Hertfordshire 11 Plus Tuition

Introduction to the Hertfordshire 11 Plus (Academic Ability Test)

Partially selective schools in SW Herts

• There are seven partially selective schools within the South West Hertfordshire Schools Consortium, each with their own admissions criteria.
• Six of the seven South West Herts Consortium schools allocate between 10% and 35% of their Year 7 places based on academic abilty; if your child is ineligible to join one of these schools under other criterion, such as sibling or proximity, they can be considered for entry based on their academic ability.
• Some of the schools also test musical or sports aptitude; Croxley Danes does not offer academic places but offers a small number of places based on music aptitude.

Applying for an academic place with the Hertfordshire 11 Plus Exam

• To apply for a place at South West Herts Consortium schools under the Academic Criterion, your child will need to sit the South West Herts Consortium Academic Ability Test (Hertfordshire 11 Plus exam) in Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.
• Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will take the Herts 11+ exam on Saturday 6th September 2025 to be eligible to apply for an academic place for September 2026.
• The tests are administered by South West Herts Schools Consortium and your child will only need to sit them once, regardless of which school they are applying for, as all six schools use the same test.
• The Hertfordshire 11+ tests are provided by GL Assessment and there is no 'pass mark'; places are offered in accordance with each school’s admission policy and students are ranked in order of their score.

If your child does not sit the Hertfordshire 11 Plus Academic Test, they may still be able to apply

• If your child does not take the Hertfordshire 11 Plus 'Academic Ability Test' prior to applying for a place at one or more of the schools, it will not be possible for their application to be considered under academic testing.
• However, their application can still be considered under other criterion (such as sibling or proximity). They can also apply for other places by taking the South West Herts Consortium Music Aptitude Test (Parmiter's, Queens', Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes, Watford Boys, Watford Girls and Croxley Danes School and Sports Aptitude Test (Queens' School only).

Skip to our useful FAQs about the Hertfordshire 11+ exam (Academic Ability Test) >

How many academic places are available for students sitting the Hertfordshire 11 Plus (SW Herts Academic Ability Test) and what score is required?

• The South West Herts Consortium schools (with the exception of Croxley Danes School), allocate a proportion of their Year 7 places based on academic ability, as measured by a student's score in the Hertfordshire 11 Plus (Academic Ability Test).
• To ensure that younger students are not disadvantaged (i.e. those born later in the school year), the scores are age-standardised.
• There is no pass mark for the Hertfordshire 11 Plus and instead, students are ranked in order based on their score. It is therefore important that your child aims for as high a score as possible.
• You will not know until Allocation Day (3rd March 2025), whether your child has been successful in securing an academic space. However, as a helpful guide for when you apply for a place, the schools provide the minimum scores that students were admitted with in previous years; you can find the most recent scores below. Please bear in mind that even if your child scores higher than the previous year’s lowest admitted score(s), it does not automatically mean that they will be offered a place. Ensure that your child is fully prepared, with our Hertfordshire 11 Plus tuition.
• You can see the lowest admitted scores for the last few years on our Parmiter’s School, Queens’ School, Rickmansworth School, St Clement Danes School, Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls pages.

About Our Hertfordshire 11+ Tuition Courses in Bushey

At Marie Redmond Tuition, we believe that every child deserves expert tuition—taught by fully qualified, highly experienced primary teachers who specialise in the 11+ curriculum. The foundation of success isn’t just about a well-designed space—it’s about the depth of knowledge, the expertise, and the commitment of the educators guiding each child.

Whilst some tuition providers focus on aesthetics, we focus on results, excellence, and real teaching expertise. We never compromise, because we know parents wouldn’t want their child’s future in the hands of an unqualified teacher—sometimes a teenager still in school, hired simply for having five GCSEs and working for low pay. The 11+ is a pivotal milestone—one that requires carefully planned teaching, exceptional resources, and guidance from professionals who truly understand primary education.

Marie Redmond Tuition has always been obsessive about delivering the highest standard of tuition. We have seen many tuition providers come and go, including those with well-presented high street or shopping centre locations. But our longevity and success come from our relentless focus on quality, our exclusive Superbrain® resources, and our personalised support that gives every child the best chance to excel.

Small Classes

Our Hertfordshire 11+ tuition classes are deliberately kept small — less than half the size of most independent school lessons, with a maximum of 10 students. A group of 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.

