This system was used throughout the UK, until 1976, when Local Education Authorities were given the option to discontinue this system. Today, there are 164 grammar schools in the country, which require the Eleven Plus entrance exam. Competition for these places is fierce, as parents and students recognise the value of attending these schools. It’s a hugely important exam, which can be very stressful for parents and pupils, which therefore needs careful and thorough preparation and practice.
The Eleven Plus is taken during the final year of primary school, preparing the pupil for the ‘eleven plus’ years of secondary school. However, in preparation for the exam, many parents and schools encourage practice for the test at a much earlier stage. Significantly, the type of testing varies between regions and even between schools throughout the country. Some counties, like Buckinghamshire and Kent, have retained the original system, where all pupils take the exam. There can be up to four disciplines usually tested, including Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths. Regions and schools decide which of these areas to focus on, for example in Kent, you are examined in all areas, while in Buckinghamshire pupils sit two papers in Verbal Reasoning.
Getting a clear picture of exactly what type of test your child will be sitting can seem difficult. It’s important to get precise and thorough information about what kind of test will be required, when it will be held, and how it will be marked and assessed. Competition for places at schools requiring the Eleven Plus can be extremely high, and pass rates differ across the country. For this reason, it can be a very stressful and highly pressured period for both parents and students. While it is a milestone and a key point in a pupil’s educational future, it is important that the Eleven Plus does not become unnecessarily stressful or damaging for a child’s confidence and development.
To tackle this, and get the best possible results from the Eleven Plus, preparation and practice is key. A personal tutor can really make a difference here. Many primary schools may not have specific Eleven Plus preparation courses, dependent on the region or area. The transition to secondary school can take pupils in very different directions to their current classmates, meaning tutoring outside of school can help make this easier and more successful. Verbal reasoning, for example, is related to many of the subjects taught in school, however it is rarely practiced on its own, as it is tested in the Eleven Plus. A personal tutor can provide extra tuition in these areas, helping a pupil gain familiarity with this type of testing. The Eleven Plus is about testing what a child has learnt so far, but is also designed to test natural intelligence and thinking skills. For various reasons, focus on these can get side-tracked in curriculum learning, meaning some private tuition can help bring these to the surface and prepare pupils for the type of learning they will experience in secondary school and further education. Most importantly, a tutor can give all the information about the Eleven Plus, tailored to each individual pupil. This involves giving invaluable advice on preparation, setting mock papers, and crucially, helping to boost confidence and motivation. While parents and friends can get drawn into a stressful, competitive atmosphere surrounding the Eleven Plus, one-on-one tutoring can be a reassuring, confidence-boosting addition to a pupil’s preparation.
The Eleven Plus is an important and rewarding point in a child’s academic career. However, it can be stressful and difficult to manage preparation alongside current work and commitments. Taking time for extra, one-to-one tuition can really make a difference, helping to give a student the best future possible.
Does your child need a little extra help preparing for their eleven plus exams? Contact us for the organisation of private tuition.
Ivy Education, 126 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LZ
+44 (0)207 736 6977
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