Find an 11+ Exam Tutor

Established 2010 | Good Schools Guide A Listed | Member of The Tutors’ Association | Personally Matched Tutors

Choosing the right school and the right tutor are two of the most important educational decisions many families will make. With every independent school operating its own admissions process, selecting a tutor with relevant experience can make a significant difference to a child’s preparation and confidence.

At Hampstead & Frognal Tutors, we specialise in matching families with experienced 11+ tutors who understand the admissions requirements of London’s leading independent schools and highly selective grammar schools. Every recommendation is made individually, taking into account your child’s personality, current attainment, target schools and approach to learning.

Whether your child is preparing for Highgate, Westminster, St Paul’s, University College School (UCS), North London Collegiate School or another leading independent school, we carefully recommend tutors whose experience closely reflects your family’s educational goals. Since 2010, we have helped hundreds of families navigate the admissions process through personalised tuition, expert guidance and carefully matched tutors.

Arrange your initial consultation today and discover why so many families have trusted Hampstead & Frognal Tutors since 2010.

Find Your 11+ Tutor

Why Choose Hampstead & Frognal Tutors?

Personally Matched Tutors

With over 15 years’ experience, we understand that every child has their own personality, strengths and approach to learning. Our expertise lies in identifying the tutor who will bring out the very best in each child. Following an initial consultation, we quickly recommend tutors based not only on their subject expertise and experience with your target schools, but also on their teaching style, personality and any specific educational requirements. This personalised matching process helps establish a strong working relationship from the outset, giving every child the best opportunity to thrive.

11+ Specialist Tutors

Our 11+ specialist tutors come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including experienced teachers, subject leaders, PhD-qualified academics, former examiners and full-time professional tutors. This breadth of expertise allows us to recommend the tutor whose experience, teaching style and educational background are the best fit for each individual child.

A Rigorous Tutor Selection Process

Established in 2010, Hampstead & Frognal Tutors has built a reputation for educational excellence and exceptional tutor quality. Our tutor recruitment process is highly rigorous, with every applicant assessed for their academic expertise, teaching ability, communication skills and professionalism.

Before joining our team, tutors are required to provide references from families they have previously taught, professional references and an enhanced DBS certificate. We believe there is no better endorsement of a tutor than the recommendation of the families they have helped to succeed.

Individual Learning Programme

The first few lessons enable our tutors to build an accurate picture of each child’s current attainment, confidence and readiness for the 11+ admissions process. This initial assessment helps identify strengths, areas for development and any gaps in knowledge or exam technique.

Using this information, our tutors develop an individual learning programme designed around each child’s needs and target schools. Drawing on their experience of London’s leading independent schools, our tutors prioritise the skills and topics that will have the greatest impact on progress, adapting lessons through carefully selected resources, targeted practice and realistic goals. As tuition continues, the programme is continually reviewed and refined to reflect the child’s development and evolving needs.

What is the 11+?

The 11+ is the entrance examination used by many of London’s leading independent schools, as well as state grammar schools, to assess pupils applying for Year 7 entry. While the overall aim is similar, there is no single national 11+ examination. Each school or consortium has its own admissions process, with different assessment formats, examination dates and selection criteria.

Most 11+ assessments draw upon a combination of the following areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Creative Writing
• Interviews (where applicable)

Independent schools and state grammar schools often follow different admissions processes. Grammar school entrance tests are typically sat at the beginning of the autumn term of Year 6, whereas many independent schools hold their written examinations and interviews later in the academic year, often in January.

At Hampstead & Frognal Tutors, we use our detailed knowledge of London’s leading independent schools to carefully match each family with a tutor whose experience is closely aligned with their chosen schools. This personalised approach ensures every child receives focused preparation that reflects the specific admissions requirements and assessments they are most likely to encounter.

School-Specific Preparation

Every school approaches the admissions process differently, with its own assessment formats, interviews and selection criteria.

Drawing on their experience of London’s leading independent and selective schools, our tutors tailor preparation to each family’s chosen schools. Whether your child is applying to one school or several, tuition is carefully planned to reflect the admissions process, assessment style and expectations of each school.

When Should 11+ Preparation Begin?

One of the most common questions parents ask is when to begin 11+ preparation. The ideal starting point depends on your child’s current attainment, confidence, target schools and individual learning needs. Starting earlier allows children to build strong academic foundations at a comfortable pace while providing greater flexibility should an occasional in-year vacancy arise at one of their chosen schools. Many families begin structured preparation during Year 5, while others prefer to start earlier to develop confidence gradually and maximise future opportunities.

