From Struggling to Standout: How Our 11+ Writing Course Transformed My Child’s Confidence
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by Geek School Admin
When one of my first 11 Plus students first sat down to attempt a practice 11+ writing task, I watched his confidence crumble in real-time. Despite being a bright child who loved reading, he froze when faced with a blank page and a ticking clock. His first attempts were disorganised, basic, and nowhere near the standard required for grammar school entrance exams.
It was heart-wrenching. I knew he had the potential, but something wasn’t clicking. After trying various books and worksheets with minimal improvement, I began searching for a more structured approach. That’s when I developed the 11+ Writing Courses that would completely transform not just his writing, but his entire approach to learning.
I’m sharing our journey because I know so many parents are in the same position – watching a capable child struggle with writing and wondering how to help. If that sounds familiar, this honest account might be exactly what you need.
The Challenge: Why Writing Matters So Much
Before diving into our solution, it’s worth understanding why the writing component of the 11+ caused us so much concern:
The Hidden Differentiator
While many parents focus on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, writing often becomes the hidden differentiator in grammar school applications. With hundreds of children achieving similar scores in multiple-choice tests, writing quality can make or break an application.
The Time Pressure Reality
My student could eventually produce decent writing given unlimited time, but the reality of the 11+ is harsh: typically just 30-40 minutes to plan, write, and check a sophisticated piece. This time pressure exposed weaknesses that weren’t apparent in relaxed home practice.
The Sophistication Gap
The level of writing expected by grammar schools goes far beyond primary school standards. Examiners look for sophisticated vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and mature themes, elements my student’s primary school writing simply didn’t include.
The Confidence Connection
Perhaps most significantly, I noticed how my student’s writing struggles were affecting his overall confidence. Each disappointing practice attempt reinforced his belief that he “wasn’t good at writing,” creating a negative spiral.
With these challenges in mind, I knew we needed a comprehensive solution rather than a piecemeal practice.
Finding the Right Approach: Our Journey to the Right Course
Our path to finding an effective solution wasn’t straightforward:
The Worksheet Phase
We started with standard 11+ practice books and worksheets. While these provided some structure, they offered little guidance on technique development or how to improve. My student would complete tasks, but his writing wasn’t evolving.
The Tutor Experiment
Next, we tried a general 11+ tutor. While helpful for reasoning skills, the tutor’s writing guidance was limited to basic advice like “use interesting words” without specific techniques for implementation.
The Turning Point
The breakthrough came when I discovered the 11+ Writing Courses from Geek School Tutoring. What immediately stood out was their focus on specific, actionable techniques rather than vague advice. The course promised a systematic approach to developing sophisticated writing skills, with clear progression and structured practice.
After researching their track record (over 1,000 children successfully placed in grammar and independent schools) and reading parent testimonials, I decided to invest in the Silver package for my student.
The Transformation: Week by Week Progress
What happened next exceeded all our expectations:
Weeks 1-2: Foundation Building
The course began by establishing core techniques for effective writing. Rather than jumping straight into full practice papers, my student learned specific approaches for:
- Planning efficiently under time constraints
- Creating engaging openings that hook the reader
- Developing characters with depth and nuance
- Building atmosphere through sensory language
The bite-sized video lessons were perfect for his attention span, and the accompanying worksheets provided focused practice of each technique.
Weeks 3-4: Confidence Growth
By the end of the first month, I noticed a remarkable change in my student’s attitude toward writing. The structured approach meant he no longer faced the intimidating blank page. He had specific techniques to apply and a clear planning method to follow.
The course’s emphasis on “writing tools” rather than innate talent resonated perfectly with him. Writing became a skill to develop rather than a talent he lacked, completely shifting his mindset.
Weeks 5-6: Technique Mastery
During the second month, the course introduced more sophisticated techniques:
- Varied sentence structures for impact
- Advanced literary devices like foreshadowing
- Paragraph structuring for pace control
- Vocabulary enhancement strategies
What impressed me most was how these techniques were taught through concrete examples rather than abstract concepts. My student could immediately see how each technique improved writing quality.
