Guest Blog By Alison Warburton
1-2-1 Home Tutors
If your child is now in year 3, 4 or 5 then the time to make decisions about secondary schools is fast approaching. Deciding which school is right for your child can be a difficult choice, especially if you want your child to go to one of the popular grammar schools in our local area.
Competition is fierce for places at well-known grammar schools like Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Loreto Grammar School, Sale Grammar School, St. Ambrose College, Hale Barns, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School. The 11+ (also known as the 11 plus or eleven plus) is an exam. Students take it in their last year of primary school (year 6). Students who want to get a place at grammar schools take this exam and these schools use the exam to decide who gets a place. There are 164 state funded grammar schools in England.
1-2-1 Home Tutors
If your child is now in year 3, 4 or 5 then the time to make decisions about secondary schools is fast approaching. Deciding which school is right for your child can be a difficult choice, especially if you want your child to go to one of the popular grammar schools in our local area.
Competition is fierce for places at well-known grammar schools like Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Loreto Grammar School, Sale Grammar School, St. Ambrose College, Hale Barns, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School. The 11+ (also known as the 11 plus or eleven plus) is an exam. Students take it in their last year of primary school (year 6). Students who want to get a place at grammar schools take this exam and these schools use the exam to decide who gets a place. There are 164 state funded grammar schools in England.
There are often four applications for every single place and even if you are lucky enough to live in the catchment area passing the 11 plus can be a daunting task. The theory is that academically bright children should sail through the 11 plus (eleven plus) without any coaching or preparation. But the reality is that the 11 plus consists of elements that aren’t always taught in an average primary school. That means many parents and schools often turn to help from tuition centres and private tutors to help their children prepare for the 11 plus. When parents call us at 121 Home Tutors they want to know what they need to do to help their child pass the 11 plus but they also want to know when they need to start preparing. The answer is your child will need to start preparing at least a year before they sit their 11+. Here are a few more pointers if you are a parent with a child wanting to apply for a local grammar school.
- The point at which you need to start preparing depends a great deal on what your child is like. They might need a more relaxed approach over 18 months or so (in which case you need to start preparing in year 4). It’s worth remembering that popular tutors get booked up well in advance so if your child is in year 3 now you might want to start doing some initial research on suitable 11+ tutoring agencies.
- The eleven plus usually involves testing of verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths and English. You can find out more about the specifics of the eleven plus your child will be taking from either the school you are applying to or your local LEA. The 11+ varies from school to school with most schools basing their test on the NFER (National 11 plus).
- It’s a good idea to start by assessing your child’s current ability in the different areas covered by the 11 plus and then making a plan to tackle any problem areas. Using this approach will give you the most time to work on any difficulties and build up your child’s confidence.
- Even ‘bright’ pupils can ‘fail’ the 11 plus. There is plenty you can do as a parent to help them hone the necessary skills. Bond assessment papers are great for parents because they offer short tests in the different topics on the 11 plus. You should think about working on vocabulary (which helps with both English and verbal reasoning), mental arithmetic and logic problems. It’s worth tracking down a tutor who specialises in the 11 plus because they will understand what areas will be tested and how to build on the work you are doing at home to best prepare your child. Knowing you have a tutor coming once a week can also help keep your child motivated.
For more information, contact http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/