Year 3 – Building Strong Foundations

For children already aiming towards competitive independent schools, Year 3 provides an excellent opportunity to establish strong foundations in English and Mathematics while developing a genuine enjoyment of learning. At this stage, tuition is typically light-touch, with an emphasis on reading, vocabulary development, writing confidence, mathematical fluency and mental arithmetic, laying the foundations for more advanced reasoning skills in later years.

Year 4 – Developing Core Skills

Year 4 is often an ideal time to introduce more structured preparation. Alongside strengthening English and Mathematics, many children begin developing Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, problem-solving skills, reading comprehension, more advanced writing techniques and mental arithmetic. This gradual approach allows pupils to build confidence while developing the broad range of skills required for 11+ success.

Year 5 – Focused 11+ Preparation

By Year 5, preparation typically becomes more focused on each child’s chosen schools. Tuition combines English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, reading comprehension, creative writing and interview preparation where appropriate. Tutors also develop exam technique, time management and confidence through carefully selected practice materials designed to reflect the style and expectations of each school’s admissions process.

Starting Later

While earlier preparation offers greater flexibility, many pupils begin tuition later and still achieve excellent outcomes. Following an initial assessment, our tutors identify priorities and develop an individual learning programme that makes the most effective use of the time available before the examinations.

Schools We Prepare Pupils For

Over the past 15 years, Hampstead & Frognal Tutors has supported families applying to many of London’s leading independent schools, together with a number of highly selective grammar schools. Every school has its own ethos, admissions process and academic expectations. Through our personalised matching process, we recommend tutors with direct experience preparing pupils for each family’s chosen schools, ensuring every child receives preparation tailored to the specific admissions process and expectations they are likely to encounter.

Featured Schools

About Highgate School

Highgate School is one of London’s leading co-educational independent schools, renowned for its academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care and exceptional co-curricular programme. Situated in North London, it attracts applications from academically able pupils across the capital and beyond, making Year 7 entry highly competitive.

Admissions Process

Highgate School’s admissions process is designed to identify pupils with strong academic potential, intellectual curiosity and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Applicants are typically assessed in English, Mathematics and reasoning, with shortlisted candidates invited to interview and take part in further assessments. Successful applicants demonstrate not only academic ability, but also confidence, resilience and a willingness to engage with new ideas.

How We Prepare Pupils for Highgate

Through our personalised matching process, we recommend tutors with relevant experience of Highgate School’s admissions process and the academic standards expected of successful applicants.

A secure understanding of the Key Stage 2 curriculum provides an excellent foundation for success at Highgate. Our tutors help pupils build on these foundations, developing the advanced comprehension, interpretation, creative writing and mathematical problem-solving skills required to perform confidently in Highgate’s entrance assessments. Alongside academic preparation, lessons are designed to foster the intellectual curiosity, confidence and enthusiasm for academic challenge that Highgate seeks in its pupils.

More Featured school profiles coming soon.

The schools featured above are representative of the many independent and selective schools for which we regularly prepare pupils. Our tutors also support applications to the following schools:

• Westminster School
• St. Paul’s School
• St. Pauls School for Girls
• North London Collegiate School
• University College School (UCS)

Our Tutors Also Prepare Pupils For

Leading Independent Schools

• Alleyn’s School
• City of London School for Girls
• Dulwich College
• Haberdashers’ Boys’ School
• Haberdashers’ Girls’ School
• King’s College School, Wimbledon
• Latymer Upper School
• Merchant Taylors’ School
• South Hampstead High School

Selective Grammar Schools

• Camden School for Girls
• Dame Alice Owen’s School
• Henrietta Barnett School
• Queen Elizabeth’s School
• The Latymer School
• Tiffin School
• Tiffin Girls’ School

Supporting Families Throughout the Admissions Process

Applying to independent schools involves much more than preparing for entrance examinations. Families often have questions about school choices, admissions timelines, interviews and the differences between individual schools.

Many of our 11+ specialist tutors have supported families through the admissions process over a number of years and are able to provide practical guidance alongside tuition. Combined with our personalised matching process and ongoing support, this helps families approach each stage of the admissions journey with confidence.

Since our establishment in 2010, Hampstead & Frognal Tutors has built long-term relationships with families across London and beyond. Much of our work comes through personal recommendation and returning families, reflecting the trust parents place in our tutors, our personalised approach and the quality of our service.

What Our Families Say

★★★★★

“Callum was an amazing tutor—well prepared and organised for every lesson as our son was preparing for UCS and Highgate. He was patient, engaged brilliantly with our son and kept us regularly updated with helpful feedback. Our son genuinely enjoyed completing his weekly 11+ papers, and we were thrilled with the outcome, receiving several offers, including places at our first-choice schools.”

