Private Tutors for 13 Plus (13+) Common Entrance
in London and Online
The 13 Plus Common Entrance exam (13+), taken in Year 8, is the final stage in the application for many independent senior schools in the UK. It is broader than any other exam your son or daughter will have tackled before. As well as English, Maths and Science, he or she will sit additional papers for anything from French to Religious Studies or Classical Greek. We introduce highly experienced 13 Plus tutors to help your child with these subjects and to give them the tools they need to secure a place at one of the UK’s leading senior schools. To ensure your child fully benefits from their course of tuition, it is important that they work with a tutor who complements their character and learning style. Our bespoke service is guaranteed to match your child with a tutor who is the right fit for them.
Our 13 Plus Common Entrance tuition is available in-person in central London or online. We can also introduce residential tutors and international tutors to live and travel with you anywhere in the world.
Tutors for the 13 Plus
Sophie Taylor Barthorpe, SLT's Director of Tuition explains how to ensure that 13 Plus tuition is effective.
Our webinar contains advice from Senior SLT Tutors on how to score highly at 13+. As well as advice on academic preparation, it also discusses the importance of the entrance interview and the school reference, which together make up the data points considered by an incumbent school.
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13 Plus Tutors
SLT introduces expert 13 Plus and Common Entrance tutors to help your child prepare for all parts of the 13 Plus exam. Each of the tutors listed below is known personally by us, and we will take care to match a tutor with just the right character and teaching style to help your child excel in the compulsory Maths, English and Science papers as well as any optional papers they are taking. Many of the tutors are also familiar with the particular entry requirements of specific day and boarding schools and will be able to share vital insider tips on what the school is looking for.
Adam
Adam tutors Latin and Ancient Greek. He prepares students for 13+ and also the Oxford University Classics Admissions Test.
Alex H
Alex is a specialist Maths tutor who works with students from 11+ to Oxbridge level including key entrance exams such as UCAT. Additionally, he works with students on their Oxbridge admissions.
Alex N
Alex has been tutoring since 2014. He specialises in teaching English, History, History of Art, entrance examinations and IELTS.
Alex S
Alex specialises in English and Maths tuition and has taught many of our home schooled students.
Alex W
Alex specialises in tutoring Economics up to A-level, as well as BSc and MSc level Economics and Business Management. He also supports students with University Applications.
Alexa
Alexa tutors students for entrance exams from 7+ to 13+. She also prepares students for interviews and scholarship applications.
Alexander R
Alex is an experienced tutor specialising in preparing students for both Independent Schools admissions tests and public examinations.
Alexander S
Alexander specialises in varying entrance exams and core GCSE subjects. He also prepares students for Oxbridge applications.
Alexandra
Alexandra is a qualified teacher who specialises in English and Maths tuition. She also teaches Psychology, German and French.
Alice
Alice is trilingual and supports with English, French and Spanish. She also specialises in Psychology tuition for A Level students and teaches Maths at 7+, 11+ and 13+.
Alison B
Alison specialises in Latin. She also teaches Greek and English Language for varying entrance exams.
Andrew
Andrew's specialist subject is Latin, aimed specifically at Common Entrance level, as well as towards Scholarships and GCSEs.
Anil
Anil is an Oxford graduate who is highly multidisciplinary, teaching a range of subjects including Maths, English and Science.
Anna B
Anna tutors English, Ancient History, Latin and Greek up to Undergraduate Level, as well as supporting students with Oxbridge Applications.
Anna C
Anna prepares students for all areas of the competitive 11+ and 13+ exams, helping students gain places at top London schools.
Apollon
Apollon tutors English, Maths and Science GCSE and A level. As well as this, he offers university application preparation to Medical School.
Arianna
Arianna tutors English Literature, History, French, Italian to GCSE and A Level students.
Ben A
Ben's specialism is English. He prepares students for 11+,13+, IGCSE, IB and A Level examinations.
Ben H
Ben is a highly experienced qualified teacher who specialises in English and History. He provides tuition for the 11+ public school entrance exams and has prepared many students for scholarship and Common Entrance examinations and English and History GCSE.
