Two things you must never do when teaching phonics to your child.

I hope that you are really enjoying the process of teaching phonics to your child. I personally think that an excellent understanding of phonics is very important when it comes to your child learning how to read. I see it with my older students who do not have a solid foundation when it comes to their phonics knowledge. We have to spend so much time going back and learning phonics and if they knew them already we would be able to simply move on to other things. Not knowing their phonics definitely holds children back in terms of their ability to read.

Here are the two things that you must never do when teaching phonics to your child.

1. Not teaching them the pure sound.

And please don’t be surprised if this is taught incorrectly at your child’s nursery, pre - school or school. Always check. Please do not just assume that it is being taught correctly.

Your child must say the pure sound. They must not be adding the ‘e’ or ‘u’ sound at the end of it. Eg. When learning phonics ‘p’ your child must say the pure sound and not ‘p u’

Think about it. When they come to blend, it will be virtually impossible for them to do it. Eg. When reading pig. If they are not saying the pure sound, how will they ever be able to sound out this word.

2. Not teaching the sounds consistently.

Learning phonics once a week is not going to cut it. If you want to be successful in teaching your child their phonics, you must do it daily and consistently. Even if just for a few seconds everyday. I do understand that this is challenging. We all live busy lives but we can all find a few seconds in our calendar to pull out a sound and ask our child if they remember what it is.

Teaching phonics once a week will not lead to the results that you are looking for.

That’s why my programme is so successful, My clients receive learning to do with their children each and every day in between my lessons. They don’t just see me once a week and then forget about me. Actually, they have access to me 24/7. No other tuition programme provides this!

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The one thing you must stop doing to be successful with teaching phonics.

The one thing you must stop doing to be successful with teaching phonics. 

Many of my clients are currently teaching phonics to their children. 

It is a very important part of 4+ Assessment preparation for most schools. 

I love teaching phonics. Some of my clients don't love it as much as me! 

Here is what you must stop doing if you want to be successful with teaching phonics. 

I sometimes catch myself doing this with my own son! 

What you must stop doing is thinking that your child is just 'not getting it'. 

Here is what I mean. 

You teach your child a new sound and they refuse to say it. They look at it and then they look at you. They shrug and tell you that they don't know it. 

Here is what most parents do. They believe that they don't know it and they just move on to something else. 

Don't do this. 

Show them the sound you are working on. Ask them if they know the sound? If they do - great! If they don't, you tell them the sound and ask them to repeat it. Keep repeating it over and over. Focus on that one sound for the day. Even just for a minute here and there. While you have lunch, while your child has their bath etc. Show them pictures beginning with that sound. 

Don't move on to a new sound until they know the sound that you are working on. 

It may take a few days, it may take a few weeks, it may take longer. This is why it is vital to start early. If you know your child's Assessment is a year away, give yourself that full year to prepare them and prepare them well! 

I have only one more space available for 4+ Assessment preparation. After this has been filled, my doors will close (for 2025 entry) and I will only be offering Curriculum Coaching with myself. Book your Sample Lesson Today!

'We do NOT want children to be prepared BUT we expect them to do everything that we ask them to do...'

We all think that our children are the brightest, most charismatic and most amazing things in this World.

Why would a school not want out children at their schools?

We don’t question when these top schools tell us that we must not prepare our children for their Assessments.

And I strongly believe that this is wrong.

In the last 15 years preparing children for their 4+ Assessments at all top inner and outer London schools, I’ve had hundreds of parents stopping their tuition with either myself or one of my teachers because they went to an Open Day and were told to absolutely not prepare their child for their 4+ Assessment. Of course, that is up to them and I always respect their choices. Who am I to tell them that they should continue?

The saddest thing though, is that NONE of the parents who have stopped tuition with me have then gone onto be successful.

What does this tell you?

To me, it tells me that children 100% need to be prepared.

They must be prepared.

So regardless of what you are told, prepare your child.

However you choose to do it, prepare your child.

