Guides & advice

Source-checked guides on the 11+, GCSE and finding the right tutor — the questions parents actually ask, answered properly.

11+ and grammar schools

How is the 11+ scored? Raw scores, standardised scores and qualifying marks explained Confused by 11+ standardised scores? Understand raw marks, age standardisation, and how qualifying marks are set — so your child's result makes sense. Superselective vs local grammar schools: what's the difference? Superselective grammars admit purely by score, with no catchment; local grammars add distance priority. Know the difference before choosing target schools. When to start 11+ preparation: a realistic timeline When should your child start preparing for the 11+? An honest timeline — when to register, when to begin, and how much preparation actually helps. Which 11+ test will my child sit? GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB or bespoke? Find out which 11+ test applies to your child and what each one involves.

GCSE

How to build a realistic GCSE revision timetable How to build a GCSE revision timetable that survives exam season — working back from exam dates, using active recall and spaced repetition, and avoiding burnout. Foundation or Higher tier GCSE Maths: which should my child take? Foundation tier caps at grade 5, Higher reaches grade 9. Which GCSE Maths tier should your child sit? The honest trade-offs, source-checked. What GCSE Maths grade do you need for A-Level Maths? Most sixth forms want grade 6 or 7 in GCSE Maths for A-Level Maths — but it varies. Here's what the grades mean and how to check your target school's bar.

Choosing and using a tutor

How much does a tutor cost? What UK tutors charge per hour, what changes the price, and what you should never pay for. Our network: £20–30/hr specialist tutors, £25–50 qualified teachers. How to choose an online tutor: a guide for parents What to look for when choosing an online tutor — DBS checks, exam-board fit, trial lessons, red flags, and how introduction services actually work. Is private tutoring worth it? The evidence for one-to-one tuition, when it genuinely helps, and the honest cases where a tutor isn't the answer. No exaggeration, just what the research shows. Marketplace, agency or independent tutor: how to choose The three ways to find a tutor in the UK — marketplace, agency or introduction service, and independent — compared honestly: who does the vetting, and what it costs.

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