Parent of Year 6 pupil

★★★★★

“Gus taught our daughter English and later Maths and Reasoning as she prepared for 11+ entry to North London Collegiate School and South Hampstead High School. He was always punctual, regularly provided detailed feedback and reports, and helped us understand how we could support her learning at home. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed his lessons, and now that she is in Year 7, Gus continues to support her with end-of-term revision and assessments when needed.”

Parent of Year 7 pupil

★★★★★

“Nadia is lovely. She is patient, caring, knowledgeable and always comes thoroughly prepared for each lesson with my children. My eldest recently prepared successfully for St Paul’s School, along with several other leading London independent schools, and Nadia’s knowledge and expertise were invaluable throughout the process. We all enjoy working with her.”

Parent of St Paul’s applicant

★★★★★

“Alessandra is friendly, organised and a really good teacher. Her energetic and professional approach has worked wonders for our son, whose confidence in maths had been at a low point. We couldn’t recommend her more highly.”

Parent of Year 5 pupil

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my child start preparing for the 11+?

Once a family has decided to apply to schools that require the 11+, it’s worth considering when preparation should begin. The ideal starting point depends on your child’s current attainment, confidence, target schools and individual learning needs.

In our experience, families following a structured preparation programme often begin focused weekly tuition at the start of Year 5, allowing sufficient time to develop the advanced English, Mathematics and reasoning skills required for the 11+ admissions process.

Families wishing to begin earlier can also benefit from a lighter-touch approach. During Years 3 and 4, tuition is typically centred on building strong foundations in reading, writing, mathematics and confidence, enabling children to develop naturally before moving towards more focused 11+ preparation as they progress through primary school.

How do you match tutors to families?

Every new family begins with an initial consultation, giving us the opportunity to understand your child’s educational needs, target schools, personality and any specific requirements. We also take the time to listen to what you are looking for in a tutor, ensuring we recommend someone who is not only academically well suited to your child, but also an excellent personal fit. This thoughtful matching process has been at the heart of Hampstead & Frognal Tutors since 2010.

Do your tutors prepare children for specific schools?

Yes. Many of our tutors have experience preparing pupils for London’s leading independent schools and selective grammar schools. We recommend tutors whose experience is closely aligned with your child’s chosen schools and admissions process.

Do you offer online 11+ tuition?

Yes. Our tutors teach both online and in person across London. Online tuition enables families throughout the UK and internationally to access the same experienced tutors and personalised support.

How long are lessons?

Most 11+ lessons last either 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the child’s age, concentration and stage of preparation. We are happy to recommend the most appropriate lesson length during your initial consultation.

What subjects are covered?

Preparation may include English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, reading comprehension, creative writing and interview preparation, depending on your child’s target schools.

How often should my child have lessons?

This varies according to your child’s starting point, target schools and individual learning needs. Many families begin with one lesson per week for each subject being studied, typically English and Mathematics. As the admissions process approaches, some families choose to increase the frequency of lessons or introduce additional subjects, such as Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, creative writing or interview preparation, where appropriate.

Do your tutors set homework?

Yes. Our tutors provide carefully selected homework and independent study to reinforce learning between lessons and monitor progress over time. We recognise that every child has different commitments, so tutors work closely with families to recommend an appropriate amount of independent study alongside school homework. The focus is always on quality rather than quantity, ensuring that pupils continue to enjoy learning while making steady progress.

Can you help if my child is starting preparation later?

Yes. Following an initial assessment, we recommend a tutor and develop a focused learning programme designed to make the most effective use of the time available. Our tutors quickly identify priorities, helping pupils build confidence and make meaningful progress ahead of their entrance examinations.

How do I get started?

Simply contact Hampstead & Frognal Tutors or complete our registration form to get started. We’ll then take the time to understand your child’s educational needs, target schools and preferred lesson format before recommending the tutors best suited to your family.

In-Person & Online 11+ Tuition

Our experienced 11+ tutors are available for in-person lessons across London and online for families throughout the UK and internationally. Whether you’re looking for long-term preparation or more focused support ahead of entrance examinations, we’ll recommend a tutor whose experience, teaching style and availability best suit your child’s needs.

Speak to one of our education consultants today to arrange your initial consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your child’s educational needs, target schools and aspirations before recommending the tutor best suited to help them succeed. 

Researching the admissions procedures of different schools can be arduous. To help you with the task, we have set out a list of sample of the schools we cover, along with ways they assess their applicants.  

City of London School (Boys)

City of London School for Girls

St Paul’s Boys’ School

St Paul’s Girls’ School 

Highgate School

Westminster Under School