The headteacher is very inspiring,he runs a very tight ship,any concerns that I have had have always been addressed quickly and decisively.Although the school could do with a revamp buildings wise(not likely to happen now!),it has not affected DS's enjoyment of his schooling.There is also a nice friendly mix of boys,from different family backgrounds too.My DS is in Germany at the moment,regular year 9 trip,and it's very quiet at home without him-peace will be shattered tomorrow on his return!

The school certainly never rests on its laurels-they were top of the county in 2009 GCSE results,and have specialisms in languages and sciences.I certainly have no problem singing their praises!

For the last 3 years that I know of,all boys who have passed and wanted a place have had an offer on March 1st.
Post Reply