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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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10 Easy Ways to Build Better Settings in 11 Plus Creative Writing
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
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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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How Long Should the 11 Plus Writing Task Be? (And What Matters More)
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
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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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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
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Using Symbolism to Add Depth to Your Stories
Have you ever noticed how some stories feel like they have hidden treasures buried beneath the surface? A red rose might represent love, a storm might represent chaos, and a locked door might symbolise a secret. This is called symbolism—when something in a story represents a deeper meaning beyond its obvious appearance. Symbolism is like