Do You Actually Need an 11+ Tutor? A Honest Parent’s Guide

Right, let’s talk about 11+ tutors in the UK. Because if you’re reading this at 10pm, scrolling through tutor websites while your child’s asleep, wondering if you’re letting them down by not booking an 11+ tutor at £60 an hour – I get it. The guilt is real.

But here’s what nobody tells you upfront: not every child needs a tutor. And some children who get tutors would actually do better with a different approach entirely.

Over 30,000 UK children sit the 11+ each year, and tutoring rates vary wildly from £20 to £90+ per hour depending on location and tutor experience. So let’s work through this properly. No sales pitch, no pressure – just the information you need to make the right choice for your family.

The question that keeps you awake: Does my child actually need tuition?

This is where most parents start, and it’s the right question. But it’s not actually about your child’s ability – it’s about gaps, confidence, and your own capacity to help.

Your child probably needs structured 11+ support (whether paid or free) if:

They’re working below age-related expectations in core areas. Not “they got a B instead of an A” – I mean they’re genuinely struggling with maths concepts or reading comprehension that their peers handle comfortably. You’ll know this from parents’ evenings or homework battles.

Exam timing defeats them. Some bright children freeze under time pressure. They can solve the problem given twenty minutes, but panic when they’ve got three. This is a learned skill, and tutors can help – but so can practice at home.

There are specific, identifiable gaps. Maybe they’re solid at arithmetic but confused by word problems. Maybe their spelling is fine but they can’t structure a creative writing piece. Tutors excel at plugging specific gaps.

You can’t confidently teach the material yourself. Be honest about this. If you look at a non-verbal reasoning question and think “I have literally no idea how to explain this,” that’s fine – but your child will need help from somewhere.

Your child needs external accountability. Some children work better for someone who isn’t Mum or Dad. There’s no shame in this. If homework time is a battleground, a tutor can take that pressure out of your relationship.

Your child asks for help. This is underrated. If your child says “I don’t understand this and I want someone to explain it,” listen to them.

What your child probably doesn’t need

A tutor who’ll “do the work for them” from Year 3 onwards. The 11+ isn’t meant to be something you drill for three years straight. If you’re starting tuition in Year 3 for an exam in Year 6, pause and ask why.

Also – and this is important – tuition won’t fix every problem. If your child has genuine learning difficulties that haven’t been identified, throwing money at a tutor won’t address the underlying issue. Start with your school’s SENCO if you have persistent concerns.

What does 11+ tuition actually cost? (And what should you get for your money?)

Let’s talk numbers, because the price range is wild and nobody explains what you’re actually paying for.

£20–£35 per hour: Small group tuition (3-6 children)

This is the budget-friendly option, and it works well for lots of children. Your child gets expert teaching, peer learning (which helps motivation), and structured practice. The catch? Less individual attention, and the pace is set by the group, not your child.

Fair expectations: Weekly sessions, shared resources, some homework, occasional progress updates. Don’t expect detailed written feedback after every session at this price point.

£35–£55 per hour: One-to-one tuition

The middle ground. A decent qualified tutor charging around £40-45/hour in most of the UK (more in London and the Southeast) should give you:

• An initial assessment to identify gaps
• Personalized lesson plans
• Regular homework with feedback
• Progress updates every 4-6 weeks
• Flexibility to focus on your child’s weak areas

This is where most parents land, and it’s reasonable value if the tutor is good.

£60–£90+ per hour: Specialist tutors

You’re paying for experience here – often former teachers, tutors with specific grammar school expertise, or those with exceptional pass rates. At this price, you should expect everything from the mid-tier plus:

• Detailed tracking and data
• School-specific preparation
• Exam strategy coaching
• More frequent parent communication

Is it worth it? Depends on your child and your budget. A £90/hour tutor won’t magically pass a child who’s working two years below expectations. But for a child who’s close and needs fine-tuning? The expertise might make the difference.

The formats: Which type of tuition actually works?

One-to-one tutoring: The gold standard (when it’s good)

The selling point is obvious – it’s entirely about your child. The tutor adapts to their pace, focuses on their gaps, builds their confidence in a way that group teaching can’t.

The downside? It’s lonely. Your child doesn’t see peers working through the same struggles. And if you book a bad tutor, there’s nobody else to dilute the damage.

Best for: Children who are significantly ahead or behind the average, those with specific learning needs, or kids who shut down in group settings.

Small group tuition: The often-overlooked option

Three to six children, usually grouped by ability or school year. Your child gets expert teaching but costs are shared. The surprise benefit? Seeing other children work through problems helps. Competition (the friendly kind) motivates some children more than any amount of one-to-one encouragement.

The risk is group dynamics. One disruptive child can derail a session. And if your child is the strongest or weakest in the group, the pace might not suit them.

Best for: Socially confident children who thrive on peer learning, or families watching the budget while still wanting expert input.

