Beginning the Eleven Plus

When the White Rabbit was presenting evidence at the Knave’s trial, he asked the King for directions. A piece of paper was presented as evidence – but all that was on the paper was a collection of rather odd verses.

The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. `Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?' he asked.

“Begin at the beginning, the King said gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

Every parent that has read Alice in Wonderland aloud will recognise these words.

The King kept trying to have the Knave proved guilty – while the Queen wanted Alice out of the way:

“Off with her head!” the Queen shouted at the top of her voice.

Parents approaching Eleven Plus preparation, need to begin at the beginning.

They need to collect information about the examination.

Parents need to ponder if it is possible to do the work at home or whether outside intervention is required.

Is an assessment needed?

Will the much loved child actually do the work or will there be a string of arguments.

Is the candidate in the top set?

If the candidate is in the middle set then is additional help needed with the like of comprehension, reading vocabulary and tables?

Will all the family work together or will one parent or another pull against?

How much co-operation will be offered by the school?

The best part of the whole Eleven Plus process is that there is no Queen shouting:

“Off with your head!” – if, like a pack of cards, it all crumbles.