Good to hear from you, Mumski. Sounds like we had similar experiences. I found the 3-hour wait agonising. So glad it is all over. I tried to avoid interrogating DS but, from the snippets I've gleaned, it doesn't sound too hopeful. It's such a shame as he had really progressed in the last couple of weeks from around 60% to 80% and we were starting to see a glimmer of hope. My heart sank when he came out of the exam and said the VR was "nothing like we'd practised." We'd been doing the GL papers but for some reason he found the actual exam much harder.
I totally agree with you about the importance of managing emotions now. We have made sure DS knows how very proud we are of the effort he has put in and that he didn't give up. It must have been so daunting for them turning up at LRGS on Saturday morning. DD did her GCSEs this summer and I think they were a doddle compared to 11 plus - in your own school with your friends and teachers you know.
I think the important thing now is to have a plan B ready so, in the event that DS is not offered a place, we are clear what we are doing instead. We're planning to apply to a lovely secondary school where a friend's DD went and she got As and A*s in her GCSEs. I'll be encouraging DS to aim for the top sets and to work his socks off for his GCSEs and then he can go to LRGS in the 6th form. DD has just joined LGGS 6th form and only needed 5 Bs to be accepted! (She actually got 9 A* and 2 A grades). If LRGS is similar then 5 Bs should be a doddle for any boy who sat the 11 plus. Also, there was no catchment - something that might be good news to those of you currently OOC.
So, I think the important thing is to make sure our DCs know we are proud of them 'come what may' and that their future will be bright, irrespective of the decision on 5th Oct.
I wish all of your DCs the very best for the future, wherever that may be.
