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 improving.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. It’s one of the most common frustrations we hear from parents. They feel like they’re wasting money on tuition that isn’t delivering results where it matters most: the one part of the exam where their child can truly shine.

The problem isn’t your child, and it probably isn’t even the tutor. The problem is the traditional tuition format itself, which is fundamentally unsuited to teaching creative writing. Here are the three main reasons why.

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+ exam that requires students to complete two compulsory writing tasks in a short space of time.

Many parents and tutors are unaware of this dual-task challenge, and they prepare their children for a standard creative writing test. This is a huge mistake. At 11 Plus Essay, we have delved deep into the CLSG exam format to give you the specific preparation your daughter needs.

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 doesn’t make it any easier to stand out.

At 11 Plus Essay, we’ve helped hundreds of students secure places at their dream schools, including Alleyn’s. This guide will walk you through the Alleyn’s writing exam and give you the tools you need to support your child.

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 show their personality and stand out from the crowd.

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 11 Plus Essay, we’ve helped more than a 1,000 students ace their writing exams, and we know the JAGS paper inside and out. This guide will break down everything you need to know to prepare your child for success.

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.

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 at the sight of a blank page go on to write fluent, vivid stories – all thanks to the structure, confidence, and consistency that an online course provides.

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 lovely Year 5 boy who had a great imagination. But all his stories started the same way: “One day, I went to the park” or “It was a sunny morning.”

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 properly. I don’t know what to do, and my son is getting frustrated as well.” And that’s exactly it – most parents don’t know what examiners are looking for, but can see when their child is struggling – and when they will clearly lose marks because they either don’t have much writing on paper, or the standard of writing just isn’t up to even the basic standards sometimes.

So let’s walk through how to improve this.

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 for more writing prompts that are made especially for the 11 Plus exam preparation, whether it’s the Stage 2 grammar tests or independent school entrance exams.

Below are 20 sample prompts covering narrative, descriptive, and argumentative styles to get that all-essential practice in.