Lack of parity in tutoring for 11+

Nov 13 2008 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

It will not be long before this year's 11+ results are issued to parents. 

Tutoring for the 11+ is now a fact of life for many primary school children and the levels and intensity of coaching vary considerably. Any child faced with the 11+, having undertaken the standard familiarisation and practice as dictated by the Council, will be at a disadvantage compared with a child of equal ability who has received additional coaching.

The system as it stands is failing children from less affluent backgrounds who do not have access to any tutoring and whose schools cannot provide additional preparation for the exam because they are following Buckinghamshire County CouncilÕs rules.   

The Council makes it clear that no school acting as an 11+ test centre can provide 11+ tuition over and above the familiarisation process of five sessions during school hours when children are taken through sample questions, followed by three practice tests. It may surprise many parents to learn that these rules also apply to those schools within the independent sector which are test centres and who provide routine 11+ coaching.

Now some state primary schools provide regular problem solving sessions for the 11+, whilst the rest continue to teach basic familiarisation and practice, it is clear the situation has become untenable. No school, independent or state, will admit openly to flouting the rules and the situation continues as long as those in the education sector in Bucks turn a blind eye and others remain ignorant.

I have chosen to write publicly about this (and face the considerable flack that is likely to come my way) because I believe that the conspiracy of silence surrounding 11+ tuition has to end. We as a community need to decide what is fair and honest, and in the best interests of all our children, not just the privileged few.

Either allow all schools to provide tutoring or enforce the current rules. Of course, neither system is perfect, and tutoring outside of schools will continue to flourish regardless, but we surely have a duty to try to create a more level playing field, whatever form that might take.

Eleanor O'Connor
Chalfont St Giles