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This is such great advice from Angela Lafferty Tutoring 📖

My top tips for 11+ English Comprehension: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

If your child is working towards the 11+, comprehension can feel like a tough nut to crack. But often, it’s about building smarter reading habits.

Here are a few practical strategies you can start using right away — small changes that can make a HUGE difference:

Give each paragraph a subtitle.
As your child reads, encourage them to jot a quick mini heading in the margin for each paragraph. This keeps them focused and helps them track the structure of the text — a game changer for tricky passages and finding answers quickly.

Read aloud once a week.
Set aside just 10 minutes a week for your child to read aloud to you. Then chat about it together — like a mini book club!
Ask questions, share thoughts, and even let them quiz you. It’s a great way to check understanding on both sides and build confidence.

Talk about what’s really going on.
Don’t just accept surface answers. Ask: Why did that happen? How do we know? What might happen next? This strengthens those all-important inference skills.

Read EVERYTHING (yes, really!)
Variety is key. Mix it up with:
- blogs
- interviews
- cereal boxes!
- newspaper reports
- instruction manuals
- poetry
- fiction and non-fiction

The more styles they see, the more adaptable they become in the exam.

Eliminate the silly options.
Cross out the answers that are clearly wrong first. This immediately narrows things down and puts the odds in their favour. If they’re unsure, make their best guess from the remaining options and move on quickly — don’t get stuck on one question. With fewer choices left, they’ve got a much better chance of picking the correct answer.

It’s about smart strategy, not perfection on every single question.

ALWAYS go back to the text!
The answer is always in the text. Underline key words and point to the exact evidence for each answer — no guessing and no relying on memory alone. If they can’t find it in the passage, it’s probably not the right answer.

Consistency is key.
A little bit, done regularly, will always beat last-minute panic. Even 20–30 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference.

Extra Support Opportunities

If your child needs a targeted boost or a confidence lift, here are some great options:

Year 5 English Master Class with Claire (May)
Perfect for focusing on specific 11+ topics and strengthening weaker areas.

Year 5 Summer School (August)
ALL the maths and English skills that pupils will require for the 11+. Summer School also covers speed, how to improve reliability on basic questions, and how to tackle advanced, multi-topic ones. It’s ideal for revision or for last-minute pupils, as well as those who may be struggling or lacking confidence.

Year 4 Summer School with Claire and myself (August)
Ideal for those who want a Head Start for Year 5. This is a fantastic way to reverse the Summer Slump — that dip in skills over the holidays — so your child starts Year 5 feeling prepared, confident, and motivated.

In 11+ terms, Year 5 is by far the most important year, so getting ahead really does make a difference.

If you’re unsure what would suit your child best, please do ask your tutor for advice — we’re always happy to help.
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Jane Powell 11+ Tutoring and Exams

NOW FULLY BOOKED!

Just TWO spaces left on this Easter’s Year 5 11+ English Master Class in Torquay.

Go to https://www.janepowelltutoring.co.uk/year5MasterClasses.cfm for more info and to book.

Jane Powell 11+ Tutoring and Exams

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Speed distance time 11+ questions on speed, distance and time.

Jane Powell Tutoring - Year 5 Master Classes Holiday classes information from Jane Powell Tutoring: providing tutoring, support and mock exams in preparation for the Torbay Grammar Schools' 11+ exam in Torquay, Devon

Congratulations to everyone who was offered a place at their first choice of secondary school this week. So proud of my last group of students who all were all allocated places at their preferred schools. You are AMAZING! 🤩

Know anyone who would like to see classes hard at work, outstanding teaching in practice, and maybe a bit of friendly rivalry in PE?
If so, we’re hosting our next school tour on Wednesday 11 March.
Places are limited but can be booked via our website or the QR code below.

The wait is over! It’s Allocation Day for Torbay’s secondary schools. Hope you all receive good news. Let me know how you get on. 🍀

I currently have spaces for both year 4 and 5 tutoring in my new Thursday sessions. Please click on the link for more information.

Jane Powell Tutoring | Home Jane Powell Tutoring provides tutoring, support and mock exams in preparation for the Torbay Grammar Schools' 11+ exam in Torquay, Devon