Benjamin L
Ben is a language specialist, teaching German and Spanish GCSE, IB and A Level. As well as this, he prepares students for the rigorous 7+, 11+ and 13+ exams.
Beth
Beth is a highly experienced tutor who has worked around the world, specialising in English tuition.
Callum
Callum specialises in English and Maths tuition from 7+ up to GCSE, including 11+ and 13+ preparation. He is experienced in teaching children with special educational needs, particularly with English and creative writing.
Cameron
Cameron specialises in Maths for the 11+ and 13+, as well as for GCSE students. He can also provide tuition for French, English and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Candace
Candace is a highly multidisciplinary tutor, with particular specialisms in Geography, History, Maths, English, Biology and Classics. She also supports with competitive entrance exams, including the 13+ and SAT.
Carrie M
Carrie teaches English, History, and French, including maths for the 11+, 13+ and UKiset. She also provides mentoring, interview preparation and Oxford applications advice.
Claire
Claire is an experienced maths teacher, and also supports students with Oxbridge applications.
Dharmesh
Dharmesh specialises in entrance exams, as well as English and Maths for Prep School students. He also teaches Business Studies up to A Level and Maths to GCSEs.
Diana B
Diana is an experienced tutor who tutors students for Entrance Exams including 7+ and 11+.
Dora
Dora specialises in 11+ and 13+ preparation and interview practice. She has extensive experience tutoring students with SEN.
Elizabeth Ca
Elizabeth is an experienced tutor who specialises in English and Entrance Exam Preparation.
Elliot E
Elliot prepares students for Entrance Exams, as well as teaching English as an Additional Language and Law.
Ewan
Ewan is a qualified teacher who specialises in Maths and Physics tuition up to A-Level. He also tutors Biology and Chemistry up to GCSE and prepares students for 13+ Exams.
Ewan M
Ewan is a highly experienced qualified teacher and English specialist, working with students preparing for 11+ exams to those studying at University.
Faizel
Faizel is a qualified Primary School Teacher and has worked in one of London's top Independent Prep Schools. He specialises in Entrance Exam Preparation at 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+.
Felicity S
Felicity is an experienced trilingual tutor who specialises in teaching English at 11+ to GCSE level, Spanish to A-Level and French to University level.
Freddie
Freddie specialises in English Literature and Language. He also teaches Theology, Ancient Greek and Latin, as well as preparing students for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry examinations.
Frederique
Frederique is an experienced, qualified teacher. She tutors French and Art from Primary level up to A-Level examinations.
Gillian
Gillian is one of our leading home schooling tutors, and has extensive SEN support experience. She has worked with a broad range of ages in both domestic and international long term placements. Gillian specialises in English and Maths.
Gurs
Gurs
Hannah G
Hannah is an experienced English teacher who prepares students for the rigorous 11+ and 13+ exams.
Heather
Heather's specialist subjects are English and Drama. She also tutors Mathematics up to 11+, History and Creative Writing.
Isabella
Issy specialises in English Literature and tutors the subject from 11+ up to A Level. She is also experienced in teaching English as an additional language.
James C
James is a Maths specialist who also has experience tutoring Physics, Economics, 11+ Entrance Exams and Scholarship Exams.
James D
James specialises in Science tuition, along with Geography and Art. He has particular experience preparing students for 13+ exams.
James S
James is a highly experienced English teacher and entrance exam specialist, from 11+ to university applications.
Jenny Ha
Jenny is an English specialist, and also specialises in 7+, 11+ and 13+ preparation, teaching both the English and Maths papers.
Jessica Hd
Jessica prepares students for 11+ and 13+ exams. She has a wealth of experience tutoring GCSE, IB and A Level English too, as well as Oxbridge applications.
Joanne
Joanne specialises in Biology tuition, all Sciences up to GCSE and Mathematics. She also prepares students for entrance exams from 8+ to 16+.
Joe E
Joe prepares students for 11+ and 13+ entrance exams. He also tutors English and Drama at all levels.