Do it yourself.

Hire a teacher.

But prepare them. And prepare them well.

Tell me this.

How else will your child be able to…

Say all of the phonics sounds they are asked to say?

Answer questions in detail?

Count to 20?

Write numbers to 10?

Blend words?

These are just a few. I could go on and on and on.

My child is now 2. He is amazing. I know any school would be LUCKY to have him.

But I will still prepare him thoroughly for any Assessment that I send him to. And you absolutely must too.

Don’t be one of the hundreds of parents who will call me after the fact and tell me how much they regret not having started. And having to face the ordeal of the 7+. 7+ is far harder than 4+ let me tell you. Then you have to wait until 11+ and that is pretty much your last chance unless the school does 13+ or you are successful at gaining an occasional place (even harder at these top schools!)

I know it’s a big investment. But it’s 100% worth it.

95% of my clients continue working with me even after the Assessments are over. What does this tell you?

They see the value in what I offer.

They see the progress their children make.

They know that I am making a different in their lives and the lives of their children.

This is why I do what I do.

One space remaining to work with me for 4+ Assessment preparation (2025 Entry). After this, my doors will close for 1:1 tuition and I will only be offering Curriculum Coaching.

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

Be very sceptical if a Top London School tells you that they will not test reading and writing.

I have been attending Open days myself these last few weeks!

My son will be going into Reception very soon (2026 entry!)

Let’s just say that I have seen a lot of eye rolling and tutting due to some of my questions!

It doesn’t bother me. I’m not there to please anyone. I’m there to get the information I need to make sure that my child has the best chances for success at all the schools that I decide he will be sitting Assessment at.

I have prepared children for their 4+ Assessments for over 14 years but this is MY first time going through the process of actually looking for the best school for my precious boy.

Do you know what fascinates me the most?

How most parents just nod along and accept everything that they hear as factual.

I am the complete opposite. I question everything. And so should you!

I’m not saying that your shouldn’t believe anything that you are told. That’s a bit extreme. But I would caution you to not believe every single thing that you are told.

I spoke to 3 of my clients today who told me that they were told this.

‘Do not prepare your child for reading and writing because we will not be assessing this.’

As reading and writing are two very important parts of the EYFS, my question would have immediately have been why?

Why would they not assess reading and writing?

I would have LOVED to have heard their answer.

A top academic school not assessing reading and writing?

Does that make sense?

So what will most parents do who are sending their children to Assessment at this school?

They will neglect these two fundamental aspects of learning.

My clients and I will not.

You do what you think is best for you and your child.

I have only one space remaining for 4+ tuition (2025 entry) After that my doors will close and you will only have the option of Curriculum Coaching with me.

Book your School Choices Free Consultation Today.

How my FREE School Choices Consultation can help you to have the highest chances for success.

Here is what some of my clients have told me about the School Choices Consultation.

‘It is so valuable because I learnt so many things that I did not know before.’

‘I was so naive about the whole process and I am so grateful to you and your honesty’

‘I can’t believe the expectations that these schools have and now I know exactly what I need to do in order to prepare my child.’

Knowing exactly how to prepare your child for their Assessments is fundamental.

You could be spending hours and hours each week simply preparing incorrectly.

I cannot tell you how many parents I have spoken to who have told me how much money, time and effort they have wasted doing the wrong things. One of my clients was telling me just yesterday how she prepared so incorrectly for her older child’s 4+ Assessment. She is now preparing her youngest child with me. We are preparing him to go to Habs Boys. I have a wealth of experience with this school. Read my reviews here.

In the School Choices Consultation we will discuss:

• Your choice of schools.

• Expectations at each school and how to start preparing your child.

• How we can work together to achieve the best results for your child.

If you see the incredible value in what I offer to all of my clients, you will be invited to work with me. If you just want to have a chat and make sure you are on the right track, that’s of course fine too.

My mission is to support all children to have the highest chances for success in any Assessment.

