Most parents presume that if a child is doing well in English at school, especially when it comes to writing stories, they’ll naturally excel in the 11 Plus creative writing exam. But as I’ve seen over the last 10 years of preparing students for grammar school Stage 2 tests like Sutton Grammar and St Olave’s, and selective independent schools like Eltham College, Dulwich College, JAGS, Trinity, and both City of London Schools, this assumption can quickly lead to disappointment.

The truth is that there’s a significant gap between what’s expected in a standard Year 6 classroom and what examiners look for in 11 Plus entrance tests. The difference isn’t about ability – it’s about preparation, purpose, and understanding the task.

Why Writing at School Feels So Different

In most primary schools, creative writing is taught as a way of encouraging self-expression. Teachers want children to enjoy the process, take creative risks, and explore their ideas freely. There’s often a great deal of praise for imaginative plots, emotional effort, and trying new vocabulary – even if the grammar and structure aren’t quite there yet.

But the 11 Plus exam doesn’t assess creativity in the same way. Creative writing is used as a tool to measure how clearly and effectively a child can communicate under pressure. It’s not just about imagination – it’s about control.

Examiners want to see writing that is focused, structured, grammatically sound, and well-paced. That’s a big ask for children who are more used to open-ended tasks and relaxed timeframes.

Most Important Differences to Keep in Mind Between 11 Plus Writing and Primary School Writing

1. Time Pressure

At school, a writing task might span several lessons. Children can plan, draft, edit, and revise over the course of a week. But in an 11 Plus exam, they’re often given just 20 to 30 minutes to produce a complete story – from planning to final full stop.

That means they need to write quickly, but with clarity. They must know how to get to the point, maintain structure, and manage their time – skills that aren’t usually taught explicitly at school.

2. Marking Criteria

Teachers in the classroom often reward effort, interesting plots, and bold ideas. But in the 11 Plus, the criteria are far more specific. Examiners are typically looking for:
• A clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end
• Proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence control
• Ambitious but appropriate vocabulary
• Flow between sentences and paragraphs
• A resolution that makes sense and ties the story together

A story full of wild ideas but lacking punctuation or structure will struggle to earn high marks.

3. Story Focus and Clarity

It’s very common for bright, imaginative 11-year-olds to write long, winding stories that lose focus. They might introduce too many characters or shift the plot halfway through. In the 11 Plus, less is often more.

A simple but well-executed story will score far higher than a chaotic epic. It’s about quality, not quantity.

Why Even Great Writers Struggle

Over the years, I’ve worked with children who write beautifully in their free time – detailed, expressive, and full of flair. But put them in front of a timed 11 Plus writing task, and they freeze.

Some spend too long on their opening and run out of time. Others try to squeeze every creative idea they’ve ever had into one story. Some get stuck perfecting a sentence, forgetting they’ve only got half an hour.

It’s not a question of ability. It’s about being unfamiliar with the format, the constraints, and the expectations.

One boy I supported was a confident, articulate writer – his school teachers were full of praise. But his early 11 Plus attempts lacked structure. With regular timed practice and feedback, we reshaped his approach. He went on to receive offers from St Olave’s and Dulwich College.

What You Can Do to Help Your Child’s 11 Plus Creative Writing

You don’t need to be an English teacher to support your child – but you do need to give them structure and consistency.

Here’s what I recommend:
• Read real 11 Plus writing samples together and analyse what works
• Practise timed writing sessions – start with 20 minutes and gradually build up
• Focus on editing – ask your child to read back their story and cut unnecessary words, improve sentence starters, or replace weak vocabulary
• Teach planning techniques – your child should learn to plan in 3–5 minutes using a simple structure: opening, problem, resolution

Most importantly: give them regular opportunities to practise writing with a clear goal, good organisation, and attention to how the language sounds on the page.

If you want to see a practical example, watch this video where we compare a school writing task with a real 11 Plus exam piece:

Writing well in the 11 Plus exam is not about talent – it’s about preparation and purpose. Once children understand that the expectations are different to what they’re used to in school, they can begin adjusting their approach.

I’ve worked with so many children who, with the right guidance, went from confused and overwhelmed to confident, focused writers. The skills they developed not only helped them pass tough entrance exams but also gave them a foundation for secondary school and beyond.

So if your child loves writing, that’s great. Now it’s time to help them learn how to write for the 11 Plus.