Online tutoring: Better than you’d think

Parents worry about this – “Will they concentrate? Can you really teach maths through a screen?” – but online tutoring has come on enormously. Many children focus better at home than in an unfamiliar tutor’s dining room.

The practical wins: No travel time, easier scheduling, often 20-30% cheaper than face-to-face. Your child can share their screen when stuck, and you can discreetly monitor from the kitchen.

The catch? Tech problems are frustrating, and some younger children need the physical presence of an adult to stay on task.

Best for: Busy families, children in areas without good local tutors, or anyone wanting to save time and money without sacrificing quality.

What should good 11+ tuition actually include?

This is where parents get stung, because you assume all tutors work the same way. They don’t. Here’s what separates the good from the “I’m just charging you to print worksheets.”

1. An initial assessment (not just a friendly chat)

A good tutor needs to know where your child actually is – not where you hope they are, or where school reports suggest. This means:

• A proper diagnostic test covering maths, English, and reasoning
• A conversation with your child to understand their confidence and motivation
• A clear summary to you about strengths, gaps, and realistic goals

If a tutor says “we’ll figure it out as we go,” that’s not a plan.

2. Teaching, not just supervised practice

Here’s the distinction: a good tutor teaches. They explain why an approach works, model problem-solving, and break down techniques your child can use independently.

A lazy tutor hands over worksheets and sits there while your child works. You could get that from YouTube for free.

3. Regular, specific feedback

Not “they’re doing fine” or “they need to work harder.” You want:

• What did we cover this week?
• What went well?
• What needs more practice?
• What’s the focus for next session?

Monthly written updates should be standard for one-to-one tuition. If you’re paying £40+ an hour and getting radio silence, something’s wrong.

4. Exam technique coaching (not just content)

The 11+ isn’t just about knowing things – it’s about working under pressure, managing time, and eliminating daft mistakes. A good tutor teaches your child to:

• Skim questions first to spot easy wins
• Flag tricky questions and come back to them
• Show their working (even when they don’t think they need to)
• Double-check answers if time allows

This is learned. It doesn’t come naturally to most 10-year-olds.

5. Resources you can use at home

A tutor shouldn’t be a black box. You should get recommended books, websites, practice papers – things that extend learning beyond the weekly hour. If they’re possessive about materials or won’t tell you what to practice at home, that’s odd.

Speaking of which, these are the books most good tutors recommend (and parents find genuinely useful):

• Bond 11+ Maths Assessment Papers – solid practice at realistic difficulty
• Bond 11+ English Assessment Papers – good for comprehension and grammar
• CGP 11+ CEM Maths Study Book – clear explanations, great for home study

These aren’t expensive (£7-10 each), and they’re what tutors use anyway. You can make serious progress with these alone if your child is motivated.

Red flags: When to walk away from a tutor

Not all tutors are created equal, and some are actively harmful. Here’s what should make you think twice:

Large class sizes (8-10+ children)

This isn’t tuition, it’s a classroom. You’re paying private rates for group teaching. If your child thrives in that environment, fair enough – but you could get similar from school or a free homework club.

No progress tracking or feedback

If you can’t tell whether your child is improving, you’re flying blind. A tutor who won’t share data, mark homework, or give you updates is either disorganized or hiding something.

“Guaranteed pass” promises

Nobody can guarantee an 11+ pass. The exam is competitive, marked to a curve, and depends on factors outside any tutor’s control (your child’s performance on the day, the strength of other applicants, etc.).

A tutor who promises a pass is either lying or setting you up for disappointment. Run.

Pressure tactics (“everyone starts in Year 3” / “if you don’t book now…”)

Tutoring is a business, and some tutors operate like car salesmen. The manufactured urgency – “spaces filling fast,” “results drop if you wait” – is designed to panic you into paying.

Good tutors are busy, yes. But they don’t need to pressure you. They know desperate parents come to them anyway.

Your child is miserable

This sounds obvious, but parents override it constantly. If your child dreads tutor sessions, cries beforehand, or comes home defeated, something is badly wrong. A tutor might not be fun, but they shouldn’t be traumatic.

Trust your child’s gut. And yours.

Free or low-cost alternatives to tutoring (that actually work)

Right, here’s the thing nobody in the tutoring industry wants to tell you: thousands of children pass the 11+ without ever seeing a tutor. Not because their parents are teachers or because they’re naturally gifted – because someone (usually Mum or Dad) set up a structured plan and stuck to it.

Can you do this? Honestly, it depends on three things:

1. Your child’s current level (big gaps need expert help)
2. Your confidence with the material (if you don’t understand non-verbal reasoning, you can’t teach it)
3. Your family’s capacity (time, energy, consistency)

If those three things line up? You can absolutely prepare your child at home for free.