After all, the highest quality education is so important. And our children deserve the best.

Book your FREE School Choices Consultation today!

I look forward to talking with you.

'Your child will be grouped with peers of a similar age'. What most parents take this to mean...

And why you should not make it mean this!

Most parents believe that because their child will be grouped according to their age group that their Assessments will be different.

This is rarely the case.

I do not prepare my younger students any differently to how I prepare my older students.

That should tell you all that you need to know.

I have never in my 14 years doing this, heard a single parent tell me that their child’s Assessment was different to another child’s Assessment.

So regardless of your child’s age, prepare them to the highest of standards so that they can go in and have the highest possible chances for success in all of their 4+ Assessments.

Unsure you are on the right track?

Book your Free School Choices Consultation with me.

The only way to know if your child is ready to be left alone at their 4+ Assessments.

There is only one way to know.

To know for sure.

And the only way is this.

The way you know if your child is ready to be left alone at their 4+ Assessments is if your child consistently goes somewhere new and unfamiliar happily and calmly.

Not just every now and then. Once in a blue moon.

It must be consistent.

It must be frequent.

Going to nursery doesn’t count. Nursery is familiar to them.

Here is what counts:

Going to a new club.

Going to a new day care (eg. creche)

Taking your child to a variety of new clubs in the next few months is going to help them to get used to being left alone in new and unfamiliar environments to them.

Once they are comfortable in the clubs, choose a new one.

Do this consistently for the next 3-6 months and if your child can go in calmly, happily, look you in the eye and say goodbye without shedding a tear, I can pretty much guarantee you that they will go into their 4+ Assessments very happily.

If your child goes into their 4+ Assessments crying and upset, they will not pass.

Therefore this is the most important aspect of 4+ Assessment preparation.

I support all of my clients with this.

And I would love to support you too.

1 space only remaining to work with me for 4+ Assessment preparation.

Book your Sample Lesson Today!

Is your child really assessed differently because they are younger?

No!

Many of you won’t like what I have to say.

And that’s ok.

I’d rather be honest with you than tell you something that simply is not true.

Many parents I speak to believe that because their child is summer born that they will be assessed differently to their Autumn born peers.

Let’s not get this confused.

Children are grouped into age groups (at most 4+ Assessments) but please don’t take this to mean that they will be assessed differently to their peers who are older than them.

I’ve never spoken to one single parent who has ever told me that their child was assessed differently compared to another child.

The Assessments will not be different for your child just because they are summer born.

Why would they be?

Prepare your child in the exact same way as a child who is nearly a year older than them will be prepared.

If you don’t, it is highly likely that they will not be ready for their 4+ Assessments and it is very likely that they will not pass.

Last few places remaining to work with me.

Book your Sample Lesson today.

Why should my child be disadvantaged because he is July born?

Makes no sense to me.

But it makes a lot of sense to a lot of other parents.

I hear this daily!

‘I’m so worried because my child will be at a disadvantage’

‘It’s not fair because other children at the assessment will be nearly a whole year older than my child’

I fully understand their concerns but it is simply not true.

Your child will not be at a disadvantage.

Why do we, as a society choose to believe that summer born children are at a disadvantage compared to their Autumn born peers?

My son is summer born. July to be precise. I promise you that he will not be at a disadvantage compared to his autumn born peers.

Why should he be?

Yes, if he attends a 4+ Assessment, he will be one of the youngest.

So what?

Let’s look at this logically.

If I started preparing my child at the age of 1 and another parent starting preparing their child at the age of 2 then we would have both had a full year of preparing our children.

If I start preparing my child at the age of 1 and another parent also started preparing their Autumn born child at the age of 1, then absolutely they would have nearly one year more preparation than my son. However, it’s the quality of the preparation that counts.

So perhaps instead of thinking that our summer born babies will be disadvantaged compared to their autumn born peers, perhaps we just need to provide them with 3X the learning opportunities.

