Oh my goodness

[sherry_d]

Now this makes me feel like a Saint

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/201 ... ary-school

Over the summer holidays, my mum made me do 40 practice papers for the 11-plus exam.

[wonderwoman]

It's interesting that the children and parents in that article have completely different opinions of the pressure experienced. One child really nervous, feeling ill on the day of the test and worried about letting their parents down after doing loads of practice. But the parent thinking they kept it low key and didn't put the child under pressure. Sad.

[tiredmum]

ah what a great article, getting it from the horses mouths so to speak.
Im sure what is mentioned in this report is not uncommon.
Its my dd's last day at primary today and im sadder than her i think

[muffinmonster]

40 papers in the holidays! That makes me feel positively feckless.

[pheasantchick]

I'm guessing thats one-a-day (assuming 6 weeks holiday = 42 days). It sounds horrific, but how many of us are getting our children to do something every weekday, even ifs a 10 minute Bond paper. 6 x 5 = 30 days. The article does state 'practice paper' so that may include these shorter papers, rather than the full exam. Also, the child may have been in the private sector, so may have had longer holidays.

(NB. The Kent test is in early September so I think can justify alot of summer holiday practice. If the exam is later in the year, then p'haps it is a bit excessive.)

[muffinmonster]

(NB. The Kent test is in early September so I think can justify alot of summer holiday practice. If the exam is later in the year, then p'haps it is a bit excessive.)

That makes sense. Where we are, the exams are in December and January.

I don't make my child practise every day, though...

[pheasantchick]

From a forum in the Kent section. most people seem to be doing something five out of the seven days. The main strategy seems to be doing something first thing in the day, which leaves the rest of the day free for enjoyment and relaxation.

This is only during the summer holidays, not all year round.