• Experience, Knowledge, Results: A Private Tutor for 11 Plus Success

    More than half of my teaching is devoted to the 11 Plus, with students working towards schools as diverse as Highgate, St Paul’s, Emanuel, City, NLCS, Westminster, South Hampstead, Latymer Upper, The Perse, Francis Holland – pause for breath – Godolphin & Latymer, Channing, Merchant Taylors, Habs, UCS, Harrow, King’s College, Mill Hill, Wetherby, QEB, Henrietta Barnett and King Alfred, and including many of the top independent schools in the UK.

    In 2023/2024, all of my students got into all of their schools (in one case, seven schools – a tough choice to make!).

    I work in tandem with some of London’s leading tutor agencies, including Spires, Superprof (where I am an 11 Plus Ambassador) and Bespoke Tutors.

    Prepare Early

    Early preparation is key, but intervention at any stage can make a significant difference.

    The schools will often say no tutoring is required, that it takes away from a level playing field, that it risks a child being unfairly supported before entry only then to have to swim on their own, and perhaps sink, once they get in.

    It is a reasonable argument, but in my experience the very opposite is true too. Extra learning at ages 9 and 10 can have a significant accelerant effect, boosting a child’s interest, core skills, and confidence. There is no downside. Great inroads can be made now into logic, expression, understanding and creativity with deep and lasting benefits.

    In many ways, the 11 Plus is a deeply unfair hurdle, as so much hinges on its outcome yet no two children develop at precisely the same pace.

    Amazing Transformations

    I find it a joy to witness the transformation within a child’s mind and behaviour as they transit being 10: sometimes they will leap quickly into a greater maturity; at other times, they may hold on to childish ways, restlessness, or being silly when a moment requires being earnest. Yet, I have found, within this 18-24 month period, they all get there. They all change, evolve, transmogrify! It is amazing, and with each passing year that I work with kids of this age, I am enthralled by the unfolding of this process.

    The Schools’ Point of View

    As well as being familiar with the individual requirements of the schools, I spend time imagining what it’s like from their perspective. What would I look for in prospective candidates? How would I go about deciding which ones meet the requirements?

    Many of the top schools are ten times or more over-subscribed. In trying to make their selection processes more efficient, no wonder they often change their entrance procedures.

    In recent years, for example, as well as the incorporation of online testing, there has been a move towards a greater focus on the interview and a shortened writing component in the English exam. Why read a 40-minute long piece from 300 students when a 20-minute piece might do?

    Some schools interview every candidate. Others require a reference from the current school. And so on. I keep track of these shifts and adjust our focus and work programme for each school you may be applying  to.

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  • Tutor and Mentor Daniel Sage

    Get in Touch

    For a free telephone or Zoom/Skype consultation, or to discuss more about your lesson needs, please call, email or fill out the form and I’ll get back to you shortly.

    Tel: +44 (0) 7974 961877

    Click to email

    To book a lesson, click here

Four main areas: English, Maths, Reasoning (incl. Verbal and Non-Verbal) and the Interview

Click on each colour-coded tab for more detail

     English     

The English exam has two main topics: Reading and Writing.

Reading – can you understand what is happening in a passage, and be able to infer, deduce, reason and all the other tricks our brains get up to, to make sense of a piece of writing? The key here is to try and picture in your mind what is going on as clearly and fully as you can.

The comprehension paper may be open answers or multiple choice (which appear easier as the right answer must be one of them, but often contains there’s than one right answer – the art is to pick the “most right”!)

Writing – can you express yourself and write clearly with a wide vocabulary and a variety of phrasing?

Mostly, schools ask for a composition – a creative writing piece – but increasingly, something transactional is required too: a letter, an essay, or an article.

There is a lot of Grammar business to address too. Students are expected to know their way around all manner of rules, from punctuation to adverbial phrases to modal verbs.

     Maths    –

The Maths exam aims to test your child’s speed, accuracy, problem solving and mental arithmetic. All the usual suspects are covered:

  • Number and place value
  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Fractions, percentages, decimals
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Algebra
  • Measurement
  • Geometry (properties and position of shapes, co-ordinates)
  • Statistics

I use a mix of workbooks and online exercises, drilling down in class into any elements as needed, to make sure every angle is covered, as well as practising with plenty of past paper materials.

     Reasoning     

Verbal Reasoning

Much more interesting than it seems. Around this age, the child’s mind is absorbing an enormous amount of language information and detail, while learning the profound ways and rules that link language elements together. The aim of the verbal reasoning tests is to try to measure where in this swirling miasma a child has reached.

There are many useful tips and tricks helpful in getting on top of the VR material.

I use a mix of online platforms such as Planet Bofa and Atom (rolled out at the appropriate time during the year) and some excellent workbooks. Regular practice is essential.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

NVR aims to do the same with the Maths-related aspects of the brain, and examines how a child is developing spatial and geometric intelligence. There are fewer specific exercises to do than for VR. The key is to practise, practise, practise (online, workbooks, past papers).

Reasoning

Comprehension in its broadest sense, using deduction, inference, extraction and the organisation of information, as well as evaluation, comparison, the identification of patterns and links, and logic. The material can be visual, numerical, written, or sometimes all three.

