Charlotte

I am an experienced tutor, specialising in 11+ Entrance Exams, including the ISEB Pretest, for grammar and independent schools. In addition, I am a qualified teacher, judged as outstanding, with a First-Class BA Honours degree (with QTS) and MA with Distinction. Currently, I am undertaking a PhD researching women barristers' networks in the early twentieth century at St Mary's University.

Previously, I have tutored for GCSE History and 13+ Common Entrance (English). My specialist areas are essay and creative writing and English comprehension. My previous students have gained entry to prestigious schools including Eton College, Sevenoaks School, Benenden, Caterham, Tonbridge School, St Olave's Grammar, The Judd School and Tonbridge Girls' Grammar.

Tutoring Experience

I offer group tutoring for 11+ grammar exams, specialising in the Kent Test; and independent school exams such as the ISEB Pretest and Sevenoaks School, Woldingham, Caterham, Benenden and Wycombe Abbey to name a few. The sessions are carefully planned and structured to ensure the content of the 11+ is covered and I develop exam skills and techniques.

During the half-term and holiday, I offer past paper sessions and workshops for Year 5 students. In these sessions, we complete past papers in exam conditions and go over the test to highlight development areas. Students enjoy working together, listening to different approaches to questions, applying the concepts we have learnt, and are proud when they have made progress.

11+ and English tutoring for International Students:
I tutor international students for 11+ Entrance Exams to independent schools in Sevenoaks and surrounding areas. The lessons improve: English comprehension; awareness of literature; develop English vocabulary, spelling and grammar;  enhance writing skills and punctuation. Tutoring takes place online.

Common Entrance (13+):
As well as 11+, I have tutored for GCSE History and 13+ Common Entrance. My specialist areas include essay and creative writing and English comprehension; these draw on the research, communication and thinking skills I have learnt through my degree, masters and now PhD.

Teaching:
I am a qualified teacher (judged as outstanding) and have taught Year 5 and 6 at a local primary school near Sevenoaks and in Surrey. I am aware of the National Curriculum and ISEB requirements, including assessment and examinations.

Tutoring Approach

Ideally, pupils should have exposure to the content of the 11+ in Year 4 as it is demanding. The majority of my students start with me in Year 4; there is a small intake in Year 5. In general, I follow a similar approach for both year groups: from September to April, I cover the core content of the 11+. After Easter, we focus on one subject per week to consolidate, apply and revise the previous concepts. We do this through past papers and I run workshops that target specific areas such as fractions and ratio. The Year 4 and 5 formats have been broken down below.

Year 4:
I set important foundations in Maths and English. In Maths, I follow the Singapore Method to develop mathematical knowledge, understanding and fluency. To help develop students’ problem-solving skills, I use bar modelling. In English, we cover spelling, grammar, punctuation, comprehension and writing. I start by going back to basics, looking at nouns, verbs etc. then move on to more complex word classes such as pronouns and modal verbs. A writing exercise is set every month and we cover a variety of written texts through comprehension. I also give students 10+ tests (entrance exams taken at the beginning of Year 5) to start developing exam skills and technique.

Year 5:
I teach simple and straightforward methods, based on the Singapore approach and use visual techniques to break down complex multi-step problems. We start by looking at place value, BIDMAS and then move to more complex concepts such as fractions and algebra. In English, I focus on spelling, grammar, punctuation, comprehension and writing. We start by looking at word classes (nouns, pronouns, verbs, verb phrases) then punctuation (basic and higher-level), before looking at these in context through questions and texts. Students develop their reading and comprehension skills through a group book; a writing task is set monthly. Mock 11+ tests are sat throughout tutoring to develop exam skills and techniques.

Verbal, Non-verbal and Spatial Reasoning are taught alongside Maths and English.

Homework:
Students are set Maths, English and Reasoning homework every week. Completing homework has made a genuine difference to the outcome of the 11+.

Past Paper Sessions and Workshops:
After Easter, the Year 4 and 5 group sessions focus on past papers and workshops. These sessions develop exam skills and techniques, as well as consolidating, applying and revising previously learnt concepts in new and different contexts. During the half-term and holidays, I run extra sessions past paper sessions for Year 5 students.

For parents/carers:
I provide you with important information about the 11+, including Recommended Reads. Feedback is given after every session via the WhatsApp group; where necessary, I provide individual feedback. Students’ progress is carefully tracked and monitored so that I can inform parents of their strengths and development areas. Parents have noted how much their child/children have enjoyed the group sessions as they make new friends and have 'fun', alongside learning and preparing for the 11+.