11+ Exam

[Sanjo]

This is going to sound very weird but is there anyone out there who has managed to retrieve their 11+ exam results from back in the dark ages (around 1959 to be precise). I realise that many grapeviners weren't even a twinkle in the eye at that time but perhaps somebody can point me in the right direction. I have tried contacting my old school but no reply!! and I was given the telephone number of Edexcel where apparently you can get old exam results. Telephoned them but the 11+ was not one covered by them and they were at a loss as to how to advise me. Realise it's a long shot but you never know. This is all folllowing a conversation today with one of my many sisters and we started comparing notes based on what we had been told by our parents, both now dead. Just one of those bees you get in your bonnet when a matter is unresolved. I know, I know I should get over it by now!!! Anyway, all suggestions gratefully received. Sanjo

[smallblueplanet]

Try contacting the school you were at when you took your 11+? Edit - Doh! although I passed my 11+ I must have failed the comprehension section! Sorry, you've checked your school.

What about the school's LEA?

[piskieinboots]

you're talking pre-pooter age here gal - yes I know, don't be so rude Piskie - but I'm there with ya

Unless someone had all that data recorded on a system, other than a paper book, I'd say your chances are very slim - but I will ask around and see what comes forth

Edit: just got this from a pal:
my first port of call would probably be the Local Education Authority in question.

[Sanjo]

Thanks folks. I have tried various web sites especially archive ones as I thought that they may have that sort of thing on microfilm (see, I watch all those old James Bond Films) from a history point of view. I did try the LEA and it was they who gave me Edexcel's details because they were stumped too. It's just a whim made worse by family imput. I should get a life I guess!!

[smallblueplanet]

Didn't the school you attended after taking your 11+ give you a clue, I passed mine and went on to a Grammar School?

[piskieinboots]

another comment from a pal:
certainly no certificates by the time I did it in 1988 and we were regularly told that there was no passing or failing, that it was simply a test to find out which school was the most appropriate (boll*cks of course, but thats what they told us).

The 'results' were simply something telling us which school we were going to, no details about scores or anything like that. But this may have been different when I was doing it from when your friend did it.

[quark1]

This site may give some clue as to what might be accessed and the possible charges

Your Rights to Personal Files

Did you and your sister go to different school types ie one grammar and one scondary modern? Presumably if you both attended sec-mod perhaps even if you 'think' you may have passed the 11+ perhaps your parents could not afford uniforms and/or did not want to separate their daughters in senior education. I think attitudes to female education back then was more that the most they should perhaps aspire to was the dizzy heights of secretarial for a few years before becoming stay-at-homes mums and homemakers.

[yoanbob]

we did 11plus but it had stopped being a recognised exam and the school I went to just used old exam papers, we were told the same day if we had passed. (Idid pass but I dont know how.) does your old school still exist, did it get swollowed by a bigger school? presumably if that happened all the records would have gone there.

[TPeers]

I never knew my score, I was told I had passed, and passed well - then Mum had a row with the school because they wouldn't take me in the senior school as I was CofE and the school were RC and I got told that I had passed with 'a high score'.

I do know that I was transfered to a grammer school without having to take an entrance exam - unlike everyone else in the year!

Were the exact results ever given out?

[piskieinboots]

....Were the exact results ever given out?

yep, I failed

[TPeers]

yep, I failed

Oopps! Sorry!

Hey! how's the studying going? Did you finish the module you were on when you were testing soil samples?

[piskieinboots]

yes, I passed - so far I am passing all the modules yaaaay

I seem to remember something on my school report about 'has something upstairs but prefers to sit at the back of the class with the naughty boys' - some things never change

[TPeers]

yes, I passed - so far I am passing all the modules yaaaay

I seem to remember something on my school report about 'has something upstairs but prefers to sit at the back of the class with the naughty boys' - some things never change

So.... I passed and am now a highly trained housewife and you didn't and are going to be far better qualified that I will ever be.

Should say something!

[Sanjo]

Thanks everyone. I didn't realise that my request would get such a response! You are partly right Quark1. I had 5 sisters and it was a very poor family. None of us went to grammer school but three of us went to better class schools which my parents refused to send me to. As the second oldest that wasn't for me. I shall try the website you suggested and if I don't get any joy then perhaps I'll just let it go. It's not that big a deal if you see what happens to other people in their lives but I had certain memories of what I had been told but one of my sisters is so adamant about the past that I am begnning to wonder whether I dreamt it all. Ah well c'est la vie (or something like that!) Thanks again everyone. Sandra

[smallblueplanet]

I don't know your area or school, but here is a link for a local almanack in Essex that published school 11 plus results

Items of Interest from the Barber's Almanack 1960

Look at March 11th (I looked at the previous year's and they had them then too). Maybe your local studies library might have similar material for your area? It was a big thing then for small village kids to pass their 11 plus.