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.

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.

Figurative language can completely transform a child’s writing – but only when it’s used well. I’ve marked thousands of 11 Plus stories over the years, and one of the biggest things that separates a middle-band script from a top-band one is the writer’s ability to bring their description to life with similes, metaphors and personification.

I once worked with a boy in Year 5 who had memorised a long list of ‘fancy’ similes. He’d sprinkle them through every story – even if they didn’t make sense. One of his sentences described a peaceful garden as “as loud as a thunderstorm.” When I asked why, he said, “Because I thought the simile would get me more marks.”

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.”

When it comes to 11 Plus creative writing, planning often gets forgotten – especially when time is tight. But here’s the truth: children who take just a few minutes to plan their stories always produce stronger, more structured writing.

I remember working with a Year 5 boy who used to dive straight into his stories. His ideas were good, but the endings often fizzled out, and the plots went off track. Once we introduced a simple planning method, everything changed. His writing became more focused – and his confidence soared.

I want to say this right from the start: you’re not alone. So many mums tell me their child hates writing. It’s the part of the 11 Plus they dread the most. And it’s understandable – writing is one of the hardest skills to develop, and when a child doesn’t feel confident, they naturally avoid it.

I remember a year 5 boy I worked with who told me, flat out, “I hate writing. I’d rather do three maths papers than one story.” But after a few weeks of short, fun exercises and confidence-boosting feedback, that same boy came to our session and said, “Can I show you the story I wrote at home – just for fun?”

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 is ‘exam-ready’ unless you know what to look for, and the 11 Plus exams are quite specialist.

Years ago, I worked with a lovely mum called Priya. Her daughter was writing regularly, but her confidence was dipping because she wasn’t getting feedback that helped her grow. Priya was unsure – she wasn’t a teacher and didn’t want to discourage her daughter. I gave her a simple five-point checklist and a few marking tips, and the change was incredible. Her daughter started improving within days, and Priya felt empowered to guide her.

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 two pieces of writing side by side – one that would pass, and one that could secure top marks. More often than not, the difference isn’t talent. It’s technique – and whether the child has been shown what not to do.

So, let’s talk about the biggest mistakes I see in 11 Plus writing and how you can help your child avoid them.

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.