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Independent School Entrance

Private School Entrance Preparation

Bespoke one-to-one preparation for independent school 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance — tailored precisely to your target school's specific papers and process.

Book Free Consultation 020 3441 7272
11+
Entrance prep
13+
Common Entrance
1-to-1
Individual focus
Bespoke
Per school
Rated 5 stars by Ilford parents
Programme Overview

Preparation Tailored to the Specific School

School-Specific PapersWe prepare children using the actual style of papers set by the school they are targeting — not generic practice papers
Individual Tuition OnlyPrivate school entrance is always one-to-one — every lesson is personalised to your child's specific needs and target school
Interview PreparationMany independent schools include an interview stage — we prepare children to present themselves confidently and articulately
11+ and 13+ Common EntranceFull preparation for both entry points — Year 7 entry at 11+ and Year 9 entry via the Common Entrance examination

Why Private School Entrance Is Different

Independent school entrance examinations are not the same as grammar school 11 Plus papers. Each school sets its own papers, selects for different qualities, and often includes a competitive interview stage. Generic preparation does not work — children need to be prepared for the specific school they are applying to.

Our approach is built around the individual child and the individual school. We study the target school's past papers, understand what the admissions team is looking for, and build a preparation programme from there.

  • Covers East London, Essex, North London and wider independent school routes
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking tests included
  • Written paper preparation and interview coaching
  • Can run alongside grammar school 11 Plus preparation
Schools We Prepare For

School-Specific Preparation

We offer targeted preparation for the following schools — and others on request. Each programme is tailored to the exact requirements of the school.

1

Merchant Taylors' School

11+ entrance — Maths, English, and problem-solving papers. Highly academic entry with a competitive interview process.

2

Harrow School

13+ Common Entrance — Mathematics, English, and optional Science. School-specific scholarship paper preparation also available.

3

North London Collegiate

11+ entry — English, Maths, and VR components, plus an interview stage. NLCS has its own paper style requiring specific preparation.

4

St Helen's School

11+ entrance examination — English comprehension, creative writing, Maths, and a verbal reasoning component, with interview.

5

Haberdashers' (Habs)

11+ entry — academic and non-verbal reasoning papers, English, and Maths. Competitive cohort requiring thorough preparation.

6

Other Schools on Request

Contact us with your target school and we will confirm whether we can offer specific preparation. We cover a wide range of North London and Hertfordshire independents.

What's Included

Everything We Cover in Your Programme

Each programme is built around the specific requirements of your target school — but these are the core components included in every independent school preparation.

Written Paper Preparation

School-specific Maths and English papers from previous years, worked through under timed conditions with full marking and written feedback.

Problem-Solving Tests

Many independent schools include lateral thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving sections. These require a different approach to standard academic papers.

Interview Preparation

Structured interview coaching — how to answer open questions, how to discuss interests and current affairs, and how to present confidently under interview conditions.

Timed Practice Papers

Regular timed sittings using papers modelled on the exact format of the target school. Speed, accuracy, and technique all developed in tandem.

Common Entrance (13+)

Full Common Entrance preparation — Mathematics, English, Science, and optional humanities subjects. Structured to the ISEB Common Entrance syllabus.

Progress Reviews

Regular one-to-one feedback sessions with parents to review progress, adjust the programme, and confirm readiness as the entrance exam approaches.

Session Details

Everything You Need to Know

Format

One-to-One Only

Scheduling

Flexible — Mon to Sun

Entry Points

11+ and 13+ (CE)

Location

Ilford Centre + Online

Pricing

Individual Tuition Rate

All private school entrance preparation is delivered one-to-one. One straightforward hourly rate — no booking fees.

One-to-One

Individual Tuition

Fully bespoke preparation for your target school

£35*/hour per subject

Flexible scheduling · Mon–Sun · in-centre or online

  • Programme tailored to your specific target school
  • School-specific past papers included
  • Interview coaching available
  • Progress reviews with parents included
  • Covers 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance
  • Initial assessment included
Book Free Consultation
* All prices exclude VAT

Ready to Target Your School of Choice?

Book a free consultation today. Tell us which school you are targeting and we will outline a bespoke preparation plan for your child.

Book Free Consultation Call 020 3441 7272
Why Ark Tuition

What Sets Us Apart

School-Specific Preparation

We do not use generic workbooks. Every session uses materials aligned to the actual papers set by your target school.