Katherine B
Katherine is a Latin specialist, teaching students up to A Level. She is also highly experienced with 11+ English and Maths tuition.
Katie
Katie is an experienced primary school teacher. She specialises in preparing students for 7+, 11+ and 13+, as well as providing interview practice.
Kieron
Kieron is a Cambridge Classics graduate who is highly multidisciplinary. He is experienced at supporting students for entry to schools such as Eton College, in both English, Maths and Latin papers.
Leena
Leena specialises in teaching Maths and Science. She also prepares student for BMAT, UCAT and entrance examinations.
Leia
Leia specialises in Maths, Science and Geography from 11+ up to A Level. She also tutors students in essay writing for University entry.
Leon
Leon tutors English and is an Entrance Exam specialist, teaching from 7+ through to 13+. Leon also teaches essay-based subjects such as History, Geography and Social Sciences.
Lizzy
Lizzy tutors English, History and Maths. Additionally, she prepares students for the 11+, 13+, 16+ and Ukiset Entrance Exams.
Lorelei
Lorelei's specialist subjects are English, Latin and Classics, while additionally preparing students for 11+ exams and Oxbridge entry.
Louis
Louis is a highly experienced home schooling tutor. His main subject specialisms are Spanish, History and English, as well as preparing students for 7+, 11+ and 13+ entrance exams.
Lucy F
Lucy is an English specialist, who is currently completing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. She also tutors French, Spanish and Maths for competitive entrance exams.
Lucy W
Lucy prepares students for the demanding entrance exams and her students have gained places at prestigious London schools. Read more about her experience here.
Luke
Luke specialises in Maths and Physics tuition. He also teaches Economics, Chemistry, Biology and competitive Entrance Exam preparation.
Luke E
Luke specialises in French and Spanish. He prepares students for 13+, 16+ and UCAS applications and offers personal statement guidance.
Matthew S
Matthew is a highly multidisciplinary tutor, with a particular specialism in Science, English, Maths and competitive Exam preparation, including the 13+, TSA, PAT, MAT and STEP exams.
Max
Max specialises in English tuition from Pre-school to A Level and also supports with Entrance exams for students at 8+, 11+ and 13+.
Michael
Michael is a highly experienced maths teacher, who also supports with English for 11+ exams.
Michael
With a BSc and MSc in the subject, Michael is an Economics specialist. Alongside this he tutors Maths in preparation for exams at 11+, 13+, GCSE, A Level and IB level.
Mira
Mira tutors English from year 1 up to A Level, as well as preparation for 7+ and 11+ entrance exams.
Nadia
Nadia is a highly multidisciplinary tutor who specialises in a range of subjects including English, Maths, History, Law and Entrance Exam Preparation.
Natasha La F
Natasha is a multidisciplinary tutor who specialises in Exam Preparation, English and Art. Additionally she tutors Maths, Chemistry and Classics.
Nick W
Nick specialises in Maths, English, Geography and History tuition. He also teaches Science at 13+ level and has supported many students with competitive entrance exams.
Nicola
Nicola is a University Lecturer who is highly multidisciplinary, specialising in English, Maths, History and Art History, as well as 11+ and 13+ exams.
Nils
Nils specialises in English tuition and is a qualified teacher with over 20 years experience. He has also prepares students for 11+ and 13+ Entrance Exams.
Octavia
Octavia is a highly experienced online Biology and Chemistry tutor. Additionally, she support students with University Applications.
Philippa
Philippa specialises in school entry at 11+ and 13+ and in English GCSE. She also tutors Drama up to A Level.
Phineas
Phineas has been tutoring since 2007. He specialises in Humanities and Languages - French and German. He tutors from 7+ age up to A-level.
Rahul
Rahul works with students on their essay writing skills in a wide range of subjects. He works with students from 11+ to university level.
Rajiv
Rajiv is a home schooling tutor with significant entrance examination experience. His key subjects are English, Maths and Science for 11+ and 13+. He also teaches Science and Latin up to GCSE level.
