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The West Midlands Eleven Plus test covers four key areas:
English
Verbal Reasoning
Maths
Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning
The test consists of two papers, with each paper lasting approximately 60 minutes, plus practice questions. The questions are multiple choice.
Our programme prepares children for the different skills required across all four areas.
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English preparation focuses on developing strong comprehension, vocabulary and language skills.
Children work on:
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary
Inference
Retrieval
Grammar
Literary techniques
Understanding language
Applying information
Strategies for tackling challenging texts
Children may encounter demanding texts, including extracts from classic literature.
We teach practical strategies that help children approach unfamiliar texts and questions with greater confidence. These skills are valuable not only for the Eleven Plus but also for school and lifelong learning..
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Verbal Reasoning develops children's ability to work with words, letters, numbers and patterns.
Children practise:
Verbal comprehension
Reasoning and logic
Letter sequences
Codes
Words within words
Word analogies
Patterns
Vocabulary
Numerical reasoning
Many of these question types are not routinely taught at school, so children benefit from learning the techniques and strategies required to tackle them.
Vocabulary is an important part of verbal reasoning and forms a key part of our ongoing preparation.
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Our Eleven Plus Maths programme develops mathematical fluency and problem-solving skills beyond the standard curriculum.
Children work on (and not limited to):
Mental calculation
Times tables
Number skills
Ratio
Proportion
Mean
Algebra
Probability
Mode
Median
Range
Problem solving
Worded mathematical problems
Children are encouraged to develop efficient methods, strong number sense and the ability to identify the information that matters within a question.
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Non-Verbal Reasoning focuses on solving problems using pictures, diagrams, shapes and patterns.
Children develop their ability to:
Analyse visual information
Identify relationships between objects
Recognise patterns
Solve visual problems
Work with diagrams
Apply logical thinking to unfamiliar situations
These skills are not normally taught explicitly at school, so structured practice can help children become familiar with the different question types and strategies.
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Spatial Reasoning looks at how children understand and manipulate shapes and patterns in their minds.
Children practise:
Identifying hidden shapes
Rotating shapes
Reflecting shapes
Working with cube nets
Hole-punch problems
Block counting
Constructing shapes
Understanding visual relationships
Spatial Reasoning can be challenging, particularly when children are first introduced to the different types of questions. Our sessions provide opportunities to learn strategies and build confidence through practice.
Unlocking Your Child’s Potential
Our Eleven Plus programme is designed to help children develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and test strategies they need to approach the 11+ with confidence.
We provide structured preparation through weekly lessons, focused sessions, homework, practice tests, workshops and mock examinations. Our approach supports children both in their weekly sessions and at home.
Watch the presentation here…
Weekly Eleven Plus Lessons
Our weekly lessons are approximately one hour and are designed to build skills progressively throughout the programme.
Lessons are planned several weeks in advance but are adapted to meet the needs of each group. Quick-fire starter activities are also used to identify and address gaps in knowledge.
Our weekly sessions include:
Progressive teaching
Targeted practice
Test strategies
Quick-fire activities
Regular opportunities to practise different question types
Support with areas where children need additional development
Our adult-to-pupil ratio is usually a maximum of 1:6.
All lead tutors are fully qualified teachers with a wealth of experience.
Lessons run Monday to Saturday during term time.
If a child cannot attend their usual session, please let us know and we will try to accommodate them in another session that week.
Focus Sessions
Focus sessions provide additional targeted teaching alongside the weekly Eleven Plus lessons.
Sessions cover:
Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Spatial Reasoning | English | Maths
Focus sessions run in three-week cycles and are designed to provide additional opportunities for children to practise specific skills and develop their confidence.
The adult-to-pupil ratio remains no larger than 1:6.
Focus sessions complement the weekly programme and provide additional time to work on the skills required for the Eleven Plus.
Homework & Home Practice
Regular practice at home helps children reinforce the skills they learn during their lessons.
