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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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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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Figurative Language in 11+ Writing: How to Use Similes, Metaphors and Personification
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.
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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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Should I Worry If My Child Hates Writing?
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
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Grammar vs Independent School Writing Tasks: What’s the Difference?
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
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How to Mark Your Child’s 11 Plus Writing at Home (Even If You’re Not a Teacher)
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
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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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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