Rasha
Rasha prepares students for 7+, 11+ and 13+ entrance exams, as well as tutoring Maths and Science GCSE and A Level.
Rhea
Rhea specialises in entrance exam preparation, as well as tutoring Spanish and English up to A Level.
Robert
Robert is a multidisciplinary tutor who specialises in English, History, Philosophy and Geography. He also prepares students for the 7+, 11+ and 13+ exams, teaching Maths and Science at these levels.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a multidisciplinary tutor, who specialises in SEN support. She also teaches English, Geography, History, 7+, 11+ and 13+ Entrance Exams.
Rupert P
Rupert is a qualified teacher, who tutors a wide range of subjects including English and Maths. He has considerable SEN experience.
Sally
Sally specialises in exam preparation, with her students receiving offers from top London Day schools. She tutors from 7+ up to GCSE.
Sam S
Sam's specialism is Maths and Science GCSE. He also tutors Maths for 13+ exams.
Samantha
Samantha is an experienced teacher who specialises in 7+, 8+ and 11+ preparation, as well as French tuition for 13+ examinations.
Sarah E
Sarah is a highly experienced teacher who focuses on tutoring Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning at KS2 and KS3, including the ISEB pretests and other entrance tests at 11+ and 13+, Common Entrance and 13+ Scholarship to leading senior schools.
Sean GR
Sean is an online tutor who specialises in Chemistry and Mathematics, while also tutoring Physics and Biology.
Shona G
Shona's specialist subjects are Maths, English and History from KS2 to A-Level. She also prepares students for their 11+ and 13+ exams.
Sophia L
Sophia's specialist subjects are Latin and French and she is experienced in teaching 11+ and 13+.
Sophie
Sophie is a qualified teacher, who specialises in Latin and English tuition. She has a particularly strong track record supporting students for competitive Entrance Exams and is a specialist online tutor.
Syed
Syed is a PhD researcher at Imperial College with ten years of teaching experience. He tutors maths and science, from Common Entrance to A Level.
Tate
Tate supports students with Oxbridge applications, 7+ and 11+ exam preparation, and also tutors Music and English up to A Level.
Tom
Tom specialises in English, entrance examinations and Government and Politics. He also teaches the SAT for US admissions.
Tristan
Tristan specialises in tutoring GCSE and A-Level geography. He also prepares students for 13+ and the TSA for Oxbridge applications.
Verity M
Verity specialises in online tuition, with a particular focus on English, 7+, 11+ and UKiset tuition.
Vishal
Vishal specialises in Entrance Exam Admissions at 7+, 8+, 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. He also tutors English, Maths and Science up to GCSE level.
William B
William is a Cambridge graduate and highly experienced tutor. He teaches English, Maths, German and Science and has worked with SLT for over ten years.
William H
William not only tutors Maths and Science at GCSE and A Level, but is an entrance exam specialist, preparing students from 11+ to UCAT and University entrance.
Xanthi
Xanthi has extensive home schooling experience, specialising in GCSE Maths and English. As a screenwriter, she is particularly well-equipped to teach creative writing and essay technique.
Zoe N
Zoe is an English and History specialist, working with students preparing for 11+ exams to those applying to Oxbridge.
Zora
Zora is a qualified teacher who specialises in Science and Maths up to A Level. She also teaches English for Key Stage 2 and 3.
"My son gained a scholarship to St Paul’s School, gaining A grades in both Greek and Latin".
Ms. A, 13+ Preparation
"Adam was a wonderful tutor, who worked hard to build up a rapport with James. James was offered several places and an academic scholarship.
Mrs. S, 13+ Preparation
“Jack came to tutor our 13-year-old son for his Common Entrance exam for Eton College. After a day or so his charisma has attracted all 5 children to request tutoring! He turned Timothy from a predicted/mock grade C to achieving a grade A and the highest C.E. pass from his school”.
Mrs. W, Eton 13+ Common Entrance Preparation
"Joseph has been accepted to Radley College. He scored all ‘A’s on his exams. Thank you very much for your kind help; you introduced a very good, organised tutor".
