Comments on: Why we allowed our tweenager to choose not to do a school entrance exam…

By: Jo - Mother of Teenagers

Jo - Mother of Teenagers — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 13:17:49 +0000

Both my teens sat entrance exams for secondary school and it was a highly pressured time. We didn’t tutor them as we felt that if they couldn’t achieve a place on their own merit the school wasn’t right for them.Ultimately if your daughter’s heart isn’t in it then it would make the whole process a lot harder so I think listening to her preferences can only be a good thing. Leaving primary school is a big moment in everyone’s life! Hope she enjoys it. Thanks for joining us #TweensTeensBeyond

By: Sharon Parry

Sharon Parry — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:43:45 +0000

I do worry about academic attainment being so highly valued above all else. Yes of course it is very important (I have a PhD myself) but it is not the only route to happiness and is not the only way to make decent money. I’m not sure that forcing kids to study when they are not convinced of the value to them is a good idea. This is a tricky issue, and thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond

By: Alisa

Alisa — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 13:07:01 +0000

It may be a great school, but is it a great school for your daughter? I think that’s the biggest question. We have a kind of opposite situation. My daughter is very keen to go to our local girls school and has already been longingly looking at the 11+ books at WH Smiths. We completely support her decision to take the exam with warnings that she will have to work really hard and there will be hours of studying to touch on some of the subject matter that we know won’t be covered in school before the exam. HOWEVER, I am very aware that an all girls setting might not be right for her. She has been in a primary school class of 20 girls and 10 boys and early on, we could see the effect of so many girls in one class. I’m not 100% sure she would be better off in a more mixed environment. We can only choose a path and see where it goes…#TweensTeensBeyond

By: safesharkhosting

safesharkhosting — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 21:05:04 +0000

In reply to Kim Carberry.

My thoughts too pretty much. ❤️

By: Oldhouseintheshires

Oldhouseintheshires — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 20:52:01 +0000

In an ideal world, she could take the exam without tutoring and if she was bright enough she would get in. The reality is that other children WILL be tutored for this exam and if she doesn’t she will be a disadvantage and therefore, may not get in. Personally, I think you need to make the decision about the school that will best fit your child as you are her parent HOWEVER you also know whether she can cope with extra tuition. It’s a tough choice and I don’t envy you! Good luck. X #TweensTeensBeyond

By: Kim Carberry

Kim Carberry — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:59:30 +0000

I am not a fan of schools which need entrance exams….11 year old’s are still so young and don’t need the added pressure of studying. I wouldn’t push my girls to take the exam….
#TweensTeensBeyond