General 11+ guides for parents
All11+ guides (62)GCSE guides (5)
Grammar schools (12)Independent schools (41)General 11+ guides (9)
When should my child start 11+ preparation?
Year 3, Year 4 or Year 5? A calm, year-by-year guide to starting 11+ preparation at the right time.
Writing7 tips for 11+ creative writing
Simple, practical tips to help your child plan and write a strong 11+ story in 30 to 40 minutes.
AdmissionsCatchment areas and grammar school places explained
Catchment, priority areas, distance and oversubscription rules made simple, plus how to apply, key dates and appeals.
AdmissionsHow to fill in the CAF: the secondary school application form
A simple guide to the Common Application Form for September 2027 entry: dates, how many schools, how ranking works, why a pass is not a place, and mistakes to avoid.
Getting startedThe 11+ journey: a simple timeline from Year 4 to offer day
Every step of the 11+ in order: when to start, registration, test day, results, the CAF, National Offer Day and appeals, for September 2027 entry.
AdmissionsMoving house for a grammar school: should you, and by when?
Catchment or not? Which schools ignore your address, the Bexley top-180 rule, the address deadlines for 2027 entry, and the rules on temporary addresses.
Getting startedAge standardisation in the 11+: what it means for your child
Why a younger child is not at a disadvantage in the 11+: how age-standardised scores work in Kent, Bexley and Sutton, in simple words.
Preparation11+ mock exams: when to start, online or in person, and holiday crash courses
When your child should start 11+ mock exams, how many to do, the pros and cons of online and in-person mocks, and whether a holiday crash course helps.
AdmissionsHow to appeal for an 11+ grammar school place
A calm guide to appealing for a grammar school place: deadlines, what the panel looks at, the evidence that helps, and what happens next.