Ms. J, 13+ Radley Preparation
What is the 13 Plus?
The 13 Plus is a set of entrance exams which are used by senior independent schools in the UK to assess candidates for entry into Year 9. They are typically taken in the spring or summer term of Year 8, and for some schools, may follow earlier stages in the assessment process such as the pre-test and 11 Plus, taken in Year 6.
Common Entrance is a term for the 13 Plus examinations set and administered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB). The majority of independent senior schools use the Common Entrance for their 13 Plus assessments. A small number, for instance Dulwich College, prefer to set their own 13 Plus papers. Harrow, for example sets the Harrow Test, and Winchester the Election.
What does the 13 Plus Common Entrance exam involve?
The 13 Plus Common Entrance assesses a much wider range of subjects than the 11 Plus. The level of difficulty is also considerably higher. There are three compulsory papers:
– Maths
– English
– Science
There are also a wide range of additional papers. Some schools, especially more academically selective ones, may require students to sit some of these; others leave it up to individual students to decide which they take. The additional papers include:
– History
– Theology, philosophy and religion
– Classics
Why is the 13 Plus exam important?
Senior schools use the 13 Plus to select students for entry into Year 9. Many competitive schools will make offers to students after their pre-test or 11 Plus which are conditional on them achieving good results in the 13 Plus.
Other schools do not have a pre-test or 11 Plus stage for Year 9 entry, but rely entirely on the 13 Plus to select candidates. Either way, if your child is aiming for a competitive senior school, they will need to perform well at 13 Plus.
Unlike the 11 Plus, the 13 Plus incorporates a compulsory science paper and many other additional subject papers. This is likely to be the first time your child has sat an external examination in these subjects. Furthermore, the level required is much more demanding than at 11 Plus. Thorough preparation for the 13 Plus is therefore key.
How Does the 13+ Common Entrance Exam Process work?
Exam results are usually announced within a week. Should your child not receive the place they were hoping for, do get in touch with us and we can help advise on next steps. On occasion additional spaces do get released and it is always worth considering reapplying for 16+ entry when schools tend to have a new cohort of students for larger sixth forms.
What is the difference between 13 Plus Common Entrance and the ISEB pre-test?
Like the 13 Plus Common Entrance, the ISEB pre-test is an assessment set by the Independent Schools Examination Board. The pre-test is taken in Year 6 and is the first stage in the assessment process for some of the most competitive senior schools (for instance, Eton College, Wellington College, St Paul’s, Harrow and Westminster). Successful candidates progress to the 11 Plus assessment later in Year 6, and those who perform well at that stage will be made an offer of a place conditional on them achieving certain grades at 13 Plus Common Entrance in Year 8.
The ISEB pre-test is an online adaptive assessment, testing English, Maths and reasoning, taken in Year 6. For most schools, the 13 Plus is a handwritten series of assessments in English, Maths, Science, and potentially other additional subjects, taken in Year 8.
You can read our full guide to the ISEB pre-test for more information.
How does private tutoring for the 13 Plus work?
Every 13 Plus tutor will have a slightly different approach, but good 13 Plus preparation will always target the specific skills which are tested in the assessments. Some tutors will have experience of teaching multiple subjects at 13 Plus, but you might also want to consider working with a specialist tutor for the additional subjects like Classics or Theology, Philosophy and Religion.
The tutor’s first step will be to assess your child’s current level of ability in the subject they are preparing for. SLT recommends taking a comprehensive Academic Assessment before embarking on a course of tuition. Then they can work on developing their core skills and knowledge in that subject through a mixture of interactive practise in the lesson and homework which the child can tackle independently in their free time.
It is important for the tutor to begin integrating past exam practice at an early stage. This is to familiarise your child with how the exams look, and to enable them to master exam technique and time management. Finally, they will focus on any remaining areas of weakness so there are no gaps in your child’s knowledge before the real exams.
At SLT, all of our 13 Plus Common Entrance tuition is delivered one-to-one so it is completely bespoke to your child’s needs. We know every tutor we introduce personally, and match them to your child so that there is a good character and academic fit between them. In our experience, this ensures the child is happy and engaged in their learning, and gets the best results.
