[TA123]

Our daughter is moving to Year 5 in September and I wonder if anyone can recommend a good tutor for Bucks 11+ exams or at least give some advice how to find one?

[Fran]

From Easter of year 5, I started going through IPS practice papers with my son. I got the tips and techniques book as well, which was very useful because there are one or two question types where it's almost essential to know the strategy. Once he got the hang of them, his scores levelled out and his interest waned, so he just did the odd one to stay in practice.

It is really important to use materials that relate to the Bucks test, not just general 11+ or verbal reasoning booklets. I got the books from http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/ and used the Bucks section of their forum for advice.

Personally, I think that that ought to be sufficient (though that might be a minority view): there's a limit to how much improvement can be made and if you somehow manage to squeeze a child over the 11+ hurdle when they're not really suited to grammar school, maybe you haven't actually done them any favours.

So if you want to use a tutor, I'm afraid I have no idea of the best way to find one, though others might. Meanwhile, I wish you well in getting your child into a suitable school.

[Eaton]

One of my customers is a private tutor in Cholesbury, her company is called Lucky Gecko. I know that she does 11+ tuition because another customer has used her and as far as I'm aware she does the lessons at your house. If you are interested and can't find the information via google, pm me and I'll send you her info.

[mvj]

Twist in the Tale - the bookshop just under the bridge near Amersham Station - also do 11+ tuition courses.

[TA123]

Thanks a lot for the info. Twist in the Tale is unfortunately fully booked. Will try Lucky Gecko.

[SallyH]

TA123, on 09 July 2010 - 10:16 PM, said:

Thanks a lot for the info. Twist in the Tale is unfortunately fully booked. Will try Lucky Gecko.

Twist in the Tale is also already fully booked for children currently in Year 3 (i.e. those who would take their 11+ in Autumn 2012). I recommended to a friend that she booked her three sons into Twist in the Tale for their 11+coaching, her youngest is 4 years old - his was not the first name on the list! Madness, but Twist are very good.

[moosie]

Hi TA123,
I've sent you a private message with some names I've had recommended (I'm in a similar situation). One comfort is that everyone I speak to always found assistance eventually, even if they left it late -- people do get booked up, but equally spaces do free up as well. Good luck!