Grammar school entry in Lancashire requires students to excel across multiple disciplines: maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. In Burnley, our 11+ tutors help children develop these skills over 12-18 months, building gradually from their current level to the standard required. We focus on understanding, not rote learning — because the modern 11+ is designed to test thinking, not memorisation.
When to Start
We recommend beginning 11+ preparation in Year 4, giving 12-18 months before the exam in early Year 6. This timeline allows skills to develop naturally rather than through last-minute cramming. For Burnley families starting later, we can still help — an intensive programme in the final six months can make a significant difference, though earlier is always better.
Beyond the Test
11+ preparation develops skills that benefit students far beyond the exam itself. The logical thinking, vocabulary range, and mathematical fluency they build during preparation serve them well at secondary school — whether they attend a grammar school or not. For Burnley students, this investment in core skills pays dividends throughout their education.
One-to-One Learning
There is strong evidence that individual instruction is the most effective form of teaching — and in Burnley, families see this in practice. A dedicated tutor adapts explanations until they click, sets the right level of challenge, and notices immediately when understanding starts to slip. This responsive approach is simply not possible in a class of 25-30, which is why targeted tutoring often achieves in weeks what months of classroom teaching cannot.
What the 11+ Tests
Most 11+ exams include some combination of verbal reasoning (vocabulary, logic, word patterns), non-verbal reasoning (spatial awareness, pattern recognition), maths (above curriculum level), and English comprehension. In Lancashire, the specific format depends on which grammar school your son or daughter is targeting. The educators we work with in Burnley know these formats and prepare students accordingly — whether it's the GL Assessment, CEM, or a school-specific paper.
If your son or daughter is preparing for the 11+ in Burnley, send us a message for a diagnostic assessment. We'll identify where they stand, what they need to work on, and build a preparation plan that gives them the best possible chance.