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Let me tell you all a story

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:59 pm
by njg
To all you worried parents and kids.
At the moment panic is setting in and all you can think about is VR - yes? You go to bed thinking about it and you wake up thinking about it, sometimes you even feel sick. I know.
My son didn't 'qualify'. He'd had some tutoring in the few weeks leading up to the test but as I later found out nothing compared to his peers. On results day we crumbled. After an unsucessful appeal we resigned ourselves to the local upper. He got 3x5s at SATS and he went and had a fab time, top in everything and having a great time however we weren't satisfied it was the right place for him so he sat the 12+ and is now at a grammar. It has been tough. He didn't want to lose his friends and the work load is vast compared to the upper. He is no longer top and socially has had to start again. We still feel that this is 100% the right choice for him. In the end it all comes down to oppotunities.
My daughter, a year younger, again didn't 'qualify' but was close so got through on appeal. She only got 1 level 5 SAT yet is thriving at grammar and not at all out of her depth.

I guess what i'm saying is, even if the road there isn't straight it is still worth the journey if you really feel it's the right destination.

Good luck - I've got a year off but I'm happy to help with any questions!

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:42 pm
by Sally-Anne
njg and I have have travelled a very similar path over the last couple of years, and I can only say that I agree with every word she has written.

It is slow and painful to have to go the "near-miss/appeal/12-plus" route, but if you believe your child is suitable for a GS, never give up.

Sally-Anne

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:18 pm
by Guest55
Hear, hear!! My child also followed this route and is thriving - won a form prize and captained a sports team in Y8 ...

The 11+ is not perfect - nor is any test ...

12+ route

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:23 pm
by cptn
my daughter narrowly missed her 11+ (120) and we were unsuccessful on appeal (even though 5 others from her school got a grammar school place with same or lower score than her!!).She is now at the local upper school ,but i would like her to take the 12+.Just wanted to know what sort of preparation you all did for this? same as 11+ using 11+ practice papers? i understand it is essentially the same as the 11+ except there are 5 more questions and 5 minutes less time.I feel my daughter is capable of passing, but am worried what effect it will have on her,especially if she does pass and then there isn't a space at our preferred grammar! or if she doesn't want to leave her current school.
Would be grateful for any advice.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:10 pm
by Guest
Yes please!I would also like to know what does 12+ involve, just in case we need to go down that route as well. Thanks in advance

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:46 pm
by Guest55
cptn and guest - look at the 12+ thread - if in Y7 you need to have got at least two level 5s and apply by the date in December.

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/i ... =177570625

has the information about applying - if you let us know where you live we can give you a rough idea which schools might have places.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:11 pm
by njg
It's a funny old system!
We applied for the 12+ - yes by December.
His upper school were then asked for a report of suitability. They phoned to say that they do not support any entrants - very helpful. Subsequently we were turned down for entry!
We appealed. He had been given 2 level 7s and a level 6. So the appeal was upheld!
Test took place at a secondary school during the Easter hols. Results end of May, place allocation mid June.

We did much the same kind of practice, but he felt that the test was much easier. This may just have been age but also because it's just the one paper so not all types were in.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:12 pm
by patricia
Dear Njg

The test is the same standard as the 11 plus and your child is a year older, hence he thought it was easy.

To others thinking of the 12 plus/Late Transfer.

The Late transfer test, taken in years 7,8,9 [normally 7 and 8]

1] Only one test

2] 85 questions 45 minutes [5 more q 5 less minutes]

3] Covers the 21 types but as only one test will only have 12/13 [ but have to practice all]

4] Answer sheet is different.

eg A. contest B. game C. flame // X. disagree Y. football Z. match

2 words that are similar to each section answer = contest disagree

would have to answer A. X. on answer sheet.

5] Can only be considered for test once County have written to current secondary school asking for a report. THis report has to be top notch. They expect to see at least 2 level 5s at KS2 and 2/3 predicted 7s for Ks3.

6] Have to apply December time. County write to schools in January. Test in April

7] County often refuse to test based on this report and parents have to go to an appeal. However many appeals succeed.

8] Occasionally can test immediately if child just moved to the area or under 'special' circumstances eg Bullying.

9] Passing the test does NOT guarantee a grammar place, it depends on spaces being available.

10] If its a foundation school [ Beaconsfield High school/girls and Royal Grammar School/boys] then they set their own tests, normally cross curricular.

Patricia

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:43 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Cptn & Guest

Some very comprehensive replies from njg and Patricia, so I won't repeat what that said.

Just to add one thing to njg's post, if the school refuse to recommend the child for the 12+ the appeal is known as an "Appeal to test" and is successful more often than not.

My son took the 12+ this year and also found it easy. Patricia is right that the extra 18 months between tests does make a big difference. However, I must say that the kids thought it was very easy. They all came out saying that - well, in pre-teen speak!

We started practice only a few weeks before the test, as he was coached to death for the 11+ (bad idea). We did some IPS papers and he did some of the Tutors CDs as well.

On school places, take a look at this thread, where we are gradually getting a picture of how many vacant year 7 places there are at the Grammars. Obviously the picture will change during the year as children move into the area or leave, but it gives you some idea.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... php?t=3423

On which subject, has anyone seen if the official figures have appeared on the Bucks CC website yet? (A job for "super-ferret" Dad40, methinks! :D )

Do come back to us if we can help you both over the next 6 months.

Sally-Anne

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:04 pm
by Guest55
Which figures do you mean Sally- Anne?

The above link I posted gives numbers successful this year at 12+ and 13+ - I also gave a link on another thread for the numbers in each school last January.