In this week’s update, we’re looking at ways to support children in Years 4, 5 and 6 with their studies. These are critical years, with the 11-Plus around the corner, and for many, the major move to secondary education come September. Here’s how we can help ensure the last years of primary school stay successful and fulfilling.
Plan ahead with an academic assessment
Now’s the perfect time to get ahead with an academic assessment. Whether your child is preparing for the 7-Plus, 11-Plus, 13-Plus, or a specific school entrance exam, our expert assessments will check they’re on track. Sessions are led by our highly-regarded senior assessor Rishi, who leads the field with a 100% success rate in helping students secure a spot at their chosen school. Read more about Rishi here. By moving these face-to-face sessions online, we can ensure families have access to Rishi’s expert guidance throughout challenging school applications.
Looking across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Rishi will make tailored recommendations based on the schools you have in mind. With immediate feedback, a comprehensive written report and actions to take away, our academic assessments are an essential springboard for exam success and ensure any ongoing tuition is effectively targeted to meet your child’s aspirations.
Tailored tuition to stay on track
For children sitting the 11-Plus in the coming school year, it’s essential to stay on top of the core material now. But even those students still in Year 4 need to keep up the pace so they can start Year 5’s final 11-Plus preparations on the front foot. With experts across English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, we can create bespoke learning packages to help children across these years.
We adapt our approach for every child and each school they’re applying to, matching students with a tutor experienced, and trained, in the specific entry requirements for their chosen schools. It’s an approach that’s seen our tutors secure a 100% success rate, with students gaining entry to top schools including St Paul’s, Westminster, Goldolphin and Latymer, City of London, Eton and Harrow.
We understand that school closures also pose a particular challenge for children in Year 6, who are set to start secondary education in September. Our targeted sessions and ongoing advice can ensure they’re mentally and emotionally prepared for this big step up, and are ready to hit the ground running with confidence and enthusiasm.
Prepare for the 11-Plus
This September sees the start of the 11-Plus exam calendar, with many students sitting the test soon after the new school year begins. Children currently in Year 5 look set to miss their critical last term before exam season kicks off, so it’s really important to maintain momentum with 11-Plus material while the schools are shut.
We have dedicated 11-Plus tutors, with extensive experience working successfully with students taking the exam in both state and independent settings. Our 11-Plus experts receive regular training from Figtree’s senior team, with bespoke sessions created every quarter to address the changing needs of tutors, students and schools. Delivered in-house, these training sessions ensure our tutors stay on top of the latest materials and exam techniques. With a deep understanding of the specific entrance requirements for all the top schools and a bank of practice papers to draw on, we can help close the learning loop and ensure children feel confident and well prepared come test time.
Beat lockdown boredom
As we continue to share our favourite books to help keep children entertained, this week’s list is aimed at ages 8 to 11. Do you have older readers at home? Don’t worry – you’re up next!
Year 4
The Iron Man, The Iron Woman by Ted Hughes
Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister
Aesop’s Forgotten Fables by Fiona Waters
Fortunately the Milk … by Neil Gaiman
Myths and Legends by Anthony Horowitz
Year 5
The Kick Off by Dan Freedman
The Invisible Detective series by Justin Richards
The Great Pyramid Robbery by Katherine Roberts
Clockwork by Philip Pullman
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Year 6
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen
Sinbad the Sailor by Marcia Williams
Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
