Finding a good 11+ tutor is one of the most consequential decisions in a child's exam preparation. The right tutor does more than deliver content — they build confidence, diagnose gaps and keep a child engaged over 12 to 18 months of preparation. Here is what to look for and what to ask.
Specialist knowledge of your target schools
11+ exams vary enormously between schools. The papers set by Westminster Under, Colet Court, Latymer Upper and City of London are each distinctly different in style, difficulty and weighting. A tutor who has experience with your specific target schools — and whose previous students have been successful there — is worth far more than one who teaches a generic 11+ curriculum.
Ask directly: "Which schools have your recent students been offered places at?" A confident tutor should have a clear, recent track record.
Subject expertise, not just exam familiarity
The 11+ tests English and Mathematics at a level that rewards genuine subject knowledge, not just exam technique. A tutor whose English sessions consist solely of comprehension exercises is unlikely to help a child who struggles with extended writing. Look for tutors who understand the underlying subject — not just the format of the paper.
Diagnostic approach
An effective tutor spends time understanding your child's specific strengths and weaknesses before producing a plan. Be cautious of tutors who apply a one-size programme to every child regardless of their starting point.
In the first few sessions, a good tutor should be able to identify precisely where your child is losing marks and why — and be able to explain that clearly to you.
Communication and progress updates
Parents should expect regular, honest communication about their child's progress. That includes good news and difficult news. A tutor who only ever says "they're doing great" without specifics is not giving you the information you need to make good decisions about preparation.
Questions to ask before committing
- Which schools have your students recently been successful at?
- How will you diagnose where my child currently is?
- How often will you update me on progress, and in what format?
- How do you structure sessions, and what proportion is new material vs practice?
- What do you do when a child hits a plateau or loses motivation?
Red flags to watch for
- Vague or evasive answers about past results
- Immediate focus on selling a large block of sessions upfront
- No structured assessment before beginning preparation
- Sessions that are entirely past-paper drills without explanation or feedback
- Unwillingness to communicate directly with parents about concerns
DBS checks
Any tutor who works with children should hold a current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. Ask to see the original document — do not rely solely on a tutor's word that they are DBS checked. The certificate should show no relevant entries and be reasonably recent (issued within the last three to five years).