Archive for the ‘Entrance Tests & 11+’ Category

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Does passing the 11 plus exam guarantee a place at grammar school?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Last week several newspapers reported that almost half of the children who took and passed the 11 plus (grammar school selection exam) were rejected because there simply weren’t enough places for them. Just under 30,000 children took the 11 plus and about 14,000 passed but many did not receive a place because they maybe lived further away than another child who also passed the exam. That meant that around 6000 students who passed the 11+ didn’t get a place. There are 164 grammar schools across the UK and competition for entry is fierce. For example, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham in Cheshire receives four applications for each place it has. 121 Home Tutors work with students who want to prepare for the 11 plus exam for schools in and around Manchester and Cheshire including some of the most competitive grammar schools in the country such as 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.  Some parents compare getting a place at grammar school with winning the lottery!

So what are 121 Home Tutor’s top three tips for improving your chances of getting a place at grammar school?

-          First read our blogs on preparing for the 11 plu

-          Your next best step is to speak to the grammar school (or schools) in question and check their criteria for entry – which students take priority? Is it those with a sibling at the school? Those who live geographically closest? Obviously there are some of these issues that you can’t easily overcome but if you know the criteria and how many children are applying for places you can take a realistic look at whether your child is likely to get a place.

-          Get a tutor. The 11 plus is not your average exam – it tests skills that aren’t taught in school and the best way to get a good score is to work with an experienced tutor who knows each aspect of the 11 + and can help your child build up their confidence and enter the exam with the necessary skills.

If you need help with tuition for grammar school entrance tests and 11+ then contact us at 121 Home Tutors. We help children across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Chorlton, Hale, Gatley, Didsbury, Sale, Stretford, Trafford areas, Wilmslow and Withington pass the entrance test to get into Altrincham Girls Grammar and Altrincham Boys

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11 plus – how best to prepare

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

The 11 plus (eleven plus) has just taken place in Manchester schools. If your child is in Year 5 then now is the best time to start preparing them for their 11+ next year.

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 a 164 state funded grammar schools in England and the well known ones in the Manchester area include 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. If your child is in Year 5 then this is an ideal time to start preparing for their eleven plus next year. Good eleven plus tutors get booked up quickly and many have waiting lists, most students need a year or so of preparation before the 11 plus.

If you want to get a place at one of these schools (or another selective grammar school) then you have to take and pass  the 11 plus.

What does the eleven plus involve? It varies depending on where you live in the country but 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).

How can I help my child prepare for the eleven plus? The 11 plus is unique in that seemingly bright pupils can ‘fail’ the exam. It tests skills sometimes not specifically taught in the state school system and so you will need to do extra preparation work with your child to ensure they are prepared for the 11 plus. We usually recommend parents start with the Bond assessment papers, they offer short tests in the various topics required. They are several areas you should concentrate on with your child including vocabulary (which helps with both English and verbal reasoning), mental arithmetic and logic problems – you can read more about eleven plus topics here.

Do I need an eleven plus tutor to help my child? Getting a place at grammar school is hard, there is fierce competition for places and the 11 plus is not an ‘easy’ test. At 121 Home Tutors, we have tutors who know exactly what it takes to get a place in one of the grammar schools in Manchester and Trafford. We usually recommend tutoring starts several months before the eleven plus, giving us sufficient time to focus on the various topics and skills. Time allows your child to gain the confidence they need and practise the questions.  You can tutor your child yourself but you need to be very familiar with the materials and standards required and be able to keep your child motivated.

Is my child likely to pass the 11 plus? If you are working with a 121 Home Tutor, we can assess areas of weakness and work on them well before your child sits an eleven plus. If you are tutoring your child then it’s worth assessing their current ability and creating a plan to tackle problem areas.

If you need help with tuition for grammar school entrance tests and 11+ then contact us at 121 Home Tutors. We have helped children from across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Didsbury, Sale, Chorlton and around Wilmslow get into Altrincham Girls Grammar and Altrincham Boys Grammar, Sale, Stretford and Urmston grammar schools.

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Tutoring helping children secure Oxbridge places

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

The Independent recently revealed that more than 100 states schools are paying a private company to tutor their brightest pupils on how to get a place at Oxford or Cambridge. This news has come at the same time as a report from the Sutton Trust that shows that most people who get places at Oxford and Cambridge are from selective state grammar or independent schools.

Getting a place at Oxford or Cambridge has never been easy – they turn away around 8,000 applications each year and expect pupils to gain A* grades at A Level.

Now it seems it isn’t just parents who want to use tutors to help their child gain a place at Oxbridge but also the schools. In the last few years it has become more acceptable for both parents and teachers to seek the help of an outside tutoring company or private tutor to help them get a child into Oxford or Cambridge.