My son will not be at a disadvantage. I believe this 100%. And you should too.

Because ultimately, what is the upside of believing that they will be disadvantaged?

None.

Prepare your child, prepare them well and I promise you that they will only have the advantage over other children.

Preparing for the 4+ Assessments for 2025 entry?

Last few places remaining to work with me.

Book your Sample Lesson today!

3 reasons why you should work with the best teachers online versus good teachers in person.

We all want the best for our children. I am now myself in the process of looking for activities for my son (aged 2) and I am also on the lookout for the best of the best.

After all, this is my precious boy. I want the best for him. It’s as simple as that.

So I get it, you want the best for your child.

And I can say with certainty that we are the best when it comes to Assessment preparation.

The value that we provide to our clients is out of this world.

No where in this country will you find a teacher that will provide you with 24/7 contact. Ongoing communication at anytime. I am currently on holiday but my clients know that whatever they need, they can call me or message me and I will always reply.

Here are the 3 reasons why you should work with the best teachers online versus good teachers in person.

1.The highest quality tuition from the most experienced teachers.

With Creative Minds Tutors, you only have teachers who have at least 8 years of teaching experience. Not only do they have teaching experience but they have actual experience with the schools that you are applying to. We will only ever match your child to a teacher who has had years and years of experience with the schools that you are applying to.

Don’t underestimate the value of this.

2. Lessons tailored towards the schools that you are applying to.

Our lessons are not generic. No two children are prepared in the same way. They are bespoke to the schools that you are applying to. Not only will we teach your child to the highest standard but we will also work closely with you to make sure that you fully understand the Assessment process and are ready to help your child to go in and actually pass.

3. Value for money.

What we charge for what you get is of extreme value.

For £60 a week, you get ongoing contact with your teacher (as in at any time!), entrance exam support tailored specifically to the schools that you are applying to and weekly online lessons with your teacher.

I personally speak to most of my clients at least 3 times a week. Some of my clients contact me every day. Some of my clients contact me once a week. It is up to them how they want to use their ongoing communication with me.

I don’t know of any other tuition company that offers what we offer to their clients.

We are passionate about supporting all of our students to get into their schools of choice and we would love to support you.

Book your Sample lesson today.

Don't ever think that the 4+ Assessments will be easy - They won't be.

I’ve been speaking to a lot more parents lately and it always fascinates me that some of them think that the 4+ Assessments will be ‘easy’. When I speak to them, I get the impression that they believe that I am over- exaggerating how hard the 4+ Assessments will be.

Why would I do that?

If you know me at all, you know that all I want to do is help students all over the country to be successful in their 4+ Assessments.

I want to help parents all over the country to support their children to get into their top schools of choice so that they don’t need to worry about 7+/8+ or 11+.

I want children to go into their 4+ Assessments equipped with the knowledge that they need in order to actually be able to pass.

I understand it however.

If you’ve never been through the Assessments, how would you know just how challenging they are?

If you don’t know anyone else who has been through the Assessments, how would you know just how challenging they are?

Well, if you are reading this blog and you get even just one thing out of it, let it be this.

Prepare your child.

Prepare them well.

You don’t need an in-person tutor.

You need a tutor who knows exactly what is expected at each school.

You need a tutor who has actual experience with each school and who has actually successfully supported children to pass their 4+ Assessments at each school that you are applying to.

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

Why it is imperative that you understand the format of your child's 4+ Assessments.

Do you know exactly what will happen at each 4+ Assessment that you will be sending your child to? 

If you’re not sure about what will happen, don’t expect your child to be sure!

Not all 4+ Assessments will be the same. 

Some will be a group format and others will be 1:1. Some will be with a large group and others will be with a smaller group of children. Some will be with one Assessor, others will be with several Assessors. At some Assessments your child will go straight in with the Assessor/s and at others you will be asked to wait with them until they are called. Some will be very different at Round 1 compared to Round 2. Some Assessments only have one Round. Some Assessments will be more formal than others. 

