THE ROUTE TO SENIOR SCHOOL
FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Thecurriculum at Chinthurst is broad and enriching and provides the children with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive at senior school.
Much of what we teach each week equips them to be able to pass an 11+ exam. Skills such as comprehension, creative writing, spellings that increase vocabulary and maths reasoning are part of most senior school entrance exams. The children also have termly assessments which help them to minimise fear of examinations and build upon their exam technique.
However, we feed some of the most selective independent senior schools in Surrey and are very aware of the need for extra preparation.
Whilst we do not believe in hot-housing or tutoring children to pass exams for schools that they will not thrive in, we do know that forewarned is forearmed. With this in mind, we provide an extensive programme of preparation for all our children, to support them in gaining a place at the senior school of their choice.
Cathy Trundle Headteacher
FUTURE SCHOOLS TEAM
MR BEADLE: 11+ LEAD
Our dedicated member of staff, William Beadle, leads the 11+ preparation process for children moving on to senior schools other than Reigate Grammar School. He oversees everything from preparing children for their written exams, right through to honing their interview techniques. William himself is an ex-Chinthurst and Epsom College pupil who has an excellent knowledge of senior schools in the local area and their different entrance requirements and processes.
He is able to tailor the twice-weekly, small group lessons according to the specific school that each child is sitting for, ensuring that they are fully prepared to sit the required examination papers and perform well at interview.
A key part of William’s role is the building of relationships with pupils, parents and senior schools to ensure each child receives an offer to the school most suited to them.
As 11+ Lead, William is in the unique position of being able to form a detailed picture of each child; not only their academic profile but personality traits, particularly confidence and independence, which are essential when ensuring they are ready to take that next step. William has established relationships with the senior school staff and an extensive knowledge of the entry requirements of each school, which allows him to support families in the decision-making process and beyond.
MR BEADLE
MISS TRUNDLE
MRS WINCHESTER
THE PROGRAMME ALL CHILDREN
YEARS 1 & 2
From Year 1 onwards, termly standardised assessments are conducted. These along with the teacher’s professional judgements about application, resilience and academic potential help to build an accurate picture of each child.
YEARS 3 & 4
In Year 3, we send an audio presentation to all parents to provide them with full details of the senior school process. Standardised assessments continue to be conducted three times a year, allowing the teacher to create an ongoing picture of individual pupils. In Year 4, twice weekly verbal and non-verbal reasoning is introduced. In the spring term, members of the Future Schools Team have individual meetings with parents to discuss which senior schools you may be considering and if your child would thrive at RGS.
YEAR 5
In Year 5, the verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests are increased to three times a week. There is an increased focus on specific question styles and model answers. In the autumn term, individual update meetings are held with parents to discuss senior school suitability.
WHICH SENIOR SCHOOL? ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
The journey to senior school begins as soon as your child joins us at Chinthurst. Our rich and broad curriculum is designed to develop within them a deep love of learning that will stay with them throughout their senior schooling and life beyond. However, each individual child’s needs are different and there are many things to consider when deciding which senior school would best ensure that they thrive and reach their full potential.
When considering highly selective senior schools, academic achievement will be an important part of the decision-making process. Throughout your child’s journey at Chinthurst, you will receive a half-termly update of their academic level – this will provide you with a clear picture of where your child sits alongside national expectations. If your child is regularly receiving Above Expected, Securely Above Expected or Exceeding/Greater Depth, this is a good indication of suitability for a selective senior school. If your child is receiving Just Above Expected or below, we will support you in choosing a school that will be the perfect fit for them.
Exceeding/Greater Depth
Securely Above Expected
Above Expected
Just Above Expected
Securely Expected
Expected
Just Expected
Just Below Expected
Working Towards
Achieving well above age-related expectation
Securely achieving above age-related expectation
Achieving above age-related expectation
Achieving slightly above age-related expectation
Securely achieving age-related expectation
Achieving age-related expectation
Achieving just within age-related expectation
Achieving just below age-related expectation
Achieving below age-related expectation
THE RGS ROUTE YEAR 5
In the spring term of Year 5, RGS hold a special Open Morning for Chinthurst Year 5 families who have been given an indication that RGS may be the right school.
In February of Year 5, senior staff from Chinthurst and RGS meet to discuss each individual child, taking into account academic data, confidence, work aptitude and so on, and a decision is made regarding an RGS early offer.
Parents will then receive a letter gauging their interest in RGS and asking whether they wish to apply for a place. If so, an interview is arranged for their child in April. At this time, children can also apply for sport, drama and music scholarships. In May an offer letter is sent. An acceptance is required by the half-term break of the summer term.
Once you have accepted your place at RGS, your child will continue on their Chinthurst journey with a rigorous ‘Reigate Ready’ programme of academic challenge and exceptional extracurricular provision.
11+ SENIOR SCHOOL PREPARATION
THE ROUTE TO OTHER SENIOR SCHOOLS YEAR 5
Having a detailed understanding of your child’s academic level is an important element of the decision-making process, but equally other considerations should be given to the size and location of the school, the ethos of the school or any subject specialism that the school promotes. At Chinthurst, we pride ourselves on knowing your children, and are very happy to help by offering our advice with the selection process. It is important that you and your child visit the schools you are interested in before making a decision.
In the spring term, access to the BOFA-online 11+ preparation programme will be given to your child, which provides resources for English, maths, VR and NVR. This will also be set as part of the weekly homework and practised during some lessons. Homework will be targeted towards entrance exams.
Chinthurst has a dedicated 11+ teacher who works with your child to ensure they are ready for the relevant exam. Sessions are tailored specifically to the schools your child is applying to. Over the summer holidays, homework packs will be sent home.
YEAR 6
In the autumn term, children continue with the BOFA-online 11+ preparation programme and this will be set as part of the weekly homework. Group sessions also continue with the 11+ teacher and at the afterschool 11+ club.
Applications for state and independent schools (other than RGS) need to be submitted early in the academic year and we will provide the children with interview practice.
In the October half term and Christmas holidays, homework packs will be sent home and homework will continue to be targeted towards entrance exams until the exams have been completed.
SCHOLARSHIPS RGS & OTHER SENIOR SCHOOLS
Every school has a different criteria for scholarship applications and we are very happy to advise you on this. Early identification is key and this will be highlighted to you in meetings in Year 4. We will support you with preparation for all scholarship applications.
Messages from parents and children who have been through the process with us:
“We would like to thank you for your support as it is clear to us that Chinthurst played a vital role in preparing my child for her exams and increasing her confidence. A couple of years ago, we were struggling to keep her at school because of her health and confidence issues. I am so grateful to everyone at school who take such good care of the kids.”
Parent
“Thank you very much for the encouragement and support all the teaching staff have given our child over the last two years.”
Parent
“Thank you again for believing in me and helping me to get in to my senior school. You always put a smile on my face, I won’t let you down.”
Year 6 pupil
Chinthurst School, Tadworth Street, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5QZ 01737 812 011 | admissions@chinthurstschool.co.uk www.chinthurstschool.co.uk
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