11 Plus Exams Forum

My DS have just taken his last exam at QEHS today. Thats 4 exams over and done with.

Relief! And also time to think back.....

It has actually been a wonderful experience for me. My primary school don't tell you anything about tha Grammar System because we are out of catchment, so we didn't start looking into it properly until May.

My DS has SEN. The last few years have been very difficult with him getting settled into school, and feeling safe and confident. The thought of starting again at high school has been terrifying....but.....

The headmasters speech at Caistor made him sit up and pay attention. He came home saying he wanted to go to Grammar school so that he didn't have to 'pretend' not to work, and so he could do his best. If thats not a reason to give him the chance, what is!

So, we started looking over question types at home, and he put a lot of work into getting familiar with the test formats, etc. I did not get tutoring, because I didn't think this was the best thing for him - we have done it together at home. He has visibly grown up since May, and I am SO proud of him.

If he doesn't meet the grade, and doesn't pass, then at least he has proven to himself that he has the ability to try hard. He has given himself a step in the right direction towards preparing for his SATS. Also, and perhaps more importantly, it has prepared him for his transition to high school - whichever school that may be.

I am so proud of my boy (and I am actually pretty chuffed with myself!), as I am sure you all are with your little ones, and I hope everyone has got something good out of this experience.

Good luck - not long to wait now!

x

What a lovely post Disney Mum. I'm sure your DS will do well wherever he goes with such a supportive family. Very good luck to you both.

That sounds very positive Disney Mum. I noticed there was a new post in here again now as I m sure we are all just starting to think about the weekend.

For us it was an interesting and last minute experience, but it was good to see my DS have to put in work over a few weeks to work for something rather than just an hour for homework and then move on to the next thing. I hope he will have learnt to deal with his frustration at the end of it as he didn't like it when he had a tricky past paper.

For me, it was nice to have a regular date to do something with him and I will certainly know now what to expect in plenty of time to prepare the next two.

Good luck for Saturday.

...a considerable amount of grey hair, that aside I enjoyed it and I think he did too (well most of the time)

It's lovely DM that you had such a positive experience I think my son grew up a little too

good luck for Saturday it's nearly here

CW x

I am replying to this now, for anyone viewing this and looking at embarking on this route, as I think that will give a really honest answer, rather than one perhaps slightly skewed by whatever Saturday may bring. Like DM, we are not at a 'GS primary'. I can honestly say, despite the strains, tensions, rollercoaster at times, experiencing every emotion, DS and I have no regrets. I have watched my nine year old DS (as he was 9 for the bulk of the process), come out of himself, watched his confidence grow and more. The way he dealt with all of this makes me proud beyond words, he would put some adults to shame and if he deals with every challenge in life with this attitude, he has got a fantastic future ahead starting at whatever high school that may be. Most of all, he came out of the tests pretty calm and unphased and that for me was all I could wish for, a DS who is able to cope with exams. Passing is the icing on the cake, for me he has already grown, achieved and crossed hurdles and succeeded. I have booked a table at his favourite restaurant for Saturday, as I've told him we are celebrating whatever - celebrating his hard work, his ability to cope with exams and his amazing attitude to challenges in life. Good luck to all your DC's x

Thank you for your lovely comments.

I am so proud of my boy. He passed both schools entry exams, so we are in the wonderful position of having a choice.

I hope you all get the results you are hoping for.

I think I'm more excited than he is - he is being very modest about it!!

x

What fantastic news, Disney Mum. Very well done to your DS!

Thank you!