11 Plus Exams Forum

I have a daughter about to start year 6 in September. We are in the process of selling our house and moving to an area (anticipated October time) where there are grammar schools. The LEA area we live in now do not have grammar schools and she would have gone to the local feeder high school. Consequently my daughter and I are unfamiliar with the process. The area we are looking at moving to is Trafford or Manchester. She is pretty much an average student, better at maths and reading, poorer at writing and spelling. She is actually very keen to take the 11+ (contrary to what I had expected!). Could anyone please help to answer my questions?

a) If we move after the 11+ exams have taken place, would she be able to sit them at a later date?
b) How much do the primary schools in these areas tend to "coach" the pupils for the exams? i.e would she be disadvantaged by having spent almost all her schooling in an area where the 11+ is just not a consideration?
c) How can I help her prepare?
d) Should she have extra tutition?

I would be grateful for any comments.

I would post in the area forum [scroll down the page] as you will get a response from someone local - as a guide to whether she will enjoy a Grammar school is she likely to get at least two level 5s at KS2?

Apologies - I see you now have found that section - hope you get a response quickly!

Have you seen Trafford's published information on the system? Here's a link which has other links on it. http://www.trafford.gov.uk/cme/live/cme ... ory_id=705

I don't know the different timings for exams if you aren't *here* when the actual exams take place. I do know that there are other dates because 2 latecomers in my child's school arrived and took the exam at the end of the Christmas term, if I recall correctly. I think if you call Trafford using the info on the link above and discuss it with them they will be able to help you with part of the question.

I'll be back tomorrow to think about the other bits of the question - got to take children swimming!

Back again!

b) How much do the primary schools in these areas tend to "coach" the pupils for the exams? i.e would she be disadvantaged by having spent almost all her schooling in an area where the 11+ is just not a consideration?
c) How can I help her prepare?
d) Should she have extra tutition?

(b) This depends on the school and, again, it's the individual schools you need to ask. The school my kids go to doesn't coach at all, one my friend's kids go to does a lot, another does a bit of coaching. They all vary. My child wasn't disadvantaged but then we made sure she was fmailair with the exams she was about to take and did a lot of practice with her.

(c) and (d) Buy the NFER papers for practice and some of the other recommended books/CDs for additional practice. Or get a tutor, although for this year's exams you may have missed the boat finding someone who is experienced. You can do it yourself, though. Have confidence.