BrightSparks Tutoring- Where confidence grows, and learning comes to lifE

11 Plus

At BrightSparks Tutoring, we offer structured tuition specifically designed to prepare students for the GL Assessment, used by Gloucestershire grammar schools. Our approach is tailored to the 11+ exam requirements, ensuring students are confident, engaged, and fully prepared for the test. We focus on the skills our students need to answer the multiple-choice questions aligned with the GL assessment.

Our Approach to Learning:

We use a variety of methods to ensure engagement and effectiveness:

  • Real Question Practice: Students will practice with actual GL Assessment-style questions, training them to answer quickly and accurately within the time limits. This helps them become familiar with the pressure of the exam and build effective time-management skills.
  • Fun and Memorable Learning: Alongside formal teaching, we incorporate fun and interactive games that help students remember key concepts. Using games and activities that are both engaging and educational ensures that learning is not only productive but also enjoyable. These activities provide an alternative way to consolidate learning, making it more memorable and fun.

What We Cover:

  • English: We focus on key areas such as SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar), reading comprehension, and cloze practice (fill-in-the-gap questions). These are essential for the multiple-choice questions in the GL Assessment.
  • Maths: Our maths tuition focuses on the Year 6 elements that are critical for the 11+ exam, including, but not exclusively:
    • Geometry: Shapes, angles, perimeter, area, and volume.
    • Algebra: Simple equations, patterns, and basic algebraic expressions.
    • Order of Operations: BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction).
    • Fractions: Simplifying fractions, comparing fractions, adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.
    • Percentages: Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages, finding percentages of numbers.
    • Decimals: Understanding place value, adding and subtracting decimals, multiplying and dividing decimals.
    • Statistics: Interpreting data from graphs, charts, and tables, calculating averages (mean, median, mode). These topics are often introduced later in school, so we ensure students are ahead of the curve. We also emphasise real question practice, training students to answer quickly and efficiently to meet the time pressure in the exam.
  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning:
    • Verbal Reasoning: This section challenges students’ logical thinking and understanding of language. We focus on areas such as analogies, word relationships, finding hidden meanings, and completing patterns in sequences. Students are taught techniques to break down complex questions, interpret word puzzles, and identify patterns in words and numbers quickly and accurately.
    • Non-Verbal Reasoning: Non-verbal reasoning tests a student’s ability to solve problems without relying on language skills, requiring pattern recognition and spatial awareness. We cover shapes, rotations, mirror images, sequences, and shape manipulation. The aim is to help students spot trends and make connections in visual patterns, a crucial skill for the GL Assessment. These two areas form a significant part of the GL Assessment and require students to be able to think critically under timed conditions. By incorporating fun, engaging exercises, and building exam strategies, we make sure students are ready to tackle these sections with confidence.
Weekly schedule highlighting tutoring slots for Year 4 and Year 5 11 Plus preparation.

Our 11 Plus Offerings

  • 1-to-1 Support: For students who find it difficult to work in a group setting, we offer 1-to-1 tuition at £40 per hour. These personalised sessions are designed to provide focused support, tailored to each student’s individual needs. The sessions are particularly beneficial for those who require extra help with specific areas of the 11+ exam. 1-to-1 sessions will take place at Pineholt if scheduled after school hours. Spaces are incredibly limited, so we recommend booking early to secure a spot.

  • Group Timetable: Sessions run weekly, and we are now taking bookings for September 2025. Each lesson builds upon the last, gradually increasing in difficulty and ensuring thorough understanding. All group sessions will continue to run through the summer holidays to ensure students benefit right up until the exam in September.
    • Tuesday Evening Group Session Year 5 – 6:45pm-7:45pm.
      • Pineholt Village Hall
      • £15 weekly.
    • Wednesday Evening Group Session Year 4- 5:30pm-6:30pm.
      • Pineholt Village Hall
      • £15 weekly.
    • Wednesday Evening Group Session Year 5- 6:30pm-7:30pm.
      • Pineholt Village Hall
      • £15 weekly.
    • Thursday Evening Group Session Year 5 – 4:30pm-6pm.
      • Intensive Course for those starting formal preparation at a later stage.
      • Pineholt Village Hall
      • £25 weekly.
  • Benefits of Group Tuition: Group tuition offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with their peers, encouraging a supportive and collaborative learning environment. With a maximum group size of 6 students, each child benefits from personalised attention while also gaining the advantage of peer interaction. Students can learn from each other’s strengths, ask questions, and receive support in a more dynamic and interactive setting. The group setting fosters a sense of healthy competition, motivating students to perform at their best, while also giving them the chance to share ideas and tackle problems together. Additionally, group tuition is cost-effective, providing high-quality teaching while maintaining an engaging, social learning experience.

  • Mock Exams: We hold regular mock exams to simulate real test conditions, helping students become familiar with the format and time constraints. Feedback from these mocks allows us to focus on areas that need further development. Parents get a full written overview of their child’s progress and advice on the next steps.

  • Intensive Sessions: We offer intensive sessions in the holiday periods for students needing extra support, focusing on specific areas of difficulty to boost their confidence and performance.

Bookings are now open for September 2025. With limited availability, we recommend reserving your child’s spot early to ensure they receive the best preparation for the 11+ exams.