School Entrance
Complete preparation for 11+, 13+, 16+ and pre-tests, tailored to each pupil's target schools.
Entrance exams are some of the most significant assessments a pupil will sit, and every school does things a little differently. As Head of Mathematics at University College School, Mr Armitage ran the school's 11+ mathematics admissions process, so he understands exactly what selective schools are looking for and how they assess it. Our team has prepared pupils for a wide range of independent and grammar schools, with successful entry to schools including St Paul's, Westminster and City of London School.
There is no single right moment to get in touch. Some families come to us early to build strong foundations; others contact us when a pupil needs a focused push or has hit a difficulty at school. We can build an effective programme from any starting point.
11+
The 11+ is typically sat in the autumn or January of Year 6. Each school sets its own combination of papers, usually drawn from mathematics, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and many independent schools set papers that go well beyond the national curriculum. Much of the content comes from the Year 6 curriculum, which primary schools often continue teaching long after entrance exams have taken place, so dedicated preparation makes a real difference.
Our 11+ programme covers every element of the exam. Each pupil follows a plan built around their target schools and starting point, combining secure subject knowledge with the exam technique needed to perform under timed conditions. Purposeful homework between lessons uses spaced repetition and retrieval practice so that learning sticks.
13+
Pupils applying at 13+ are often applying to several schools at once, and each may assess them differently. Some set the ISEB Common Entrance examinations, others set their own papers, and many combine written exams with pre-tests, reasoning assessments and interviews, sometimes testing quite different skills. We help families make sense of each school's requirements and prepare pupils for all of them, so nothing is left to chance.
Mr Armitage has written ISEB 13+ examinations himself, giving our team first-hand insight into how the papers are designed and marked. Tuition is available across all 13+ subjects, including Latin and Greek.
CAT4 and the ISEB Common Pre-Test
Many independent schools now use online pre-tests as an early stage of selection, often in Year 6 or 7 for 13+ entry. The ISEB Common Pre-Test assesses English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning; CAT4 assesses verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning. Both are adaptive and time-pressured, and pupils benefit greatly from familiarity with the format alongside strong underlying skills. We prepare pupils for both.
16+
Entry into the sixth form at a selective school is a different challenge altogether. Each school has its own process, which may include online tests, written exams in the A Level subjects a pupil has chosen, and interviews. Because no two applications look the same, we design a bespoke preparation programme once we know which schools a pupil is applying to. This often involves several tutors working together across different subjects, coordinated by Mr Armitage, to prepare pupils for every stage of the process.
14+ and occasional places
We have also successfully supported pupils applying at 14+ and for occasional places that arise at other points in the school year. If your child is considering a move outside the usual entry points, please get in touch.