Advice and Resources
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How Often Should My Child Practice 11 Plus Writing?
One of the biggest worries mums have when preparing their children for the 11 Plus is how much writing practice is enough. Some mums tell me their child writes every day, while others struggle to get one piece a week done – and feel guilty about it. Let me reassure you right now: it’s not
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How Long Should the 11 Plus Writing Task Be? (And What Matters More)
One of the most common questions I hear from mums is, “How long should my child’s 11 Plus writing be?” It’s a fair question – but also one that causes a lot of unnecessary stress. I remember one mum who came to me worried because her daughter was only writing half a page in timed
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Grammar vs Independent School Writing Tasks: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to preparing for the 11 Plus, one question that often comes up is: “Is the writing task the same in grammar and independent school exams?” It’s an important question – because while both types of schools test writing, how they do it and what they expect can vary quite a bit. I
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How to Mark Your Child’s 11 Plus Writing at Home (Even If You’re Not a Teacher)
One of the most common questions I get from parents is this: “How do I know if my child’s writing is any good?” The truth is, most parents are flying blind when it comes to marking their child’s 11 Plus creative writing. And I completely understand – it’s not easy to judge whether a story
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11 Plus Creative Writing Examples That Got Top Marks
One of the biggest lightbulb moments for parents and children alike is seeing real examples of 11 Plus creative writing – not just average ones, but excellent pieces that would earn top marks in a grammar or independent school exam. I remember a student I worked with called Adam. He was bright, had a great
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The Most Common 11+ Creative Writing Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
Every year, I read dozens – sometimes hundreds – of creative writing tasks written by children preparing for the 11 Plus. Some pieces sparkle with imagination and control. Others have potential but are held back by the same recurring issues. One of the most eye-opening exercises I do with parents during consultations is showing them
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11 Plus Writing Examples and Feedback: What Great Writing Actually Looks Like
One of the quickest ways to improve your child’s writing? Show them the difference between average and excellent. I’ve seen the lightbulb go on so many times – that moment where a child reads a powerful paragraph and says, “I could do that!” Let me walk you through a real example I use in my
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11 Plus Preparation for Year 4: How to Get a Head Start Without the Stress
When parents come to me asking when to start preparing for the 11 Plus, I always tell them the same thing: earlier is easier. Not earlier in the sense of drilling exam papers – but in creating the right habits and mindset. Year 4 is the sweet spot. It gives children time to grow into
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What Do Examiners Look for in the 11 Plus Creative Writing Task?
Over the years, I’ve had countless parents come to me feeling lost. Their child writes stories – sometimes even enjoys writing – but when it comes to the 11 Plus, they’re not producing good pieces of writing. I remember one mum telling me, “He’s imaginative – but we’re just not getting the ideas on paper
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20 Practice Essay Topics for the 11 Plus
Regular practice is key to mastering essay writing for the 11 Plus exams. If you can get your child to commit to writing one piece per week (especially in the lead-up to the exams, from year 5), they will be on the right track. Don’t forget to take a look at the Geek School Shop
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