What is the difference between 13 Plus private tutoring and normal tutoring for specific subjects?
13 Plus Common Entrance tuition is tailored towards the specific subjects and skills which are assessed in the 13 Plus examinations: English, Maths, Science, and any additional papers your child is taking. The particular knowledge and skills assessed at 13 Plus are slightly different (and usually more challenging) than the school curriculum, so dedicated preparation is strongly recommended. 13 Plus tuition also teaches children vital exam technique and time management which is not usually covered in standard subject tuition.
How to decide whether a child needs 13 Plus private tuition or tutoring for specific subjects
If your child is in Year 7 or 8, and will not be taking the 13 Plus, but is struggling in a particular subject (like English, Maths, Science, History or a modern language) they would likely benefit from working with a private tutor for that subject. However, they would not need dedicated 13 Plus tuition.
If your child has 13 Plus examinations coming up for entry to senior school, working with an experienced 13 Plus tutor can make all the difference to their success. Developing successful exam technique, including effective study habits, time management and plenty of practice working under exam conditions is an essential component of 13 Plus preparation. Furthermore, most schools will include an interview as part of their assessment at 13 Plus. Preparation with a school entrance specialist will be invaluable for giving students the edge in this part of the process.
How to prepare for the 13 Plus Common Entrance exam
The first stage in preparation is to make sure you know which subjects your child will be taking. For most schools, English, Maths and Science are compulsory, but your child may also be taking a range of additional papers in other subjects.
How can SLT Help?
We have successfully prepared students for the 13 Plus since 2009, and in our experience, preparation should begin at least a year in advance (when the child is in Year 7). This allows plenty of time to cover the 13 Plus curriculum and to integrate the all-important past paper practice which can make such a difference on the day. Last-minute cramming is scientifically proven to be ineffective compared with a measured course of targeted preparation.
As the level of difficulty steps up from 11 Plus, many parents will find that the questions are less familiar and they are less confident preparing their child themselves. Children benefit enormously from 1-1 tuition from an expert 13 Plus tutor with experience of preparing students for the specific subjects they are taking. The tutor can tackle any areas of weakness, consolidate areas of strength, and pass on vital advice on exam technique which can often be the difference between grade boundaries.
13 Plus practice exams
You can order past papers and practice papers for the 13 Plus Common Entrance from the ISEB site.
Advice for Parents
Tips for helping your child revise for the 13 Plus Common Entrance Exam
For further information, our in-house team of tuition experts, in consultation with some leading 13 Plus tutors, have written this guide to effective revision.
Regular breaks. Regular breaks are very important. Even a five or ten minute break can be extremely restorative and you child will return to revision with new focus.
Being organised. Help your child to create a revision timetable which factors in short breaks and prevents them from doing too much in one go.
A quiet place to work. Find a designated place for your child’s revision. This place should be quiet and free from distractions, as well as being fully stocked with the materials they will need for revision, from colourful highlighters to plenty of paper.
Past papers. These are an essential tool for revision and can help your child understand the structure of the papers and the type of questions they may be asked. Your child may also benefit from additional support to ensure these past papers are used effectively, in order to master essential exam techniques.
Finally….
– Keep exam day as stress-free as possible
– Help your child pack their bag and prepare their pencil case the night before
– Give them a good breakfast and have plenty of water to take with them into the exam
– Remind them to read the exam paper carefully to work out how much time they will need to spend on each question
– Show them you are relaxed and confident – reassure them they have the knowledge and ability to excel. There is nothing more powerful than confidence!
My child is at a state school that does not prepare him for the Common Entrance 13+ Assessment. How can I ensure he passes?
Senior schools welcome applications from children at state schools. They will know that your child has not been prepared as effectively but this will not always provide more leeway; particularly if you are hoping for a scholarship. We thoroughly recommend spending time working through the ISEB past papers with your child to help them understand the exam format and content. It is almost certain that your child will have covered each of the topics being tested, but because they might not be familiar with the way that the questions are presented, they will come unstuck. If possible, discuss the potential move with a friendly teacher at school and see if they will provide some additional one to one support.
