Parents are undoubtedly worried the 11+ format is changing
for 2014 entry to grammar. Looking at this from the children’s perspective,
maybe this is a welcome and positive change, where the right children secure
places within grammar schools, regardless of background or financial resources?
It is my idealistic belief that this should herald the time
for a culture change with the new tests designed to evaluate un-coached
potential by assessing aptitude across a broader range of talent indicators
including numeracy, literacy, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, meaning parents
and children take the testing process more in their stride. Reducing pressure
or fear of failure amongst children at such a young age can only be a good
thing.
Rather than jumping straight onto the tutoring bandwagon fuelled
by school gate hype, parents could instead take a more realistic view of their
child’s academic potential, before financing additional practice and support.
Investing time in giving your child the skills and emotional
intelligence to cope with nerves on the test day, as well as practising exam
skills such as keeping to time, concentrating within an exam room environment, applying
knowledge and logic to solve a range of problems, will undoubtedly support them
in performing to the best of their ability on the day and set them up with
useful skills for the future.
However, coaching a less able child in the hope that they
will out-perform their academic potential, to a certain extent cheating the
system, is less likely to have a positive long-term educational outcome. Confidence
stems from positive experiences in education and inevitably the praise and
encouragement that come from success.
Remember taking an interest in supporting
their education, working in partnership with the school, should ensure success,
whatever school they attend.
For advice on choosing the right subjects for sixth form, applying to university or planning your future career, visit our website
www.independenteducationconsultants.co.uk
For advice on choosing a boarding or day school visit our website
For information about becoming a guardian family, caring for an international student at boarding school, visit our website
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