Specialised tutors can help in a number of ways:

  • Prepare and help your child for exams throughout the year so they get the grades they need to get into Oxbridge – because getting a place is so competitive these universities won’t accept lower grades so you need to be on top academically. It’s worth thinking about university before GCSEs – when students apply to university they will only have their GCSEs (and possibly AS and predicted A Level results). Their grades at GCSE will need to be as good as possible (usually A*).
  • Coach on interview techniques – Oxbridge interviews can often be used to test how you cope under pressure, so the interviewer may throw unexpected questions your way.
  • Help with test preparation – you might be asked to take a written test or engage in a healthy debate, you need to know how to handle this situation.

Oxford and Cambridge do offer a number of opportunities for students from lower income households, if you contact the universities they can tell you about these schemes.

There are two main things a private tutor can help you with – building your confidence and helping you develop as an independent thinker – these are two key skills that Oxbridge are looking for. We can’t wave a magic wand and guarantee a place at Oxbridge and any private tutoring company or personal tutor claiming to do so should be avoided.

If you’d like to know more about Oxbridge tutoring then call 121 Home Tutors on 01625 531 630. We work with students across Manchester and Cheshire.

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Do I really need a tutor for my primary-aged child?

Friday, July 8th, 2011

This month we’re exploring tutoring for primary school children. The idea of tutoring very young children makes some people nervous – to them it smacks of hot-housing and they’d prefer to keep their children as children. We absolutely agree that kids should enjoy their childhood. But we also hear from parents how trouble at school and falling behind can dramatically affect their child’s confidence and impact across all their subjects (even when they only struggle in one). At 121 Home Tutors we work with children of all ages – from the first few years at primary right up to A Level and University and we know early intervention can make the difference between a child who loves school and one who you have to drag out of bed every day.

So what kind of tutoring can we offer to primary school children?

  • Primary tutoring in literacy and numeracy (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary tutoring in mental maths (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary English tutoring (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary Maths tutoring  (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • 11+ (Eleven plus) tutoring (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)

Why would you consider private tutoring for your primary school child?

1.      You want to get them into a selective state/grammar school with an 11+/entrance test.

2.      Your child needs individual support in a specific area.

3.      Your child has needs (such as learning difficulties) and their learning would benefit from the support of a private tutor.

4.      Your child is one of the youngest in the year and seems to be struggling.

5.      Your child isn’t responding to teaching methods in a big class, even though you know they are capable.

6.      Your child lacks confidence in a subject.

7.      You’d like to educate your child at home and need some support.

8.      Your child is ‘acting out’ about school/they seem unhappy at school.

9.      You want to enhance your child’s experience at school.

10.  Your child is bored or not challenged enough at school.

If you’d like to know more about primary school private tutoring and tuition in subjects including English and Maths then contact 121 Home Tutors. We have primary level tutors across Manchester and Cheshire (including Knutsford and Macclesfield).

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How to get a place at grammar school

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Grammar schools have been around for hundreds of years. Since around the 1800s most grammar schools have required children to take an entrance test to see if they are suitable. Competition has always been fierce to get into grammar schools.  In 1974, Grammar Schools were abolished and the modern secondary school came into existence. But we still have grammar schools that you have to apply for. To get into these schools you have to take an entrance test (sometimes still called the 11 plus/11+). Across Manchester and Cheshire they are several state grammar schools where getting a place is highly competitive. Altrincham Girls Grammar and Altrincham Boys Grammar, Sale, Stretford and Urmston all fall into this category and their entrance tests are fast approaching. If your child is applying for Altrincham Girls and Boys, Sale, Stretford and Urmston then they’ll be taking their entrance test (11+) in September.

The problems with entrance tests tend to crop up when parents don’t know what to expect – 11+ tend not to be your average exam and a seemingly exceptional child can ‘fail’ the tests and not get entrance to the school. The tests are usually made up of three parts – maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Some schools also set an English test.

  • Maths –This test is generally based on more difficult skills learned during KS2, usually at about level 5 standard.
  • Verbal reasoning – These are usually logic problems involving number and word type.  Your child needs to be able to rapidly ‘frame’ a problem (that means understand and conceptualise it). Most ‘state’ schools don’t teach verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills, which is why a skilled private tutor can make all the difference.
  • Non-verbal reasoning – These are logic problems based on shapes, sequences or patterns.
  • English – Some of the schools use comprehension tests, or test fluency and accuracy by asking a child to write a short essay or story. They are looking for good spelling, vocabulary and punctuation, use of language and handwriting.

You can read more about 11+ here.

