Give Your Child a 3-Year Head Start on the 11 Plus
Our Year 3 programme builds the deep foundations in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning that grammar school success demands — at the perfect pace for 7 and 8 year olds.
The Earliest — and Smartest — Start in 11 Plus Preparation
Why Year 3 Is the Ideal Time to Begin
The 11 Plus exam is sat at the very start of Year 6, which means families who begin preparation in Year 3 have three full academic years to cover all content without rushing. At Ark Tuition, we use this time wisely — introducing topics gradually, reinforcing them repeatedly, and building your child's confidence well before exam year arrives.
Our Year 3 programme is designed specifically for children aged 7–8. Rather than compressing the full 11 Plus syllabus into a short window, we spread foundational work across the year so each concept takes root properly. Children leave every session having genuinely understood — not just memorised — what they have been taught.
- Age-appropriate introduction to all four 11 Plus subject areas
- Progress tests every 6–8 weeks to track development and guide next steps
- Free initial assessment to place your child in the right group from day one
- Feeds naturally into our Year 4 and Year 5 programmes
What Your Child Will Learn in Year 3
Our Year 3 curriculum introduces all core 11 Plus disciplines at a pace matched to your child's stage of development — building genuine ability, not just test technique.
English — Reading Comprehension
Children develop close reading skills using age-appropriate texts. We focus on inference, language features, and answering both multiple-choice and written questions accurately.
English — Creative Writing
We introduce sentence variety, expanded vocabulary, narrative structure, and accurate punctuation — building independence and creativity gradually across the year.
Maths — Number & Calculation
Place value, mental and written arithmetic, multiplication tables, and early division. We build fluency and speed with core number work — the foundation for all 11 Plus maths.
Maths — Problem Solving
Multi-step word problems, logic puzzles, and mathematical reasoning tasks. Children learn to select the right method and show their working clearly.
Verbal Reasoning
Introduced from scratch for most Year 3 children. We cover word relationships, letter codes, and analogies progressively — building confidence across all 21 question types over time.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Spatial reasoning and visual pattern recognition through progressive exercises — series, matrices, and shape transformations — paced to suit 7–8 year olds.
Everything You Need to Know
Days
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Duration
2 Hours Per Session
Class Size
Max 6-8 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
£40 daily fee · 2-hour session
- Weekly Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday session
- Small group — max 6-8 Students
- Progress report every 6–8 weeks
Two Subjects
Best value for full 11 Plus coverage
£40 daily fee · 2-hour session
- Two subjects covered per session
- Priority booking
- Monthly progress report
- Parent update meetings
Individual Tuition
Fully personalised one-to-one sessions · Year 1–9
Flexible scheduling · Mon–Sun
- Fully personalised lesson plan
- Flexible scheduling Mon–Sun
- Targeted catch-up or acceleration
- Can supplement group programme
How It Works
Everything included in your hourly rate
- Initial assessment included
- Tailored resources provided
- Progress updates to parents
- Pay via Tax-Free Childcare
- Pay via childcare vouchers
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.
Ready to Secure Your Child's Place?
Class sizes are limited to 6-8 Students. Book a free assessment to discuss your child's needs and check current availability.
What Sets Us Apart
Qualified & Experienced Tutors
All tutors are qualified teachers with specialist 11 Plus experience. Not agency staff — permanent, trained professionals.
Small Group Classes
Maximum 6-8 Students. Large enough for peer learning, small enough for individual attention and targeted feedback.
Bespoke Study Materials
We write our own materials, updated annually to match the latest exam formats and question styles.
Regular Mock Exams
Termly mock exams in full exam conditions. Detailed feedback reports to identify gaps and track improvement.
Flexible Timetable
Weekend morning and afternoon sessions available. Online options for families unable to attend in person.
Central Ilford Location
Based in the heart of Ilford with easy access from Redbridge, Barking, Havering, and surrounding areas.
How We Get Results
Free Assessment First
Every child starts with a free diagnostic across English, Maths, and Reasoning. This tells us precisely what your child already knows, where the gaps are, and what needs to be built from the ground up.
Foundation Before Technique
We follow a carefully sequenced programme — simpler concepts first, reinforced across multiple sessions, then extended as your child's confidence grows. Nothing is rushed in Year 3.
Regular Progress Testing
Every 6–8 weeks, pupils sit a short progress test mirroring 11 Plus formats. Results are reviewed and fed back to parents clearly. We adjust the teaching plan wherever needed.
Parents Always Informed
You will know how your child is performing, what is being covered each session, and what you can do at home to help. No surprises when exam year arrives.
Our Results Speak For Themselves
2024–25 cohort outcomes
- 97% of Ark pupils who sit the 11 Plus secure a grammar school place
- Children who start in Year 3 consistently outperform those who begin later
- 500+ pupils tutored across 15+ years of operation
- Placed students at WSFG, ILHS, Ilford County, Valentines and more
What Parents Say
Hear from families who have been through our Year 3 programme.
Common Questions
Your Child's Grammar School Journey Starts Here
Book a free assessment today and let our expert tutors show you exactly what your child is capable of — with three years ahead of you, there has never been a better time to begin.