So why is this even important? 

It is important because as best as possible we need to prepare your child to understand exactly what will happen on the day of each Assessment. 

I support my clients by telling them exactly what has happened at the schools that they are sending their children to sit Assessment at. Of course, schools can and do mix things up each year. However, historically, the Assessments are very similar each year.

You might find that the information provided by the school about the Assessment procedures might be very vague. 

It is very important that you know the following...

* Is it a group or 1:1 Assessment? 
* How long will the Assessment be? 

The letter you receive should answer both of these questions. 

If the letter does not specify this, you can always ask. The Admissions team are generally more than happy to answer any questions that prospective new parents to their school might have. 

If the Assessment will be a 1:1 format, tell your child about it. Tell them exactly what to expect. I provide a script for all of my clients for each school that they are applying to for them to go through with their child.  

If the Assessment is a group Assessment format, tell your child exactly what to expect. Tell them what you expect them to do on the day and how you'd like them to interact with the other children and the adults in the room. 

We need to be so specific and they need to fully understand what is expected of them. I would advise you start speaking to them about their Assessment/s at least one month before. Every day. Even just a minute a day of discussion about the school/s that they will be visiting. I would also advise you to take them physically to the school (just the outside of course!). Get them super familiar with the building so that when they go there, they know it well. We are all creatures of habit so familiarise them! Show them pictures on the internet or bring them along to an open day. 

I have a Summer 4+ Assessment Reset Workshop coming up on Sunday 16th June from 1:30pm - 4:30pm. Check it out here, 

It's going to be a brilliant workshop. If you are unable to attend live, I will send you the replay. 

Remember that 4+ Format Knowledge = Empowerment.

Empower yourself and your child by actually knowing what to expect.

Get rid of your fears about the 4+ Assessments once and for all!

Are you preparing your child for their 4+ Assessments?

Are you in need of a RESET?

Well, you are in the perfect place then!

May - August is the busiest time for us here at Creative Minds Tutors.

There are two types of clients who come to us during this time frame.

The first are the clients who have been sceptical for a long time about preparing their child for a 4+ Assessment and have left it until now to decide to begin and the other type are the clients who perhaps have been having preparation with about teacher and are not seeing the progress that they would like to be seeing.

If you identify with either one of these, this is your own personal invite to come to my Summer Reset Workshop!

It will be the breath of fresh air that you need right now if you are preparing your child for their 4+ Assessment (2025 entry)

In this game changing workshop, you will:

Create a 13 week Summer Assessment Preparation Plan that fits in with your life.

• Say goodbye to wasting time preparing your child for things that they will simply not be asked to do in their Assessments.

• Tailor your Summer Assessment Preparation Plan to the schools that you are applying to.

• Get guidance from a qualified teacher who has been preparing children for their 4+ for over 14 years!

This workshop includes:

• 3 hours with Maria. She will teach your HOW to prepare your child for the schools that they will be sitting Assessment at.

• Lifetime access to the Workshop replay

• A Summer Assessment Reset Guide to help you build your plan, take notes and review your child’s progress.

Plus these Bonuses (worth over £300!) if you purchase by 10th June 2024.

1.Access to one of module of your choice from my 4+ Assessment Accelerator course. -Choose from Phonics fun, maths, activities to expect and behavioural expectations.

2. Ongoing support from Maria for 30 days after the workshop - contact her with any of your questions relating to your child’s 4+ Assessment and she will be there to support and guide you

3. £50 voucher to be used if you book an in person mock Assessment (you will receive your voucher after the workshop)

All this for only £59! Book your place today.

The biggest mistake I see parents make when teaching phonics to their child

I’ve worked with thousands of parents over the last 15 years. I’ve seen this one thing hundreds of time and it is a huge mistake.

One that needs to be avoided at all costs.

It’s this.

Parents lose their patience.

Let me paint you a vivid picture of what I mean.

