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Important update from TheSchoolRun
For the past 13 years, TheSchoolRun has been run by a small team of mums working from home, dedicated to providing quality educational resources to primary school parents. Unfortunately, rising supplier costs and falling revenue have made it impossible for us to continue operating, and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close. The good news: We’ve arranged for another educational provider to take over many of our resources. These will be hosted on a new portal, where the content will be updated and expanded to support your child’s learning.
What this means for subscribers:
- Your subscription is still active, and for now, you can keep using the website as normal — just log in with your usual details to access all our articles and resources*.
- In a few months, all resources will move to the new portal. You’ll continue to have access there until your subscription ends. We’ll send you full details nearer the time.
- As a thank you for your support, we’ll also be sending you 16 primary school eBooks (worth £108.84) to download and keep.
A few changes to be aware of:
- The Learning Journey weekly email has ended, but your child’s plan will still be updated on your dashboard each Monday. Just log in to see the recommended worksheets.
- The 11+ weekly emails have now ended. We sent you all the remaining emails in the series at the end of March — please check your inbox (and spam folder) if you haven’t seen them. You can also follow the full programme here: 11+ Learning Journey.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our journey it’s been a privilege to support your family’s learning.
*If you need to reset your password, it will still work as usual. Please check your spam folder if the reset email doesn’t appear in your inbox.
School life articles
Museums reviewed by parents: Cutty Sark
Climb aboard the world's sole-surviving tea clipper for a voyage across the seas of time, experiencing the life of the 19th century crew. Our family testers loved all the hands-on experiences on offer on board, from interactive apps for your phone to swabbing the decks with miniature mops.
Museums reviewed by parents: Thackray Medical Museum
Explore past (and future!) medical treatments and procedures, get a glimpse of life in Victorian England, get hands-on with oversized body parts and find out how humans work, all at the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds. Our family testers share the highlights for parents and children.
Museums reviewed by parents: Warwick Castle
Take a trip back through the last eleven centuries to Warwick Castle, the site of a Saxon fortification, a wooden motte and bailey constructed in 1068 and a medieval stone castle. Restored and managed by the Merlin Entertainments group, the Castle uses multimedia experiences and costumed guides to bring history to life for visitors of all ages.
Museums reviewed by parents: Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast uses special effects, rides, reconstructions and interactive features to explore the Titanic story. We find out what the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction has to offer children and families.
Museums reviewed by parents: W5, Belfast
Planning a family day out? Our favourite museums make learning effortless and fun (for adults as well as children). For hands-on science for all ages head to the action-packed W5 in Belfast, one of the top family attractions in Northern Ireland where you are invited to touch, feel, smell and press everything in sight!
What is the equal preference system?
How do schools take your rankings into account when you apply for a place? We explain how equal preference works.
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.
10 ways to boost an able child's confidence
Being academically gifted can put a strain on your child’s emotional wellbeing, so how can you spot if they’re struggling and build their self-esteem?
Individual healthcare plans explained for parents
Individual healthcare plans are designed to keep children with medical conditions safe, well and involved at school. We explain how these important documents work.
Making a complaint about your child’s school
Who should you approach if you’re unhappy with something that has happened at school, and what if they don’t take you seriously? We explain how to make an official complaint about your child’s school.
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.
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.
Should you take your child to parents’ evening?
Does bringing your child to a parent-teacher meeting give them valuable input or get in the way of frank conversation? We discuss the pros, cons and practicalities.
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.
How to handle a disappointing parents' evening
No one likes to hear bad news at a parent-teacher meeting, but knowing how to respond could help your child turn the issue around. By Lucy Dimbylow.
What is an independent school?
Considering sending your child to a private school? We give you the lowdown on the independent education sector.
Secondary school induction days: what to expect
The transition from primary to secondary school is a big step for your child, but summer term induction days can help them to prepare for their new milestone. We explain how they work and what you (and your child) should expect.
Primary education in England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland
We may be a United Kingdom, but schooling varies between each of our four countries. Our guide gives you an overview of the differences in primary school education in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How being bilingual affects your child’s education
One in five primary school children speaks a language other than English at home. We find out how this affects their learning, and what schools (and parents!) can do to help.
Supporting your child at primary school if English isn’t your first language
Many parents find helping with school work challenging, and it can be even harder if you're not a native English speaker. So how can you help your child to do their best?
Best coding toys for children
Turn screen time into a super-powered learning experience with a new generation of coding toys. Your child will learn programming skills as they play, as well as the basics of computational thinking (and hopefully how to fix your IT problems, too!). We asked programmer, tech-expert and mum, Claire Wardle, as well as other parents, to put the toys to the test and share their findings.
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?
Best chemistry sets for children
Introduce your child to the world of chemical reactions, crystallisation and chromatography with the right chemistry set for every age and stage. From pre-schooler test tubes and safety goggles to pipettes of luminol and alcohol burners, we've picked great kids' chemistry sets for every budget and every budding chemist.
Taking the 11+ test in Lancashire
What's involved in the entrance assessment for Lancashire's grammar schools? We have the details.
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.
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).
Best electronics sets for children
Learning how circuits work is an important part of Key Stage 2 science. Make the learning light up, buzz, ring and whizz up into the air with these brilliant electronics sets for children, designed to make exploring electricity creative and captivating. From sturdy sets suitable for small fingers to circuit-diagram projects, these sets offer a fantastic hands-on electrical education.
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.
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?
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.
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+?
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.
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.
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.
Learning languages through culture
Learning a language at primary school is more than just words; it’s a gateway to other cultures. Dawn Francis-Pester shares top tips for bringing languages to life for your child.
Supporting your child's language-learning at home
Want to encourage your child with foreign language learning? We speak to experts who suggest ways to help your child with languages at home, even if you don’t speak them yourself. By Dawn Francis-Pester
Best word games for children
Expand vocabulary, develop spelling skills, learn about homophones, anagrams and synonyms and compose huge numbers of silly sentences... all while having a great time. Whether your child is 3 or 13, our favourite word board games and literacy card games offer fast-paced fun for the whole family.
Your starting school action plan
From finding out about your local schools to making your application and beyond, we talk you through the process of signing your child up for primary school.
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.
Grammar school 11+ tests in Dorset
We have the facts you need to know about taking grammar school entrance tests in the Dorset area.