When your child enrols on our SW Herts 11 Plus tuition courses, we will:

• Ask them to complete an assessment to understand their current level of ability
• Recommend key areas for improvement based on the assessment results
• Provide you with a personalised Tuition Plan – detailing your child’s specific targets

Course Structure

Our Hertfordshire 11+ Term‑time lessons in Bushey run for 2 hours in Year 4 and 2 hours 15 minutes in Year 5. The course is divided into three terms, with around 11 lessons per term. If your child is unable to start at the beginning of a course, they are welcome to join later, subject to availability.

Teaching Methods

Our SW Herts 11 Plus Tuition Courses in Bushey are expertly designed by Marie Redmond MEd and delivered by an outstanding team of fully qualified local primary teachers. By combining proven strategies with engaging teaching methods tailored to meet the latest 11 Plus requirements, we ensure every child feels confident, prepared, and fully supported throughout their journey.

Unlike approaches that focus solely on teaching students how to answer questions, we ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach. Our courses not only cover the full syllabus, ensuring students fully understand all areas of the SW Herts 11+ curriculum, but also thoroughly teach pupils the techniques required to tackle exam questions effectively. In addition, we go further-training them in essential exam techniques that empower them to excel under real exam conditions. By mastering both the content of the syllabus and the strategies for success, students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed not just to succeed in the exam but to manage the pressures and challenges it presents.

Guided by evidence-based insights, we recognise that children learn best when actively engaged, intrinsically motivated, and supported by positive emotions and social interaction. This philosophy is shaped by Marie’s Masters Degree in Education, specialising in child psychology and literacy development, and it influences every aspect of our work.

By blending traditional teaching methods with premium resources and incorporating educational games and activities, we create lessons that are both effective and enjoyable. Mental preparation is a cornerstone of our philosophy, helping to build confidence and resilience, fostering academic success, and creating a deeply fulfilling learning experience.

Superbrain® Skills Videos – Reinforce Learning Anytime, Anywhere

Our Hertfordshire 11+ Term-time students have access to video explanations of the key techniques taught in each lesson. These videos are designed to:

 Reinforce learning – Helping students revisit essential concepts covered in class.

 Provide step-by-step guidance – Breaking down techniques in a clear, structured way.

 Support independent review – Allowing students to study at their own pace, whenever they need.

Whether your child wants to refresh their understanding, master tricky techniques, or solidify their knowledge, these videos offer an invaluable resource to build confidence and success in their SW Herts 11+ preparation.

Assessments and Progress Reports

In addition to weekly spelling tests, our SW Herts 11+ term-time students undergo formal assessments twice per term—at half-term and at the end of the term—covering all topic areas. These assessments provide a valuable measure of progress over time, ensuring that we can track genuine improvements in attainment without being overly influenced by short-term fluctuations. Testing more frequently risks skewing results due to the occasional ‘off week,’ whereas our structured approach strikes the perfect balance between regular monitoring and meaningful insight.

Based on the initial assessment and your child's specific answers, we create a personalised tuition plan that sets individual targets for each subject area that is relevant to the SW Herts academic test (maths and verbal reasoning). Every lesson is designed to develop these areas. We continuously monitor progress, allowing us to refine tuition plans to ensure they suit your child's needs and challenges.

Parents are always welcome to contact us at any stage during their child's SW Herts 11+ tuition course for feedback on their development. They can speak with their child's teacher after lessons or contact Marie directly by phone or email for further insight. As a smaller, truly independent provider, parents don’t discuss their child’s progress with a franchisee or a non‑teacher — they receive guidance from qualified teachers who understand their child’s needs. Our size allows us to offer truly tailored support and maintain a close, supportive relationship with families.

Homework Designed for Mastery and Confidence

At Marie Redmond Tuition, we believe in providing homework that is both meaningful and manageable. Our thoughtfully designed tasks reinforce the skills taught during each 11 Plus tuition lesson, ensuring pupils are fully prepared for success. Homework is set to be completed for the next lesson, where it is reviewed, giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding and address any challenges.

With many years of experience and a history of successful outcomes, we’ve refined our approach to homework, striking a balance that encourages consistent progress without overwhelming students or families. Our longer lessons, compared to shorter ones offered by many other tutors, allow students to grasp key concepts in class-reducing reliance on excessive amounts of homework whilst ensuring it remains a valuable part of their learning.