Interview Coaching

A strong written paper is only half the battle at many independent schools. We prepare children for the interview with as much rigour as the written exam.

Fully One-to-One

No group sessions for independent school entrance. Every lesson is a private session with a single tutor focused entirely on your child.

Experienced Tutors

Our tutors have specific experience with the schools and papers listed above — they know what the admissions teams are looking for.

Flexible Scheduling

Sessions available Monday to Sunday, in-centre in Ilford or online. Times arranged to fit around school and family commitments.

Start at the Right Time

We advise on when to begin based on your target school's timeline. Starting too early wastes money — starting too late creates pressure. We help you get the timing right.

Our Approach

How We Get Results

1

Free Consultation and Assessment

Every family begins with a free consultation to understand the target school, the timeline, and your child's current level. We then run a short diagnostic assessment to identify exactly what work is needed.

2

Bespoke Programme Design

Based on the consultation, we design a tailored programme — the right subjects, the right materials, the right pacing. No two programmes are the same because no two school entrance processes are the same.

3

Weekly Sessions and Feedback

Regular one-to-one sessions with a consistent tutor. Parents receive written feedback after each session so you always know exactly how your child is progressing and what the focus is for next time.

4

Interview and Final Preparation

In the final weeks, we shift focus to mock interviews, final paper practice under timed conditions, and mental preparation for exam day. Children arrive at their entrance examination confident and fully prepared.

Why Families Choose Us

What makes the difference

  • Tutors with direct knowledge of each target school's papers
  • No off-the-shelf programmes — everything is built around your child
  • Interview preparation that actually mirrors the real thing
  • Children prepared for 11+ and 13+ CE simultaneously where needed
Parent Reviews

What Parents Say

Hear from families who used Ark Tuition for independent school entrance preparation.

"We were targeting Merchant Taylors' and had tried two other tutors who used completely generic materials. Ark was the first tutor who actually used the school's own past papers and understood exactly what the admissions team was looking for. Our son was offered a place."

A
Anjali SharmaYear 5 Mum · Son offered Merchant Taylors' place

"The interview preparation was worth the entire programme on its own. My daughter had never been interviewed before and was very nervous. After three practice sessions with Ark, she walked into the NLCS interview completely composed. She was offered a place."

S
Sara PatelYear 4 Mum · Daughter offered NLCS place

"Ark handled both the grammar school 11 Plus and the independent school entrance at the same time — managing two completely different preparation tracks without confusion. The tutor kept everything clear and our daughter was successful on both."

L
Liyana MendisYear 6 Mum · Daughter passed both grammar and independent entrance

"The free consultation was genuinely useful — the tutor had real knowledge of Habs' papers and was honest about the preparation timeline needed. That level of school-specific knowledge is what set Ark apart from everyone else we spoke to."

J
Jasminder KaurYear 5 Mum · Son offered Haberdashers' place
FAQs

Common Questions

We offer school-specific preparation for Merchant Taylors', Harrow School, North London Collegiate, St Helen's, and Haberdashers'. We also prepare children for other North London and Hertfordshire independent schools on request — contact us with your target school and we will confirm availability.
For 11+ entry (Year 7), we recommend starting preparation at the beginning of Year 5 — the same timeline as grammar school preparation. For 13+ Common Entrance, starting at the beginning of Year 7 gives a two-year runway which is usually sufficient, though earlier starts are also welcome. Contact us for advice specific to your target school and child's current level.
Grammar school 11 Plus papers follow standardised formats (GL Assessment or CEM) with a consistent structure across schools. Independent school entrance papers are set by each school individually, often in a different style, testing different skills. Many independents also include interviews, creative problem-solving tests, and portfolio submissions that do not feature in grammar school entrance at all. The preparation is fundamentally different and must be school-specific to be effective.
Yes — this is very common among our students. The core academic content (Maths, English, VR) overlaps considerably, so progress in one area supports the other. We structure individual programmes to manage both tracks without overloading children, and we advise on how to prioritise preparation time as each exam date approaches.

Give Your Child the Best Possible Start

Book a free consultation today. We will advise you on exactly what preparation your child needs and build a bespoke plan around your target school.

Book Free Consultation 020 3441 7272