How Our Students Get Into Top Grammar and Independent Schools

How Our Students Get Into Top Grammar and Independent Schools

11+ & Grammar School Prep

How SHLC Students Get Into Top UK Schools

Every year, our students secure places at Bradford Grammar, Merchant Taylors', St George's College, The Latymer School, Queen Elizabeth's Barnet, and more. Some arrive with months to spare. Others come to us after a failed first attempt. The process that gets them there is the same each time.

120+
Families since 2020
12+
Top schools placed
3
Independent school scholarships
100%
Online tutoring

What We Actually Do

The SHLC method explained

There are no shortcuts in 11+ preparation. A student either has the skills and the stamina for that exam, or they don't. Our job is to make sure they do.

We follow a six-step process with every student, regardless of how much time they have:

1 Diagnose first Before covering a single topic, we assess. We need to know exactly where the gaps are, not where a parent or school thinks they are. Often these are different things.
2 Build a personalised plan Once we know where a student stands, we set clear topic-by-topic targets with realistic milestones. Every student gets a different plan because every student starts from a different place.
3 Build independence through homework Students who only improve during sessions don't improve fast enough. We assign targeted homework between sessions so students are working the material on their own, not just following along in a lesson.
4 Topic drills before mixed practice Students need to own individual topics before they tackle full papers. We don't rush to past papers. We build foundations first.
5 Real exam practice Once topics are solid, we move to full-length, exam-style questions. Worded problems, mixed topics, multi-step reasoning. The kind of questions that catch students out when they haven't prepared properly.
6 Papers until confidence is there We keep going until mock scores and exam-day confidence are both where they need to be. That means completing enough papers that students stop being surprised by question types and start seeing patterns.

Real Results

Most students who join us at 11+ stay on to continue their maths journey. Some are now considering Maths as one of their chosen subjects.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

Real results in maths achievement
Bradford Grammar One student joined us three months after failing his first 11+ attempt. Two sessions a week, targeted at his weak areas. He passed his resit, earned a place, and is now in top set.
3 Scholarships Three of our students have received scholarships at independent schools. All three were committed to doing the homework. All three trusted the process even when progress felt slow.
GCSE by Year 9 Most students stay on after 11+. Those who completed our full course reached GCSE Level 3 by Year 6 and finished the entire GCSE course by Year 9 or 10, all on track for Grade 9s.

Every Session Is Online

Every one of these students was taught entirely online. Some parents were sceptical at first. Most changed their minds within two sessions once they saw how quickly their child was progressing.

Online tutoring suits 11+ preparation well. Sessions are focused, flexible, and accessible from anywhere. There's no travel time, no disruption to the school day, and the work gets done.

What Top Schools Are Looking For

Parents sometimes ask what the secret is to getting into grammar or independent schools. There isn't one.

What schools want: understanding versus drilled methods

Top schools want students who can think, adapt, and problem-solve under pressure. They want children who are prepared and confident, not ones who have been drilled to the point of burning out.

A child who genuinely understands the maths will outperform one who has memorised methods every time.

Our job is to build real understanding alongside the speed and exam technique those tests require.

For a full breakdown of what the 11+ involves and how to prepare for it, see our complete guide to 11+ maths preparation.

What Parents Say

My daughter got accepted to Bradford Grammar thanks to SHLC's amazing support.

We noticed a huge difference in confidence and scores within weeks.

Aadam knew exactly what to do. He got straight to the point and brought the best out of our child.

SHLC helped our son go from nervous and unsure to absolutely ready for the exam.

Schools Our Students Have Been Accepted Into

Grid of independent UK school logos representing schools that set 11+ and entrance examinations
  • St Aubyn's SchoolWoodford Green, Essex
  • Bradford Grammar SchoolBradford, West Yorkshire
  • Thorpe House SchoolGerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
  • St George's CollegeWeybridge, Surrey
  • The Latymer SchoolEdmonton, London
  • St Albans SchoolSt Albans, Hertfordshire
  • Merchant Taylors' SchoolNorthwood, Hertfordshire
  • St Margaret's SchoolBushey, Hertfordshire
  • Aldenham SchoolAldenham, Hertfordshire
  • John Lyon SchoolHarrow on the Hill, London
  • Heckmondwike Grammar SchoolHeckmondwike, West Yorkshire
  • Queen Elizabeth's SchoolBarnet, London

How to Get Your Child Started

We offer one-to-one online tutoring for 11+, grammar school preparation, independent school entrance exams, and KS2 to GCSE maths. All sessions are flexible and built around your child's specific needs and timeline.

Best 11+ Practice Resources Practice papers and resources we recommend alongside tutoring. Mock Exam Marking Service Exam-board-standard marking on any paper your child completes. Complete Guide to 11+ Maths Everything the exam involves and how to prepare for it. Free Consultation Tell us where your child is now and how quickly we can help.

Ready to Start Your Child's 11+ Journey?

Tell me where your child is now, where they need to be, and how quickly we can get them there. I respond within 12 hours.

Book a Free Consultation
Aadam, SHLC Tutors
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