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11 plus articles

Mother helping child revise
7 tips to ease SATs stress for SEND children
During SATs season parents strive to convey the importance of exams without overwhelming their children, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Helen Spiers, child and adolescent counsellor and Head of Counselling at Mable Therapy, gives her expert advice.
Best brain-training apps for kids
Best brain-training apps for kids
Help your child develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and spatial awareness with these brilliant brain games.
How to make online tutoring work for your child
How to make online tutoring work for your child
Is your child preparing for the 11+ or getting support with general studies? Two tutors share their advice on making the most of online tutoring.
Best home learning websites for kids
12 of the best home learning websites for kids
We've rounded up some of our favourite online resources to support your child's learning at home.
How to teach your child to use a dictionary
How to teach your child to use a dictionary
Learning to use a dictionary is an important curriculum skill and will help your child expand their vocabulary. Here's how to help them find their way around it.
Region-by-region guide to the 11+
Your region-by-region guide to the 11+
Knowing what to expect from the 11+ in your area will help your child feel prepared. Working with Explore Learning, we've rounded up the insider info you need to help them fulfil their potential on test day and beyond.
Best algebra apps for kids
Best beginners’ algebra apps for kids
Help your child get to grips with the algebra concepts taught in primary school with apps that help to demystify mathematical equations.
What is a tutor-proof test?
What is a tutor-proof test?
Is there such thing as a tutor-proof 11+ test? TheSchoolRun investigates.
Best 11+ apps for kids
Best 11+ apps for kids
Help your child do verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning practice to prepare for the grammar school entrance exam with these useful apps.
11+ explained for parents
11+ glossary for parents
Preparing for the 11+ grammar school entrance exam can be as steep a learning curve for you as it is for your child. Along the way, you’re likely to encounter terms that you’ve never seen before.
Parent and child homework
Be your child’s own 11+ tutor: parents’ tips
Could your child pass the 11+ without a tutor? We asked parents for their top preparation tips and advice on DIY 11+ tutoring.
Schoolboy studying in classroom
Helping your primary school child with exam stress
With increasing numbers of children suffering the effects of test anxiety, how can you help your child keep their nerves under control?
Family homework time
How to help a perfectionist child
We all want our kids to do well at school, but what if they’re setting themselves unrealistic standards? We take a look at the problem of perfectionism.
Child and tutor working together
How to get the best from tutoring
If you’re investing in a tutor for your child, you’ll want to get your money’s worth. We explain how to make the most of tutoring.
Child taking exam
How to handle the 11+ test day
Your child has done all their prep, and now the big day is looming. How can they make sure they do their best?
Selective and super-selective schools explained
What are selective and super-selective schools?
Places at selective and super-selective schools are highly sought after, with many applicants for every place – but what's the difference between these types of school, and how does the application process work?
11+ maths test explained for parents
The beginner's guide to 11+ maths
If your child is taking the 11+, their maths skills will be tested as part of the assessment process. We explain what the maths task involves.
What is the 11+ English test?
The beginner's guide to the 11+ English task
An English task is a key part of the 11+ exam in many areas, but what does the test actually involve?
12+ and 13+ explained for parents
What is the 12+/13+ late transfer test?
If your heart is set on a grammar school place for your child but they didn't pass the 11+ you could consider late transfer test. We explain the process for entry at 12+ or 13+.
Kent 11+ parents' tips
How to succeed in the Kent 11+
Kent has more grammar schools than any other area, so how can you give your child the best chances of gaining a place?
Medway 11+ tips for parents
Top tips for the Medway 11+
What are the secrets of success in the Medway grammar schools’ entrance test? We asked tutor Anita Clemens for her insider advice.
What is a grammar school?
What is a grammar school?
What could a grammar school offer your child, and how does the application process work? We explain in our grammar school guide for primary-school parents.
Choosing an 11+ tutor
Choosing an 11+ tutor
Every parent wants their child to have the best chance of 11+ success, and choosing the right tutor could be the key. We explain how to find the best person for your child.
Common entrance exams explained
What are Common Entrance exams?
Common Entrance exams are the route to an independent senior school education for many children. We explain what’s involved.
11+ extended writing task
Top tips for the 11+ English writing task
In some areas, a piece of extended writing is an important component of the 11+. Tutor Anita Clemens explains the secrets of success.
GL Assessment 11+ grammar school entrance tests explained for parents
GL Assessment 11+ tests explained for parents
It’s one of the main developers of grammar school entrance exams in the UK, but what do GL Assessment’s 11+ tests involve?
Lancashire 11+ guide for parents
Taking the 11+ test in Lancashire
What's involved in the entrance assessment for Lancashire's grammar schools? We have the details.
Yorkshire 11+ guide for parents
The Yorkshire 11+ test explained
Yorkshire has six selective schools, split across three local authorities. Here's what you need to know about taking the entrance tests.
Northern Ireland secondary transfer test guide for parents
The Northern Ireland transfer test: Common Entrance Assessment (CEA)
Since the 11+ was discontinued in 2008, pupils in Northern Ireland have taken a transfer test for grammar school entry. We explain what's involved in the Post Primary Transfer Consortium test and the Common Entrance Assessment (CEA).
Surrey 11+ guide for parents
Taking the 11+ in Surrey
Surrey's grammar schools are some of the most competitive in the country. We have the facts you need to know about their entrance exams.
Barnet and Enfield 11+ guide for parents
The 11+ in Barnet and Enfield
Competition is fierce for places at Barnet and Enfield's grammar schools, so what does the 11+ test involve?
Cumbria 11+ guide for parents
Taking the 11+ test in Cumbria
With only one grammar school in Cumbria, we explain what you need to know about entering your child for the entrance test.
Lincolnshire 11+ guide for parents
The Lincolnshire 11+ test explained
With a massive 15 selective schools to choose from, what do you need to know about registering your child for the Lincolnshire 11+?
Liverpool and the Wirral 11+ guide for parents
Taking the 11+ in Liverpool and the Wirral
The Liverpool and Wirral areas have 10 schools that are fully or partially selective. We explain their testing arrangements.
Berkshire 11+ guide for parents
The 11+ test in Berkshire
All the facts you need to know about entering your child for the 11+ test for entrance to the Slough and Reading grammar schools.
Devon 11+ guide for parents
11+ testing in Devon explained
With three separate Local Authorities involved, applying for a grammar school place in Devon can be challenging. We cut through the confusion and explain what parents need to know.
Essex 11+ guide for parents
The Essex 11+ test uncovered
With 11 schools to choose from, Essex is one of the largest grammar school areas in the country. We explain the testing process.
Dorset 11+ guide for parents
Grammar school 11+ tests in Dorset
We have the facts you need to know about taking grammar school entrance tests in the Dorset area.
The parents' guide to the CEM 11+ test
The parents' guide to the CEM 11+ test
A popular choice for schools and authorities that use 11+ tests, we find out the facts about the CEM assessment and explain what to expect if your child will be taking the CEM 11+.
Trafford 11+ guide for parents
The Trafford grammar schools' entrance tests (11+) explained
If your child is applying for a place at one of Trafford's grammar schools, we have the facts you need to know about the 11+ test.