Kent Private schools caught 11+ coaching

[mystery]

Kent can't really make up their minds whether tutoring makes a difference or not. GL says it does in their publications, to a point.

There's a recent statement from KCC in the local press from Scott Bagshaw, Fair Access Officer for Kcc education where he says tutoring makes no difference.

How to stop a school tutoring? Well, in a way they all do as 2 out of the three Kent papers are in school subjects - maths and english.

So the Kent test is a bit more a test of the school than it was before the English was added in?

And how can a school promise not to tutor at all if they teach maths and English?

[olucares]

Kent can't really make up their minds whether tutoring makes a difference or not. GL says it does in their publications, to a point.

There's a recent statement from KCC in the local press from Scott Bagshaw, Fair Access Officer for Kcc education where he says tutoring makes no difference.

How to stop a school tutoring? Well, in a way they all do as 2 out of the three Kent papers are in school subjects - maths and english.

So the Kent test is a bit more a test of the school than it was before the English was added in?

And how can a school promise not to tutor at all if they teach maths and English?

Teaching Maths for 11+ is different from normal KS2 work though. There are a few topics that are not covered in KS2 work up to Year 5 that do appear in 11+ exams.

[Guest55]

Teaching Maths for 11+ is different from normal KS2 work though. There are a few topics that are not covered in KS2 work up to Year 5 that do appear in 11+ exams.

Not in Bucks there isn't ...

[mad?]

Teaching Maths for 11+ is different from normal KS2 work though. There are a few topics that are not covered in KS2 work up to Year 5 that do appear in 11+ exams.

Not in Bucks there isn't ...

Indeed but this thread is about Kent.

[Guest55]

Teaching Maths for 11+ is different from normal KS2 work though. There are a few topics that are not covered in KS2 work up to Year 5 that do appear in 11+ exams.

Not in Bucks there isn't ...

Indeed but this thread is about Kent.

It's the same provider so they could produce a test without any topics above Year 5 ...

[mystery]

That's true G55. But Kent doesn't ask them to. Then when you point out to them it's giving tutored children a better chance or children who are in state schools where they accelerate their maths in year 5, they say it doesn't matter because you can get enough correct to pass without being able to answer all the questions on the paper.

They just say what sounds like the right thing at the time (like these various conflicting statements pointed out in this thread) but just carry on pretty much as before. Biggest difference is they don't make it clear that the GL familiarisation papers are helpful. So some parents spend a lot on the wrong things but the ones in the know have an advantage.

Some of the private schools do practise verbal and non-verbal regularly too. KCC isn't going to stop them and the heads will pay lip service to the rules for schools that are allowed to have the 11 plus on their premises, whatever those rules are. Not sure that they're written down, don't know.

[Exams2018]

It’s not possible to stop tutoring in schools. Why should anyone stop learning anything ? Whether it’s french, tennis or NVR!

The best solution, in my opinion, is to up the game in state schools and start doing a little bit of NVR and VR. A few practice papers will help too. Without this, the current system does gross injustice to bright pupils without the right support.

Why can’t all secondary schools have a grammar stream?

[piggys]

The best solution, in my opinion, is to up the game in state schools and start doing a little bit of NVR and VR. A few practice papers will help too. Without this, the current system does gross injustice to bright pupils without the right support.

Why can’t all secondary schools have a grammar stream?

Neither VR nor NVR form any part of the curriculum at any of the key stages. There must be a reason for this. What do you think it is? There are loads of dc who will not go to a grammar school so why would the schools waste their time forcing them into doing VR and NVR? that time would be far better spent, IMO, encouraging and embedding good reading habits and writing skills. It is ridiculous to say that by not incorporating VR and NVR into their curriculum "the system does gross injustice to bright pupils". If a parent chooses to pursue a grammar school which tests dc using VR and NVR then that is their choice - NOT the primary school's choice. Don't expect the school to make time to accommodate your choices. Alternatively, pay to send your dc to a 'prep' school which will - allegedly - thoroughly prepare your child for all their entrance exams. Dare I say it but you seem to know very little about how schools actually work.

WRT to your final point, many non grammar schools already stream so that in effect the top stream or top set is their equivalent of their 'grammar stream' as you call it.

[mystery]

Yes, and that's why the KCC councillor who is suggesting that tutoring should be allowed in Kent Primary schools is a bit "off message".

It's all a compromise whatever the rules are / are not as the whole idea of selecting at 10+ has so many flaws in it.

The most important thing is that the education is good.

[bridge]

The best solution, in my opinion, is to up the game in state schools and start doing a little bit of NVR and VR. A few practice papers will help too. Without this, the current system does gross injustice to bright pupils without the right support.

Why can’t all secondary schools have a grammar stream?

Neither VR nor NVR form any part of the curriculum at any of the key stages. There must be a reason for this. What do you think it is? There are loads of dc who will not go to a grammar school so why would the schools waste their time forcing them into doing VR and NVR? that time would be far better spent, IMO, encouraging and embedding good reading habits and writing skills. It is ridiculous to say that by not incorporating VR and NVR into their curriculum "the system does gross injustice to bright pupils". If a parent chooses to pursue a grammar school which tests dc using VR and NVR then that is their choice - NOT the primary school's choice. Don't expect the school to make time to accommodate your choices. Alternatively, pay to send your dc to a 'prep' school which will - allegedly - thoroughly prepare your child for all their entrance exams. Dare I say it but you seem to know very little about how schools actually work.

WRT to your final point, many non grammar schools already stream so that in effect the top stream or top set is their equivalent of their 'grammar stream' as you call it.

Grammar schools are impossible to access for those without the means, they could do with some help.