Eleven Plus
Grammar schools
The four grammar schools in the BCP area are fine schools for those who have the abilities and aptitudes to make the most of them. I am sure they can be fearsome places for anyone who just scrapes through the test on a good day and then finds them too intense. The grammar school approach is often described as ‘hothouse’. But many children, like plants, thrive better in a more temperate climate.
What I cannot do
I cannot get a child without the right abilities through the Eleven Plus test. For children with the right abilities, attitude and ambition, I can put them in a very good position to demonstrate it on test day.
How to decide?
It is clearly up to the parents and the child to decide whether taking the Eleven Plus test is right for them. I will not try to push any family in one direction or another, although I will inform parents confidentially if a child is very able and there is no plan to take the test. I am also happy to be consulted confidentially if the family are uncertain.
The attitude of the child to learning is of great importance in making the decision, as is current performance in school. Bear in mind, though, that some children keep their light well hidden, through shyness, lack of confidence or subtle peer pressure. A few years ago, I tutored a girl who passed the Eleven Plus test with the maximum mark available; talking later on to a contact at her school, I discovered that the girl had not been expected to pass at all!
The enrolment of the child for the grammar school’s entry test is entirely the responsibility of the parents – see the school’s own website for the process and timetable.
Eleven Plus Test Results
Parents are often interested to know how well my students have done in the Eleven Plus test. Bear in mind that I do not pre-assess children before they start lessons, unless asked to do so. The decision on taking the examination is in the hands of the parents and child, although I can give guidance.
In the table below, I show the number of my students (at least 10 lessons with me) who have taken the test and the number who have been offered grammar school places.
Year of Test
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Number taking test
2
7
3
5
4
3
Number offered grammar school place
1
5
2
3
3
3
Tuition for the Eleven Plus test
As for the tuition, much of what is on the Improvement page is relevant. Most children have some areas of weakness and the aim is to get those up to speed, while still keeping the strengths well-tuned.
Learning materials
Frequent practice is key and here there will also be more emphasis on completing standard tests and on Verbal Reasoning, which forms an important part of the test.
The additional resources which I have developed are also of particular benefit to Eleven Plus candidates in their preparation – see below.
Extra resources
I can also offer pupils the following from my own resources:
Reading List – to help develop reading skills and comprehension
Vocabulary Lists – to practise spelling and encourage better comprehension.
Focused Work Sheets – I have developed 70 A4 worksheets, to give more practice in standard types of question..