11+ and GCSE Tutoring Across West Yorkshire
One selective state grammar for the whole county
That is the fact that shapes entrance exam preparation across West Yorkshire, and most national 11+ advice ignores it completely.
Why West Yorkshire is different
Most 11+ advice online is written for counties with a shared, published, county wide grammar school test. Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire. Parents there can look up the format, the pass mark and the appeals process.
West Yorkshire does not work that way. Heckmondwike Grammar is essentially the only selective state grammar option in the county, and everything else at 11+ is independent school entry with each school setting its own assessment.
Two consequences follow. First, the competition for the one grammar place is heavier than the raw local population suggests, because applicants travel in from every district. Second, buying a generic 11+ workbook is a worse fit here than almost anywhere else in England, because there is no single paper for it to be generic about.
The practical answer is to pick the target school first, then build preparation round that school's actual assessment, then add reasoning and timed practice on top.
Coverage across the county
Sessions run online, so the district you are in makes no difference to availability. What changes by district is the school being aimed at.
- Kirklees. Heckmondwike Grammar entrance preparation, plus GCSE support across Dewsbury, Batley, Mirfield and Cleckheaton.
- Wakefield. Independent entrance assessments for the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation schools and Silcoates, plus GCSE and resit work.
- Bradford. Bradford Grammar entrance preparation and GCSE Maths, English and Science.
- Leeds. The Grammar School at Leeds entrance assessment, and heavy demand for grade 4 to 6 and grade 6 to 9 GCSE Maths work.
- Calderdale. Mostly GCSE support, with Heckmondwike Grammar applications from Brighouse and Elland families.
What we actually do
11+ entrance preparation
Preparation matched to the specific school being applied to, because in West Yorkshire that means one selective state grammar and a set of independents that each set their own paper.
GCSE Maths, English and Science
Weekly one to one or small group sessions built round the topics costing your child marks, not a march through the whole specification.
Self guided Maths Mastery Lessons
Interactive topic lessons that teach the method first, then test it. Answers are built in so you can check work quickly. Some lessons regenerate their questions so the same topic can be practised again.
Mock exam marking
Papers marked by an experienced teacher, returned with written feedback showing where the marks went and why.
Not sure where your child actually stands? A diagnostic assessment finds the gaps before you spend anything on lessons, and free past papers are on the exam resources page if you want to test that yourself first.
GCSE results these methods have produced
Real students, real timeframes. These are GCSE grade movements, including students already inside grammar and independent schools, where getting in was the easy half.
Groundwork started in Year 9 or Year 10 produces those numbers far more often than a panic started in Year 11. Nothing here is a promise attached to a booking.
On the entrance exam side, which is a separate job entirely, three students have won scholarship places at grammar or independent schools.
What it costs
One to one tuition starts from £40 per session, priced on level and exam focus.
Tutoring with Friends is the group option. Bring one or two friends and the price starts at £20 per student per session. Same lesson, same teacher, split cost.
Mock exam marking starts at £39.99 per paper, rising to £69.99 and £99.99 for faster turnaround and a one to one review. Bulk rates for schools on 20 papers or more.
Self guided lessons are the cheapest route in, priced per topic with no subscription.
If you are not sure which of those fits, a free consultation sorts it in fifteen minutes. Booking one does not commit you to anything.
How the online sessions run
Every session is live and one to one, or live with the friends your child brings. Nothing is pre recorded.
Sessions run with a shared interactive whiteboard, so your child works through questions while the teaching happens rather than watching someone else write. Work is saved and sent over afterwards, along with short targeted practice for the week.
Parents get progress updates rather than having to ask. If something is not landing, you hear it from me first.
Common questions
How many grammar schools are there in West Yorkshire?
Selective state grammar options are effectively down to Heckmondwike Grammar. Schools elsewhere in the county with grammar in the name are independent, which means fees and their own entrance assessment.
Do you teach in person anywhere in West Yorkshire?
No. Everything is live online, which keeps availability the same whether you are in Halifax or Hemsworth and removes travel time from both sides.
Which district do most of your students come from?
Kirklees and Wakefield, then Leeds and Bradford. The business started in Wakefield and the 11+ side is weighted towards Heckmondwike Grammar applicants.
Start with a conversation, not a contract
Tell me your child's year group, the school or exam you are aiming at, and where they are getting stuck. If I am not the right fit for West Yorkshire I will say so and point you somewhere better.
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