Our Year 4 programme introduces structured 11+ preparation across English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, while continuing to strengthen the foundations children need for the final Year 5 stage.
This is the key year to secure the main 11+ skills before timed practice and exam technique become the focus in Year 5.
Year 4 is where children move from general foundations into structured 11+ preparation. It gives them enough time to learn the key question types before the pressure of Year 5.
Children begin regular practice in the main 11+ areas: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
We focus on understanding and accuracy before expecting children to work quickly under timed conditions.
Year 4 gives time to identify and fix weaknesses before Year 5 becomes more exam-focused.
Children who build strong Year 4 skills can approach Year 5 mock practice with more confidence.
Year 4 is more structured than Year 3, but it should still be carefully paced. The aim is to build strong understanding before moving into more intensive test preparation.
We want children to become familiar with 11+ content, improve accuracy and develop the confidence to approach unfamiliar question types.
We focus on building skill and accuracy first. Timed practice is introduced gradually, but children must understand the methods before speed becomes the priority.
The programme balances academic foundations with regular exposure to 11+ question styles.
Year 4 preparation moves children from basic familiarity to confident application across all four 11+ areas.
Children practise longer passages and learn to answer accurately using evidence from the text.
Vocabulary is developed systematically because it supports English and Verbal Reasoning.
Children strengthen core calculations so they can handle more demanding problem solving later.
Students learn to break down unfamiliar questions and choose the correct method.
Children build confidence with common Verbal Reasoning question families.
Children learn how to observe carefully and identify visual changes accurately.
The exact sequence may change according to the group’s needs, but Year 4 normally develops through three clear stages.
Secure English, Maths and vocabulary foundations while introducing 11+ question types gently.
Increase exposure to 11+ question styles and begin developing stronger methods.
Consolidate the key skills required before the Year 5 intensive and mock-exam stage.
Progress in Year 3 is measured by confidence, accuracy, independence and stronger foundations, not just test scores.
What we want to see
Why it matters for 11+
Improved fluency, understanding and ability to answer questions accurately.
Comprehension and vocabulary are central to 11+ success.
Children begin to recognise, use and explain a wider range of words.
Stronger vocabulary supports English and Verbal Reasoning.
Faster recall, clearer methods and better problem-solving confidence.
Maths reasoning becomes much more demanding in Years 4 and 5.
Children learn to spot patterns, compare shapes and think logically.
Early exposure helps reduce anxiety when formal VR and NVR begins.
Children attempt tasks, check answers and respond positively to feedback.
Good habits make later intensive preparation much more effective.
By the end of Year 4, students should be more confident with the main 11+ areas and ready to begin more intensive Year 5 practice.
What we want to see
Why it matters for Year 5
More accurate comprehension, stronger vocabulary and clearer sentence-level understanding.
Year 5 passages and vocabulary become more demanding.
Secure arithmetic, better problem-solving and improved method selection.
Students need fluency before timed practice becomes effective.
Familiarity with common verbal reasoning question types and vocabulary patterns.
Year 5 preparation requires faster recognition of question methods.
Improved visual accuracy and ability to identify shape transformations.
NVR becomes easier when children have strong observation habits.
Better homework routine, checking skills and willingness to correct mistakes.
Independent practice becomes essential during Year 5.
The Year 3 programme is suitable for children who may sit grammar-school entrance exams later, as well as children who simply need stronger academic foundations.
A gentle early pathway before structured Year 4 and Year 5 11+ preparation.
Support with English, Maths, confidence and learning habits.
Early reasoning and problem solving help stretch able pupils appropriately.
Starting early gives more time to build skills without unnecessary pressure.
Year 3 gives children the foundations to progress into a more structured 11+ pathway.
Students begin more formal 11+ preparation across English, Maths, VR and NVR.
Lessons become more intensive, with exam-style questions, timed practice and targeted improvement.
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Year 3 progress improves significantly when classroom learning is supported by simple, consistent routines at home.
Encourage your child to read a variety of books and discuss unfamiliar words, characters and events.
Short, frequent practice with multiplication and division facts helps children solve problems more confidently.
Help your child build a routine, but allow them to attempt work independently before stepping in.
Assessment in Year 3 is used to guide teaching and build confidence, not to create unnecessary pressure.
The Year 3 programme is designed as a weekly foundation course for children preparing to move into structured 11+ preparation.
Weekly 2-hour session focused on English, Maths, vocabulary and early reasoning foundations.
Common questions parents ask before starting the Pre-11+ Foundations programme.
No, as long as the approach is age-appropriate. In Year 3, the focus should be on foundations, vocabulary, confidence and reasoning skills rather than intense exam practice.
Not at the beginning. Children are introduced to 11+ style thinking gradually. Full exam-style preparation becomes more appropriate later in the pathway.
That is exactly why Year 3 is a helpful starting point. We can strengthen gaps early before the 11+ preparation becomes more demanding.
Short, consistent practice is better than long, stressful sessions. Reading, vocabulary, times tables and weekly homework are the most important priorities.
No programme can guarantee success, but starting early gives children more time to build strong foundations, confidence and good learning habits.
An assessment helps us understand your child’s current level and decide whether the Year 3 Pre-11+ Foundations group is the right fit.