Build 11+ confidence, word by word
At age 7-9, children shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." The vocabulary, comprehension skills and confidence they build in these two leaves become the foundation for success in everything that follows - including the 11+.
Year 3 and 4 are exactly the right time to build that foundation, and we've built this hub to help you get started.
Year 3 and 4 are exactly the right time to build that foundation, and we've built this hub to help you get started.
Your free 11+ literacy hub
Four free resources. Everything you need to start building.
100 Brilliant Books for 7–9 Year Olds
The right book at the right time can turn a reluctant reader into a hungry one. This curated list of 100 titles is sorted by genre, mood and reading confidence - so the right book finds the right child. Paired with a free personalised quiz to find your child's next favourite book!
30-Day Creative Writing Challenge
Children who write a little every day develop a natural ease with words, sentences and ideas that shows up everywhere - including the 11+. Receive one imaginative prompt a day for 30 days. Ten minutes a day, no preparation required.
Quiz: Is Your Child a Surface Reader or Strong Reader?
Reading fluently and reading deeply are two different skills - and the gap between them isn't always obvious. Understand where your child is right now, and gives you personalised next steps to help them go further.
Daily Vocabulary Builder
A rich vocabulary doesn't just help in exams - it changes how a child thinks, writes and expresses themselves every day. One hundred words, drawn from real 11+ papers, straight to your inbox.
Four resources. Straight to your inbox.
Reading isn't a subject on the 11+. It's the foundation for all of them.
Most parents think of the 11+ as four separate subjects. But English, verbal reasoning and even maths all trace back to the same foundation - how well your child reads and comprehends what they are reading. How naturally vocabulary comes to them. How confidently they express an idea on paper.
20 min
of daily reading puts children in the top 90th percentile for vocabulary by Year 6.
16 min
of practice each day adds up to nearly 100 hours of learning a year!
Recommended reading
Dive deeper with our expert guides.
Quiz: Find Your Child's New Favourite Book
Answer a few questions about your child's interests and reading personality. Get a personalised book recommendation in 60 seconds!
Children's Guide to 11+ Creative Writing
If your child is preparing for secondary school entrance exams, you may have heard conflicting information about whether there will be a creative writing task. Read on to find out
11 Plus Creative Writing Topics
Wondering what topics your child could be asked to write about in their 11 plus creative writing exam? Here's a list of tasks that have been used in real-life entrance exam papers.
A Parent's Guide to 11+ English Comprehension
Comprehension involves reading, processing and understanding text. This guide explains what the 11+ tests, what strong answers look like, and how to build the skill.
11+ Vocabulary: 300 Words Your Child Should Know
To help you prepare, we've put together top tips and an extensive list of the vocabulary that will help your child ace the 11 plus.
5 Ways to Engage Your Child in Reading
For children sitting the 11 plus, regular reading helps build essential skills for the English and verbal reasoning tests, such as expanding vocabulary, improving analytical thinking, and stimulating imagination.
Questions about the 11 plus? We're here to help.
We know the 11 plus can be confusing – and difficult! Our team are ready to help with any questions about 11 plus exams. You can talk to us by:
- emailing [email protected]
- messaging us on LiveChat (tap the icon in the bottom right of your screen)
- calling us on 020 3973 6226
Or take a look at our guide to 11+ exams for more information.