I had been working with Lily for several months preparing her for her 4+ Assessments. She was making lots of progress in many different areas but was struggling with learning her phonics sounds. Her mother would sit in on all of her lessons and was always very calm and helpful. But when it came to the phonics, I would often see Lily’s mother getting very frustrated and upset if Lily didn’t know the sounds and she would often say things like…

‘Why don’t you know it!’

‘We’ve done it hundreds of times!’

‘She’s never going to get it!’

‘This isn’t good enough!’

‘Focus!’

I think you would agree that these are not helpful comments.

This would lead to my student getting upset and often crying and therefore wasting 5-10 minutes of our lesson.

I get it!

We want our child to pick things up quickly. But it doesn’t always work out this way.

When teaching phonics, you must be calm, patient and accept that there will be times that your child will not know the answer or perhaps simply not want to say the answer.

You need belief and trust in the process and know that your child will learn and respond in their own time. And if they don’t get it or don’t want to say it, just move on or tell them that it’s okay not to know and you will try again another time.

All of my students will be able to read (blend three letter words at a minimum) after preparing for their 4+ Assessments with me (with at least 9 months of preparation)

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

The main reason your child doesn't want to repeat their phonics sounds.

First of all there is nothing wrong with your child if they don’t want to repeat their phonics sound after you. There’s nothing wrong with them if they don’t know what sound it is when you ask them. There’s nothing wrong with them if they’d prefer to do anything but look at the sound that you are showing them.

The main reason that your child doesn’t want to repeat their sounds could be simply because they find it challenging.

Think of it through their perspective.

You show them a letter and ask them what sound it makes.

If you follow my advice, you’ve not yet taught them the alphabet and have only focused on phonics.

They look at this letter and most likely wonder - ‘What is that?’

You then ask them to sound it out and they most likely think - ‘Why would it sound like anything? Does it speak?’

They most likely look at you confused.

You then show them an image and ask them what it is.

Let’s say that you show them a picture of a pig. They happily tell you that it is a pig.

You thin ask them ‘What sound does pig begin with?’

Guess what my students normally tell me…?

They tell me - ‘Oink!’

And they are right. A pig does sound like ‘oink’ but that wasn’t the question.

Learning phonics is challenging for a 2 and 3 year old.

So the main reason that they don’t want to repeat it is because it is challenging for them.

It takes time, patience and lots and lots of practise. Lots and lots of exposure to the sound that they are learning every day. Not once every other week. That will not help them.

Every day.

Short, sharp bursts. Even just 2-3 minutes.

If they don’t want to do it then absolutely do not do it.

It needs to come to them. They must want to do it.

I want all of my students to love learning their phonics, not to dread it.

That’s what we do in our lessons. We instil a love for learning that goes far deeper than just preparing for an Assessment.

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

3 fun and easy ways to teach phonics to your 2 year old.

Let’s be honest, not all two year old want to sit down and learn their phonics!

Some do and some don’t.

I have some students who really engage with looking at the sound on the sheet and simply saying it. We repeat this until they’ve really understood how to say it and then we move on to the new sound.

Other students of mine do not engage with the task in the same way.

Some find it really challenging to look at the letter and tell me the sound that it makes. Others just find it boring to simply look at it and say it. If this happens, it’s up to me to be creative and think of ways to engage them and motivate them to actually want to learn their phonics.

And the same goes for you.

If you are struggling to engage your child with their phonics, here are three fun and easy ways to teach phonics to your 2 or 3 year old.

1. Treasure hunt

Print out the phonics or simply write them down on a piece of paper/post it note and hide them around your home. And then ask your child to look for the sounds. When they find the sounds, they need to tell you what they are. If they are reluctant to do this initially, you tell them the sound and encourage them to repeat after you.

2. Bubble bath

As your child is having their bath, use your finger to ‘write’ the sounds in the bubbles! After you’ve written it and your child can see it ask them if they know what sound it makes. Again, if they don’t know it or they are reluctant to answer, tell them and encourage them to repeat after you.

