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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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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
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Normal 11-Year-Olds’ English Creative Writing: How Is It Different from the 11 Plus?
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,
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Cracking the Code: Are Online Creative Writing Courses the Key to 11 Plus Exam Success?
If you’re wondering whether an online creative writing course can actually make a difference in your child’s 11 Plus preparation – you’re not alone. I’ve had so many mums ask me, “Can an online course really help my child write better?” The answer? Absolutely – if it’s done right. I’ve seen children who once froze
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10 Easy Ways to Build Better Settings in 11 Plus Creative Writing
Have you ever read your child’s story and thought, “This is good, but I can’t really picture where it’s happening”? You’re not alone. One of the most overlooked parts of 11 Plus writing is setting – but it’s also one of the most powerful tools to improve a child’s score. I once worked with a
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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