Securing a place at Merchant Taylors' School through the 11+ entrance

Student Name: James (pseudonym for privacy)
School Year: Year 6
Goal: To secure a place at Merchant Taylors' School through the 11+ entrance exam.
Background: James approached our tutoring company in Year 5, with the ambition to gain admission to Merchant Taylors' School, a prestigious independent school. James was a bright and motivated student, but he needed targeted support in specific areas to meet the academic demands of the highly competitive 11+ exams.

Initial Assessment: After an initial assessment, we identified the following key areas for development:

• Mathematics: James was confident in basic arithmetic but struggled with multi-step problem-solving and more complex mathematical concepts such as algebra and geometry.
• English: His comprehension skills were strong, but he needed more guidance increative writing, essay structure, and advanced vocabulary.

Tailored Tutoring Plan:

We designed a 11+ preparation program to address these
specific areas, focusing on:

1. Weekly Group sessions: Covering Mathematics, English, and Reasoning.
2. Practice Exams: Regular mock exams to simulate test conditions, track
progress, and manage time efficiently during the actual exam.
3. Homework and Independent Study: James was provided with tailored homework to reinforce lessons and build his confidence in weaker areas.
4. Interview Preparation: Alongside academic preparation, we focused on communication skills, general knowledge, and critical thinking, ensuring James
was prepared for the interview stage of the application process.
5. Intensive crash course: With tailored mock examinations under timed
conditions going through the mark scheme for the student to understand what
they have gained and lost marks in.

Key Interventions:

• Mathematics: We broke down complex concepts, using step-by-step methods to ensure James grasped algebra and geometry. This was supplemented with problem-solving exercises and past papers.
• English: We focused on expanding James' vocabulary and improving his creative writing by practicing different writing styles and building more sophisticated essay structures.
• Reasoning: Through repetitive practice and timed drills, James significantly
  improved his speed and accuracy in verbal and non-verbal reasoning tasks.

Progress and Outcomes: Over the course of six months, James showed considerable improvement:

• His mock exam scores increased from 65% to 85% in Mathematics.
• His English writing transformed from simple narrative structures to complex,
  engaging pieces with varied vocabulary.
• His verbal and non-verbal reasoning scores consistently ranked in the top 10% of his cohort by the end of the program.

Final Results: James successfully passed the 11+ entrance exam for Merchant Taylors' School. He was also commended for his confident and articulate performance in the interview stage.

Conclusion: Through our structured and supportive tutoring program, James was able to overcome his initial academic challenges and secure a place at one of the UK’s leading independent schools. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of personalised intervention and the importance of consistent practice and feedback in 11+ preparation.