Reading School (FSCE exam) Half Term Courses for Year 5 in 2026

Who are the 11+ half term courses for?

Our February and May Year 5 intensive 11+ half term courses in Winnersh are suitable for students taking the Reading (Boys) School exam, including those that attend our term time courses and those that have not previously attended our courses.

The half term courses are for students that are leaving Year 5 at school in July 2026.

*Based on average class sizes during the 2025–26 academic year.

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What you can expect for your child on our Half Term 11+ Intensive Courses for Reading School

We develop pupils’ knowledge so they’re equipped to answer a broad range of challenging questions across English, maths and other Key Stage 2 topics.

Small classes

Our Half Term 11 Plus Intensive Courses for Reading (Boys) School are limited in size (less than half the size of most independent school classes). Across our 11 Plus courses in 2025–26, classes averaged 8 students and never exceeded 10. A group of 8–10 provides the ideal balance: small enough for close monitoring and individual attention, yet large enough for healthy discussion, collaboration and a positive group dynamic.

We avoid groups of 11 or more because, although larger numbers may boost capacity, they inevitably reduce a teacher’s ability to monitor each child closely and provide the individual support we consider essential. We won’t compromise on teaching quality just to fit more children into a room. Discover the proven benefits of small class sizes.

Marie Redmond Tuition® Half Term Reading School Course Resources

Homework

To help reinforce skills taught during the half term 11 Plus intensive course, we’ll provide homework at the end of each lesson – with reviews of each topic in the following session. This gives pupils the opportunity to ask any questions on areas they may have struggled with. As reading comprehension and vocabulary are such important parts of the 11 Plus exams, we recommend that parents encourage their children to read as wide a range of fiction and non-fiction books as possible.

Mock exam

We set a mock exam at the end of May Year 5 Half Term 11 Plus Intensive Course (this is not included in the February course) written by Marie Redmond MEd, making sure your child is completely comfortable with exam conditions before it really counts. You will receive the results within 48 hours, along with access to Marie Redmond 11+ Intelligent Video Learning®, providing video feedback for every incorrectly answered question.

Breaks

To help your child consolidate their memories and continue to absorb new information, we include three 5 minute breaks during each of the half term lessons.

The importance of sleep

As sleep plays an important role in consolidating new memories, we recommend that your child gets as much sleep as possible during the period of their Half Term 11 Plus Intensive Courses and any key periods of learning. School-age children need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep a night and there are a few simple things you can do to help them get to sleep, such as turning off the TV, tablet or computer at least two hours before bedtime – the light from these can interfere with the production of the hormone melatonin, which affects sleep-wake cycles.

What we cover in the Half Term 11 Plus Intensive Courses

In the Reading (Boys) School Half Term 11 Plus Intensive Courses for Year 5, we focus on strengthening exam techniques and addressing skills gaps to ensure pupils are well prepared for the forthcoming test. The May half term course concludes with a full mock exam, while the February course does not include this element. To keep lessons enjoyable and engaging, educational games and activities are woven throughout the programme, helping children to learn effectively while remaining motivated.

Discounts
If your child currently studies with us on a term time course, they’ll be eligible for a 10% discount on our fees above (excludes book fees).

Payment methods
All fees are paid by Direct Debit, Debit/Credit Card, Childcare Vouchers, Tax-Free Childcare or the Childcare Grant Payment Service (for parents that are in full-time education). For more information, please see our holiday course payment FAQs.

Save 20% with Tax-Free Childcare

As we're registered with Ofsted, we accept payment by Tax-Free Childcare (and Childcare Vouchers) for all our classroom-based courses. If you're eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, you can save 20% on the cost of your child's course. For every £8 you pay into the scheme, the government will pay in £2, up to a maximum top-up of £2000 per year. Many of our students' parents take advantage of this scheme and you can find out here if you are eligible. You can select this payment method when you enrol, or you can switch to it at anytime during your child's course.