English Tutor for 11 Plus Entrance Exam

98% success rate supporting students sitting 11+ Entrance Exams

Passionate about success at 11+

I am passionate about success at 11+ . It is such an important moment stage in a child’s life and so important that they find the best school, the right school for them. And for that, they need two things: academic excellence in English and enough practice in examination strategy that it becomes second nature to them. I can help with both. In fact, with my skills and experience, I can give them the best help they will find.

And, because of my experience as an examiner and examination paper setter and marker, working with the top independent schools, I can advise parents on which schools to apply for and help guide families through the whole application process.

When to begin tutoring for the 11+

Starting early helps

Most children aiming for top schools will have private tutoring from Year 4. Many will start in Year 5. Even Year 6 is not too late: I can tailor my teaching to give children the best chance no matter what stage they are at. But, it remains true, the earlier the better.

Children need time to learn a range of writing skills and practise them to make them their own. They need practice to establish ways of thinking and habits of mind that equip them to answer the questions they will face.

Examination skills

11+ candidates need to be able to recognise the different types of question they will face – instantly. And then know what to do – without a second thought. These skills require guidance and practice – with which I have had years of experience. I can help students to recognise the different the different types of question, show them  the skills they require and help them practise, and, as they practise, I can show them how to refine their skills so that their answers match the descriptions of a top band answer. More than anything, I can guide them through sample answers to past papers from St Paul’s Girls’ School, Westminster, Latymer and many more, and show candidates exactly what it is in the sample answer for which the examiner is awarding marks. And then, with practice, they can write winning answers themselves, the sort of answers that will gain a place at St Paul’s Girls’ School, or Westminster, or Eton, or Latymer. Some schools do not publish sample or past papers, Wycombe Abbey for example. This is where, as a former Head of English and paper-setter, I can help: I understand the academic values and examination traditions at Wycombe Abbey – and Eton, which is it’s partner school in so many ways.

I can also help students avoid the pitfalls that can trap the unwary and those untrained in examination skills. Sadly, every year, examiners will see candidates who misunderstood the question, misunderstood what it was looking for and missed the opportunity to show the examiner that they did have – or might have had – the skills for which the examiner is looking.

My students exit the examination confident there is no skill they have in English that remains unshown to the examiner.

Time management

The 11+ examinations are short, which is a good thing for our children. Examinations are stressful, important 11+ examinations even more so. Schools know this and want to test children as quickly as possible and find out what they need to know about our children – your child – in very little time. So, time management in an examination is crucial. Children need to know when to stop and think and when to move on and they need practice in time allocation. That is why starting in Year 5, with intensive practice over Easter and the summer before Year 6 and then regular practice in the lead up to the examinations is the way most parents choose to prepare children in order to give them the best chance of success.

How have I acquired my expertise?

For thirty years, I have been closely involved in so many aspects of examination from question setting to paper testing, trialling papers and training and monitoring examiner teams for the major examination boards at A Level and GCSE and guiding examiners in their work.
In my role as Head of Department at Wycombe Abbey and the King’s School, I have managed the examination, selection and transition process at 11+, including interviewing candidates and training interviewers. I have been lucky to be invited into many schools to train teachers and help prepare their candidates. And my experience covers all levels, from 11+ and 13+ entrance to GCSE, A level and undergraduate. I have spent years lecturing A level and undergraduate students with
Sovereign Education, tutored students at Goldsmiths and the Open University in creative writing and run an adults’ creative writing course.

Results of my students speak for themselves

98% success rate supporting Students sitting 11+ Entrance Exams.
Every year, I offer private tuition to 25 – 30 students with a success rate over the last five years of over 95%.

How do my pupils succeed? I am highly skilled and experienced in helping students master examination techniques in the reading comprehension papers. I can help them avoid the familiar pitfalls, which able students can so easily fall into. More than anything, I am able to interpret the Independent Schools Examination Board mark scheme and provide students with exactly the writing skills necessary to achieve each one of the six top band mark descriptors.

I have a unique experience as Head of English setting entrance papers for Wycombe Abbey School and other top schools, marking papers and interviewing students.

Over the past ten years, I have tutored children from, among others,

• Bute House Preparatory School
• Wellington College Preparatory School
• Arnold House School
• The Dragon School, Oxford
• Westminster Under School
• Dulwich College Preparatory school
• Notting Hill and Ealing High School
• Godstowe School
• Durston House
• Brighton College Preparatory School
• Clarence House Preparatory School
• Fulham Preparatory School
• Eaton House
• City of London Junior School
• Eagle House
• Highgate Junior School

And helped them achieve places at, among others,

• St Paul’s Girls School
• Westminster School
• Wycombe Abbey School
• Eton College
• City School
• Lady Eleanor Holles
• Francis Holland
• Channing School
• Cheltenham Ladies’ College
• Tonbridge School
• Woldingham School
• Magdalene College School
• Haberdasher’s Aske’s
• Alleyns
• Northwood College

. . . and many more top day and boarding schools.

In fact, parents from all the above schools have come to me for help this year and helped them achieve places at, among others,

St Paul’s Girls School, Westminster School, Wycombe Abbey School, City School, Lady Eleanor Holles, Francis Holland, Tonbridge School, Woldingham School, Magdalene College School, Haberdasher’s Aske’s, Alleyns, Northwood College, . . . and many more top day and boarding schools.

On-going support

Many students stay with me even when they have achieved their 11+ goals and I am currently working with students from several of the above schools as they settle into their first year – and sometime beyond. In other words, I offer on-going support. It is a fact that many students experience a dip in performance after peaking at 11+ when they begin year 7. This is where I can help smooth that transition.

What does it cost?

You will have guessed that I am at the top-end of the market. Parents, like you, aiming for the top schools have already invested in a top preparatory school and recognise the need to invest in this next stage, which is so highly competitive.

What I won’t do

What I won’t do is waste your money. If a child seems unlikely to achieve their desired goal, I tell the parents early on. I do not want to share in parental disappointment – or the disappointment of a child. You can expect from me an early, realistic assessment of your child’s prospects and advice on what is a realistic target school for them.

How do parents find me?

Rarely do parents come to me via my website, most come by word of mouth. Many are internationally based, from China to the USA, Dubai and all over Europe. To parents who do come via my website, I offer a free first half hour and, after that, a free lesson in response to any referral for which I am paid.

I can advise more once we are in contact, so please get in touch.