Halifax Grammar schools advice
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YORKSHIREPERSON
Halifax Grammar schools advice
Hi!
My son recently took a pre-entry test for Crossley Heath Grammar and North Halifax Grammar. We live in a nearby town and I found out, about a month ago, that we can actually apply for a place at these schools. I will be getting the results of the pre-entry test this week and don't know what to expect. Even if he doesn't pass the pretest, I'm seriously considering putting him in for the REAL entry test in December as we have a problem here. We are in the catchment area of an undersubscribed school which has a terrible reputation and equally terrible results. The ofsted report would make any decent person burst into tears.
The tests for the Grammar schools are nfer verbal reasoning, maths and a test in continuous writing. My son really wants a place at one of these Grammar schools. We went to the open evenings and were really impressed.
Our third choice will be Dixons Academy which is also a fantastic school, but chances of getting him in there are about 1 in 7 to 1 in 10, as it is so over subscribed. Selection is based mainly on random choice by computer, so it's very much a lottery!
My son is one of the more capable of Year 6 students and in the top 10% in Year 6. He does, however, have a September birthday so would be marked down for that.
If we do not get any of our choices, then I'm afraid we will have to move right out of the area. He has been a high achiever so far and works hard at school. As a caring parent, I want to give my son he opportunities that he deserves. We have two months to prepare for the test. Can anyone out there help with any information or advice. I would be really grateful.
My son recently took a pre-entry test for Crossley Heath Grammar and North Halifax Grammar. We live in a nearby town and I found out, about a month ago, that we can actually apply for a place at these schools. I will be getting the results of the pre-entry test this week and don't know what to expect. Even if he doesn't pass the pretest, I'm seriously considering putting him in for the REAL entry test in December as we have a problem here. We are in the catchment area of an undersubscribed school which has a terrible reputation and equally terrible results. The ofsted report would make any decent person burst into tears.
The tests for the Grammar schools are nfer verbal reasoning, maths and a test in continuous writing. My son really wants a place at one of these Grammar schools. We went to the open evenings and were really impressed.
Our third choice will be Dixons Academy which is also a fantastic school, but chances of getting him in there are about 1 in 7 to 1 in 10, as it is so over subscribed. Selection is based mainly on random choice by computer, so it's very much a lottery!
My son is one of the more capable of Year 6 students and in the top 10% in Year 6. He does, however, have a September birthday so would be marked down for that.
If we do not get any of our choices, then I'm afraid we will have to move right out of the area. He has been a high achiever so far and works hard at school. As a caring parent, I want to give my son he opportunities that he deserves. We have two months to prepare for the test. Can anyone out there help with any information or advice. I would be really grateful.
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Maths Man
Dear YorkshirePerson,
You have very short time. You need therefore to plan carefully and proceed fast. First thing you need to do is buy a fridge and some fridge magnets!
Copy down the “syllabus” of topic you need to cover in both Maths and Verbal Reasoning:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/revisi ... _maths.php
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/vr-que ... region.php
Use these as your checklist going forward in these subjects and stick them on the fridge.
As far as the English “continuous writing” is concerned I assume you mean essays. Worth visiting this webpage (written by a 10 year old) too:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/english_essays.php
I suggest that you spend 1 month doing the ground work and 1 month doing the practice papers.
As far as potential educational material you need to purchase are concerned look at any of the 11 plus regions section that also sets NFER Maths and Verbal Reasoning, for example:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11-plus-trafford.php
Systematically work through the list on the fridge, two very useful syllabus checks are
Peter Robson books for Maths
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/ ... p?g=f&p=10
and the CD Volume 1 (see demo first) and the IPS book on Techniques
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/cd/ver ... p#overview
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/ ... %3D8%23b85
Each time cross of what you have mastered. Once everything is mastered use the link to the Trafford section to buy and practice on relevant question papers. Practice two papers a night so your son is use to concentrating at least 2 hours back to back.
Come back for more advice when you need it.
You have very short time. You need therefore to plan carefully and proceed fast. First thing you need to do is buy a fridge and some fridge magnets!
Copy down the “syllabus” of topic you need to cover in both Maths and Verbal Reasoning:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/revisi ... _maths.php
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/vr-que ... region.php
Use these as your checklist going forward in these subjects and stick them on the fridge.
As far as the English “continuous writing” is concerned I assume you mean essays. Worth visiting this webpage (written by a 10 year old) too:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/english_essays.php
I suggest that you spend 1 month doing the ground work and 1 month doing the practice papers.
As far as potential educational material you need to purchase are concerned look at any of the 11 plus regions section that also sets NFER Maths and Verbal Reasoning, for example:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11-plus-trafford.php
Systematically work through the list on the fridge, two very useful syllabus checks are
Peter Robson books for Maths
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/ ... p?g=f&p=10
and the CD Volume 1 (see demo first) and the IPS book on Techniques
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/cd/ver ... p#overview
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/ ... %3D8%23b85
Each time cross of what you have mastered. Once everything is mastered use the link to the Trafford section to buy and practice on relevant question papers. Practice two papers a night so your son is use to concentrating at least 2 hours back to back.
Come back for more advice when you need it.
