11+ Tuition | Lionheart Education

At Lionheart, 11+ preparation means developing the whole child – building not just exam technique, but the analytical thinking, academic resilience, and quiet confidence that leads to long-term success.

Candid moment of two young children laughing whilst holding exam results

A young blonde 11 year old girl at school in a classroom sitting and talking

Our Tutors

What you can expect from Lionheart tutors

Our tutors are more than subject specialists — they’re the kind of adults young people connect with and trust. Many have taught in leading independent schools and understand exactly what’s required at 11+, both academically and in terms of maturity and mindset.

Each tutor is matched thoughtfully with your child to ensure personal rapport and a effective learning dynamic. Before tuition begins, we carry out a comprehensive assessment to understand your child’s academic strengths, areas for growth, and natural learning style. This allows us to design a bespoke plan that challenges and nurtures them appropriately.

About Lionheart

Our Approach

Understanding our 11+ process

We believe preparing for the 11+ is about more than exam scores — it’s about building a calm, confident learner ready to thrive in an academically demanding environment.

Initial discussion & academic profiling

We begin by getting to know your child. In a one-to-one consultation, we listen to your goals and concerns, and carry out a detailed academic assessment — benchmarked against GL, CEM, and ISEB Pre-Test standards as well as school-specific expectations.
Tutor matching and bespoke learning plan

Following the assessment, we carefully match your child with a tutor whose subject expertise, teaching style, and personality are the right fit. Together, we create a bespoke roadmap with clear milestones.

Rather than following a generic syllabus, every session is responsive, purposeful, and geared towards visible progress.
Entrance exam preparation

We build the skills that matter most: working through past papers, timed exercises, and unfamiliar problem types.

Our tutors teach students to pace themselves, recognise patterns, and adapt flexibly — whether for GL, CEM, ISEB Pre-Tests, or bespoke school exams.
Interview confidence

Selective schools increasingly use interviews to gauge not just knowledge, but curiosity and character.

We coach students to engage naturally — listening carefully, communicating ideas clearly, and showing thoughtfulness under pressure.
Realistic mock interviews with former heads

For families who want the most thorough preparation, we arrange mock interviews with former heads of top independent schools.

This insight helps students practise in real conditions and walk into the real thing feeling assured and authentic.

What our 11+ preparation covers

Our 11+ programmes cover every element of the process, from core academic subjects to interview preparation. Tuition is always aligned to your child’s exam board — whether GL, CEM, or ISEB — and tailored to the specific schools you’re targeting.

11+ English

We strengthen comprehension skills so students can go beyond extracting meaning to analysing with precision. Grammar and punctuation are sharpened through practice and feedback, while creative writing develops through prompts that encourage originality and structure.

11+ Maths

More than number fluency, our approach develops flexible problem-solving. From fractions and algebra to geometry and multi-step reasoning, students learn to show working clearly, apply logic, and manage time effectively in demanding questions.

Illustration of child being pensive and sat down

11+ Verbal Reasoning

We focus on language precision, logic, and speed. Tuition helps students spot word patterns, decode meaning quickly, and apply strategies under pressure, so they approach complex questions with clarity and confidence.

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning

Often abstract, this area can unsettle students — we make it systematic. Tutors guide them through recognising shapes, manipulating patterns, and developing spatial awareness, balancing step-by-step teaching with independent practice.

11+ Past Papers & Mock Tests

Realistic practice is what transforms knowledge into performance. We run timed past papers and mock exams to build familiarity, refine pacing, and reduce anxiety. Detailed feedback pinpoints exactly where to focus next.

Interview between headteacher and student

11+ Interview Preparation & Interviews

For many schools, the interview carries as much weight as the exam. We help students present themselves thoughtfully and naturally, showing curiosity, warmth, and clarity. Families can also access mock interviews with former heads of leading schools for unrivalled preparation.

Our results at a glance

80% of students achieved a place at their first-choice school in 2024.
3 grades the average improvement in English and Maths after six months of tuition.
100% of families reported their child felt more confident sitting exams after working with Lionheart.
30+ years of experience preparing students for leading Grammar and Independent schools.

Your 11+ questions answered

When should we start preparing for the 11+?

We typically recommend beginning preparation 12-18 months before the exam date. This allows sufficient time to build strong foundations across all subjects, develop effective exam strategies, and address any areas requiring additional support. However, every child is different, and we create personalised programmes whether you’re starting early or need intensive support closer to exam dates.
What makes the difference between GL and CEM exam formats?

GL Assessment exams focus on curriculum-based content across English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM exams are designed to be less predictable, featuring mixed comprehension styles and varied problem-solving approaches. Our tutors adapt their teaching methods to match the specific format used by your target schools.
Which subjects are assessed in 11+ examinations?

Most 11+ exams evaluate four core areas: English (including comprehension, grammar, and creative writing), Mathematics (covering arithmetic, problem-solving, and numerical reasoning), Verbal Reasoning (logical thinking and language skills), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (pattern recognition and visual problem-solving). We provide thorough preparation across all areas.
How frequently should tutoring sessions be scheduled?

We generally recommend sessions lasting between 60-90 minutes, scheduled once or twice weekly. Consistent, less intensive tutoring over a longer period typically proves most effective, particularly when combined with our focus on exam technique development.
Do you incorporate past papers into tuition sessions?

Yes, past papers are integral to our approach. Students practice with authentic exam questions to build familiarity with formats, develop time management skills, and apply learned strategies under realistic conditions.
Why choose Lionheart for 11+ preparation?

Our tutors combine deep subject expertise with genuine understanding of how children learn and develop confidence. We create bespoke programmes tailored to each child’s learning style and target schools, ensuring they approach examinations feeling prepared and capable.

Hear from our families

For over three decades, we’ve had the privilege of supporting families through their most important educational decisions. Here’s what parents say about their journey with Lionheart.

Just a quick note to say thank you to the whole team. James has his place at Latymer and we honestly couldn't have done it without Sarah's guidance. She knew exactly when to push and when to ease off - something we never quite mastered as parents! The mock interview session was particularly helpful in building his confidence.
The Thompson Family

Thank you so much for arranging the mock interview. Having someone who actually knows what schools are looking for made such a difference to Ben's confidence. He went into his Hampton interview knowing exactly how to structure his answers and when to expand on topics. The whole process felt much less mysterious after that practice session
Claire and Tom H.

As parents, we were drowning in 11+ advice and conflicting strategies. Lionheart cut through all the noise with clear, expert guidance tailored specifically to our daughter. The difference wasn't just in her results - it was in her entire approach to learning. She's now thriving at St Paul's Girls' and still uses the study techniques they taught her.
Sarah L.