Information for Parents
Core Values
At Busy Brains, we are passionate about fostering individual growth at a pace that is right for each child. Every child is unique.
We inspire a positive attitude to learning at all levels which makes it engaging, enjoyable and most importantly fun! Happy memories of learning are created.
We believe in encouraging high self esteem and setting challenging goals to aspire to which in turn enables good progress and success!
EXPLORE ENCOURAGE EMPOWER
- Bespoke tutoring from Year 1 to GCSE (individual and group tuition).
- SATs revision and tutoring for Year 2 and 6.
- 11+ tutoring (Herts and Bucks tests).
- Fun phonics boosters for Reception and Year 1.
- EYFS and National Curriculum aligned.
- Qualified and experienced teachers.
- Regular feedback to parents and carers.
Tuition
Learning is both structured and guided with each unique child through positive relationships and individualised training and study.
Teachers will advise, coach, guide and mentor each child, enabling them to build their confidence.
We aim to make learning enjoyable and fun whilst still providing challenge and success!
Tuition is available for all age groups from Reception to GCSE either in 1:1 lessons or in groups (maximum 6). English, Maths, Phonics, SATS revision and preparation (Yr2 and 6) and 11+ preparation from Year 4 upwards can be offered.
We aim to make learning enjoyable and fun whilst still providing challenge and success!
- Lessons can take place in your own home, the tutors home or other settings such as schools, libraries and community centres.
- Regular feedback to parents on progress made.
- Materials used in sessions are from leading suppliers and support SATs, Phonics and 11+ tests.
- National Curriculum aligned
- Homework tasks to consolidate learning.
- Busy Brains Partnership Pact – agreement signed by us, parent and child.
- Registration fee includes a Busy Brains gift and covers admin costs.
- Assessment carried out in first lesson to enable a personalised plan to be developed.
- Ongoing assessments throughout the term.
1:1 Tuition
- One off £15 registration fee
- £38 per hour; £30 per 45 mins; £20 per 30 mins
- Payable monthly in advance.
- 10% discount for paying for a whole term in advance.
Group Tuition
- Min 2, max 6
- One off £15 registration fee
- £28 per hour per child
- Payable monthly in advance.
- 10% discount for paying for a whole term in advance.
11+ Tuition
- Tuition can be 1:1 or in small groups (max 4) for a reduced hourly fee.
- Lessons can take place in your own home, the tutors home or other settings such as schools, libraries and community centres.
- Materials used in sessions are from leading suppliers and support the 11+ tests.
- Assessment carried out in the first lesson to enable a personalised plan to be developed. Tutors will advise parents on the level their child is working at and provide regular progress updates.
- Homework tasks to consolidate learning.
- Busy Brains Partnership Pact – agreement signed by us, parent and child.
- Registration fee includes a Busy Brains gift and covers admin costs.
How Much? 11+ tuition (1:1 or group - max 4)
- One off £15 registration fee
- £40 per hour for 1:1; £32 per 45 mins
- £30 per hour per child for group
- Payable monthly in advance
- 10% discount for paying for a whole term in advance.
11+ for Year 4
- Build confidence and improve comprehension, understanding and speed
- Introduce test style questions
- Focus on problem solving and reasoning
- Improve techniques and strategies
BUCKS 11+
- English and Verbal Reasoning: 45 minutes
- Numerical and Non-Verbal Reasoning: 45 minutes
HERTS 11+
- Verbal Reasoning: 50 minutes – 80 questions
- Mathematics: 50 minutes, 50 questions (based on maths KS2 curriculum)
11+ - What is it?
Which schools use the tests?
What is the 11+?
- The 11+ is a selective test that some schools use to select their pupils, based on their academic ability.
- Some independent schools use these tests too.
- The test is used to ascertain if a child is suitable for grammar school.
- There are some schools that select their pupils based solely on the 11+ results.
- Other schools are partially selective and will look at other criteria such as siblings or proximity to the school. In these schools, a percentage of places are offered to pupils based on the 11+ results.
- Some schools will also admit a percentage of pupils on musical aptitude or aptitude in other areas such as sports or technology.
- The test is usually taken in September when a child is in Year 6.
- Parents will need to check with the schools concerned if they need to register their child to take the test.
- Parents must still complete the school application form for the relevant borough regardless of whether their child sits the 11+ test.
Herts
Paper 1 – Maths
Paper 2 – Verbal Reasoning
Bucks
Paper 1 – English comprehension, verbal reasoning, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Paper 2 – Maths, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning
Test Providers
- 11+ tests are written by different organisations and some schools elect to write their own.
- Each local authority will decide which provider they will use.
- Currently, both Herts and Bucks use GL Assessment. (Correct at time of writing (May 2019) – for up to date information please see admission information for relevant schools/local authority.)
- Tests are either in a multiple choice format whereby the pupil will mark their answers on a computer readable form or in a standard answer format. This is where the answers are written in the allocated spaces on the test paper – just as they would for their SATs papers in KS2.
The tests are different every year and will include a combination of question types and topics, the most common being below:
Verbal Reasoning
Problem solving and logic using numbers, letters, words etc
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Problem solving and logical reasoning involving symbols and pictures
Maths
Similar to KS2 SATs but quite challenging
English
Grammar, reading comprehension and on occasion a writing task
For further information on the types of questions included in each of the tests, look at our revision guides.
Which schools use the 11+ test to select pupils?
Herts SW Consortium Schools - Partially Selective
| School | Selective Intake |
|---|---|
| Bushey Meads | 10% technology aptitude |
| Parmiters School | 25% general ability – 10% Music |
| Queens School | 35% general ability – 5% Music – 5% Sport |
| Rickmansworth School | 25% general ability – 10% Music |
| St Clement Danes | 10% general ability – 10% Music |
| Watford Grammar for Boys | 25% general ability – 10% Music |
| Watford Grammar for Girls | 25% general ability – 10% Music |
Other partially selective schools in Herts
| School | Selective Intake |
|---|---|
| Dame Alice Owens | 32.5% general ability – 5% Music |
Herts - Barnet and Enfield
| School | Selective Intake |
|---|---|
| Henrietta Barnett | 93 places in Yr 7 – fully selective |
| Queen Elizabeth School (Boys) | 180 places – fully selective |
| Mill Hill County High School | 243 places; 10% Technology, 10% Music, 5% Dance. Partially selective |
| St Michaels School | 96 places – fully selective |
| Latymer (Enfield) | 10% Music, 10% pupil premium, 80% 11+ results. |
Buckinghamshire Schools
There are 13 grammar schools in Bucks which are selective and a further 21 upper schools which are not selective.
Children in Bucks state primary schools are automatically entered for the test unless their parents ‘opt out’.
| School | Selective Intake |
|---|---|
| Aylesbury Grammar School | 180 places – Boys only |
| Aylesbury High School | 180 places – Girls only |
| Beaconsfield High School | Girls only |
| Burnham Grammar School | Mixed |
| Chesham Grammar School | Mixed |
| Dr Challoners Grammar School | Boys only |
| Dr Challoners High School | Girls only |
| John Hampden Grammar School | 180 places – Boys only |
| Royal Grammar School | 182 places + 10 boarding spaces – Boys only |
| The Royal Latin School | 174 places – Mixed |
| Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School | Mixed |
| Sir William Borlase School | 120 places – Mixed |
| Wycombe High School | 192 places – Girls only |
Please look at each schools admissions policy for further information and for test application/registration/administration dates as these can vary quite vastly between different schools.
Our Team