3. Sand letters

Using a sand tray filled with sand, simply ‘write’ the letters in the sand and ask your child if they know what sound it makes.

The most important thing to do is to be consistent. I know it’s not easy and I’m not perfect with this at all (with my own son) but even just 3 minutes a day will make all the difference. With time, you will see that your child will remember their sounds and be able to say them independently.

As a final note, I feel that it is very important to say that you must never put pressure on your child to learn or say their sounds. It must be a fun and enjoyable process. All children will learn their sounds - in their own time.

Preparing for 2025 Entry? Book your Sample Lesson today. I am nearly at capacity so book soon to work with me.

Can you recommend nurseries that prepare for the 4+ ?

No.

Do not rely solely on a nursery or pre prep to prepare your child for their 4+ Assessments.

Having worked in three top Inner London pre-prep schools preparing children for their 4+ Assessments, I can tell you with certainty that while it does help, it isn’t enough.

I’ve personally supported hundreds of students who have gone to ‘regular’ nurseries who have passed their 4+ Assessments and I’ve personally worked with hundreds of children who have gone to pre-preps that ‘prepare for the Assessments’ who have not been successful (of course I have supported those that have!)

But just to paint you a picture.

I speak to parents who tell me, “My child goes to a top Montessori and that is all they need.”

No.

They tell me, “My child’s pre- prep has told me not to tutor and they are the ones preparing my child for their 4+.”

No.

I wouldn’t recommend a single nursery to prepare your child for their 4+.

What you need is bespoke, tailored tuition to the school or schools that you are applying to.

What you need is individualised support for your child.

What you need is to know that you have done everything in your power to make sure that your child will have the highest chances for success in their 4+ Assessments.

I am nearly at capacity for 4+ Assessment preparation (I take on 10 students each year) So if you’d like to work with me, book your Sample Lesson today. Once at capacity, I will not be taking on any new students (for 2025 entry)

Book today!

Why are the 4+ Assessments so challenging?

Three reasons.

1.Oversubscription to these schools.

Every school will have their own number of places available for Reception Entry.

Let’s say a school has 40 places available and over 500 children applying, you can understand why the Assessment is so challenging, can’t you?

2. Not having prepared your child appropriately or correctly for the schools that you are applying to.

Choosing an EYFS teacher is great (I am one myself!) But if they don’t have experience preparing for the schools that you are applying to, then please forget about it.

You need a teacher with real experience with the school/s that you are applying to. Only they will know the level expected of your child and HOW to prepare them specific to the school/s that you are applying to.

Also, just a side note. You can 100% prepare your child yourself for their 4+ Assessments, you just need to know the curriculum needed and the expectations of the school/s you are applying to. My Curriculum Coaching programme 1will give you everything that you need if you would like to prepare your child yourself.

3. Children not being aware of what exactly is expected of them in their Assessment.

Before each Assessment, I provide my clients with a script of exactly what to tell their children about the Assessment they are going to. I encourage them to read it to their child every day for several weeks before the Assessment. That way my student is actually prepared and aware about what will be expected of them.

The 4+ Assessments are challenging and many parents underestimate how challenging they will be. They don’t take them as seriously as I think that they should. They just assume that their child will pass. I promise you that this is not the case.

Prepare your child and prepare them well.

Last few places remaining with me for 2024 Entry. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Book your Sample lesson today.

The most important thing to do when preparing for an occasional place

With between 30 - 60 children on average applying for an occasional place at a top school, this is the most important thing that you must do if you are preparing your child.

You must prepare them to be 3 months ahead of where they currently are.

Here is what I mean.

If your child is preparing for an occasional place in Year 1 and it is April. You want your child to be a term ahead of where they currently are.

You want your child to be at mastery level of 3 months ahead of time!

This will be challenging because when you apply for an occasional place, the school will usually invite your child to sit their Assessment with a few days to up to a month’s notice.

One month is great. A few days - not so much.

