The Eleven Plus and the Power of Cooking

The question of timing of eleven plus papers has as many twists and turns as an Agatha Christie novel.

“Ten strangers find themselves trapped in a lonely island mansion off the Devon Coast. Ten strangers who have nothing in common – except that each one guards a deadly secret.

Then the murderer strikes – and there were only nine.
Then eight. Then seven.
Then six. Then five.
Then four. Then three …

By now you will have guessed that the title of Agatha’s book was:

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.

There is one way of encouraging children to time themselves. It is easy: teach them to cook.

Take a simple recipe. Your child will need a grill pan, a chopping board, a bread knife and a spoon. The ingredients include one muffin per person and a variety of toppings. Start the clock.

Heat the grill and toast the muffins for one to two minutes on each side.

Slice the muffin in half with a bread knife.

Put a spoonful of tomato sauce on each muffin.

Add toppings like strips of ham, sliced olives or tomato and grated cheese.

Grill the pizzas for a few more minutes. You know when they are ready as the cheese starts to melt.

The family are sitting expectantly. They are all looking at their watches. The eleven plus candidate enters the room carrying a plate full of toasted muffins. Hands reach out. It has taken under fifteen minutes for ten muffins. All that eleven plus effort on timing has worked.

The muffins are enjoyed.

The first one was eaten – and then there were nine.
Then eight. Then seven.
Then six. Then five.
Then four. Then three …

By now you will have guessed

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.

(This is where you consolidate the timing question to your child. Fifteen minutes is the time you take to prepare and eat a plate of muffins. To complete the task in the time allowed there is no times to waste.)