We provide educational support for learners between the ages of 7 to 16.

Our subjects include Maths, English, Science, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, extended writing, and extra grammar classes.

Our tutors are highly experienced, with some boasting up to 12 years of teaching experience. They are passionate about education and dedicated to helping students succeed.

Homework Hour is a free weekly session where students can receive extra support to review homework assignments where they’ve scored below average. It’s an opportunity for students to address any areas of difficulty with the guidance of our tutors.

We differentiate ourselves through our personalized approach to education, experienced staff, and commitment to nurturing the whole child – academically, emotionally, and socially.

For the 2025 exam (commencing September 2024) the rate will be £16.00 an hour, to be paid monthly in advance via invoice. Then any extra classes, mocks and boosters can be paid for as required.

A cheaper option is to pay by standing order, a fixed monthly amount that covers all Boosters, Mocks and weekly classes. This reduces the hourly rate to £14.00 an hour and also significantly reduces the costs of all boosters, mocks and assessments.

Other Classes: Hourly Rate for other classes are £14.00

Preparation is essential for any test, but don’t feel pressured into hiring a tutor unless it’s something you genuinely want. However, you must be prepared to dedicate the time and resources required to ensure complete preparation.

Having a reading age below 12 (according to the Burt reading test) can be a hurdle. Excuses like “we don’t have the time” don’t hold up—there are 24 hours in a day, so organize your time effectively. Inconsistent preparation, such as starting, stopping, and then cramming in the last week or two, or only doing a few weeks of preparation, is insufficient. Consistent effort and planning are key.

There is a direct linear correlation between the amount of preparation a child does and their likelihood of passing. While being clever is beneficial, it is not a guaranteed path to success.

Pretty difficult – with a deliberate cutoff pass rate of 23% of students taking the exam. To have a good chance of passing, I’ve always believed that children should be scoring around 85% or higher on each practice paper by the time they sit the exam.

It’s common for children to score between twenty and thirty percent on their first attempt at these papers, which is barely more than what they might achieve by guessing. Don’t let this alarm you—consistent practice and preparation will lead to improvement.

Some children can be challenging to motivate. This can be an avoidance tactic where the time designated for work is consumed by arguments. If a conflict arises, set a timer for 3 minutes and address the issue directly. Afterward, everyone should focus on the task at hand. It’s an unfortunate aspect of parenting that children sometimes feel the need to challenge authority. Ignoring this need or overindulging it isn’t helpful. Kind methods are generally the most effective, but don’t shy away from necessary conflict. That’s the reality of life.

Yes, we offer both one-on-one tuition and small group sessions to cater to different learning preferences and needs.

Boosters and Acceleration courses are specialized programmes designed to help students catch up, keep up, or get ahead in their studies. These courses are tailored to each student’s individual needs and goals.

Our Mock Exams provide valuable practice and feedback to help students feel confident and prepared for their exams. Review sessions allow students to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement.

We believe that children learn better when they’re happy, which is why we prioritize creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Our tutors are dedicated to fostering positive relationships with students and making learning enjoyable.

Getting started is easy! Simply contact us to schedule a consultation or assessment for your child. We’ll work with you to understand your child’s needs and goals and recommend the best programme for them.

Each student is provided with a folder and sufficient homework to cover the topics learnt in class weekly. Tuition lasts for 34 weeks and then we begin revision and  complete knowledge and application testing in the last 16 weeks.

It is essential and students are organised and focused on completing all tasks given to them. There is also online homework given periodically through the year.

Passing the 11 Plus exam demands that a child fully understands all Year 5 and Year 6 material by the end of Summer in Year 5. If this level of mastery could be attained in just one hour per week, schools would only need to operate for that short time.

Preparation is crucial: there is no achievement without effort.

Medway:  Changes to the Medway Test for 2025 Entry

For children aiming to enter grammar school in 2025, the Medway Test has been updated. The exam, scheduled for September 2024, will now consist of three papers: English, Maths, Reasoning

English: The 11 Plus English exams assess the knowledge and skills children acquire through the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. These exams typically include a reading comprehension exercise where children must demonstrate their understanding of a text passage. Additionally, many tests feature questions on vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Children who read regularly and diversely tend to excel in 11 Plus English exams. Engaging with a wide range of reading materials enhances their skills in analysis, vocabulary, inference, comprehension, and imagination.

