11+ Exam Preparation

Preparing for the 11+ can feel like a big step for students and families. The exam requires a blend of core skills, confidence and familiarity with the question styles used in selective school assessments.

Stonefall Tutoring by Claire Brooke offers calm, structured support for children preparing for the 11+, helping them approach the process with clarity and reassurance rather than pressure.

Support that builds skills and confidence

The 11+ tests more than subject knowledge.

Students need to show strong reasoning skills, secure literacy and numeracy foundations and the ability to work with focus under timed conditions. Tuition is designed to strengthen these skills through clear teaching and well-paced practice. Lessons help students understand how each task works, develop strategies that suit their way of thinking and build confidence as they improve.

The aim is to make preparation feel manageable. Each student receives steady encouragement and the chance to work at a pace that suits them, so they feel more prepared and in control as the exam approaches.

Developing strong foundations in English and Maths

Many elements of the 11+ draw on the core Key Stage 2 curriculum.

Tuition supports reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, arithmetic, reasoning with numbers and the problem-solving techniques needed for more complex questions. Students learn how to break questions down, identify key information and apply methods that lead them consistently to the correct answers.

With regular practice and clear teaching, students develop a more secure understanding of the skills they need to succeed.

Understanding verbal and non-verbal reasoning

Verbal and non-verbal reasoning can be unfamiliar to many students.

Tuition from Stonefall Tutoring helps them understand how these tasks work and how to approach them logically. Students are introduced to patterns, sequences, relationships between words and the visual reasoning skills needed for shape-based questions. Over time, they begin to recognise common question types and feel more confident tackling them independently.

Building exam techniques and being calm under pressure

For many children, the challenge of the 11+ is not only the content but the experience of working under timed conditions.

Claire’s tuition supports students in developing effective exam habits, including pacing, checking work and managing nerves. Practice tasks give them the chance to apply their skills in a calm, supportive setting so they feel better prepared for the real exam.

A supportive environment for a demanding stage

The 11+ can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance it becomes a more positive experience.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, revisit areas of uncertainty and take pride in each step of progress. Claire’s teaching background helps her recognise the emotional and academic demands of this stage and support children in a way that feels reassuring rather than stressful.

What our parents say...

“I think it’s really benefited her and she is much more confident and settled. We are very grateful to you!”

“I am proud as well Claire. It’s your excellent way of teaching that has produced rewards. One of the best teachers I have come across 🙌🙌 yes he mentioned the words he used in his school assignment. Thank you so much.”

“Headteacher award for improved writing! She said she feels really proud of herself. Just wanted to say thank you so much, Claire, for all your hard work with ******* this year. She has loved her time with you and gained so much confidence and self esteem. What a turnaround from the end of year four! We are super grateful to have found you! Xxx”

“Arthur really enjoyed today’s session, he said he found it fun and is looking forward to his next one already.”

“A wonderful experience, Claire is a fantastic enthusiastic tutor with lots of knowledge and experience uses the child’s interests to help with their learning to make it a positive and fun experience every time . Would thoroughly recommend Claire . Thank you. He has also thoroughly enjoyed working with you and will certainly miss you. You have been a tremendously positive influence on him.”

“Claire Brook is working with both my girls who had to skip 18 months forward in school cause we came over from SA. She has been incredible!”

“A wonderful experience, Claire is a fantastic enthusiastic tutor with lots of knowledge and experience uses the child’s interests to help with their leaming to make it a positive and fun experience every time. Would thoroughly recommend Claire.”

Get in touch

If your child is preparing for the 11+ and would benefit from structured, confidence-building support, Claire is happy to discuss the options available.

Parents can get in touch to ask questions or arrange an initial conversation. Every enquiry receives a warm and thoughtful response.