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The 8-Week Independent School Writing Exam Rescue Plan (For JAGS, Trinity, Alleyn’s & More)
It’s November. The January entrance exams for your target independent schools are no longer a distant thought; they are right around the corner. You look at your child’s creative writing and a familiar sense of dread begins to creep in. It’s just not good enough, and you feel like you’ve run out of time. First,…
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Why Your 11+ Tutor Isn’t Improving Your Child’s Creative Writing (And What to Do About It)
You’re doing everything right. You found a reputable 11+ tutor, you’re paying the fees, and your child is diligently attending the sessions. Their maths and comprehension scores are slowly ticking up. But when you look at their creative writing, something is missing. The stories are flat, the descriptions are bland, and the marks just aren’t…
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City of London Girls School Stage 2 English 11+ Entrance Exam: The Complete Guide (2025)
City of London School for Girls (CLSG) is one of the most prestigious and academic schools in the country. Securing a place is incredibly challenging, and the Stage 2 English exam is a major part of the assessment. What makes the CLSG exam stand out is its unique and demanding format: it’s the only 11+…
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Alleyn’s 11+ Creative Writing: The Complete 2025 Guide
Alleyn’s School in Dulwich is a top choice for many families, known for its academic excellence and co-educational environment. The 11+ entrance exam is highly competitive, and the creative writing task is a crucial opportunity for your child to showcase their unique voice and imagination. While the format is simpler than some other schools, that…
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Trinity School 11+ Writing Test: The Complete 2025 Guide | 11 Plus Essay
Trinity School in Croydon is one of the most sought-after independent schools for boys in South London. The 11+ entrance exam is a significant hurdle, and while many parents drill their sons on comprehension and maths, they often underestimate the importance of the creative writing task. It’s the one area where your child can truly…
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Why Your Generic 11+ Tutor is Failing Your Child on the Independent School Writing Exam
You’re investing a significant amount of money in an 11+ tutor. Your child’s maths and reasoning scores are steadily improving, and they seem to be keeping up in their group sessions. Yet, when you look at their creative writing, something is missing. It’s not bad, but it’s not brilliant. It lacks the spark, the sophistication,…
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5 Writing Mistakes That Will Cost Your Child a Place at a Top London Independent School
Your child is bright, articulate, and has a wonderful imagination. So why doesn’t their creative writing reflect that? When it comes to the highly competitive entrance exams for London’s top independent schools, it’s not just about having good ideas. It’s about avoiding the common traps that even the brightest students fall into. These schools aren’t…
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My Child’s Independent School Mock Exam Was a Disaster. Here’s How to Fix Their Creative Writing.
The mock exam results are in, and your heart sinks. The maths score is okay, the comprehension is fine, but the creative writing mark is a disaster. Next to the low score is a vague, unhelpful comment: “Needs more detail” or “Lacks structure.” Your child’s confidence is shattered, and you feel a rising sense of…
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How to Prepare for the JAGS 11+ Creative Writing Exam (2025 Guide)
Getting into James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) is a dream for many families. It’s one of London’s top independent schools, and the 11+ entrance exam is notoriously competitive. While many parents focus on the ISEB Pre-test, they often overlook the one thing that can make or break their daughter’s application: the creative writing paper. At…
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How to Prepare for the James JAGS 11+ Creative Writing Exam (2025 Guide)
Getting into James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) is a dream for many families. It’s one of London’s top independent schools, and the 11+ entrance exam is notoriously competitive. While many parents focus on the ISEB Pre-test, they often overlook the one thing that can make or break their daughter’s application: the creative writing paper. At…