We go straight to the experts to find out how to support your child through testing times
The School
Following recent VAT changes and the subsequent increase in costs for families in independent education, grammar schools are potentially becoming even more attractive. As demand increases, The Granville School explains how best to prepare your children for the 11+ test.
The way we look at it at The Granville is as a marathon, not a sprint. Cramming is ineffective and leads to higher levels of stress and anxiety as well as lower rates of success. Approaching preparation over a long period of time, in small chunks, is far more impactful. As a result, our curriculum has grown around the end goal of 11+, or other senior school exams. Key Maths and English skills are built up slowly, from as far back as Reception. Resilience and confidence, key skills for success, are developed from Pre-School as all pupils perform on the stage, speak in front of their class and step out of their comfort zone, be that in Forest School, in our swimming pool or on a school trip. Our annual programme of extra-curricular activities, celebrations and school community events bring joy to all. Happiness should never be underrated in the pursuit of success.
Academics are only part of the picture. Of course, we familiarise the pupils with the exam format. Of course we run mock exams and of course we offer tailored teaching that picks up on each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. On top of all of that, we know that happy children learn best, and that is why we maintain a broad and varied curriculum right up to the end of Year 6. Our girls play fixtures, enjoy art lessons, watch visiting theatre groups, go on cultural trips, play with our youngest pupils at lunchtimes. We do not pause the fun for exams. We build it in.
Keeping this healthy balance of work in the classroom and exam preparation alongside physical activity, creative pursuits and a strong focus on wellbeing means that our pupils regularly walk out of exams with a simple, ‘Well that was easier than I expected!’
And how are we able to maintain this balance? Because we start early. There is no rushing, no panic and no pressure. And when the girls think the exam was easy, they are mistaken. It wasn’t easy, they were just incredibly well prepared for both the content and the experience.
Visit granvilleschool.org to find out more.
The Tutor
The Tuition Extra Group, Kent’s celebrated education service, looks forward to embracing 2025 as another year to remove barriers to learning and change young lives for the better.
The organisation serves many youngsters unable to access mainstream schooling due to special educational or complex needs.
With an extensive workforce and tutoring team that spans the county, the group believes that every child, regardless of background, belief or circumstance, has the potential to improve life chances and become a more successful learner.
Tuition Extra’s creative mindset has indeed challenged traditionally poor results associated with SEND and complex needs learners. Their academic outcomes have been described as “miraculous” and “phenomenally outstanding!” with a student pass rate for GCSE, A Level, BTEC and Functional Skills examinations (based on grades A*-C, levels 9-4) of 86% – incredible compared to a national average 13% pass rate for SEND youngsters.
As a truly child-centric organisation, the Tuition Extra Group’s mission focuses on tactical and creative practices to build a better future for the young people it serves. The organisation’s approach triangulates therapeutic interventions with targeted emotional development, to engage even the most reluctant learners. The results speak for themselves.
The Tuition Extra Group continues to re-write the rule book, defining what success means to them and their students – the possibilities are creative and endless!
Further info can be found at tuition-extra.co.uk.
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