11+ Tutors for London’s Top Independent Schools
Expert preparation for Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, JAGS, KCS, St Paul’s, Westminster and more.
100% of our students received offers from their target schools in the 2025–26 admissions cycle.
Speak with an 11+ specialist about your child’s goals and preparation plan.
We’re incredibly proud to be one of London’s go-to agencies for 11+ school entrance support. We work with families across the capital, offering high-level 11+ preparation. We absolutely love what we do, and make sure every child and family who joins us feels supported from day one.
We understand that every school’s admissions process can be very different, and we’ve guided countless students into many of London’s most sought-after schools.
From developing core skills, exam strategy and scholarship preparation to interviews and confidence-building, we leave nothing to chance. Each child is carefully matched with the right tutor based on your target schools.
Trusted by families in Clapham, Battersea, Dulwich and Wimbledon.
Why parents trust us..
“The Happy Scholar have been incredibly helpful. From the outset they offered deeply insightful schools’ advice, and a plan for our son. From day one we have felt in safe hands”
Diana O, Wandsworth
What 11+ Parents Say…
“Our son performed exceptionally well in the 11+ tests, receiving offers and scholarship from many schools including the prestigious Sadlers Scholarship at Alleyn’s. We attribute this success to Nicholas’s enthusiasm, dedication and expertise as a tutor”
Diana, Balham
“We were introduced to our tutor Sam who was a teacher at Westminster Under. He focused on Ishu’s English in particular, which improved ten-fold. We were over the moon to receive an offer to KCS, which had seemed very unlikely, and he will be joining his brother in September!”
Amina, Wimbledon
“My daughter received an 11+ scholarship to Brighton College and we were so thankful to Laura for her expertise and experience. She has an extremely intuitive approach to teaching and facilitating children to get to where they need be”
Helen, Clapham
“As a parent, I really could not have hoped for anyone better and it has been a joy to see Rafa’s development and to have Rosa’s support along the way. Honestly if you had told me 6 months ago that Rafa was going to come out of the St Paul’s interview feeling more confident about how the English had gone than the Maths i would never have believed you !! Thank you for sending her our way, I couldnt rate her any higher !”
Bruna, Battersea
11 Plus Offers 25/26
We are incredibly proud of our 2025/26 students, with 100% receiving offers from their target schools and most securing multiple offers, including prestigious scholarships. This success reflects not only hard work, but also the dedication of our brilliant tutors and the support of their families. We couldn’t be more thrilled!
| School | Offers | Scholarships |
| Alleyn’s | 18 | 5 |
| Brighton College | 4 | 1 |
| City of London | 4 | — |
| Dulwich College | 19 | 5 |
| Emanuel | 17 | 4 |
| Epsom College | 5 | — |
| Harrodian | 1 | — |
| Highgate | 4 | 1 |
| JAGS | 18 | 4 |
| Kings College School | 7 | 1 |
| Latymer | 3 | — |
| Putney High | 3 | — |
| St Dunstan’s | 10 | 3 |
| St Paul’s | 4 | — |
| Streatham and Clapham | 17 | 6 |
| Tiffin | 3 | — |
| Trinity | 11 | 3 |
| Westminster | 3 | — |
| Whitgift | 21 | 6 |
| Wilsons | 3 | — |
| Wimbledon High | 8 | 2 |
How We Help Families Prepare for the 11+
Preparing for the 11+ can feel overwhelming for both children and parents. Our experienced tutors provide structured, personalised support throughout the process, helping students build strong academic skills, confidence and exam techniques.
We support families at every stage of preparation, from early academic foundations through to mock exams and school interviews.
Private 11+ Tutoring
Our tailored 1:2 tutoring helps children develop the core academic skills required for selective independent school exams.
Sessions focus on:
- English comprehension and writing
- Mathematics problem-solving
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Exam technique and time management
Each student receives a personalised preparation plan based on their current level, target schools and admissions timeline.
Our tutors regularly prepare students for competitive London schools including Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Westminster and St Paul’s.
11+ Interview Preparation
Many independent schools place significant weight on the interview stage, where they assess curiosity, confidence and communication.
Our interview preparation sessions help students:
- practise answering open-ended questions
- develop clear and thoughtful responses
- discuss books, interests and ideas confidently
- build confidence in speaking with teachers
Students take part in realistic mock interviews with detailed feedback, helping them approach the real interview feeling calm and prepared.
