Y5 11+ Week Commencing 8th September 2025
Hello and welcome back to the new term! I hope you had a lovely summer and are feeling ready for the months ahead.
If you haven’t already, please save my number: 07771 740569. From next week, updates will be sent via a WhatsApp broadcast, which requires my number to be saved in order for you to receive the messages. You can also find the weekly update at any time on the website under the “Weekly Update” tab.
I’d also like to warmly invite you to a free online workshop on Wednesday 17th September at 7:30pm. This session is designed for parents (though children are welcome to listen in) and will cover the 11+ exam, this year’s changes, the support we’re providing, and everything you’ll need to know.
There is no cost to attend.
If you need the homework books, you can purchase them through the website: https://www.elevenplussuccess.com/shop
Please contact me if you are unsure (I am not as big as Amazon and appreciate your business!)
I will be sending out a separate message about this later in the week
***********************************************************
FOCUS SESSIONS
This term, we will be running a series of focus sessions over three weeks each, covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial, and Maths. You are able to book the VR and NVR now, with links going live for the Spatial and Maths over the next few weeks.
VERBAL REASONING
These sessions will cover some of the more challenging aspects of the 11+ exam.
What we’ll cover in these sessions:
Coding & Sequences – spotting patterns, cracking codes, and solving logic puzzles.
Vocabulary Skills – synonyms, antonyms, word associations, and word-building.
Mathematical Reasoning – applying number skills to word problems and logical challenges.
Confidence Building – learning strategies to approach unfamiliar questions independently.
📅 Dates: Week commencing 8th, 15th, and 22nd September
💷 Cost: £60 for all 3 sessions (reduced rate)
📍 Format: Small group, supportive learning environment
🔗 Book your child’s place here
📅 Weeks commencing 8th, 15th, and 22nd September
💷 Special rate: £60 for all three sessions
NON-VERBAL REASONING
Covering the trickier aspects of the GL 11+ exam in the UK, these sessions focus on building the core skills tested in the Non-Verbal Reasoning section.
What we’ll cover in these sessions:
Identifying patterns and sequences in shapes and figures
Code-breaking style questions using symbols and diagrams
Odd-one-out puzzles
Shape analogies (finding the relationship between pairs of shapes)
The children who attend these sessions grow in confidence when tackling these challenging problems independently, giving them a real advantage on exam day.
📅 Sessions run week commencing: 19th September, 6th October and 13th October
👉 Book your place here
**********************************************************
Weekly English and Maths Lessons – Now Available!
In addition to our popular focus sessions, we are delighted to introduce weekly English and Maths lessons. These sessions are designed to help children strengthen their core skills in preparation for the 11+ and beyond. These lessons are a fantastic opportunity for children to gain confidence, strengthen their skills, and prepare effectively for the challenges ahead.
📚 English Lessons
Whilst English is taught in schools, the expectations for the 11+ are often much higher. The tests are also more open-ended, which many children find more challenging than the prescriptive techniques used in verbal and non-verbal reasoning (vocabulary being the main exception).
Our weekly English lessons proved extremely successful last year, with many of the children who attended becoming some of our top performers in that section of the test.
All lessons have been written by myself with the children in mind. They focus on:
Building vocabulary and language use
Developing literary techniques
Strengthening comprehension skills
These are not just skills for the 11+, but invaluable tools for long-term academic success.
👉 Book your child’s English lessons here: Book English Lessons
🔢 Maths Lessons
Maths is another area that children often find particularly challenging. Our weekly Maths lessons are designed to build confidence and strengthen key skills that are vital for success.
The focus will be on:
Mental maths techniques
Times tables recall
Mental addition and subtraction
Problem-solving strategies
Unfortunately, much of mental maths is no longer emphasised in schools, which means these essential skills are not always committed to children’s long-term memory. Our lessons aim to fill this gap, equipping them with a solid foundation for the 11+ and beyond.
👉 Book your child’s Maths lessons here: Book Maths Lessons
**********************************************************
Homework
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO LINK: - Related Words, before the lesson. This can replace a 10min test and children will receive 2 raffle tickets for doing so.
CGP Practice Books 9-10
• VR P14-16
• ENGLISH P30-32
Finish the booklet from the lesson and return in the following week. Remember to complete the vocab in context.
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
***************************************************************************
VOCABULARY
WORD OF THE WEEK: ELOQUENT (Find a synonym, antonym and put it into a sentence)
***************************************************************************