Maths: The 11 Plus Maths exams test the content covered in Key Stage 2 maths lessons. To succeed, children should be comfortable with their times tables and possess an age-appropriate understanding of:

– The four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

– Fractions and decimals

– Percentages and ratio

– Geometry, including area, perimeter, and measurements
The questions may be more challenging than those encountered in regular classwork, allowing students to showcase their problem-solving skills.

Reasoning: Reasoning tests are usually divided into two types: verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Both types require analysing information and using logic to solve problems.

Verbal Reasoning: Focuses on written information such as letters, words, numbers, and symbols.

– Non-Verbal Reasoning: Involves visual information like shapes, pictures, and diagrams.

Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not typically taught in the primary school curriculum. Many grammar schools include reasoning tests in their 11 Plus exams to assess potential rather than learned knowledge.

Kent: The test papers are provided by GL Assessment. The test is designed to be challenging; grammar schools use it to select children working in the top 25% of their year group. In 2023, more than 17,000 children sat the Kent Test for 5,801 available places.

Structure of the Kent Test

Overview

The Kent Test consists of two multiple-choice papers, each with a one-hour time limit. Children mark their answers on separate answer sheets, which are marked electronically. Additionally, there is a short writing task.

Paper 1: English and Maths

Paper 1 is divided into two sections, each lasting 30 minutes, with an initial 5-minute practice exercise. These practice exercises are not marked but help familiarize your child with the question types.

English Section:

– Reading Comprehension: Assessing understanding of a passage.

– Grammar, Punctuation, and Vocabulary:

– Choosing the best words to complete a sentence

– Finding synonyms and antonyms

– Spotting mistakes in sentences

Maths Section:

– Key Topics Covered:

– The four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

– Fractions and decimals

– Percentages and ratios

– Geometry, including area, perimeter, and measurements

– The questions may be more challenging than standard schoolwork to allow children to demonstrate their problem-solving skills.

Paper 2: Reasoning

Paper 2 tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are typically not taught in primary schools but are included to assess a child’s potential rather than learned knowledge.

Verbal Reasoning:

– Tests problem-solving using written information (letters, words, symbols, and numbers)

– Example: Predicting the next number in a sequence based on relationships between numbers

Non-Verbal Reasoning:

– Tests problem-solving using visual information (shapes, diagrams, and pictures)

– Example: Identifying similarities, differences, and changes in shapes within a sequence

Spatial Reasoning:

– Similar to non-verbal reasoning but focuses on how well a child can manipulate shapes and space in their head

Structure of Paper 2:

– Verbal Reasoning Section: 30 minutes total, including a 10-minute unmarked practice exercise and a 20-minute test

– Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Section: 30 minutes total, divided into shorter, individually-timed tests, each starting with an untimed practice session followed by 4-5 minute tests

Writing Exercise

All children taking the Kent Test will complete a creative writing exercise, which is only marked if a headteacher panel needs it for a borderline case or an appeal. This exercise lasts 40 minutes, including 10 minutes of planning time.

Summary

The Kent Test is designed to rigorously assess a range of skills and knowledge. With its challenging nature and comprehensive structure, it ensures that only the top 25% of students secure a place in grammar schools, reflecting their preparedness and potential for academic success.

Bexley: The Bexley Selection Test comprises two test papers provided by GL Assessment. Each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes, plus additional time for instructions and practice questions. All questions in the Bexley Selection Test are multiple-choice.

Both papers are divided into smaller, individually-timed sections, and include a mix of questions in the following areas:

– English Comprehension: Evaluates your child’s ability to understand, interpret, and analyze written text.

– Maths: Covers Key Stage 2 content taught up to the end of Year 5.

– Verbal Reasoning: Assesses the use of logic to solve problems involving written information, such as letters, words, symbols, and numbers.

– Non-Verbal Reasoning: Tests the use of logic to solve problems involving visual information, such as diagrams, shapes, and pictures.

As classes are grouped by ability, this can be challenging but not impossible as we have at least two classes per group running on different days. We always try to help.

Yes, and we will explain why, as well as how we think the situation can be improved. It might be a bit straightforward, but with a looming deadline, honesty is crucial.

Students are given termly feedback and results so nothing will be a complete surprise to parents that take the time to look through these.

Yes, but Whatsapp messages are preferred.

Yes, we offer one scholarship per class per year