Practical 11+ Mock Exams
Mock exams give students invaluable experience of sitting assessments under timed, exam-style conditions.
Our mock exams help students:
- practise exam technique
- develop pacing and time management
- become familiar with the format of independent school assessments
- build confidence before the real exams
Parents receive detailed feedback highlighting strengths, areas for improvement and recommended next steps.
School Choice & Admissions Advice
Choosing the right schools and understanding the admissions process can be one of the most challenging parts of the 11+ journey.
We provide guidance to help families:
- understand the admissions process at different school
- choose realistic and ambitious school lists
- plan a preparation timeline
- navigate pre-tests, written exams and interviews
Our experience supporting families applying to London’s leading independent schools means we can help parents make informed and confident decisions.
Our Guide to 11 + Scholarships
Winning an academic scholarship is about more than grades – it’s about curiosity, resilience, and a genuine love of learning. Our 11+ scholarship tutors combine exceptional subject expertise with insight into what leading schools are looking for, helping children think critically, reason creatively, and perform under pressure.
We focus on stretch questions in English, Maths, and Reasoning, advanced problem-solving, and interview techniques that reveal individuality and intellectual spark. Every session is carefully tailored to the requirements of your child’s target schools, ensuring preparation that is precise, purposeful, and high-impact.
Our mission is clear: to help bright, motivated children stand out for the right reasons – not just for what they know, but for how they think.
Typical Traits of Scholarship Candidates
What makes a student stand out in the competitive scholarship process? It goes beyond simply performing well in core subjects like English, Maths, and Reasoning. Scholarship candidates tend to excel beyond age-appropriate expectations, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills, creativity, and advanced reasoning abilities.
Personal Qualities and Well-Roundedness
Scholarships aren’t just about academics – schools are looking for a well-rounded personality, not a robot. Successful candidates often possess emotional intelligence, maturity, and engaging communication skills. These traits allow them to express themselves clearly and confidently, both in interviews and written assessments. What’s more, they exhibit a strong work ethic and the determination to push themselves beyond the standard curriculum.
How We Help Prepare Your Child
At The Happy Scholar, we understand that the road to an 11+ scholarship is about more than just academic excellence. We will take a holistic approach to helping your child prepare for 11+ scholarships. We start by assessing your child’s strengths to make sure they’re on track for scholarships at their target schools. Your target school will be looking closely at school reports, so early planning will be beneficial.
Not sure where to begin?
Many parents start with a short consultation to discuss their child’s situation and preparation timeline.
Interview Day
While strong academics matter, the interview stage is now just as important. It’s your child’s chance to stand out beyond test scores and show their personality. At The Happy Scholar, interview preparation is a core part of our 11+ programme, led by a former Head of 11+ from a leading London prep school.
We help children approach interview day with confidence, speaking naturally and enthusiastically about what they love. Sessions include real 11+ interview questions – from favourite books and news topics to verbal comprehension, mental maths and curve-ball challenges – all tailored to your target schools.
Our goal is simple: to help your child think clearly, listen well, and shine.
11 Plus Holiday Courses 2026
Our courses are written and delivered by top school entrance experts with many years of experience successfully preparing students for the top Independents including Alleyn’s, Brighton College, Emanuel, Dulwich College, JAGS, KCS, St Paul’s, and Whitgift amongst others.
MAY HALF-TERM 2026
11 Plus Maths Mastery
Practice essential question types, including Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra & geometry.
How to unpick advanced word problems and attempt Scholarship style questions
3 Day course
9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Clapham
Year 5 & 6
MAY HALF-TERM 2026
11 Plus Essential English Skills
Learn how to produce an exemplar story, develop advanced vocab, unpick a difficult comprehension and working under timed conditions.
3 Day course
1.00pm to 4.00pm
Location: Clapham
Year 5 & 6
OCTOBER HALF TERM 2026
11 Plus ISEB Pretest Revision Course
A deep-dive digital revision course which will ensure that your child feels confident in their ability to recognise and tackle a variety of question types. The focus will be on exam technique and working systematically and quickly.
2 Day course: Mon 27th & Tues 28th October
9.00am to 12.00pm
Location: Online
Year 6 only
OCTOBER HALF TERM 2026
11 Plus Stretch Revision Course
It’s all about the final prep, revision goals and what to expect in the exams. Targeted sessions will focus on exam technique, revision tips, timing, common mistakes and where to gain those extra points. Maths, English and Reasoning.
