News & Events

11+ Exams: Grammar Schools vs. Independent Schools - What’s the
Difference?

For many parents, the 11+ exam is the first major academic milestone in their child’s
education. However, one of the biggest questions is whether to apply to grammar schools
or independent schools and understanding their key differences is essential when making
the right choice.

What are Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are state-funded selective schools that admit students based on
academic ability. Admission is determined by performance in the 11+ exam, a highly
competitive test typically taken in Year 6 (or Year 5 in some regions).

There are around 160 grammar schools in England, with the majority in areas such as:

Kent: The largest grammar school system.
Berkshire: Highly selective schools such as Reading School.
Buckinghamshire: The 11+ is compulsory for state school students.
London & Surrey: Popular choices include The Henrietta Barnett School and Wilsons
School.

What are Independent Schools?

Independent (private) schools charge tuition fees and set their own admissions criteria.

Their entrance exams often differ from the standard 11+ and may include:

• Online testing (Pretest) in Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Written entrance exams.
• Individual or Group Interviews to assess personality, intellectual curiosity and teamwork.
• School reports from previous schools.

Some well-known independent schools with competitive entrance exams include:

• Westminster School
• St Paul’s Boys & St Paul’s Girls School
• City of London School for Boys/Girls
• King’s College School, Wimbledon

11+ Advice, Consultation and Tuition is only a phone call (020 3002 3770) or email away with Exceptional Academics.

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11+ Booster Course: May Half-Term Preparation for Exam Success

 

Course Details:

Venue: Belleville Primary School, SW11 6PR

Dates: 26th - 31st May 2025

Time: 10am - 1pm

Format: 1.5 hours of Maths & Non-Verbal Reasoning + 1.5 hours of English & Verbal Reasoning 

Fees: £600 in-person | £550 online

Our intensive, small-group course is designed to help Year 5 students strengthen their skills and boost their confidence in preparation for the 11+ exams.

Limited places available - email us at info@exceptionalacademics.com to secure a spot today!

 

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Exciting news for our Year 6 Students!

We have been delighted to hear from the parents of our 11+ students that a great many of them have been invited to the second round of interviews at a range of prestigious schools. 
We wish them the very best of luck as their examinations approach soon after Christmas. We are immensely proud of them!
 

School	No. of Students
St Paul's School	4
Putney High School	2
Latymer Upper School	3
Tiffin School	1
Westminster School	1
Hampton School	1
Ibstock Place	1
Alleyn’s School	1

 

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Time to Prepare for Admissions Interviews
 

We understand the interview process can be daunting for Year 6 children when trying to secure a place at their desired secondary schools. But, rest assured, we can help!

Having interviewed many children over the years as tutors and while working as teachers at Independent and Grammar Schools, we have devised a list of ‘fail safe’ questions, which seem to always arise in interviews for 11+.

We can offer a mock interview with our schools consultant. During the interview, the tutor will be analysing the following:

General Interview skills:

• Non-verbal cues - the importance of smiling.
• Meeting and greeting with the teacher: greetings, eye-contact and manners.
• The ability to respond without hesitation.
• The quality and content of each response.

Subject Knowledge:

• The quality of the responses to English and Maths subject-specific questions.

Their ability to respond to Abstract Topics:

• The quality of their responses to the more abstract questions.

Feedback will include teaching strategies and coping mechanisms such as:

• What is vital to include to impress.
• How to decode the question.
• How to sit.
• Relaxation techniques.
• Teaching them how to improve their responses.
• How to improve the quality of their responses.
• How to showcase their talents best.

Mock Interview with our in-house Head Teacher:
Our in-house schools consultant, who has just stepped down this year after more than a decade as Headteacher at an independent prep school, can offer a mock interview, as she herself has many years of experience in interviewing. She is adept with the process of guiding both pupils and parents alike through the 11+ examination system, interview process and the transition to secondary school. She is therefore perfectly placed to provide interview practice and techniques. As a recent former Headteacher, she has substantial knowledge of senior schools in London, excellent relationships with Senior Headteachers and keeps up to date with leadership changes and new initiatives.

Price : £200 for 1.5 hours online.

If you would like us to organise either of these services for you so that your son/daughter has a real interview experience, please do let us know; we will be happy to organise it during the coming weeks.

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GCSE and A-level Results 2024

Impressive results from our students this academic year!

We are delighted for them and wish them the very best for the next chapter!

GCSE
Number of entrants	Subject	Exam Board	Grades
4	Maths	Edexcel	9, 9, 9, 6
2	Further Maths	AQA Level 2	9, 7, 7
1	Additional Maths	OCR Free Standing Mathematics Qualification	A
1	English Literature	WJEC	7
1	English Language	WJEC	7
1	English Literature	Pearson IGCSE	9
1	English Language	Pearson IGCSE	8
1	English Literature	AQA	9
1	English Language	AQA	9
1	Science (Double Award)	Pearson Edexcel Double Award	8, 8
1	Chemistry	Edexcel	8
2	Biology	Edexcel	9, 9
1	Physics	Edexcel	9
1	Spanish	AQA	7
A Level
1	Maths	OCR	B

 

 

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A-level Results 2023

Fantastic results from our students! Congratulations.

Number of Entrants	Subject	Exam Board	Grades
1	Maths	OCR	A*
1	Biology	OCR	A
1	Economics	Edexcel	A

 

GCSE Results 2023

Our students have received some amazing results, and we wanted to share these. Congratulations. 

Number of Entrants	Subject	Exam Board	Grades
2	English Literature	AQA	9, 9
2	English Language	AQA	9, 9
2	English Literature	Cambridge IGCSE	9, 9
2	English Language	Cambridge IGCSE	9, 7
2	Maths IGCSE	Edexcel	9, 9
1	Further Maths	IGCSE	8
1	Chemistry	Edexcel	9
1	Combined Science	OCR	5/5
1	Combined Science	AQA	6/6
1	Latin	OCR	9
1	Additional Maths	OCR	A

 

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11+ Booster Courses 2023

We are running both online and in-person courses for Year 5 students during the school holidays. Autumn courses 23rd - 27th October. 

Please get in contact to book your place. 
 

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Saturday School 2023 New Dates

We are adding further dates for our 11+ Saturday School classes for Year 6's at Belleville School 10am - 1pm. . They will continue after the holidays from the 9th September - 21st October and the 4th November - 16th December and cover Maths, English, NVR and VR. 

Please get in contact to book your place. 

 

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Year 5 11+ Saturday School Courses 2023

We will be running these from the 25th February at Belleville Primary School to help Year 5 students prepare for the 11+.

These courses are delivered in person and follow the Exceptional Academics 11+ curriculum in English, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning.  The three-hour, daily sessions are split between Maths/NVR and English/VR with a short comfort break in the middle.  Homework, self-marking schemes and personalised teacher feedback is provided together with a progress report at the end of the week. Each course curriculum is created by Dara and Matthew, the Directors of EA, and offers breadth and depth of teaching and learning in each topic, and are tailor-made to meet the requirements of the schools to which attendees are applying.

Our course facilitators are experienced 11+ tutors with unblemished records of academic success.  To keep children stimulated, content and activities are varied and include games to make learning fun and memorable.   By covering diverse topics, questions and activities on each course, EA pupils can feel really confident and calm entering each examination, prepared for anything that may come up.  

Please do get in contact to secure a place. 

 

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GCSE Results 2022

We have had some amazing feedback regarding our tutors and wonderful results from our students. Congratulations. 

 

Subject	Grade
Maths IGCSE	9
Maths	9
English Literature	8
English Language	8
Chemistry	9
English Literature	9
English Language	9