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From Struggling to Standout: How Our 11+ Writing Course Transformed My Child’s Confidence
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
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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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How to Help Your Child Build Imagination for the 11 Plus Creative Writing Exam
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from mums is: “My child just isn’t imaginative. They hate making things up.” But the truth is, all children are imaginative – they just need help unlocking it in the right way, especially when it comes to creative writing for the 11 Plus. I once worked with a
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11 Plus Story Planning Template: A Simple Structure Your Child Can Use in Every Exam
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.
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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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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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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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Creating Atmosphere: Using Words to Set the Mood
Have you ever read a story that made you feel nervous, excited, or even peaceful just from the way it was described? That’s the power of atmosphere. Atmosphere is the feeling or mood you create in your story through your words, descriptions, and tone. Whether it’s a spooky haunted house, a bright summer’s day, or
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The Importance of Backstory: How to Reveal It Naturally in 11 Plus Essays
When you’re writing an essay for the 11 Plus exam, especially if it’s a narrative or descriptive piece, your characters and settings need to feel real and believable. One of the best ways to achieve this is through a well-crafted backstory. But what is backstory, and how do you include it in your writing without
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The Power of Sensory Details in Creative Writing
Have you ever read a story and felt like you were right there with the characters? Like you could smell the flowers, hear the birds, or feel the chill in the air? That magic happens when a writer uses sensory details. Sensory details help readers see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world in your