3 Day course
9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Clapham
Year 6 only
NOVEMBER 2026
11 Plus Mock Exams
As 11+ candidates approach their final stretch of exam preparation, we will be running our popular mock exams. These are an integral part of our 11+ programme and will help children to familiarise themselves with a formal setting and timed conditions.
9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Clapham
Year 6 only
NOVEMBER 2026
Interview Preparation
Learn how to present your best self!
The interview is the final part of the process and it’s important to equip your child with a helpful toolkit. 1:1 Sessions will focus on your target schools with a tailored question and activity bank.
November and December dates available
Location: Clapham
Year 6 only
11 Plus FAQs
Q: Why Choose The Happy Scholar for 11 Plus and ISEB Pre-test Tuition?
At The Happy Scholar, our tutors are highly experienced in preparing children for 11 Plus and ISEB Pre-tests. Lessons are tailored for your target schools, ensuring focused, and meaningful preparation.
Q: When should my child start preparing for the 11+?
Most students start preparing for the 11+ in Year 4 or early Year 5, but the ‘right’ time to start for your child depends on their target schools and the foundations they have.
Q: Are we starting 11+ preparation too late?
Many families worry they may have left preparation too late. While some children begin developing skills in Year 4, it is still very possible to make excellent progress in Year 5 with structured preparation and the right support.
Q: What if my child gets nervous in exams or interviews?
A key part of our approach is helping students develop confidence and familiarity with the exam and interview process. Mock exams and practice interviews allow children to experience the format in a supportive environment before the real assessments.
Q: How can I find the right 11 Plus tutor?
When choosing an 11+ tutor, look for someone with plenty of experience in helping children succeed in 11+ exams. Ensure they are approachable, engaging, and committed to regular sessions. The right tutor on board will be able to motivate your child.
Q: How often are tutor sessions scheduled?
We recommend 1-hour sessions once or twice a week to allow your child to absorb the material at a steady pace. This approach ensures a balanced workload, reducing stress while providing effective exam preparation.
Q: How are students matched with tutors?
We gather the necessary details through an email or call to match you with the right tutor. We then send you the tutor’s background, experience, availability, and fees. Once confirmed, the tutor will contact you to arrange the first lesson.
Q: Do your 11 Plus tutors use past papers to assist children?
Yes, past papers are an integral part of our tuition strategy. They help students become familiar with the exam format and question types. Practicing with real papers improves time management and exam performance.
Q: What schools do you prepare students for?
Our tutors have extensive experience preparing children for entrance exams at many of London’s most competitive schools. These include Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, JAGS, Emanuel, Westminster, St Paul’s and City of London School.
Q: What qualifications and experience do our tutors have preparing children for 11 Plus exams?
Our tutors are highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in preparing students for the 11 Plus. They are carefully selected for their expertise and ability to connect with students. Your child will benefit from their focused, expert guidance.
Q: Do you offer in-person tutoring in South West London?
Yes. We offer in-person tutoring in South West London, in areas including Clapham, Battersea, Balham, Dulwich, and Wimbledon.
Q: Do you prepare students for the ISEB Pre-Test?
Yes. Our tutors help students become familiar with the format and develop the problem-solving skills needed to perform confidently in the ISEB pre-test under timed conditions.
Many leading independent schools now use the ISEB Pre-Test as part of their 11+ admissions process.
This adaptive online assessment evaluates:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
Our tutors help students become familiar with the format and develop the problem-solving skills needed to perform confidently under timed conditions.
Preparation typically includes:
- targeted reasoning practice
- online test simulations
- exam strategy and pacing
- confidence building
Our experience preparing students for schools such as Dulwich College, Westminster and St Paul’s means we understand how the ISEB Pre-Test fits into the wider admissions process.
Q: Why do parents choose the Happy Scholar?
Families choose The Happy Scholar because we combine academic expertise, personalised support and deep knowledge of London’s independent school admissions process.
Our approach is designed not only to prepare children for exams, but also to help them develop the confidence and curiosity that selective schools are looking for.
We are Experienced 11+ Specialists
We offer Personalised Preparation
We have Expertise in London Independent School Admissions
We deliver a Supportive, Confidence-Building Approach
We have Proven Results
Our goal is always to help each child achieve the best possible outcome while enjoying the learning process.
11 plus Schools Guide
Scholarships
