Expert Insights

Advice and support for parents and students

Category: School's Entrance

Best Grammar Schools in the UK (2025)
Dec 17, 2024
Best Grammar Schools in the UK (2025)

Grammar schools are state funded schools which select pupils on their academic ability. As a parent, you might consider ...

What Is Higher Education? Differences between Further and Higher Education
Dec 13, 2024
What Is Higher Education? Differences between Further and Higher Education

Higher education is an exciting milestone, offering the chance to dive deeper into subjects you love, earn advanced qual...

The Ultimate 11+ Past Paper Resource List
Nov 29, 2024
The Ultimate 11+ Past Paper Resource List

Are you preparing your child for the 11+ entrance exams? Practice is key, and past papers are an invaluable resource for...

8+ Exam Guide - Everything You Need to Know
Nov 22, 2024
8+ Exam Guide - Everything You Need to Know

For many parents and students, the 8+ exam offers an alternative entry point to selective schools, targeting children in...

How To Check School Waiting Lists
Nov 15, 2024
How To Check School Waiting Lists

In the admissions process, independent schools carefully consider applicants at various age levels, including 7+, 8+, an...

Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 100 for 2025
Sep 27, 2024
Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 100 for 2025

Private schools in the UK are renowned for their academic excellence, world-class facilities, and holistic development p...

7+ Exam Guide - Everything You Need to Know
Sep 13, 2024
7+ Exam Guide - Everything You Need to Know

Whether you're weighing up the decision to transition from state primary to independent education or already set on a pr...

25 Frequently Asked School Interview Questions
Aug 30, 2024
25 Frequently Asked School Interview Questions

The 11 Plus interview is a critical step in the admissions process for many independent and grammar schools. This interv...

How to prepare for the 11+ GL Assessment
Aug 02, 2024
How to prepare for the 11+ GL Assessment

The 11 Plus Grammar School exam is a vital assessment taken by many children in the UK as they prepare to enter a selec...

11 Plus Standardised Scores Explained
Jul 20, 2024
11 Plus Standardised Scores Explained

For parents, getting to grips with the 11+ standardised scoring system can help gauge their child's performance in prep...

What are Grammar Schools?
May 31, 2024
What are Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools in the United Kingdom offer a unique educational pathway by providing academically rigorous programs aim...

The UK Education System Explained - 2024
May 17, 2024
The UK Education System Explained - 2024

Navigating the UK Education system can be challenging. Whether you are a parent, student, national or international, thi...

Grammar or Independent: Which Is Right for Your Child?
May 03, 2024
Grammar or Independent: Which Is Right for Your Child?

Conclusion If you want to discuss any issues surrounding choosing a secondary school for your child, please don’t hesit...

Choosing the Best 11 Plus Tutor for Your Child
Apr 05, 2024
Choosing the Best 11 Plus Tutor for Your Child

All parents want their child to have the best chance of success in the 11 Plus exams. Choosing the right tutor to work ...

The 11 Plus (11+) Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Dec 14, 2023
The 11 Plus (11+) Guide: Everything You Need to Know

If you're navigating the educational path of your child, you've likely heard of the 11 Plus exam. This guide is your gat...

Ivy Education Tips - Choosing your child's school
Nov 12, 2023
Ivy Education Tips - Choosing your child's school

Parents make thousands of decisions every day, some more important than others. Am I going to let him have another scoop...

Next Steps for your Next Schools, by Charlotte Faber
Nov 10, 2023
Next Steps for your Next Schools, by Charlotte Faber

As the school year approaches, our educational consultant Charlotte Faber, former headmistress of Garden House Upper Gir...

What is the CEM Exam?
Apr 28, 2023
What is the CEM Exam?

In late 2022, CEM made a decisive move to transition from the traditional paper-based 11+ exams to an entirely online fo...

What are the differences between the GL and CEM 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams? 
Apr 21, 2023
What are the differences between the GL and CEM 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams? 

The 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exam is a test taken by primary school students in the UK to determine their eligibili...

Entry into Sixth Form with Dr Caroline Watkinson
Apr 15, 2021
Entry into Sixth Form with Dr Caroline Watkinson

In this, our latest webinar, Dr Caroline Watkinson joined us once more to talk about entrance into sixth form (16+ entry...

UKiset- UK Independent Schools' Entry Test
Oct 12, 2020
UKiset- UK Independent Schools' Entry Test

The UKiset is an assessment international students take when applying to independent schools in the UK. This assessment ...

Entrance Exam Preparation – Dos and Don'ts
Oct 05, 2020
Entrance Exam Preparation – Dos and Don'ts

Entrance Exam Preparation – pitfalls and pointers As we enter entrance exam season for students applying for schools at ...

School Entrance Interview Preparation with Brodie Bibby
Sep 11, 2020
School Entrance Interview Preparation with Brodie Bibby

“Would you rather have a bath in jelly or in baked beans?” School entrance interview preparation with Brodie Bibby As a ...

Gear up for success with the end of year school exams
May 21, 2020
Gear up for success with the end of year school exams

Despite current disruptions to the academic term, end-of-year school exams are fast approaching. In this latest blog we...

The 11+, 13+, and your child’s happiness
May 06, 2020
The 11+, 13+, and your child’s happiness

With school entrance exams still reported to be going ahead in the autumn, now is a good moment to reflect on the 11+ a...

Understanding your child’s potential through assessments
Nov 27, 2019
Understanding your child’s potential through assessments

In this blog we discuss the different types of assessment tests - Maths, English and Reasoning - which are used by schoo...

Featured Video Choosing The Perfect School with former Head, Sally Hobbs
Sep 20, 2019
Choosing The Perfect School with former Head, Sally Hobbs

Choosing the right school for your child is a daunting prospect, a decision that seems laden with consequences for the f...