So my advice to you is this.

If you have applied to your dream school for an occasional place, start preparing immediately. Regardless of whether or not your child has been invited to an Assessment. Perhaps they will be, perhaps they won’t. If they are, at least they are prepared and ready. If they’re not, you will have provided them with an incredible foundation in terms of their learning.

I have personally prepared children for occasional place Assessments at top schools such as Habs boys and girls, Alleyn’s, Dulwich College and Thomas’s to name a few. I have had children be successful and children not be successful.

Then children who were successful were the ones who were at least three months ahead of their peers.

Let me give you an example of a top London school who Assessed Reception aged children for an occasional place in Year 1. There were 46 applicants for 1 place.

After having completed their occasional place Assessment, the children were grouped into percentiles. They were split into 25%. Top 25%, Top middle 25%, Bottom middle 25% and bottom 25%.

They were Assessed in terms of Reading, Writing and Verbal Reasoning. So in order to be offered a place, the children would need to be placed in the top 25% across the board. Those who made it to that top percentile would then be chosen. The highest scorer would be offered the place.

That’s how it works.

If you are currently preparing for an occasional place, I would highly recommend that you take part in my Curriculum Coaching programme. I will support you every step of the way to help your child to have the highest possible chances for success in their occasional place Assessment.

3 facts about NLCS at 7+ that you should definitely know about!

1. There are only 8 places available to enter the school into year 3. So that means that out of the hundreds of girls that will apply to sit their 7+ Assessments, only 8 will be successful.

Your daughter will need to be exceptional all round to pass this incredibly tough 7+ Assessment.

Registration is now open and you can click here to Register your daughter for her 7+ Assessment (2025 entry) You have until the 1st November 2024 to apply.

Round 1 is on Friday 1st November. Round 2 is on Tuesday 3rd December. This gives you just under 6 months to prepare. This is not enough time so hopefully you’ve started earlier than this. I would recommend my students start preparing for this school from January of their Reception Year or at the very latest May of their Reception year.

There is way too much to cover to be starting now. Just being honest with you.

As a company we will not be offering tuition to girls starting later than the dates specified above. However, I will provide Curriculum Coaching for parents who would still like to ensure that their daughter is as best prepared as possible to sit their 7+ Assessment nat NLCS in January 2025.

Round 1 involves:

Writing an imaginative story using full sentences and some interesting vocabulary.

Reading fluently with understanding and give answers to written questions.

Writing the answers to questions.

Understanding the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and ‘sharing’/division and be able to apply these rules in order to solve word problems.

Know their times tables.

Have an understanding of shape, time and money.

Interpret tables and charts.

If your daughter is successful at passing this round, she will be invited to Round 2 which will be a day at the school, usually call a ‘day in action’.

2. Your daughter will need to have developed a strong stamina for completing the Assessment within the timeframe allocated.

Round 1 will really test your daughter’s stamina.

As well as being able to complete everything to an incredibly high standard, she will need to ensure that she has a strong stamina to allow her to actually complete all of the questions that she will be asked to complete in her Round 1 Assessment. Please don’t underestimate this.

3. Your daughter will need to be at a secure level of a Year 3 student to calmly and confidently pass her 7+ Assessment at NLCS.

Parents don’t believe me when I tell them this. Why would I lie?

Whatever you think of the 7+ Assessment at NLCS. 10x that and that’s what it will be like. Expect the level to be challenging. Expect the vocabulary to be challenging. Expect that your daughter will need to write an amazing story. Expect the maths questions to challenge her. Expect her to be scoring 85%-90% across the board.

Above all, prepare her appropriately.

You 100% need to work with a teacher who knows this school well.

You 100% need to work with a teacher who knows historically what has come up in the 7+ Assessments at this school.

I have 3 places remaining for Wednesdays 7+ Assessment Story Writing Workshop. Book today!

The story that I will be covering has actually come up several times at various Top Schools in their 7+ Assessments ;)