Reasoning papers are being used by more and more schools. The Consortium, for example, which comprises 14 London schools, brought in a new paper from September 2023, which, in their words, “goes beyond testing cognitive ability alone and seeks to discover a child’s potential in creative and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and problem-solving.”

There is an element of scientific enquiry about all this, but really it is about thinking creatively and trying out ideas. It can seem very daunting but actually can be fun (promise).

     Interviews     

Interview Skills and Confidence

I am a trained interviewer and the author of the guide, Interview Superpower, and have conducted many hundreds of live interviews as well as holding mock interview sessions for my students.

My insider knowledge and human-centred approach will help you feel more confident about the whole business and even – as some students have reported back – enjoy the process!

Public Speaking

I also coach for confidence in speaking and presenting in public and can help with mastering how to present yourself in all manner of situations where your best self is called for.

  • What Clients Say

    • Daniel is simply a superb tutor! He is experienced & knows the school entrance exams inside out. He recently guided my daughter through the 11+ and she got offers from every school we applied to, including St Pauls Girls, Godolphin, North London Collegiate, City, & S Hampstead. He helped my son a few years ago with 13+ and he’s now in Westminster. I cannot recommend him highly enough!

      Author's imageMichelle C11 Plus

    • Daniel has been a great support to my three children. All made it into their first choice school. Daniels approach and support in both learning and exam techniques and preparation played a big part. I’d recommend Daniel in a heartbeat.

      Jo-Anne L

    • Daniel tutored my 2 sons in preparation for their exam and interview for a very competitive north London independent school. He was an excellent tutor and both my boys found the sessions stimulating and enjoyable. Daniel has a way of promoting new and broader ways of thinking. He has a wonderfully relaxed and calming style. Just what we needed with all the hype and pressure of exams. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to others. Both my boys were offered places at their chosen school.

      Shariff G

    • Daniel has been an amazing tutor, helping our daughter to get through the North London independent school race. He knew exactly how to steadily build on her storytelling, adding complexity and eloquence step by step. Daniel has a very engaging and encouraging style of teaching which made our daughter look forward to every lesson. Most importantly, this built her confidence which was key for doing very well in her interviews.

      Philip H

    • Daniel is an extraordinary English tutor who has significantly improved my daughter’s English level. His background as a real writer brings a depth of knowledge and expertise that is truly invaluable. He skillfully integrates grammar, vocabulary and other essential elements into his writing lessons, making them comprehensive and enriching. His lessons are not just educational but also incredibly engaging, sparking a genuine interest in writing within my child. He shows a genuine commitment to his students’ progress. He is more than just a tutor; he is a mentor who inspires and nurtures his students’ writing abilities. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a tutor for their child.

      Jenny S

    • Daniel is a superb tutor, very patient, structured and organised. He is helping my daughter with her 11+ preparation and although we haven’t completed our journey yet, I can honestly say that he made a huge impact on my daughter’s attitude to English language. She has improved a lot.
      Daniel always takes time to talk and discuss progress with us as parents which is a great support during the 11+ prep. I can’t recommend him more. Thank you!

      Maria S

    • Excellent teacher for the right technique for 11+ entrance tests
      Daniel is a lovely teacher who really works with the child and brings out the best in him by encouraging and teaching the right techniques! My son loved his teacher & he would openly discuss his creative ideas with Daniel who helped him to funnel it down with the right strategy . 11+ preparation needs to be focused and that’s what he helped my son with . We focused on creative writing skills & the comprehension techniques! His guidance really helped & my son got offers from 3 top independent schools ! We are very happy & proud to have given him the right support at the right time .
      Subject : 11+ School Exam Preparation
      Outcome : 3 offers in hand ! We chose Haberdasher’s Boys for our son as it was our no. 1 option & we got it . Thank you Daniel.

      Manisha A

    • Great tuition and results
      Daniel has done a great job in bringing our son up to speed in English as we came back from another country.
      Our son very much enjoyed each lesson and we’ve seen very quick tangible progress in just 3 months leading to the admission of our first school choice. We highly recommend,
      Many thanks Daniel!

      Subject : 11+ School Exam Preparation
      Outcome : Dulwich College year 7 admission

      Amine R

    • Excellent English Tutor!
      Daniel has been working with my son over the past year. English was my son’s weakest subject yet with Daniel’s help, my son’s English has improved greatly. In his ISEB my son tested the highest in English and VR. Daniel is very patient, he adjusts to various learning styles, ensures steady progress. He has helped my son to overcome his fear of creative writing, encouraged him to read (by providing a very wide range of books to explore), taught him exam techniques. Overall-great experience and great outcome! Daniel is now tutoring my daughter for her upcoming 11+
      Outcome : Acceptance to Harrow

      Gulnara Y

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  • Tel: +44 (0) 7974 961877

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  • Contact Me

    For a free telephone or Zoom/Skype consultation, or to discuss more about your lesson needs, please call, email me or fill out the form at the top and I’ll get back to you shortly.

    To book a lesson, click here

Some of the schools I have helped students into

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