Weeks 7-8: Integration and Application
In the final weeks, the focus shifted to integrating all the learned techniques into complete pieces under timed conditions. The course provided:
- Timed practice with specific focus areas
- Self-assessment tools to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Exemplar pieces at different quality levels for comparison
- Strategies for efficient self-editing
By this point, the transformation in my student’s writing was remarkable. His vocabulary was more sophisticated, his sentence structures more varied, and his ideas more original and compelling.
The Results: Beyond Our Expectations
The impact of the course extended far beyond improved writing samples:
Grammar School Success
The most concrete outcome was my student’s success in securing a place at our first-choice grammar school. His English score was exceptional, with his writing specifically mentioned as outstanding during the school’s feedback session.
Confidence Transformation
Perhaps even more valuable was the change in his confidence. The structured approach had shown him that writing wasn’t about innate talent but about applying specific techniques—something he could master through practice.
Transferable Skills
The benefits extended beyond 11+ preparation. His primary school teachers noticed the improvement in his classroom work, and the planning techniques he learned proved valuable across all subjects.
Long-Term Impact
Now in his first year at grammar school, my student continues to excel in English and humanities subjects. The sophisticated writing techniques he developed have given him a strong foundation for academic success.
What Made the Difference: Key Elements of Effective Writing Courses
Reflecting on our experience, several elements of the 11+ Writing Courses stood out as particularly effective:
1. Technique-Focused Approach
Rather than vague encouragement to “write better,” the course taught specific, actionable techniques that could be immediately applied. This concrete approach was perfect for my practically-minded student.
2. Structured Progression
The clear learning pathway built skills progressively, with each lesson building on previous learning. This logical progression ensured steady improvement rather than random practice.
3. Exemplar Materials
The course provided examples of writing at different quality levels, allowing my student to understand exactly what “good” looked like and how to achieve it.
4. Time Management Focus
Unlike many resources that focus only on writing quality, this course explicitly addressed the time pressure element of the 11+, teaching efficient planning and execution.
5. Parent Guidance
As a parent, I appreciated the clear guidance on how to support my student’s learning. The parent guides explained key concepts and provided specific advice for constructive feedback.
Advice for Other Parents: Lessons from Our Journey
Based on our experience, here’s my advice for parents facing similar challenges:
1. Start Early, But Start Right
Beginning preparation early is important, but more crucial is starting with the right approach. Quality of practice trumps quantity every time.
2. Look Beyond Generic Resources
Generic 11+ books rarely provide the specific guidance needed for writing development. Invest in resources specifically designed for writing preparation.
3. Prioritise Technique Development
Look for courses that teach specific techniques rather than just providing practice opportunities. Children need concrete tools, not just more practice of undeveloped skills.
4. Consider Your Child’s Learning Style
Choose resources that match your child’s learning preferences. The video lessons and structured worksheets in our course were perfect for my student’s learning style.
5. Don’t Underestimate the Confidence Factor
The right course doesn’t just develop skills, it builds confidence. This psychological element can be as important as the techniques themselves.
Finding Your Solution: Options for Different Needs
The 11+ Writing Courses offer different packages to suit various needs:
Bronze Package (£29)
Perfect for children with strong foundations who need specific technique enhancement. This self-guided option provides all the core lessons and practice materials.
Silver Package (£67)
Ideal for most 11+ candidates, this comprehensive package includes additional resources, extended exemplars, and enhanced self-assessment tools. This was the perfect choice for my student.
Gold Package (£97)
The premium option includes personalised feedback on submitted writing, making it ideal for children aiming for highly competitive schools or those with specific writing challenges to address.
A Parent’s Perspective
As parents, we all want to give our children the best possible chance of success without creating unnecessary pressure. What I valued most about our chosen course was how it transformed writing from a source of anxiety to a skill my student felt confident in mastering.
The structured, technique-focused approach demystified the writing process and gave him concrete tools rather than vague encouragement. This practical approach not only secured his grammar school place but also established writing skills that continue to serve him well.
If your child is struggling with 11+ writing preparation, I encourage you to look beyond generic practice books to solutions that offer specific techniques and structured progression. The right approach can transform not just their writing but their entire relationship with learning.
The journey from struggling to standout writer wasn’t always easy, but with the right guidance, my student discovered capabilities he never knew he had and yours can too.
