11+ tutors and small-group classes

What is the 11+?

The 11+ is the entrance test used by state grammar schools in parts of England. Children sit it in Year 6, and a pass mark or a high enough ranking lets families name the school on their secondary application. Grammar schools are state schools and charge no fees, but places are competitive.

Not every area has grammar schools, and each school or consortium sets its own test content, format and admissions rules. The first step is to choose target schools, then prepare for their specific test.

The four areas tested

• English: comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling; some schools add a writing task.
• Maths: based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, usually with less familiar problem types.
• Verbal reasoning: logic puzzles built on letters, words and vocabulary.
• Non-verbal reasoning: shapes, patterns and spatial reasoning.

Some schools test only English and maths, for example the second stage of the Sutton grammar school tests and Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet.

Preparation timeline

• Year 4: build reading, vocabulary and maths foundations.
• Autumn of Year 5: start structured reasoning practice and learn the format of your target schools.
• Spring to summer of Year 5: watch registration deadlines (usually in the summer) and start full timed papers.
• Summer holiday before Year 6: mock tests and work on weak areas.
• September of Year 6: the test; some schools hold a second stage in October.
• October of Year 6: results; the secondary application is usually due by 31 October.
• 1 March the following year: National Offer Day.

Grammar schools in the areas we cover

London

• Barnet: Queen Elizabeth’s School (boys), The Henrietta Barnett School (girls), St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School (girls). Each sets its own format; Henrietta Barnett has two rounds.
• Sutton: Wilson’s School, Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Wallington High School for Girls, Greenshaw High School. Children first sit the Selective Eligibility Test (SET); those who pass take English and maths papers.
• Kingston: Tiffin School and The Tiffin Girls’ School, which set their own tests.
• Redbridge: Ilford County High School (boys) and Woodford County High School (girls), using two GL Assessment papers: English with verbal reasoning, and maths with non-verbal reasoning.

Manchester

• Trafford: Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School, using two multiple-choice GL Assessment papers. Loreto Grammar School and St Ambrose College run their own tests.

Birmingham

• Birmingham Grammar Schools consortium: King Edward VI Aston, Camp Hill School for Boys, Camp Hill School for Girls, Five Ways, Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, Handsworth School for Girls, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. GL Assessment, two papers covering all four areas.

One-to-one or a small group?

One-to-one tutoring suits targeted work on weak areas and the format of a specific school. Small-group classes of 4 to 6 build a steady practice routine and give mock tests in exam-like conditions, at a lower cost. Many families use both in Year 5.