11 Plus Exams Forum

Thought I'd start this thread off for those who are still buying uniform, kit and equipment, ranging from bags through to dictionaries

Is there anything that parents of girls already there, wish they'd known this time last year, or perhaps the year before? Would you like to share your pearls of wisdom with us newbies?

Has anyone found any bargains? Are there things that can easily be purchased second-hand? Which things are best to buy second-hand/pre-loved?

Is it better to wait a while before buying certain items, so that you don't find they're either sat in the back of a wardrobe gathering dust, or you've wasted your money because you've simply got the wrong model/publisher/brand etc?

I expect there's loads of questions out there like:

- What size and shape of bag would you recommend?

- Will they need their own hockey and lacrosse stick fairly quickly?

- How warm are the classrooms ie will you actually need to buy those cardis?

- What kind of PE bag do they need?

That's my "starter-for-ten"

Hi there, I wouldn't rush out to buy all the optional items on the list eg shin guards etc, my dd hasn't needed these.

no need for hockey sticks etc either, they were not on the list and I don't remember dd doing any hockey, if she did it was one term only and they were provided with the hockey sticks. Lacrosse is a lunch time or after school option, I think dd tried it a few times and was given a lacrosse stick.

the things you will need are a calculator, rulers, protractors etc, so get the recommended stationery, swimsuit and trainers. I don't think the astro ones were needed.

bags - well we started with a rucksack, but it was soon replaced by something more fashionable and less sensible ... I have now given up on this one.

for uniform, we managed with one kilt all year, it washes well and dries overnight, no ironing needed. We found the cardigan was needed during the cold winter last year, but you don't need to get it straight away.
LOTS of tights!
I bought a navy blue coat for winter, but anything seems to be ok.

I hope this helps, pm me if you have any questions.

ps I know I am sad to be on the forum at 1am, but I am on holiday this week and about to through the whole 11+ stress again in 6 weeks with dd2.

Generally agree, although DD being sporty uses her astros all the time ( they can have an alternative pair of outdoor trainers instead though). The only mistake we made was buying the PE sweatshirt rather than the tracksuit top as we thought it would be warmer as well as cheaper. However when she made the althetics team she declared she had to have the tracksuit top! All specialised pe equipment, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, athletics team vests, running spikes ect are provided.
We have never bought Coes shirts, BHS and tescos online both do short sleeved blue shirts with the correct collar for a fraction of the price. Also found no need for long sleeved shirts as in winter they have both a cardigan and blazer over the top.
Art teacher is strict regarding pencils and insists on a full length ruler. Coes does sell the only shatterproof ruler I have ever found that lives up to its name! The art department will sell them a sketch book for a couple of pounds at the start of term.
Bag wise DD has had several already, but has currently settled on a navy material messanger bag. She originally had a rucksack but as her musical instrument is carried rucksack style this caused a problem. They do need to carry a lot, especially if musical, so you need to balance their desire for
fashion against practicality especially if travelling on public transport.

Minesatea wrote: All specialised pe equipment, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, athletics team vests, running spikes ect are provided.

That's an invaluable piece of information When I asked a member of staff if the school provided sticks (for both) or would they have to provide their own, I was told they'd have to provide their own.
I'd like DD to settle-in to the games before we buy sticks, then she can decide which make, model and specification she prefers.

Minesatea wrote:Art teacher is strict regarding pencils and insists on a full length ruler.

Please can you elaborate on the pencil issue?

Many thanks to you both, your help is very much appreciated

Sleeplessinhalstead - good luck in 6 weeks

Dd plays lacrosse but not hockey. We have never had to buy her a stick. There is going to be a new head of PE next year though so it could change.
Re pencils, unfortunately DD is at camp so I can't check but I am pretty sure they want them to draw with 2B's.

Minesatea wrote:Dd plays lacrosse but not hockey. We have never had to buy her a stick. There is going to be a new head of PE next year though so it could change.
Re pencils, unfortunately DD is at camp so I can't check but I am pretty sure they want them to draw with 2B's.

Thanks so much

Re the change of Head of PE - do you mean that they may no longer do those sports, or that they may need to provide their own sticks?

Don't believe that a state school would demand pupils purchase such items as hockey sticks etc. even under new teaching staff.
Expect most team players would progress to buying their own equipment later down the line but not just for compulsory lessons.

I didn't really mean anything specific, just that it would be best not to rely on what we are saying to stay the same as new heads of dept often like to reorganise things their way.
At the end of year sports awards I think they said they were hoping to increase the amount of hockey played (DD had certainly done very little) but I am not sure if they meant in lessons or as an extra curicular. They also said they had started a cricket team last year.
The lacrosse is lunch time or after school. The team is mostly upper school as the only local opposition seems to be essex uni and they would not put the younger girls up against them! But they are keen for the younger girls to go along to train. Perhaps we need to persuade ChCHS to get a team.

Minesatea wrote: The lacrosse is lunch time or after school. The team is mostly upper school as the only local opposition seems to be essex uni and they would not put the younger girls up against them! But they are keen for the younger girls to go along to train. Perhaps we need to persuade ChCHS to get a team.

Please don't feel the need to involve SHSG as well - I like to encourage DD to "try anything (within limits)", but two facts I picked up and felt were pertinent during 7 years of lacrosse at school were that it was the French national women's sport - and that the native Americans used to play it to the death. The word "cradle" still sends shivers down my spine...

Minesatea wrote:I didn't really mean anything specific, just that it would be best not to rely on what we are saying to stay the same as new heads of dept often like to reorganise things their way.
At the end of year sports awards I think they said they were hoping to increase the amount of hockey played (DD had certainly done very little) but I am not sure if they meant in lessons or as an extra curicular. They also said they had started a cricket team last year.
The lacrosse is lunch time or after school. The team is mostly upper school as the only local opposition seems to be essex uni and they would not put the younger girls up against them! But they are keen for the younger girls to go along to train. Perhaps we need to persuade ChCHS to get a team.

Thanks for clearing that up.

It would be good if Chelmsford played too. The problem with Lacrosse used to be, that it was generally played by indie schools and those good teams tended to be boarding. As a consequence, they were far more accomplished than state GS, as they had more time to practice and "gel" as a team. I don't know if things have changed in that respect?
An additional problem, was that you had to travel an average 3 hours round trip for "close" away matches and 6 hours for tournaments

It's an amazing sport and whilst it's grown hugely in popularity in the USA, I get the impression that it hasn't done the same here, or at least it hasn't at school level: I wish it had. It's a shame it has the "posh" tag because the equipment is no more expensive than hockey, so could be accessible to more people, especially as it's a male sport, too.