11 Plus · Intensive

Intensive 11 Plus Preparation

April–September focused revision for Year 5 — exam techniques, confidence, and past papers to prepare children for the grammar school exam.

Four Hours a Week — Built Around the Exam

4 Hours Per WeekSpread across two days — intensive enough to make real progress, spaced to avoid fatigue
April to SeptemberRuns through the summer months when children are free to focus on preparation
Mock Exam + Follow-UpFull mock paper under exam conditions, followed by a detailed results review session
Confidence-Building FocusWe address exam anxiety as well as subject knowledge — children leave feeling prepared

What Is the Intensive Programme?

The Intensive 11 Plus programme is designed for Year 5 children aged 9–10 who are in the final months before their grammar school exam. Running from April to September, it delivers four hours of tuition per week across two sessions, covering all four exam subjects alongside dedicated exam technique and past paper practice.

It is ideal as a standalone programme for late starters, or as a powerful final push for children already attending our Year 5 classes. The summer timing means children can give it their full attention without school commitments getting in the way.

  • Covers Redbridge CEM, Essex CEM, and Kent GL Assessment
  • Flexible scheduling to accommodate school holidays
  • Summer Boot Camp also available — £70/day
  • Online and in-centre options

What's Covered in the Intensive Programme

All four 11 Plus subject areas, covered at exam pace — with a strong focus on technique, timing, and confidence.

Maths

Number, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios, geometry, and statistics — structured to match both CEM and GL Assessment question formats.

English

Creative writing, comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. Timed reading and writing exercises mirroring exam conditions throughout.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

3D rotation for CEM, matrices, series, and spatial reasoning — all question types covered with progressive timed practice.

Verbal Studies

Cloze exercises, synonyms and antonyms, and comprehension-based verbal tasks. Builds the word knowledge needed for CEM verbal sections.

Exam Technique

Time management per section, question spotting, multiple choice strategy, and how to approach unfamiliar question types under pressure.

Past Papers

Authentic past and practice papers from Redbridge, Essex, and Kent exam boards. Each paper reviewed in class with written feedback.

Everything You Need to Know

Period

April – September

Duration

4 Hours Per Week

Class Size

Max 8–10 Students

Location

Ilford Centre + Online

Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Costs

Choose the option that works best for your child and your schedule.

One Subject

Single subject group tuition

£60*/4 weeks

£40 daily fee · Intensive format

  • 4 hours per week across 2 sessions
  • Small group — max 8–10 students
  • Past paper practice included
Get Started
* All prices exclude VAT

How It Works

Everything included in your hourly rate

No hidden extras
  • Initial assessment included
  • Tailored resources provided
  • Progress updates to parents
  • Pay via Tax-Free Childcare
  • Pay via childcare vouchers
Book a Free Consultation
* All prices exclude VAT

Summer Boot Camp also available. Intensive full-day sessions during the school holidays — £70 per day. Perfect for children who want maximum preparation in a short period. Contact us for dates and availability.

Childcare Choices — Use Your Benefits

We accept several government-backed funding schemes to help make 11 Plus preparation more affordable for eligible families.

Tax-Free Childcare

Open a government Tax-Free Childcare account and receive a 20% top-up on money deposited. Pay us directly via your TFC account.

  • Government adds £2 for every £8 you pay in
  • Up to £500 government contribution every 3 months
  • Available if you earn under £100k/year

Childcare Vouchers

If your employer offers childcare vouchers (older scheme, still valid for existing members), these can be used toward tuition fees.

  • Pre-tax salary sacrifice scheme
  • Accepted from all major voucher providers
  • Only available to existing scheme members

Universal Credit

Families receiving Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs through the childcare element.

  • Up to 85% of costs covered
  • Paid monthly in arrears
  • Must be in work or starting work

Need help working out which scheme applies to you? Call us on 020 3441 7272 or email info@arktuition.co.uk and we'll help you navigate the options. You can also visit childcarechoices.gov.uk for a full eligibility checker.

Places Fill Quickly — Don't Leave It Too Late

The Intensive programme runs April to September and is always heavily subscribed. Book a free assessment now to secure your child's place before the programme fills.

What Sets Us Apart

Mock Exam + Follow-Up Session

Every child sits a full mock in real exam conditions. Results are reviewed in a dedicated follow-up session with written feedback.

Flexible Scheduling

Sessions can be adjusted around family holidays and school commitments during the summer term and holidays.

Confidence-Building Focus

We work on exam mindset as well as subject knowledge — children develop the composure to perform on the day.

Board-Specific Content

Covers Redbridge and Essex CEM, and Kent GL Assessment — all three boards prepared for if needed.

Small Groups — Max 8–10

Every child gets individual attention and targeted feedback, not generic class instruction.

Online or In-Centre

Attend our Ilford centre or join live online sessions — the same tutors, materials, and structure.

What Parents Say

Hear from families who have been through our Intensive 11 Plus programme.

"We joined the Intensive programme in April after my daughter had already been doing Year 5 classes. The combination was exactly what she needed. She went into the exam genuinely confident — and it showed in her results."

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Anjali SharmaParent · Daughter secured grammar school place

"My son joined the summer intensive with only three months to go. The tutors identified his weak spots immediately and targeted them. The mock exam in July gave him real confidence — he knew what to expect. He passed his Essex 11 Plus."

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Sara AhmedParent · Son passed Essex CEM 11 Plus

"The flexible scheduling was a lifesaver over summer — we had two holidays booked and Ark accommodated everything without any fuss. The programme itself was excellent: structured, rigorous, and genuinely building my daughter's confidence week by week."

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Liyana PatelParent · Daughter enrolled Intensive programme

"I was nervous about starting late, but the tutors at Ark assessed my son quickly and built a plan that worked for the time we had. The four hours per week felt manageable and the focus on past papers in the final weeks was invaluable."

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Jasminder KaurParent · Son passed grammar school entrance

Common Questions

Yes — many families run both together. The Year 5 programme provides the full academic year of structured coverage, and the Intensive programme provides the concentrated final push from April onwards. Tutors coordinate between programmes to avoid duplication and focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference.
The mock exam is a full-length past or practice paper sat under real exam conditions — timed, invigilated, and in silence. After marking, each child receives written feedback identifying strengths and weaknesses across each subject and question type. A follow-up session reviews the results in detail with both pupil and parent.
Yes, subject to availability. We accept mid-programme joiners and will assess your child first to ensure they can join at the right point. If significant catch-up is needed, we can arrange individual top-up sessions before joining the group. Contact us on 020 3441 7272 to discuss your situation.
Yes. All Intensive sessions are available online as well as in-centre. Online pupils join live sessions via an interactive whiteboard platform — the same tutors, the same content, and the same outcomes.

Secure Your Child's Place Before the Exam

The Intensive programme fills quickly every summer. Book your free assessment now and we'll map out exactly what your child needs before September.