Here’s what free preparation looks like:

BBC Bitesize lessons (free, structured, excellent)

Start here. The KS2 Maths and English sections cover most of what the 11+ tests. It’s not specifically 11+ content, but mastering Year 5/6 curriculum is 80% of the battle. BBC Bitesize KS2

Bond and CGP mini-tests (£7-10 for months of practice)

You don’t need to buy everything. One Maths and one English assessment book will give you 20+ practice papers. Work through one per week with your child and you’ve got half a year’s material for under £20.

Free 11+ practice papers (yes, really free)

Many grammar schools publish past papers. Google “[school name] 11+ past papers” and you’ll be surprised what’s available. The UK government’s guide to grammar schools also explains different entry requirements and can help you understand what your target schools are looking for.

And while you’re here – I’ve put together a free 11+ Mini Practice Pack with maths, English, and reasoning questions at real exam standard. It’s yours, no email signup required. Print it, work through it with your child, and see how they cope with the format.

YouTube channels (surprisingly good for technique)

Search “11+ non-verbal reasoning” or “11+ algebra tricks” and you’ll find clear, free tutorials. Some are better than paid tutors at explaining specific concepts. Your child can pause, rewind, and rewatch until they get it.

Parent-led home study (the structure matters more than the source)

This is the big one. Tutoring works not because tutors have magic knowledge, but because they impose structure. Your child shows up, works for an hour, gets feedback, and improves.

You can replicate that. Here’s a simple weekly plan that works:

A realistic weekly study plan (no tutor needed)

This is for Year 5/6 children preparing for the 11+ without tuition. Adjust based on your child’s stamina and your family’s schedule.

Monday: Maths focus (20-30 minutes)

Work through 10-15 maths questions from a practice book or my free practice pack. Focus on one topic (fractions, percentages, algebra) rather than random mixed practice. Mark together and talk through mistakes.

Tuesday: English and Verbal Reasoning (20-30 minutes)

Comprehension passage, grammar questions, or verbal reasoning puzzles. Again, mark together. If your child got something wrong, don’t just tell them the answer – ask them to explain their thinking so you can spot where they went off track.

Wednesday: Quick diagnostic test (10-15 minutes)

A short, timed test from the practice pack or a Bond mini-test. This keeps them used to time pressure without making it the whole session. It’s low-stakes, just data.

Thursday: Problem-solving or weak areas (20-30 minutes)

Tackle whatever’s not clicking. If non-verbal reasoning is a disaster, spend the session on that. If your child is solid across the board, do harder problem-solving or challenge questions.

Friday: Off

No 11+ work. They’re 10 years old. Let them be a child.

Saturday: Timed practice paper (30-40 minutes)

Once a week, do a full section (Maths or English or Reasoning) under exam conditions. This builds stamina and identifies where timing is a problem. Mark it, note the weak spots, and those become next week’s focus areas.

Sunday: Review and plan

Ten minutes to look at what went well, what needs work, and what you’ll focus on next week. Involve your child in this – they need to understand why they’re practicing, not just blindly follow instructions.

That’s it. Six hours a week across six days. Doable for most families, and it’s structured enough to get results.

FAQs (The questions parents actually ask)

When should we start 11+ preparation?

Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5. Starting earlier (Year 3) risks burnout and isn’t necessary unless your child is significantly behind. Starting later (mid-Year 5) is fine if your child is already working at or above age-related expectations.

Can my child pass without a tutor?

Yes. Lots do. It depends on their starting point, your capacity to help, and the competitiveness of your target schools. If your child is bright, motivated, and you can commit to regular practice, tutor-free is entirely achievable.

How do I know if a tutor is actually helping?

You should see measurable progress within 8-10 weeks. That doesn’t mean straight As, but you should see improvements in specific areas (faster timing, fewer careless errors, better technique). If you’re not seeing change after three months, something’s wrong.

What if we can’t afford a tutor?

Use free resources, build a home study routine, and focus on consistent practice. The free practice pack is a good starting point. Also check if local libraries run free 11+ workshops – many do.

Should we tell school we’re preparing for the 11+?

That’s your call. Some primaries are supportive, others get funny about it (especially if you’re looking at grammar schools out of area). You don’t need permission, but a heads-up can help if you’re asking school for support or mock test arrangements.

Final thoughts (from one parent to another)

The 11+ tutoring industry thrives on parental anxiety. It tells you that everyone else is tutoring from Year 3, that your child will fall behind without expert help, that grammar school places go to families who spend thousands.

Some of that is true. Some of it is marketing.

Here’s what I know after watching dozens of families go through this: the children who do well are the ones with consistent, structured practice – whether that comes from a £60/hour tutor or a parent with a £8 practice book and a kitchen timer.

Your child doesn’t need perfection. They need someone (you, a tutor, a supportive teacher) who helps them work through problems, builds their confidence, and keeps them showing up week after week.

If you can afford a tutor and it takes pressure off your family, great. If you can’t, or if you’d rather teach them yourself, that’s great too. Both routes work.

Start with the free practice pack, see how your child responds to structured practice, and make your decision from there. You’ve got this.