My child will be part of a group interview for the 13 Plus, rather than a one to one interview. How do I make sure they perform well?
Group interviews are a surprisingly effective way to learn about a child's confidence and attitude towards their peers. To prepare effectively it is important that your son or daughter knows when to listen and when to speak up. They get bonus marks for helping other, less confident children in the group to contribute and will lose marks for interrupting, ignoring or generally not being considerate of others in the group. They should not sit back and miss their chance to show their own thinking but they don't need to dominate.
How can I prepare for the Common Entrance 13+ Interview?
It is helpful to have mock interviews with a grown up who your child does not know. SLT can offer practice exam sessions which help build confidence when answering questions in an interview situation.
What questions will I be asked in the Common Entrance 13 + Interview?
The interview is an opportunity for the school to explore whether or not your child is a good fit for their school. They want to know what your son or daughter is really like. Questions will range from asking about a child's favourite part of the curriculum to exploring their co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
What are your favourite and least favourite subjects at school?
Why do you want to come to our school?
What do you want to study for GCSE/IB?
Do you know anyone at this school?What do you think about [last week new's headline]?
Why do you want to come to a single sex/co-ed school?
Why do/don't you want to board?Should I move my child at 11 Plus or 13 Plus?
Several London day schools offer move points at 11 Plus and 13 Plus. Parents often ask us which is the better point to move at. The answer depends very much on the individual child, what stage they are at academically and whether or not they are emotionally ready for a move. In general, there are more places available at 11 Plus, and more students competing for those places. If you would like a more detailed consideration of your choices, please do get in touch.
What questions should my child ask the school in their Common Entrance 13+ interview?
It is important that your child demonstrates a genuine interest in the school they are interviewing at. Part of this is asking questions that show they have thought carefully about their choice of school. Good questions may include, how many students stay into Sixth Form? How many students do you send to Oxbridge each year, what is the best thing about working here as a teacher? What kind of student are you looking for?
How long should my child spend preparing for the Common Entrance 13+?
At SLT we understand that each child learns at a different pace and will experience different challenges in their preparation for the 13 Plus. There is no hard and fast rule, but we suggest starting with an SLT Academic Assessment and a full review of school reports. This helps us to gauge the amount of tuition required. Other factors will include how many subject the student is taking, which schools they are applying to and what their academic base line is. Rather than recommending a number of hours, at SLT we suggest starting as early as possible, typically in Year 6, so there is plenty of time to enlist the help of teachers at your current school, ISEB past papers and bond books. Starting early will improve a student’s confidence and create a virtuous cycle of learning.
If a child has an EHCP, are there any concessions when it comes to marking their answers?
Children with an EHCP will be assessed using the same papers as other students. However, the school will already have been informed about the student’s additional support needs, be they behavioural or academic and will be expecting a different set of results. Depending on their academic ability the student may sit Level 1 or Level 2 13+ Common Entrance, rather than the more challenging Level 3. The important thing is for the school to understand the student's specific requirements and to have confirmed that they are able to offer the support the child needs.
When do I apply for a scholarships or bursary when preparing for the 13 Plus Assessments?
Most schools accept applications for bursaries at the time of registration for the Common Entrance. Students who apply for a scholarship will often sit a different Common Entrance paper, that is significantly more challenging. We advise you to check with your destination school carefully because procedures differ from school to school.
What is the difference between Common Entrance 13+ and the UKiset?
The Ukiset is an online assessment given to international students applying to study in the UK. It can be used for a range of ages, whereas the CE 13+ is only for students entering into Year 9, aged 13. The Ukiset is designed to test aptitude across English and Maths for students whose first language is not English, and who may be hampered by taking an assessment in English.
Is extra time allowed for the 13 Plus for students with SEN?
Yes extra time and computers, scribes and English dictionaries are all allowed for children with SEN. Parents need to register with the ISEB well in advance.