Who will actually be teaching my child?
Also consider how much direct teaching and individual attention your child will receive. If your child is spending a large proportion of their tuition simply completing workbooks, marking exercises or working independently, ask whether that time could be used more effectively at home. Similarly, if your child is in a class of 20 or more students, consider how much individual attention they can realistically receive. Your child's tuition should add something beyond what they are already receiving in school.
How to Compare Providers
Do not base your decision on a single provider. Create a shortlist and compare several options. Visit tuition centres where possible, speak to tutors and ask detailed questions about how the programme actually works. The strongest recommendation is often a genuine personal recommendation from someone you trust. If you know a parent whose child has previously completed the 11+ process, ask about their experience:
What was the teaching like?
How large was the class?
How was progress monitored?
Was feedback provided?
Did their child's school attainment improve?
Did the tuition represent good value for money?
Would they use the same provider again?
These questions can provide much more useful information than advertising alone.
Don't Stop Assessing Once Tuition Begins
Choosing a provider is only the beginning. Once your child starts tuition, continue to monitor their progress. Ask what they are learning, how they are progressing and where their weaknesses currently lie. You should expect the provider to be able to explain your child's development clearly.
Consider:
Is my child learning new skills?
Are their weaker areas being identified and addressed?
Are they becoming more confident and accurate?
Is their schoolwork improving?
Is the tuition being used effectively?
If there is no noticeable progress over a reasonable period, it is appropriate to ask questions. You are paying for a service designed to support your child's education, so you should expect meaningful feedback and evidence of progress.
Which School?
Choosing the right school is just as important as choosing the right preparation. I recommend researching your options as early as possible. Contact schools for prospectuses, visit their websites and find out about open days and entrance requirements. Do not overlook practical considerations such as:
Travel time
Transport options
Travel costs
School timings
The overall school environment
Academic expectations
The opportunities available to pupils
A school may look attractive on paper, but the practicalities of attending it every day also matter.
Make the Most of Open Days
Open days provide an opportunity to experience a school rather than simply reading about it online.
Where possible, use them to:
Explore the school environment, Meet staff, Speak to current pupils, Speak to other parents, Ask questions, Understand the school's expectations, Allow your child to experience the environment for themselves.
Prepare a list of questions before attending so that you do not forget anything important. I would encourage parents to visit schools relatively early, ideally during Year 4, where possible. This gives you time to understand your options without the additional pressure that can come with the final year before the entrance examination. It also gives your child the opportunity to see what they are working towards.
What Questions Should You Be Asking?
Perhaps the most important questions are:
What is right for my child?
What do I want for my child?
There is no single tuition provider or preparation method that will be appropriate for every child. When researching providers, do not simply ask a tutor whether their tuition is "the best". Naturally, most providers will believe that it is. Instead, ask questions that allow you to judge the programme for yourself. Find out exactly what is taught, how it is delivered, how progress is measured and what support your child will receive. The more providers you speak to and the more questions you ask, the better you will understand what constitutes appropriate and effective 11+ preparation.
You Are Your Child's Best Advocate
No tutor knows your child as well as you do. You know their personality, their strengths, their weaknesses and how they respond to different learning environments. That makes you the person best placed to judge whether a particular programme is working for them. You do not need to be an education specialist. You simply need to ask questions, understand what you are paying for and remain involved in your child's progress. The more informed you are, the better equipped you are to make the right decision for your child. The 11+ is an important stage in the journey, and the opportunity only comes around once. If you choose tuition, whichever provider you select, never be afraid to ask questions and expect clear answers. Ultimately, you are not simply purchasing hours of tuition. You are investing your child's time—and that is a resource that cannot be replaced.