The 11+ is a hot topic among parents. I’ve been looking round primary schools recently, and have found the main questions on most parents' lips during the open days were concerning the 11+. So, even before our children go to primary schools, secondary school education is already being considered. I spoke to three local tutors to ask: What is all the fuss about the 11+?

 

Understandably, parents want the best for their children - they want to give them every opportunity to succeed and do well, and that’s why so many are interested in the 11+.      The 11+ test is designed to ensure children of above average ability can be selected to go to grammar schools. Some parents believe a grammar school environment will offer their child a chance to succeed and to perform the best they can.

   I spoke to Penny Fray, from Pen and Ink Tuition Ltd, who runs 11+ information sessions that cover all aspects of the 11+ test and tutoring sessions for your child. 
She says: ‘The grammar schools in Buckinghamshire have all recently become academies and are able to select their intake themselves. To make it fair, they have worked together with Buckinghamshire County Council to organise a new testing process which started in September 2013. All primary children in Buckinghamshire schools do the test unless their parents opt them out.'

   There are two 45-minute tests taken on one day in early September for Year 6, just after they return from their summer holidays.

   I also spoke to a spokesperson from Explore Learning in Maidenhead, who run 11+ information sessions and courses. They said: ‘Depending on which school you are applying for and which county your child’s primary school falls into, the location of the exam might vary. If your child attends a Buckinghamshire school they will automatically be entered for the CEM 11+ test and they will sit the test at school. However, if you live in Berkshire, you have to register your child online to take the test. Furthermore, there are two different tests within Berkshire – the Slough test is taken on a Saturday and the CEM Buckinghamshire test for Berkshire schools test is taken at a test centre (usually a local grammar school) during school hours.

    ‘The new format means it went from being a verbal reasoning exam to a test
covering four different topics. The new CEM test consists of verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning, comprehension and maths questions. The weighting of each section can change from year to year, with the test now being set by CEM. Due to it now covering a greater range of subjects, it can be argued it gives a wider range of
children a chance to show off their area of strength.’

   The results are available early October so that parents can choose the secondary school knowing the outcome of the test.

   Parents can help build their children’s confidence with the types of questions that might come up on the paper by doing work with them at home or by registering with a tutoring company.

   The Explore Learning spokesperson said: 'At Explore Learning, we work on the child’s maths and literacy skills alongside their exam preparation, to build their confidence in school as well as prepare them for the exam. A key element which we have found is crucial to doing well in the 11+ is the child’s speed, especially in their mental maths; this is an area we focus on heavily with all of our members. We also recommend a reading list to all of our members to try to boost the children’s vocabulary prior to the test as this is so important for the verbal reasoning antonym and synonyms questions that often arise. The school will also naturally be supporting the child’s learning and confidence, both of which are crucial elements of passing the 11+.’

   Penny Fray adds: ‘All primary schools in Buckinghamshire are expected to teach

their children the National Curriculum regardless of whichever secondary school the children go to. It is strictly enforced by the county council that any primary or partner school will not coach children towards the test.

  'Parents can help their children improve their chances of passing in various ways:

1. Encouraging children to read as widely as possible and learn new vocabulary.

2. Encouraging children to learn their multiplication tables off by heart so that they have instant recall.

3. Ensuring children are familiar with and able to do all aspects of the maths curriculum for year 5, including fractions, decimals, percentages, area, measures, shape, time and money. There are too many to list every single topic here.

4. Encouraging children to learn all their spellings given by the school and helping to test them regularly.

5. Encouraging children to do logic puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku etc. All these will help to develop their numerical, literacy and non-verbal skills.

6. Consider tuition with a reputable tutor – preferably one who is a qualified teacher and who has been police checked (DBS used to be called CRB.)'

   I was wondering, if a child has tuition to pass the test, won’t the child then struggle
at grammar school? Sian Goodspeed, Managing Director of Flying Start Tuition, who run 11+ information sessions and courses, says: ‘This is a question often asked and there is no straightforward answer as it really depends on the individual circumstances. The new tests have been designed to assess a broad range of skills so that this is less likely to happen.

   'One of the main issues is that it is actually very difficult to pass the test without some form of extra practice – whether at home with a parent or with a private tutor. This is partly due to the timing of the test which requires children to answer a demanding number of questions in a short time. The new tests further add to the
time pressure since they contain several shorter timed sections and children are not allowed to go ahead to following sections if they finish quickly, nor go back to previous sections to finish off/check their answers. In addition, there are some areas that are

not covered in school at all, such as non-verbal reasoning, which counts for 20% of the overall mark. The vocabulary on the tests is also very challenging and children are unlikely to encounter and retain this level of vocabulary without some form of extra practice. Many children also find that, although the maths topics are covered in the classroom, they are not taught in a way that suits their style of learning, or perhaps they have gaps in their understanding which are not addressed in the classroom for any number of reasons. Once they revisit these topics through extra tuition, they understand them and are able to move on to higher level questions which they

would not otherwise have been able to do.’

   But what about the pressure put on the children? Schools don't put pressure to pass on the children, so is it parents who are causing any stress, especially those that have unrealistic expectations?

   Sian says: 'Inevitably with any kind of selective entry process there is an element of competitiveness. How parents and children respond to that will depend on the individuals. Some children and parents do become very competitive and find

the 11+ a very stressful experience; however others simply take it all in their stride. Difficult though it may seem, it is important to keep it in perspective and not to become too focussed on the outcome. Keeping an open mind about school options and researching and considering the different possibilities usually helps to allay at least some of the concerns. Parents can help keep the pressure off their children by reassuring them that whatever the outcome they are proud of them and love them.'

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Penk and Ink Tuition Ltd

I am very happy to run 11+ information sessions that will cover all aspects of the

11+ test and how I can help tutor your child. At present any interested parent

can bring their child for a free mini assessment where I will ascertain some basic

details of their child’s ability in Maths and English. At the same time I explain to

the parents some details about the 11+ test and how I can work with their child to

improve Maths and English skills. I work hard to tailor my courses to suit the needs

of each particular child.

   I have a well-resourced classroom in Chesham containing computers and

teaching materials and an interactive whiteboard. I believe strongly that if

children come for tuition after school or on Saturdays they should enjoy their

learning, it should be fun. I plan and deliver interesting and exciting lessons

where children can work in small groups, learn from each other and also see

the progress they are making. The children leave my classroom wanting to

come back the next week because it is a positive and rewarding experience.

For more information, email penny@penandinktuition.co.uk, call 01494 798126

or visit  

 

Explore Learning

We run yearly 11+ information sessions, usually in the summer holidays. Explore Learning also offers a pre-11+ course called Creative Maths, which is a great way
to start your child preparing for the exam in a fun way from year 4. However, if you
do have any questions regarding the 11+ test or our course, please contact the High Wycombe (01494 411147) or Maidenhead (01628 509570) Explore Learning
Centres and we would be more than happy to help! Visit 

 

Flying Start Tuition

We run regular 11+ information sessions throughout the year, which provide a

detailed overview of the tests, along with advice and guidance as to how parents can

help their children at home. We have recently run a series of these sessions and the

presentation and supporting notes can be found on the resources page of our website.

For further information on Flying Start Tuition’s range of 11+ courses and mock tests,

email hello@flyingstarttuition.co.uk or call 01494 772898, or visit