11+ tutoring Sutton - your best approach

[Puzdad81]

Hi all, we've began our overwhelming search looking for 11+ tutors/classes/agencies who specialise in both English and Maths. But importantly who understands what's expected for the SET test and Grammer entry exams for x3 boys grammers in Sutton. Suprisingly its a struggle at the moment finding an obvious tutor with good reviews and not a high rate.

Our son is in year 4, we feel he has alot of potential, albeit slightly sensitive, sometimes no drive and can be distracted. But we're hoping to step up his learning ahead of the year 4 / 5 curriculum or at least further strenghten his foundation knowledge of the two subjects.

But we're novices and wondering whats the best approach to all this...

• Should it be group or online or 1-1 tutoring. Any recommendation for tutoring or group classes in Sutton that you have used with success?

• If you're an experienced parent who has gone through this already. How did you prepare for this?

We appreciate any advice or tutor recommends that has helped your child into Sutton Grammers. Thanks :)

Take a look at the elevenplusexams forum they have a board for Sutton. They don’t allow tutor recommendations as there has been a lot of issues but there are a lot of parents on there who’ve been through the process themselves. DD went though it 7 years ago for a nearby borough.

I am not a grammar pedant but just in case it affects your internet search it is grammar with an A and not grammer.

DD was looking at a superselective grammar and did most of it herself through ten minute test books and a few mocks. She read a lots and we played games like scrabble. We tried a tutor but they were useless for DD. She did tutor for 11plus herself in sixth form and got some great results but is now at Uni so doesn’t have time for it but mention it as sometimes some very good sixth formers in your area click with the younger ones better. But then some are not so good even if they work well with others. It is often how they teach and how your child learns so they can be very good for one child but a disaster for another.

You might be interested to check out Atom learning, as it covers 11+ content and is online. DC can do it and it helps cover the curriculum....at least for while you are looking for a tutor.

SET test is multiple choice English and Maths. Unlike other London borough grammar where some do VR and NVR. So keep it in mind, and in Y5 the Sutton Mock will help to understand the format and timing required, as well as a good benchmark against a cohort that is going to take the same exam.

We never tried 1-2-1 tutoring but i think group sessions are more motivating for kids of that age. Online or in person - doesn't really matter. Classes might cover a range of topics (VR and NVR in addition to English and Maths) but even though the Sutton SET is only English and Maths, that's no bad thing for improving their all-round thinking skills and gives you options of where to apply to when the time comes. I'm sure you can do it with a load of books at home as well, but depending on the child it could be difficult to sustain motivation that way. The important point is to make it regular and, critically, enjoyable.

Would definitely recommend Atom learning. I supported my son through the 11plus for Tiffins (very like the Sutton exams) we got through to stage 2 now waiting to see if has made the cut and got in - we will find out on the 1st of March. The odds are against him (one of the oldest of the year and the massive competition etc) but I’m so proud he made as far as he did!

We know loads of people who paid a fortune for tutoring for years and then their ds didn’t through to stage 2! Don’t rely on a tutor no how experienced has been my take away from the whole thing. Good luck.

Near me a lot of people use test teach (Overton Grange on Saturday morning). If you child is more extrovert and not especially dedicated they might enjoy a group face to face session more. Your child will likely learn most in a setting they are enjoying or at least making friends in.