Mentor Education CEO Mary Lonsdale on what parents need to know about the play-based assessments increasingly used by London schools to select reception pupils at 4+
These days, London parents are well aware of the pressures and strains of the 11+ school assessments. Many are, as a result, interested in getting their children into a great school at three years old, where hopefully they can stay until they are 18 and avoid the stress of further entrance exams.
We are increasingly being asked to help children do well in the play-based assessments that schools use to select their receptions classes. Our 4 Plus Team, who have all taken part in these assessments in schools, have helped many parents to make a real difference to their children’s chance of success. Here are some of our thoughts to help you support your child to shine on the day of their 4+ assessments.
Many parents may feel that who passes on a given day is a lottery. However, we have noticed that children who pass one 4+ tend to pass many. By contrast, a child who fails one, tends to fail many or all assessments. In short, the schools are consistent in looking for the same attributes and are successful in using the assessment days to identify them.
The first thing schools look for is readiness for school – can your child start learning from early on in reception or will they need to learn the unspoken rules of school for the whole of their reception year? Secondly, schools are looking for aptitude for learning. These skills are largely behavioural, and we guide all our children and parents through what they entail. Thirdly, the most academic schools are looking for some ability to do simple literacy and numeracy tasks. Parents tend to fixate on those parts of the test, but they are significantly less important that the behaviours and skills around aptitude and readiness for learning.
Typically, at an assessment day teachers will come out and call your child’s name and then take them into a classroom – you will not be able to join them. If your child will not leave you and go with the teachers, it becomes very difficult for them to pass the assessment. Indeed, about 10% of children fail at this stage of the day.
In the room some of the activities replicate a classroom environment. Sometimes there is a group reading exercise followed by a Q&A session. Then there is a series of tests in which the child’s cognitive ability is assessed. These tests appear as games but are usually a puzzle for them to attempt to solve. For this part of the assessment, the child also needs to show that they are able to express themselves and can explain themselves clearly. Some schools also have some sort of fine motor skill test and a few even have a gross motor skills test.
Preparing ahead for Reception entry tests
* Make sure your child can leave you – get them used to this idea in the lead up to school assessments.
* Ensure your child can explain whatever task they are doing – this is something you can practice. Also make sure they can draw your family and then explain who everyone is.
* Visit the school before assessment day so your child is not entering strange surroundings. Make them feel like this will be a playdate and remind them to behave and show good manners.
* Ensure your child is at their best – not hungry or sleepy – and has been to the bathroom before the assessment. If they are unwell on the day, reschedule for your child’s and the school’s sake.
Mentor Education mentoreducation.co.uk
Further reading: Make time for play – 4 ways to support great games
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