It often seems like students have little say in educational matters. Learners must attend the classes they're assigned to, they must participate and do homework and they must sit exams. At the primary level, neither students nor parents get much of a choice of schools unless they decide on private education. Even then, they're subject to a long list of criteria that might see them barred from entry.
However, learners and their caregivers have one area where they get to choose: engaging a private tutor. Some pupils and parents agree that a weekly support session is enough while others believe twice-weekly reviews with a tutor are better. Some are happy with remote learning - tutoring online and others don't mind commuting to a tutoring agency.
Which option is right for you and your 11+ learner? To help you decide, Superprof explores:
- your options for finding an 11 plus tutor
- comparing 11 plus tutor scenarios
- the pros and cons of an online 11 plus tutor
- what revising with an 11 plus tutor can do for you
Your Choices for 11 Plus Tutoring
Roughly 80 years ago, the 11+ exam was mandatory and as impactful as today's General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) testing system. Today, the 'Tripartite' system that determined pupils' future educational opportunities has largely been dismantled. However, England still has 163 grammar schools. Access to them mandates a satisfactory 11+ exam result.
All of the old criticisms heaped on this system still resonate and there's a debate to be had about its fairness and worth. None of that minimises the stress and anxiety that students registered for this exam feel in the run-up to their event. Candidates for the 11-plus exam and their caregivers put a lot of stock in this ordeal because 11-plus exam results determine their quality of education, going forward.
It's natural, then, that they would appreciate a knowledgeable mentor to help them prepare. You may find these professionals at select tutoring agencies, advertising their services online or by word of mouth.
Some offer lessons to small groups of no more than four or five pupils. Others prefer meeting in person for one-to-one study sessions. Still, others offer guidance strictly online.
Some don't mind commuting to your home while others prefer to conduct lessons in a neutral place like a library or café. They may even invite you to their home office for lessons.
As you study your choices, you should keep a few points in mind. First, any prospective tutor must know the 11+ exam backwards and forwards. The ordeal tests students on two academic subjects, Maths and English.
However, the two other components revolve around critical thinking and reasoning. So any tutor you consider must have experience helping students build those skills.
Second, such a tutor must double as an academic coach. It's not enough to go over past papers and point out mistakes. The point of these exams is all-around development, not simply getting answers right. So your future tutor should help your learner develop strong study skills and teach them how to set and reach study goals.
Finally, any tutor you consider should be accessible. They must build a trust bond with your learner and inspire confidence. Your student and their tutor must have rapport for the revision sessions to be effective. With these three crucial factors outlined, let's see how the various tutoring situations measure up.
How 11 Plus Tutor Options Stack Up
You and a couple of other 11+ parents might decide to engage a tutor for group test-prep lessons. Generally, it's a good idea to find such a tutor because their per-hour rate is lower. However, such a money-saving solution might not work as well when preparing for this exam.
Remember that only half of the exam tests academic subjects. The other half tests your student's personal skills.
Your collection of students might be on the same page academically. Or, at least, they can all be tutored to the same level. However, their thought processes and reasoning skills are likely to vary.
A one-to-one mentoring relationship favours stronger outcomes. But should the revision take place at yours or theirs? Some neutral location or in an agency? That's a matter of personal preference.
You may find that your learner focuses better at home, in a familiar environment. On the other hand, the sights, sounds and smells of home might prove distracting. An agency may be too austere - or just the setting your pupil needs to slip into study mode.
You may have to test each of these settings to find the one(s) your student feels is the most conducive to learning. That means finding a tutor flexible enough to try out all these situations.
The final option, online sessions, may be the most satisfactory of all. Today's learners have never known the world without online access; engaging with technology is their comfort zone. They spend most of their life online, from socialising to entertainment. All they need for online tuition is a dedicated study area; there's no commuting necessary.
Today's tutors are adept at online lesson delivery. Many such professionals have invested in top-of-the-line equipment to ensure quality instruction. They've bookmarked scores of websites full of worksheets and revision materials. And they know how to use the latest education technology - edtech.
How experienced should your 11+ tutor be? The United Kingdom (UK) has no laws governing who can be a tutor and what they have to know. Tutors have no qualification processes to undergo and they don't have to submit any credentials to qualify for the job.
The rule of thumb is 'At least two levels higher than the student'. Thus, you may consider a student a couple of years into their secondary education a possible 11+ tutor. This option gives you several advantages.
First, they've likely experienced all the stress and pressure this ordeal causes because they've gone through it themselves. Second, as long as they're under 18 years of age, they will not have to produce a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Finally, your learner may have an easier time building rapport with someone nearly the same age they are.
Benefits and Drawbacks of 11 Plus Tutors
As you've just read, an 11 plus tutor online delivers many benefits. However, every tutoring situation offers roughly the same advantages. No experienced teacher would begin a lesson without preparation, whether delivering instruction online or in person. Every experienced teacher has the tools to help their students cope with exam stress.
The limited scope of 11+ is both advantageous and not. A teacher who specialises in this field knows exactly what to do to ensure entrance into the top schools. They're experienced in lesson delivery in any setting and they have the materials your child needs for quality revision.
The sole drawback to revising for this entrance exam with a teacher who specialises in the 11+ might be too narrow a focus. After all, you don't ask your dentist to examine your eyes while they have that bright light trained on your face, right?
Your child won't be so selective. To them, a tutor represents an authority figure. Therefore, they must be someone who can answer all questions related to learning.
However, your 11+ tutor might not be qualified to answer questions outside of their scope. That might prove disappointing to your learner. They may even dismiss their tutor as unreliable or... worse.
Why Revise With an 11 Plus Tutor
At one time, every student leaving primary school had to sit this exam but this ordeal hasn't been compulsory for decades. Even Northern Ireland removed that mandate in 2008. Only students in England have this opportunity.
Your learner doesn't have to go to a grammar school. Learning at such a school will do wonders for their academic standing and future careers. However, these days, learners may get just as good an education (and have just as stable a career) through a technical college.
Still, there's much to be said for legacy institutions and tradition. After all, don't we revere our museums, ancient architecture and even Stonehenge? The schools that 11+ candidates attend have long histories of educational excellence and innovation.
Thus, if your personal circumstances allow it and your student is all for it, making the grade is worthwhile. Engaging an 11 plus tutor is the best way to ensure their place in such a school.
However, preparing for the 11 plus exam is about more than thinking straight and getting the answers right. These tutors help your learner expand their transferable skills, too. Those include critical thinking and problem-solving, communicating effectively and developing leadership capabilities.
Your 11 plus tutor will show your student the value of organisation and the importance of prioritising. They will guide them to be out-of-the-box thinkers; the very kind of people our world needs right now. Even if your pupil doesn't sit this exam, such a mentor will do wonders for their development as human beings.
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