Y5 11+ Week Commencing 19th January 2026 (week 5 of 6)
Welcome back to another week!
We hope you all had a lovely weekend. We’re very relieved that the snow initially forecast didn’t arrive, although it does look like rain is here for the foreseeable future!
A few important reminders for the week ahead:
Parking: Please remember that parking is not permitted on site. The available spaces are allocated to other organisations that also use the facility, and we appreciate your cooperation with this.
Attendance: Classes run Monday through Saturday. If you are unable to attend a session, please let us know as soon as possible. We will always do our best to reschedule your child into an alternative session within the same week where availability allows.
As mentioned last week, we are now just under nine months away from the test. Over the coming weeks, we will be gradually increasing expectations for homework and making classwork a little more challenging. This is to ensure children continue to make steady progress and feel well prepared as we move closer to the exam.
Our current recommendation is to attend as many additional sessions as possible. These sessions help children to embed their understanding, increase pace and build confidence, while also easing some of the pressure at home.
We have now scheduled all mock tests and workshops between now and September. These can be booked using the Early Bird offer (which expiif you would like to save some money. Additional sessions, such as Spatial and Maths workshops, will also be planned for the summer holidays once we have a clearer picture of demand and staff availability. These will be announced later in the Summer Term.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We look forward to a positive and productive term ahead.
Warm regards,
Chris, Nic and the team
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BLOCK 3 DATES
Weekly lessons and maths / English weekly classes.
Week 1: Monday 8th December – Saturday 13th December
Week 2: Monday 15th December – Saturday 20th December
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Week 3: Monday 5th January - Saturday 10th January
Week 4: Monday 12th January - Saturday 17th January
Week 5: Monday 19th January - Saturday 24th January
Week 6: Monday 26th January - Saturday 31st January
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➡️ BLOCK 4 IS NOW AVAILABLE TO BOOK⬅️
Week 1: Monday 2nd February - Saturday 7th February
Week 2: Monday 9th February - Saturday 14th February
HALF TERM BREAK (Mock Test Workshop Available)
Week 3: Monday 23rd February - Saturday 28th February
Week 4: Monday 2nd March - Saturday 7th March
Week 5: Monday 9th March - Saturday 14th March
Week 6: Monday 16th March - Saturday 21st March
WEEKLY MATHS BOOK HERE
Our weekly Maths lessons focus on strong arithmetic skills, which form the foundation for success across all areas of mathematics. We develop pupils’ confidence with mathematical jottings, key facts and knowledge, alongside quick-fire skills to improve fluency, enabling them to tackle more challenging and unfamiliar problems effectively. As formal written methods are rarely required in the 11+, emphasis is placed on building confidence in efficient mental strategies rather than defaulting to formal approaches.
WEEKLY ENGLISH BOOK HERE
Our GL 11+ English Comprehension practice is designed to build confidence while familiarising pupils with the style and challenge of the GL 11+ exam. The carefully written texts and questions develop key comprehension skills, including vocabulary, retrieval and inference, through exposure to a wide range of text types. This structured approach supports strong reading skills and helps pupils approach the 11+ English paper with confidence.
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THINGS TO BOOK
NON-VERBAL REASONING FOCUS SESSIONS
BOOK HERE
Mondays 4:30pm or Saturdays 3:30pm
Week 1: Monday 2nd February - Saturday 7th February
Week 2: Monday 9th February - Saturday 14th February
HALF TERM BREAK (Mock Test Workshop Available)
Week 3: Monday 23rd February - Saturday 28th February
Our 3-week focus sessions are designed to support your child in developing the essential skills required to succeed in the Birmingham GL 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning test, while building confidence and exam readiness.
Non-Verbal Reasoning is a key component of the GL Assessment used in Birmingham grammar school entrance exams. These questions assess your child’s ability to recognise patterns, understand shapes, identify relationships, and apply logical thinking — all without relying on language. Strong performance requires both practice and effective problem-solving strategies.
Our expert-led sessions focus on the exact question types and formats used in the GL Non-Verbal Reasoning test, helping your child to:
Recognise common patterns and rules
Break down complex questions step by step
Improve speed and accuracy under timed conditions
Develop confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
With structured guidance, practical techniques, and plenty of exam-style practice, your child will be well equipped to approach the Non-Verbal Reasoning test calmly and confidently.
Join us to help your child take a positive step towards success in the Birmingham 11+ exams.
Early Bird Discount
Book 6 workshops and 3 mock tests for £450, saving at least £60.00.
OFFER ENDS 31ST JANUARY 2026
Select 6 holiday workshops (£50 each) and 3 mock tests (£70 each) on the booking form provided.
Pay online via payment link below, or by cash/credit/debit card on site.
After payment, return the form to us for booking confirmation (downloadable from the website or collect during your lesson).
Additional mock test workshops, workshops, and mock tests booked and paid for before 31st January 2026 receive a 10% discount.
For discounted bookings, pay on site with Chris by cash (preferred) /credit or debit card
Your child should have already come home with a leaflet - if they haven’t then please reach out and we can provide you with one, or download from the website
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This week’s KAHOOT quiz pin: 01970695 (Mixed Maths Quiz Three)
Well done to Reyanshi. Our winner last week . You get 5 raffle tickets!!
Remember to play through kahoot.it. Use name1, name2, name3 etc for each play!
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If you haven’t done so already - please follow me on Facebook
Here you will find weekly problems and puzzles the children can solve.
If you happen to see one of my posts too - please give it a like!
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VOCABULARY
WORD OF THE WEEK: ASTUTE (Find a synonym, antonym and put it into a sentence).
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Homework
Unsure how to do homework or independent study - watch this link
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO LINK: - NVR Letter Codes before the lesson. This can replace a 10min test and children will receive 2 raffle tickets for doing so.
Need homework books? Order here
Coming to the end of the 10min test books? The next steps are the focus books - information was sent our via text message on Sunday. Order here
CGP Practice Books 9-10
VR Assessment Test 4 English P62-64
Finish the booklet from the lesson and return in the following week. Remember to complete the vocab in context. To be handed in week commencing 26th January
REMEMBER: to mark the homework with your child and bring it to next lesson.
REMBEMBER THE HOMEWORK IS DUE IN NEXT WEEK’S CLASS.
Complete at least 3 tests from each of the 10min test books. REMEMBER to mark this with your child daily & go through mistakes. Suggested time table is available in our 11+ guide. https://www.elevenplussuccess.com/11-useful-documents
