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.

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 Year 4 girl who always wrote the same kind of story: she’d go to school, something small would happen, and the story would end with her going home. When I asked her why she didn’t write about pirates or adventures or magical doors, she shrugged and said, “I don’t know how.”

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 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 about doing more. It’s about doing the right kind of writing, consistently.

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 tasks. “She’s not writing enough,” she said. But when I looked at her daughter’s work, it was beautifully structured, descriptive, and finished with a strong ending. The truth is, it’s not about writing pages and pages. It’s about writing with purpose.

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 remember working with a mum whose son was sitting for both grammar and independent school exams. She was overwhelmed trying to prepare him for everything. The truth is, you don’t need two completely separate prep plans – but you do need to know what makes each exam style different so your child can adapt with confidence.