London and the South East are home to some of the most competitive grammar schools and selective independent schools in the UK. Each year, thousands of families across London, Hertfordshire, Essex and surrounding counties prepare their children for the 11+ entrance exams in order to secure places at these highly regarded schools.
At LearningPOD, we provide structured 11+ preparation programmes designed to help students develop the reasoning ability, academic knowledge and exam confidence needed to succeed in selective school entrance exams.
Our expert tutors support students through the full syllabus while developing the problem-solving skills, exam techniques and time-management strategies required to perform well under timed exam conditions.
Schools in London
Students across the London prepare for entrance exams to a range of grammar schools and selective institutions.
Grammar Schools in London
Several highly selective grammar schools are located in and around North London.
Students often prepare for entrance exams for schools such as:
- Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
- The Henrietta Barnett School
- St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
- Latymer School
These schools are among the most competitive grammar schools in the UK, and strong preparation is essential for success.
Selective Independent Schools in London
London also has a large number of prestigious independent schools that require competitive entrance exams.
Examples include:
- City of London School
- University College School
- Highgate School
- Haberdashers’ Boys’ School
- Haberdashers’ Girls’ School
These schools often use ISEB or school-specific entrance examinations, testing strong academic ability as well as reasoning skills.
Grammar Schools in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is home to several well-known selective schools.
Students commonly prepare for entrance exams for:
- Dame Alice Owen’s School
- Watford Grammar School for Boys
- Watford Grammar School for Girls
These schools often use GL Assessment style tests, focusing on maths, English and reasoning skills.
Grammar Schools in Essex
Essex has several highly regarded grammar schools with competitive entrance exams.
Students often prepare for schools such as:
- Colchester Royal Grammar School
- Colchester County High School for Girls
- King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls
These schools commonly use GL Assessment tests, requiring strong reasoning ability and academic knowledge.
11+ Exam Formats Used in London & South East
Selective schools across the region typically use one of the following exam providers:
GL Assessment
GL Assessment tests are widely used by grammar schools
Subjects tested include:
- Maths
- English
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring)
Some schools use CEM exams which focus heavily on reasoning ability and vocabulary.
Sections may include:
- Numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Reading comprehension
ISEB
ISEB entrance exams are commonly used by independent schools.
These assessments may include:
- Maths
- English comprehension
- Reasoning tests
- Written tasks
Our 11+ Preparation Programmes
LearningPOD provides structured preparation programmes designed to support students at different stages of their 11+ journey.
Year 4 – Foundation Preparation
Our Year 4 programme introduces students to the key skills required for selective school entrance exams.
Students develop:
- Vocabulary and comprehension skills
- Numerical reasoning ability
- Logical thinking and problem solving
- Confidence with exam-style questions
Starting early helps students gradually build the skills needed for competitive entrance exams.
Year 5 – Intensive Preparation
Year 5 students receive focused preparation including:
Students benefit from:
- Full syllabus coverage
- Timed practice papers
- Mock exams under exam conditions
- Exam strategy coaching
This stage prepares students for the pace and pressure of the real exam.
1-to-1 Tuition
Our 1-to-1 tuition provides personalised support tailored to each student.
This option is ideal for students who:
- Need targeted help in specific subjects
- Want accelerated progress
- Benefit from individual instruction
Small Group Tuition
Small group sessions allow students to learn collaboratively while maintaining individual attention.
Groups are limited to a maximum of 3–4 students to ensure high-quality teaching.
Students benefit from:
- Peer discussion and shared learning
- Healthy academic challenge
- Increased motivation
Mock Exams and Intensive Revision
Mock exams are an important part of our preparation programme.
Students benefit from:
- Real exam simulation
- Timed practice papers
- Detailed performance reports
- Identification of strengths and areas for improvement
11+ Tutors in London
Parents searching for 11+ tutors in London often want structured preparation that builds both academic knowledge and exam confidence.
LearningPOD supports London students preparing for selective schools by offering:
Structured 11+ preparation programmes
Small group and 1-to-1 tuition
Mock exams and progress tracking
Personalised learning plans
“Our goal is to ensure every student develops the reasoning ability and exam technique required to succeed.”
Online 11+ Tuition for London & South East Families
LearningPOD offers online 11+ tuition, allowing families across London and the South East to access expert preparation from home.
Online lessons include:
Interactive live teaching
Digital whiteboard explanations
Real exam-style practice questions
Personalised learning plans
“This enables students across London, Hertfordshire and Essex to benefit from specialist 11+ preparation.”