Too little homework can leave students underprepared, whilst too much can lead to homework resistance, stress, and disengagement. The vast majority of parents say that we provide just the right amount of homework-carefully calibrated to meet students’ needs and prepare them thoroughly for the 11 Plus exams. Each task is purposeful, ensuring pupils work hard and make consistent progress whilst minimising unnecessary stress. Our balanced approach ensures that homework remains a valuable, manageable, and productive part of each pupil’s learning journey.

Additionally, we encourage parents to support their children by exploring a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. This helps build the critical comprehension and vocabulary skills essential for 11 Plus success.

Marie Redmond Tuition 'Bag of Knowledge®'

During your child's first term-time course lesson, they will receive a Bag of Knowledge®, carefully curated to support their learning journey. This exclusive collection includes Marie Redmond's Superbrain® resources and a selection of books from leading publishers, ensuring they have everything they need to excel. As the course progresses, students are given additional books at the appropriate stages to support their learning throughout the year.

Each student receives their materials in a premium Marie Redmond Tuition® rucksack, designed to reflect the exceptional quality of our tuition and resources. Inside, they'll find an electronic thesaurus, a tin of Marie Redmond's Superbrain® vocabulary flashcards and a dry erase whiteboard.

Students also receive notebooks dedicated to spellings, vocabulary and maths, as well as a plain notebook for additional notes. Completing the set is a pencil case stocked with essential stationery including HB pencils, an eraser, sharpener and a dry erase pen.

Included in the Bag of Knowledge® is a high‑quality plastic‑free insulated water bottle, complete with a fun vocabulary feature on the back, because we believe learning should be both effective and enjoyable. Research on UK primary school pupils shows that even mild dehydration can affect concentration and cognitive performance, so we always encourage them to attend with a full water bottle.

Best of all, the cost of the Bag of Knowledge® and all resources for the course is fully covered within the Buckinghamshire monthly course fees.

Marie Redmond's Superbrain®

Students attending our Year 5 11+ Easter and 11+ summer holiday courses receive a Superbrain® English and verbal reasoning holiday course book for each week they attend, further reinforcing their skills. Plus, all term-time students receive Marie Redmond's Superbrain® 11 Plus Flash Cards upon joining—an interactive resource designed to supercharge their vocabulary and accelerate exam preparation.

Explore our full Superbrain® collection and discover how these exclusive resources support students on their journey to 11+ success.

The Marie Redmond Tuition® Book Club

Sharing our enjoyment of books is a fantastic way to encourage reading and therefore develop vocabulary and comprehension at home. The Marie Redmond Tuition® Book Club is open to all students attending our term-time 11 Plus tuition courses in Hertfordshire and is an excellent platform for discussions about books, opportunities for creativity and promoting reading for pleasure. Discover our book of the month.

Creative Thinking Course

The virtual Creative Thinking Course is particularly useful for boys preparing for the latest format of the Reading School 11+ exam but is open to all our term-time students.

Students attend one creative thinking lesson per week on Zoom, which lasts for 45 minutes. Students are taught to use innovation and problem solving. They will become adept at approaching situations in different ways, using diverse strategies.

Every lesson includes a fun thinking skills warm-up activity followed by the main focus of the lesson. Strategies like group discussions, questioning, mind mapping, and thinking 'outside the box' are employed to encourage creative learning approaches. Students learn various writing techniques and how to draft, review, and edit their work.

Homework is assigned weekly to consolidate the skills taught during the lesson. Homework is submitted via email, and the creative thinking teacher annotates the text and writes a short report. General points about the texts are reviewed at the start of the next lesson.

Course Details:

• One lesson per week on Zoom, lasting 45 minutes
• Fee, including books: £25 per lesson

For further information, including fees, term dates and FAQ's, please visit our Creative Thinking Course page.

11+ Mock Exams with Marie Redmond 11+ Intelligent Video Learning®

Get exam ready with Marie Redmond Tuition® 11 Plus Mock Exams for the Buckinghamshire, Kendrick, Slough and Reading exams. Our SW Herts 11 Plus mock exams will be available from 2025.

Students who sat our mock exams in 2025 said they were very similar to the actual tests, which made them feel prepared and confident when sitting the exam.

Herts 11 Plus Tuition Fees

We offer a straightforward monthly payment plan for our Herts 11+ tuition courses, which you can see on our Bushey 11+ course fees page. Many parents take advantage of the government's Tax-Free Childcare scheme to save 20% on their fees.