Generic practice papers
Endless untargeted papers build fatigue, not scores. Preparation should match the school's actual format.
11+ admissions
11+ and selective-school preparation
Selective schools do not test the same things in the same way. We prepare for the specific process a family is entering, and where suitable one tutor covers subjects, reasoning, school selection and interviews.
- School-specific
- Reasoning and interviews
- Years 5 and 6
What happens next
- 1. A free consultation about the student's stage and goals.
- 2. A shortlist of tutors, reviewed by a person before it reaches you.
- 3. A free compatibility trial before anything is paid for.
Founding lessons from £25 per hour. No grade or place is ever guaranteed.
Who 11+ preparation suits
Families usually begin in Year 5. Late starts are possible, but the plan changes and we will be honest about what is realistic.
- Year 5 students beginning structured preparation
- Year 6 students in the final months before testing
- Families deciding between several selective schools
- Students who need interview practice as well as papers
What usually gets in the way
These are the patterns we see most often, and what a tutor does about them.
Timing under pressure
Most 11+ marks are lost to pace. We build timing gradually rather than testing it repeatedly.
Reasoning is unfamiliar
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not taught at school. They need explicit instruction.
Pressure on a ten-year-old
Preparation has to stay proportionate. Tutors watch for overload and tell parents when to ease off.
What preparation covers
- Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet
- The Henrietta Barnett School
- Other selective and independent schools
Maths
- Arithmetic fluency
- Word problems
- Timed sections
English
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Creative and functional writing
Reasoning and interview
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Interview practice where relevant
A typical first four weeks
Every plan is adjusted at the consultation, but this is the shape most engagements take.
- Week 1
Baseline across sections
Untimed work across maths, English and reasoning to see where the student genuinely is.
- Week 2
Target the weakest section
Focused teaching on the section costing the most marks, with short daily practice.
- Week 3
Introduce timing
Sections under gentle time pressure, building pace without panic.
- Week 4
Full section and parent review
A timed section, a written progress note and an honest view on the target schools.
What families ask
When should we start?
Year 5 gives the most comfortable runway. We can work with shorter timelines, but we will tell you plainly what is achievable.
Do you prepare for specific schools?
Yes. Preparation is built around the format of the schools you are actually applying to.
Do you guarantee a place?
No, and we would not trust a service that did. We commit to specific, well-planned preparation.
Related support
11+ reasoning
Reasoning question types taught properly, then practised to time.
Read about 11+ reasoningQE Barnet 11+ preparation
Independent preparation shaped around the school's published assessment.
Read about QE Barnet 11+ preparationHenrietta Barnett 11+ preparation
Preparation for a multi-stage selective entry, planned backwards from the dates.
Read about Henrietta Barnett 11+ preparationTalk to us about 11+ preparation
Tell us the stage, exam board and timeline. We will recommend a tutor and arrange a free compatibility trial.