Weekly Homework
Children receive a weekly booklet containing:
Work to complete
Vocabulary in context
Targeted activities linked to their weekly learning
A small amount of work is also set from CGP practice books each week. This should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Parents are encouraged to mark the work together with their child using the answers provided.
Ten-Minute Tests
We recommend that children complete at least two 10-minute tests each day.
A suggested routine is:
One test before school
One test after school
The aim is to build consistency, accuracy and familiarity with test-style questions without making home study overwhelming.
Learning videos
We are developing targeted learning videos covering a range of Eleven Plus skills.
The videos use the strategies taught during lessons and include a small amount of work for children to complete.
They also allow parents to see how we teach particular skills, making it easier to support children at home using the same strategies they have learned in their sessions.
Book of the Month
Each month, children work with a focus book and complete a comprehension activity based on the text.
Related comprehension homework is also provided.
The aim is to encourage children to engage with a wide range of vocabulary and texts while developing their comprehension skills.
Vocabulary & Word of the Week
Vocabulary is an essential part of Eleven Plus preparation.
Each week, children work with five vocabulary words as part of their vocabulary-in-context homework.
Our starter activities also include a Word of the Week.
Children are provided with an Ideas Catcher where they can record new vocabulary, together with useful tips for developing their word knowledge.
Regular vocabulary development helps children become more comfortable with unfamiliar words and challenging texts.
Resources & Practice Books
Children may need different practice resources as the programme progresses.
We provide guidance on the resources that are most appropriate and have a selection of focused practice books available through our website shop.
If you are unsure which resources your child needs, please ask us.
Mock Tests
Mock tests help children become familiar with the experience of working under timed conditions.
Our mock test programme is designed to:
Build test stamina
Develop concentration
Increase familiarity with test conditions
Give children experience of test-style questions
Help children apply the strategies they have learned
Develop confidence when working through longer papers
Mock test workshops are used to introduce children to the format and expectations before they complete the associated mock test.
Workshops
Our workshops give children the opportunity to practise Eleven Plus skills in a focused environment.
Workshops are approximately two hours long, with time spent working across the different subject areas.
Children are introduced to:
Test-style questions
Further test strategies
Test papers
Answer grids
Different question formats
Timed activities
Techniques for developing test stamina
Workshops are specifically designed around the skills children have already learned and provide additional opportunities to practise applying them.
Mock Test Workshops
OIntroducing our mock test workshops for Year 4 and Year 5 students—designed to give your child a significant advantage in their upcoming assessments. These workshops are meticulously crafted to align with the curriculum we have covered in class. The first segment will equip your child with essential strategies to tackle the test effectively, while the second segment involves a practical test experience that mirrors what they practiced earlier.
These workshops are crucial in preparing your child not just for the 11+, but for future academic challenges and lifelong learning. They help build confidence, endurance, and vital exam skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Give your child the best preparation possibl
Supporting Your Child at Home
Parents have an important role in helping children develop good preparation habits.
We encourage parents to:
Establish a regular practice routine
Complete the recommended short tests
Support weekly homework
Mark work with their child
Encourage regular reading
Discuss new vocabulary
Celebrate effort and progress
Encourage children without putting unnecessary pressure on them
Communicate with us when additional support is needed
Short, regular practice is an important part of building confidence and developing familiarity with Eleven Plus question types.e
Individual Support
Some children benefit from additional support in a particular area.
One-to-one sessions can provide targeted teaching and practice based on an individual child's needs.
These sessions can be used to revisit difficult concepts, address misconceptions, practise specific question types or build confidence in a particular subject area..
Supporting Children With Additional Needs
We support children with a range of additional needs, including Autism, ADHD, ODD and dyslexia.
Our tutors have experience and training in supporting children with additional needs and working with parents to help children access their learning.
Where appropriate, children with additional needs may also be able to access arrangements for testing.
Beyond the Eleven Plus
Our support can continue beyond the Eleven Plus.
We also provide support with:
SATs
Secondary-ready preparation
Independent school entrance preparation
Our aim is to help children continue developing their confidence, knowledge and learning skills as they progress through school.
