11 Plus Exams Forum

Is anybody using Susan Daughtrey for year 5 11+ tuition for Sept 2014 sitting and what are the pros and cons versus other tuition places?

We bought lots of Susan D for ds1 in Sept when he was sitting last years test, then in January we found out the exam was changing to CEM. We never really used those books it didn't seem relevant.

I have found the books that say they cater for CEM more helpful and diy cloze. This is what I'm doing now for ds2.

OP do you mean the Susan Daughtrey tuition ? They have one in berks as well (winners community centre).

Hi sorry I meant is anyone attending her tuition centres or have done? What did they think? especially anyone that has used here since the syllabus has changed. thanks

I know someone whose dc attends in Slough. I'm afraid the feedback is not that positive

I'm a big fan of the author's VR books but it sounds as if they do not have any of her own material (yet) for CEM style exams. They use all the books that are mentioned on here anyway but charge £1500 for the privilege.

The parent said they would cover some material in the classroom, meet up weeks later and skim over any homework. The homework lists are usually emailed a few days after the last class. The classes are too long per session but they could be weeks apart too. They also charge their own students for mock exams. The parent feels the course may suit Bucks entrants but feels it does not go far enough to prepare for Berks (especially Kendrick which they are targeting).

In comparison feedback I've had on the big tuition centre in Slough has been pretty good. I've actually seen what both are using material wise and been following the courses over the last year....my suggestion is if you are going for any of the super selectives then the SD course is not for you

We used AE tuition last time for my older child. However although they covered most of what is likely in the CEM exam the classes were very fast pace and approx 25 in each class. They also had a lot of homework - some of which was not necessary until they are much older. My younger child is very different to the older one and needs more one to one and was hoping that SD would be more suitable.

SD isn't one to one, is it? It's classrooms. If you want one to one you would be better off getting a private tutor - just make sure they know what they are doing.

From what I have heard, big tuition centres usually have a team/individual tracking new publications coming in the market, evaluate them and then decide if they need to be included in the materials supplied. A one-to-one tutor may not not have sufficient time/resources for this process.

I don't think this would take a good tutor much time at all. It is quite straightforward to evaluate a new publication and its value to the particular formats of the schools you are interested in. DG

I'm not a tutor and my dd does not attend any tuition centres. I am aware of the work/tests been dished out by the 2 tuition centres mentioned and guess what, we already have them all! Nothing new that has not already been mentioned on this forum