11+ Entrance Preparation

Eleven-plus preparation is a different job from ordinary school tuition. The paper may test maths or English, and some papers include reasoning, but the skill being measured is often how a child works under time pressure, reads a question twice, and chooses what to leave. This page explains what our 11+ entrance preparation covers, who it suits, how the lessons run, what you and your child need to bring, and what changes the timeline and the fee.

What the preparation covers

Written tests vary by school and by consortium. Some use multiple-choice papers, some written answers, some a mixture. We start by finding out which format your child will sit, then build lessons around that format rather than a generic workbook. A typical block covers question technique, timed practice and the short interview that often follows a written test. In a maths or English question, that might mean learning how to show working, how to spot the command word, and how to recover when a question does not make sense on the first read. In reasoning, it might mean practising elimination and pacing. We also teach the quiet mechanics: reading the instructions before the clock starts, checking the answer sheet, and deciding when to move on.

Timed practice is where preparation becomes real. We use short bursts first, often five or ten minutes, then longer mixed papers as confidence grows. After each timed section we review the errors together. Was it a knowledge gap, a misread, a panic choice or a clock problem? The answer changes the next lesson. A child who knows the method but runs out of time needs different practice from a child who guesses. We keep a written record of those patterns and send progress reports for parents, so you can see what has changed and what still needs work.

DIY preparation can work for a confident child with a clear test format and a parent who has time to mark papers. A worksheet pack can be useful for drilling. Group courses can suit children who like a classroom pace. Our reason for working one to one is simple: a tutor can hear the hesitation in a child's explanation and adjust the next question. That is hard to do from a video library or a printed answer key. Doing nothing is also a choice, and for a child sitting a test in the autumn, it is a choice with a deadline attached.

Who it suits, and who it does not

Our 11+ entrance preparation suits school pupils aged 7 to 18, though most families come to us in Years 4, 5 and 6. It fits children who need structure, children who are strong but slow under time, and children who have gaps in a specific area. It also fits families applying to schools with different papers, because one-to-one lessons can switch between formats. Lessons are one-to-one, online or at home, so a busy week does not always mean a lost session. All tutors are DBS-checked qualified tutors.

It does not suit every family. If you want a large group class or a fixed worksheet pack, we are not the right option. No tutor can promise a place; the test and the school decide. If your child is exhausted and already over-scheduled, adding another weekly commitment may not help. We would rather say that at the start than sell a block of lessons. For some children, a short assessment and a few targeted sessions are enough. For others, a regular weekly slot from the spring term makes more sense.

How it works, step by step

First enquiry. You tell us the schools and test dates you know. Tell us which subjects concern you. We ask for any familiarisation paper or sample the school has published. If the dates are still unconfirmed, we plan around the likely window rather than waiting for the letter.

Initial assessment. The first lesson is diagnostic. We use a short paper or a set of questions, then talk through the answers. The aim is to see how your child thinks, not to produce a label. We look at accuracy, pace, reading of instructions and willingness to try a second method. After that we agree a plan with you: how often, what to cover first, and the review point.

Regular lessons. Each lesson has a narrow focus. A session might start with a two-minute warm-up, move to a worked example, then a timed section and a review. We keep the pace calm. If a child is stuck, we slow down; if the work is too easy, we raise the difficulty. The point is to make the test format familiar without making every lesson a mock exam.

Timed practice and review

Timed practice starts short. A five-minute section teaches the clock without overwhelming the child. As the test gets closer, we move to full papers under exam conditions, including the instructions and the seating. We mark them together, not just for the score but for the decisions. Which question took too long? Which one was left blank too early? What would you do differently next time? The review is often more useful than the paper itself.

Interview preparation

Some schools invite children to a short interview after the written test. We cover the common shape: a greeting, a question about a book or a hobby, a puzzle or a picture, and a chance to ask a question. We practise speaking in full sentences, listening to the question, and saying 'I am not sure, may I think for a moment?' rather than guessing. We do not script answers. Admissions tutors can tell the difference.

Between lessons, we set short tasks. Twenty minutes of reading, a page of questions, a timed drill. The work should fit around school, not replace it. We ask you to tell us if a task takes far longer than expected. That is useful information. Progress reports for parents go out at agreed points, with a plain summary of what has improved and what we will do next.

What your child needs to bring, and what we prepare

Your child needs a pencil and a ruler, a quiet space and the paper or login details for the lesson. For home lessons, a table and a chair are enough. For online lessons, a laptop or tablet with a working camera and microphone helps us see the working. If the school has sent a sample paper, a reading list or a test guide, send it over before the first lesson. If you have a recent school report, that is useful context, though not essential.

We prepare the lesson plan, the questions, the timed sections, the mark scheme and the progress notes. We also keep the test dates in view. You do not need to buy a shelf of workbooks. A single good paper, marked properly and reviewed, can teach more than five papers done in a rush. We will tell you when a break is more useful than another drill.

What affects timing and price

Fees are on request, confirmed when you book. The total depends on several practical things. Lesson length matters: a 45-minute session suits a younger pupil, while an older pupil may need an hour. Frequency matters: weekly lessons are common, and some families add a second session in the final half-term. Online lessons and home lessons are both available, but home lessons involve travel, so the fee can differ. The number of subjects also changes the plan. A child preparing for maths and English papers needs more lesson time than a child preparing for one paper.

Timing is shaped by the test date and the school's format. A child starting in the February half-term has a different runway from a child starting in Year 4. We do not promise a set number of lessons or a particular outcome. We do promise a clear plan, a tutor who knows the format, and a review point where we decide whether the current arrangement is still right. If the test is close and the need is narrow, we may suggest a short block. If the need is broad, we will say so.

Questions parents ask before starting

When should we start?

There is no single right week. For many families, the spring term of Year 5 gives enough time to build technique without cramming. If the test is in September, starting in the summer term can still work, but the plan will be tighter. Ask when you book about the dates that matter.

Can you promise a place?

No. We prepare children for the format, the timing and the interview. The school decides the place.

What if the schools use different papers?

We can cover more than one format. Bring the sample papers and dates. We will map the overlap and teach the skills that transfer, then add the specific question types.

Do you offer online lessons or home lessons?

Both. We provide one-to-one lessons online or at home, depending on what suits the week. DBS-checked qualified tutors teach both.

How do we know it is working?

We send progress reports for parents at agreed points. You should also see small changes: less guessing, better use of the clock, a child who can explain why an answer is wrong. If nothing changes, tell us. We will adjust the plan or say what we think is missing. To ask about dates and fees, call +44 131 4752394 or email [email protected].