Page 1 of 1

Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:00 pm
by raspberry
Hi, I'm a newbie and desperatley confused as I have no idea what path to take... I currently live in south bucks but moving out of county to hillingdon in approx 4mths time. My dd attends local village school and due to sit her 11+ this yr, or does she??? As we will be living out of county (but she is still going to attend the same school) I was intending to opt out of her sitting the 11+ but recent parents eve has changed this as they told me that when sitting the 'mock' her score was 125 and 'grammar school material'. I had no idea she had excelled (bad mother, I know- but in my defence, she was always one of the brighter ones but then seemed to average out...). She has had no tutition and achieved this on her own merit. So, do I continue to opt out (much to the schools disapproval) or encourage further tutition with the intention of passing and attending a grammar school? The chance of being offered a place at BHS is vvvv slim due to distance etc but her father will continue to reside in south bucks... can you see what i'm suggesting??... Logistically, travelling from Hillingdon will prove a challenge but do-able providing I provide this (massive detour to work). I was initially against the idea 11+ due to logistics, peers being so far from home etc but being told that she has the ability has changed things. Alternatively the upper school in hillingdon I would hope she would attend is a massive concern due to catchment area and increasingly popular school and if she didnt get in there the alternative is not a very desirable one... As with all of us, I want to do the best for her, grammar school but attempt to get in out of county or she lives with her dad...and the added pressure of travelling or opt out and just hope she gets into the school of choice and excells there?? OOOO I HATE THIS!!! Thoughts pls..

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:13 pm
by Lookinglass
Hi Raspberry that's a hard one, from my experience don't ever go on probable scores. My dd was predicted to be a likely pass but oh boy on the day she didn't do as well as expected and we are now on one massive roller coaster ride and if I had the money & the knowledge that I have now I would have moved away from the 11+ system......

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:42 pm
by mk123
Welcome to the forum, raspberry. You have ahead of you some weighting-up to do until this autumn.
We are OOC and currently hoping to get GS through the waiting lists next couple of months (turned to be a bit further by distance than we would have liked;( ). Looking back I would say that the whole experience of preparing for 11plus and seeing our DD's accumulated knowledge has been worth it. DD has learned new words, new approaches to tackle reasoning questions and she has entirely enjoyed the experience by looking at it as a one of life's puzzles.
Even if we do not get the GS place we would not regret giving it a shot. Throughout the last few months it has been important for us to have a safer and almost equally satisfying alternative however. I think the whole 11plus journey can vary depending on the child's temperament, maturity and parental attitude, approach, support etc.
I am thinking that until you decide all personal logistics, pros, cons, alternatives it may be safest for you and your DC to keep your options open and not exclude the 11plus as a possibility.
Good luck!

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:20 am
by H2OHNO
The learning curve of DS was definitely helped by the amount of work he did on the 11+ not to mention an increase in work pace, organisation and maturity. As an overall experience I think he only enjoyed it when it was over, and on results day, when and was running around the house, like a headless chicken, cheering.

If the school are telling you that your child has a chance of passing keep your options open, because DS chances of passing were considered by his school as marginal. Generally from what I’ve seen you’ll only be told they have a chance of passing when the school think it’s highly likely.

Also you get the added bonus of additional child / parent bonding time (unfortunately sat at a table doing questions)!

:D

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:24 pm
by bucksdaddy
Am I missing something here, but why are the school conducting mock tests in March some seven months before the exam? I didn't think that was permitted.

raspberry, I don't see that you have much to lose by allowing her to sit the exam but not pressuring her too much.

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:49 pm
by scary mum
CAT tests maybe rather than 11 plus tests? -We are in South Bucks and out school does this and they are often taken as a rough indication of whether a child might pass the 11 plus.

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:35 pm
by yoyo123
it sounds to me as if they may be cats tests.

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:23 pm
by zee
raspberry wrote:The chance of being offered a place at BHS is vvvv slim due to distance etc but her father will continue to reside in south bucks... can you see what i'm suggesting??...
I sympathise with your problem, and if you're suggesting your DS moves in with her dad, it may be worth considering (if they get on well and he's willing to have her etc etc), but if you're suggesting that you list his home as her main residence when it isn't really, I have to say don't do it.

From your point of view, there are lots of checks and if you're found out, your daughter would risk losing her place, possibly too late in the year to get a place at an adequate alternative. From a wider point of view, it's not fair on those who play by the rules if others get places through dishonest means. However, I realise that may not be what you were asking or suggesting.

Re: Whats the right thing??

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:56 pm
by raspberry
Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions. I think it's looking like we'll go ahead and allow dd to sit 11+ and cross those fingers tight.
Zee, apologies if my text was misleading but my thinking that my dd live with her dad sadly in the hope she would receive a better education... This is what makes this so so hard. Unfortunately far too many out there move temporarily etc in to catchment areas for the school of choice which is no doubt why so many in area genuinely are unable to be allocated a place. The very thought of my dd living away fills me with absolute dread and tears but like I said i have no idea what the right thing is, away from me for a better chance!?