11+ Revision Tips for the summer holidays.
Year 4 Pupils:
Relax - you have time on your side!
The most important thing your child can do over the summer is keep reading regularly, so encourage them to enjoy a wide range of books as part of their daily routine. They'll also continue to have access to their Century Tech subscription, and their personalised Learning Journey provides plenty of structured revision if you'd like them to do a little over the holidays. That said, we believe Year 4 pupils benefit most from taking a proper break from school and tutoring, returning in September refreshed and ready for the next stage of their preparation.
Year 5 pupils:
Little and often is best.
Aim for around one to two hours of revision each day. In our experience, mornings are best; children are most alert and they can enjoy the rest of the day feeling a sense of achievement.
Don't try to do it all in one sitting. Breaking revision into shorter sessions of 25–40 minutes, with regular breaks, helps children stay focused and retain more of what they've learnt. A balanced routine is far more effective than occasional marathon revision sessions.
Keep the learning varied
Not every study session needs to involve practice papers. Mix written work with online activities. Bear in mind the first examination and the type of assessment. We recommend Atom Learning for its comprehensive collection of past papers and the detailed explanations for error inspection.
Variety also helps keep motivation high over the long summer break. Reading together, discussing books, listening to audiobooks, practising mental maths, playing word games or tackling logic puzzles all support the vocabulary, comprehension and reasoning skills needed for the 11+.
Follow a weekly plan
A simple timetable helps keep revision on track without taking over the holidays. Plan study sessions around playdates, family days out, clubs and holidays so your child knows what to expect each week.
Try to include a balance of English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning, alongside regular practice papers. Having a clear plan also helps identify any weaker areas early, leaving plenty of time to improve them before the exams.
Focus on effort and progress
As teachers and parents, we’ve learnt that confidence grows when children feel their hard work is recognised.
Praise consistency, resilience and improvement rather than just high marks. If a practice paper highlights areas to work on, treat it as useful information rather than a setback. The goal over the summer is steady progress, not perfection. Time spent correcting and understanding mistakes is vital.
Use everyday opportunities to practise
Revision doesn't have to stop when you're away from home. Long journeys are ideal for mental maths, vocabulary games and audiobooks, while holidays often provide plenty of opportunities for reading and discussing new experiences together.
These small moments reinforce learning without making every day feel like school.
Leave time to switch off
Preparing for the 11+ is important, but so is having a proper summer holiday. Children still need time to relax, play, exercise and spend time with friends and family. A well-rested child who enjoys a healthy balance between work and downtime will usually return to their studies feeling far more motivated than one who's been revising from morning until night.
Dates for your diary
Year 4 Parent/Teacher meetings on Zoom Tues 14 and Wed 15 July
Tutorsquared 11+ Intensive Course Week 1 (Y5 pupils only) - 27 - 30 July
Tutorsquared 11+ Intensive Course Week 2 (Y5 pupils only) - 24-27 August
Autumn term begins at Tutorsquared - Saturday September 12
Saturday 11 July
Year 4
Children completed assessments in English and Maths today and we are looking forward to meeting you on Zoom next week to provide feedback.
Year 5
English - Literary Devices.
Maths - Number sequences andalgebraic sequences, finding the nth term.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning -Timed tests on various topics.
Interview Practice - Today pupils participated in playing a version of Pecha Kucha; they were required to speak in front of the class given a visual stimulus.