If you need help with summer tuition for grammar school entrance tests and 11+ then contact us at 121 Home Tutors. We have helped children from across Manchester and Cheshire including Macclesfield, Prestbury, Didsbury and around Withington get into Altrincham Girls Grammar and Altrincham Boys Grammar, Sale, Stretford and Urmston grammar schools.

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Want to work with a celebrity tutor?

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Ok, we have to confess it’s not going to be Robert Pattinson or Cameron Diaz tutoring you if you call 121 Home Tutors. We spotted an article in the Independent this week  about students in Hong Kong and how their obsession with exams and private tutoring is turning some tutors into rich celebrities.

The education system in Hong Kong is highly pressurised and students are expected to consistently perform to the highest standards.  This is partly because there is intense competition for a limited number of university places.

Because students (and their parents) are so keen to succeed, it has created a demand for more private tutors. In Hong Kong private tutoring is viewed as an investment in education and the best tutors can command hundreds of dollars for each session. Rather than focussing on the kind of one to one specialised tutoring we offer at 121 Home Tutors, students in Hong Kong tend to enrol in tutorial schools (an estimated 100,000 students every year). They are taught by highly paid, self-styled ‘tutor kings’.

One problem with this highly competitive exam culture and tutoring system is that students often take on more tutoring than they can cope with – often 5 or 6 subjects. At 121 Home Tutors we recommend that students limit private tutoring to one or two subjects, usually their weakest because anymore than that creates additional pressure that can cause more problems.

So the question is will education and tutoring go the same way in the UK? Will we become more competitive now the university system is introducing high fees and changing under our new Government?

A poll carried out a couple of years ago  indicated that a fifth of secondary school students have had some form of private tutoring and at 121 Home Tutors we have seen the numbers of students requesting one to one tuition increase since then. We know in some parts of the country there is a great deal of competition to get into independent schools and we often work with students to prepare them for entrance exams. We haven’t seen much evidence of increased competition for degree places except in areas where there is already a longstanding tradition of high entry requirements and a battle to get onto courses (such as medicine). It will be very interesting to watch what happens as the introduction of higher university fees and potential increased competition starts to take hold over the next couple of years.

If you’d like (non-celebrity!) exam and private tutoring in Manchester and Cheshire for GCSE, AS and A2 Level subjects including Maths, English and Science then contact 121 Home Tutors today.

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Tutoring gets children into Oxford and Cambridge

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Xaverian College in Rusholme, Manchester has hit the headlines because 12 pupils have been offered places to study at Oxford and Cambridge. At the moment about eight per cent of pupils in Britain attend private schools. That small percentage makes up about half of those who get places at Oxford and Cambridge.

Peter Birch, Assistant Principal, made it his mission to help his inner city pupils compete with children from private schools by introducing special private tuition lessons. This Manchester college concentrated on building confidence, problem-solving and interview techniques in their private tuition lessons.  The interview for Oxford and Cambridge can be particularly tough for unprepared students (you can read about Christopher Howarth’s experience here).

Here at 121 Home Tutors we work with high school, college and sixth form students in the same way – giving them the tangible skills they need (higher grades) and less tangible skills (confidence) to get a place at top universities. It’s not always subject specifics that we tackle in tutoring, it’s often about finding untapped potential and helping a child realise what they are capable of.

If you or your child would like to talk to someone about private tuition in Manchester (or a surrounding area such as Heaton Moor, Altrincham, or Didsbury) to help with university entrance then contact us today.

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Entrance tests – how to cope on the day

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

The new year will signal the start of entrance exams for independent schools. So you’ve read our revision tips blog and have been working hard with your child over the Christmas break. The big day (or days!) is here, how do help your child cope?

Preparation is important

The school will have sent you a pack of information before the day. It will include information on the location of the school (and possibly precise location of the exam), parking information, what you need to bring with you (such as pens, pencils, packed lunch). Read this pack very carefully and if you aren’t sure about anything then call the school (bear in mind they could be closed until 4th January or later).

Set them up

Ensure they get a good breakfast (energy foods like porridge are great) and avoid any last minute cramming. This can lead to panic. The best way to approach an exam or entrance test is calmly. You can really help with all the little things, double check with your child they have a pen, pencil and other equipment they might need.

Listen to your child

On the way to the exam they may be very anxious, give them the opportunity to express their fears and discuss their anxiety. Don’t dismiss it and offer as much reassurance as you can. Go for lots of positive encouragement.

Don’t panic

However nervous you feel for your child they probably feel ten times worse. Try and keep calm and if you notice your child starting to get anxious simple breathing exercises can really help. Ask your child to slowly inhale through their nose and out through their mouth. Get them to do this five times. It might feel a bit daft but it can stop panic escalating.

