11+ & Independent School Entrance Exams Tuition

The 11+ exam is an entrance test used by grammar schools in England to assess the academic ability of applicants and forms an integral part of the selection process.  
The standardised test comprises four strands - English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Many independent schools also use the 11+ or similar tests as part of their selection process.
Competition for grammar school places is particularly fierce in the south-east, and Surrey in particular, as Surrey County Council don't administer any grammar schools. As a result the number of applications to grammar schools in neighbouring Local Authorities (Kingston-upon-Thames and Sutton) are significantly higher than the rest of the country. Over the last three years (2023-2025), The Tiffin School (Kingston-upon Thames)  received an average of 1,666 applications per year for 180 places.  With the introduction of VAT on independent school fees coupled with the increased cost of living, the situation is unlikely to change in the near future.

With popular grammar schools receiving 9 applications per place it is not surprising that parents want to give their child the best possible chance of securing one of those places. Preparation is essential for several reasons:

The format of the test (particularly the Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non-verbal Reasoning (NVR) is very different from tests your child will have been used to if they are currently in a state-maintained school. Although the maths and English is broadly covered by the National Curriculum some, for example vocabulary, are not and require additional study.
With an average of 9 applications per place; even the most able of students will need to be fully prepared for the test.
It is almost impossible to be successful in winning a place at a grammar school without significant preparation. It is not an exam you can 'cram' for a  week before the test date!

There are several options available to prepare your child for the tests and tuition is only one of those routes. The most common methods are:
Self-study: You don't have to employ a tutor - there are many self-study books, past & practice papers available in bookshops and on the internet. If your child is strong academically, has high resilience and has exceptional organisational skills then self-study is perfectly sensible choice.
Parent-led Self-study - if you have the time, are familiar with the format of the 11+ and your child needs minimal supervision then this is an option to consider.
Tuition is increasingly popular and there are many options to choose from.  The tuition you need depends mainly on your child's personality and learning style.  For one child small group tuition may be perfect because they learn best with others around them.  Conversely, for the child who is easily distracted then 1:1 tuition (online or in person) would be a better option.

• Experienced tutors who are familiar with both the CEM and GL format
• Significant library of resources including past papers from local grammar and independent schools
• 1:1 tuition.  Lessons personalised to focus on the areas of greatest need for your child
• Online or in your home
• Lessons between 90 minutes and two hours
• Ongoing assessment to inform planning and track progress
• Regular 'real time' practice tests
• Explicit teaching of skills needed to complete the test
• Option for interview coaching if required
• Regular feedback to students and parents

We have tutors experienced at supporting students with preparation for many of the local Independent School entrance examinations and interviews.  These include: St George's College (Weybridge),  Halliford School, Surbiton High School and Claremont Fan Court.  Please contact us for further details.