If you live in an area in England with selective Grammar Schools, then you will have the opportunity to enter your child for the 11 plus. There are now around 163 Grammar Schools remaining in England and these predominate areas like Buckinghamshire, Kent, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Trafford, Lincolnshire, Greater London and Gloucestershire to name a few.
To gain entry, children must sit what is known as the 11 plus entrance exam which tests Maths, English, Verbal Skills, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Creative Writing. Grammar Schools use these results and sometimes data based on catchment area (i.e. areas such as Warwickshire & Buckinghamshire) to supply school places for Year 7.
So, should I enter my child for the 11 plus?
First of all, you need to think about whether your child would suit going to Grammar School:
Do they enjoy academic study? Are they enthusiastic about learning and improving?
Are they in top sets at school? Are they independent? Studious? Willing to take on challenges?
The Grammar School environment is very fast paced and focuses on academic aspiration. Many also encourage children to take on extra-curricular activities – for example, a school may have their own specialism with a wide range of sporting, musical, language or arts activities on offer. If this sounds like something your child would enjoy, then you may want to consider entering them for the 11 plus.
However, you also need to think about whether they would be capable of going through the 11 plus process and sitting the 11 plus exam. The 11 plus is notoriously competitive and it can be incredibly stressful. The exam is designed to measure your child’s potential at a level which is usually one (or more) academic years above their own, so in many cases children need to put in a lot of hard work and revision to help them prepare.
If you are unsure about whether your child could succeed in the 11 plus, it’s a good idea to get an assessment from an independent source. For example, at KSOL we offer 11 plus mock exams throughout the year and 11 plus online tests which can be used to gauge a child’s ability and any particular strengths and weaknesses in their knowledge.
For more 11 plus advice, please feel free to ask us any questions using the form below:
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