Leave time

There will be lots and lots (potentially hundreds) of parents dropping their kids off. Make sure you know the route to the school and leave plenty of time to get there and drop your child off safely. Again it’s worth referring to the school information pack or website on entrance tests for detailed advice.

Top tips to give your child

You’re the most important cheerleader your child has. Send them into the exam brimming with confidence by leaving them with these 3 top tips:

1. Read each question carefully, if you don’t know the answer don’t panic. Skip it, do the next one and come back to the tricky ones at the end.

2. Don’t compare answers with friends after the exam. Everyone wants to do it but you can’t go back and change your answer so it will just stress you out.

3. Remember it’s only  an exam. Yes it’s important but soon it will be over!

If you or your child need advice or help on revision or preparing for exams we have a raft of highly qualified tutors across Manchester and Cheshire – call us today for more information.

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Make the most of your Christmas break – revision and study

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

It’s finally time for some festive fun but with so many students facing exams immediately after the Christmas break it’s a good idea to set some time aside for study.

Here are our top ten tips for keeping on top of things during the holidays:

1.       Get organised. Don’t leave revision until the last minute, sit down and make a plan including frequent small chunks of revision rather than one large chunk of panicky cramming. Make sure this plan is realistic (leaving time for breaks and mince pies!).

2.       Know when your exams are. This way you can prioritise the exams come first and ensure you don’t miss anything. Make sure you plan in extra time for weaker subjects or those where you need a good grade.

3.       What do you need to learn? Your time is best spent on things that will be on the exam so check you know the exam board and syllabus you are taking for each subject. The syllabus is often a good revision guide as it lists all the stuff you’ll be tested on. If you are going to use revision guides, find the right one for your syllabus and learning style, not just the one all your mates have.

4.       Do you actually understand what you have to learn? If there is a particular topic or subject you are struggling with then before you fight through it, it could be a good idea to chat it through with a teacher, friend or parent. Don’t be afraid to ask and if you can’t find the help you need then consider a tutor who can give you hints and tips on revision as well as helping with tricky subjects.

5.       How do you learn best? Try out different techniques to find the one that’s right for you. Try mind maps, writing notes, highlighters and pictures. Listening to revision CDs could work for you or Questions and Answer sessions (working with a friend could be perfect for you).

6.       Keep testing. Past exam papers are a great way to see if you can apply what you are revising. These papers give you an idea of the types of questions you might face in an exam and if you can also get hold of the marking scheme you can see the right answers and how examiners award marks.

7.       Take care of yourself. If your body isn’t healthy then your mind won’t work properly. There are some key things you need to do, drink plenty and sleep (not too much, not too little). Eat plenty of ‘brain’ foods like fish and nuts and try to choose healthy snacks such as fruit. Ensure you have relaxation time as part of your study plan.

8.       The night before. Make sure you get to bed early and have prepared what you need for the next day (pens, pencils, ruler, and calculator). Do not spend all night revising as this will just make you too tired for the exam the next day.

9.       On the day. Arrive in plenty of time. Check you have a pen/pencil. Calmly read the questions and if you don’t know an answer don’t panic. Instead move on, answer the next question and come back to any you struggled with.

10.    If you need help with revision and exam technique we have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your 11 plus, GCSE’s and A levels. Contact us today

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Grammar schools top popular schools list in Manchester

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

In the last few weeks the most (and least) schools in Manchester have been revealed with grammar schools dominating the top spots.

There are around 160 grammar schools in the UK and entrance to them usually depends on your child passing an entrance (or 11+) examination. In recent articles we’ve discussed which secondary school might be right for your child and what you need to think about when choosing a secondary school for your child. We’ve also got vital information on what your child might encounter on an 11+ test (and it’s never too early to start preparing).

But what does a list like the one in the Manchester Evening News tell us? It gives us information about which schools are most popular but not how ‘good’ they are. And here at 121 Home Tutors we know what might be right for one child could be completely inadequate for another. If your child has just taken the 11+ then you might be sat around nervously waiting for the results. But what if they arrive and your child has failed?

  • Even bright children fail – the 11 plus is a very particular kind of entrance exam which requires specific preparation, at 121 Home Tutors we work with children over a period of a few months on the different areas of the exam.
  • It good be a good thing – if your child doesn’t pass the 11+ it could be a sign that the school could be too academically focussed for them and they’d struggle. In fact it could be the case that they’d be much better going to a school with stronger pastoral support or a focus on sport or other specialisms.
  • You do have a right of appeal (this form is usually enclosed with results). Carefully read this form and complete it fully with extenuating circumstances (if your child has failed/not qualified) or reasons for wanting entrance to a particular school (if it’s oversubscribed).

If you’d like more information on 11 plus tutoring in Manchester and Cheshire then call us, we have a number of specialist tutors who can help.

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