Student and Parent Interview: Hailey and Christy

An interview with Gemma Louise Bull

In this interview, Hailey and Christy share their experience of the 11+ process and the experience of starting Year 7 at Dame Alice Owen's School. By request, a stock photo has been used to protect the anonymity of the family.

Hailey

When you first started your 11+ preparations, did you feel motivated? Why/why not?

When I began my preparations for the entrance exam, I felt motivated because of my friends and family. I learned from my friends at school and my family encouraged me to work harder.

What were your target schools?

• Henrietta Barnett

• Dame Alice Owen’s School

• The Latymer School

• Mill Hill County High School

  
  

Did you have a tutor? How did they help you?

I had a tutor for reading comprehension and creative writing, as I needed to work on them. I enjoyed my tutoring session as my tutors supported me and encouraged me to stretch myself in the tasks.

Did you take any mock exams? How did you get on?

I had a mock exam before the preparations to test my knowledge. I sometimes took mock exams to check my progress and to make myself familiar with the questions.

Were you nervous before taking your exams? How did you alleviate your nerves?

I was nervous before taking my exams. I alleviated my stress by remembering that my parents gave me good material and I knew I would do well in the exams.

How did you feel when you received your 11+ results?

I was so excited to get my results because I believed that my hard work and all the preparations were good enough.

Which school offer did you accept? Why?

I accepted Dame Alice Owen’s School because I heard from many people that I know that it is a fantastic school.

How has your first two terms in Year 7 been? Are you enjoying your new school so far?

It has been amazing and filled with wonders as I have explored different areas. The teachers are very nice and I know that they are there for me when I need help with anything.

What is your ‘TOP TIP’ for current Year 4 and 5 students?

My top tip would be to try your best and you will be proud of yourself even if you didn’t get into the school that you wanted.

Christy

Why did you decide to apply for a grammar school place?

I believe grammar schools can lead the child to perform well academically. During the preparation, my child would be well equipped and that may also be the entry level when getting in the secondary school. The preparation wasn’t only for the entrance exam; it was also for the academic knowledge that was required from the secondary school.

What were your target schools? Why did you decide on the particular schools?

Henrietta Barnett School, Mill Hill County High School, Dame Alice Owen’s School, The Latymer School. They all have brilliant GCSE and A-Levels results.

When did you start the preparation? Why did you opt to start then?

The preparation started from year 5. Considering the preparation process required a lot of time and effort from my child, I wanted to keep a good relationship with her in the early years. That’s why I started the preparation later.

Did you do any research? Where did you find information about the exam boards, structure of the exams, etc.?

I researched the grammar schools surrounding my living area. The admission requirement can usually be found on the school website and whether the test is in GL or CEM. Also, I checked if there were multiple choice questions or if writing was required. I printed out some past papers to get familiarised with the different types of questions it has.

Did you have any concerns at the start of the process? How did you alleviate them?

There were too many practice books and papers and we did not have enough time to cover it all. So I researched the practice books by checking reviews on the largest online shop. I gave my child one test to begin with and understood which level she was. Changed to a lower difficulty to start with as we found it was too hard.

How did you prepare at the start? Did you use a tutor, workbooks, etc.?

I went through the practice questions with my child and tried to answer the questions together. I let her know that she would be supported in every step of the journey. She had tutoring in English and Maths and did the 11+ practice books regularly.

How easy was it to manage the balance of schoolwork, 11+ prep, extra-curricular activities, family time, etc.? What advice would you give parents about creating an effective schedule at the start of the process?

There was not much homework in her school. We kept the extra-curricular activities as usual and she felt relaxed after doing some sports. On weekends, we did the practice books in the morning and went out for a walk in the afternoon. It took several weeks for us to get used to the schedule. I believe that every family can find their best timetable by trying it a few times. To keep a good relationship with my child, I made sure that her extra-curricular activities were arranged at the highest priority.