11+ Grammar School Exam Tuition, Expert GL & CSSE Preparation
Our students do not just pass. They excel. Sterling Study has helped 150+ students secure grammar school places, with a 65% pass rate that is more than double the national average.
Results That Speak for Themselves
With around 100,000 students sitting the 11+ annually for just 163 grammar schools, expert preparation is not optional. It is essential.
How Competitive Is It Really?
11 applicants for every grammar school place nationally. Over 30 to 1 in London. Ability alone is not enough - structured preparation is what separates successful students from those who miss out.
The Earlier You Start, the Higher Your Chances
Students who begin preparation in Year 3 show five times better success rates compared to those who start in Year 5.
Based on Sterling Study's internal analysis of student outcomes, 2020–2025.
Why Grammar School Changes Everything
Free, academically elite education that rivals the best independent schools - without the £20,000 annual fees.
Russell Group University Pathways
Grammar schools consistently place a significantly higher proportion of students into Russell Group universities, with university-focused teaching beginning from Year 7.
An Ambitious Peer Environment
Students are surrounded by high-achieving peers, creating a culture where academic ambition and intellectual curiosity are the norm.
Elite Education, No Fees
Grammar schools offer academic rigour comparable to top independent schools at zero cost - saving families up to £175,000 over seven years.
Stronger Career Outcomes
Grammar school students consistently go on to higher-paying careers in competitive fields including medicine, law, engineering, and finance.
Grammar School vs Comprehensive
Understanding what sets grammar schools apart and why the 11+ is the gateway to a fundamentally different educational experience.
Our Students Have Secured Places At
150+ students placed in some of the UK's most prestigious grammar schools.
What the Course Covers
Complete 11+ curriculum for GL and CSSE, with exam-focused teaching throughout.
Mathematics
Number, algebra, geometry and problem-solving beyond standard KS2.
- Arithmetic and numerical reasoning
- Fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios
- Algebra, equations and sequences
- Geometry, measurement and data handling
- Multi-step word problems and logic
- Time management and exam technique
English and Comprehension
Advanced reading, grammar and language skills in GL multiple-choice format.
- Reading comprehension and inference
- Vocabulary development
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Multiple-choice question strategies
- Tone, purpose and structure
- Speed reading techniques
Verbal Reasoning
All 21 VR question types covered - word relationships, codes and logic.
- Synonyms, antonyms and analogies
- Letter and number codes
- Word connections and classifications
- Sentence completion and logic
- Verbal sequences and patterns
- Speed and accuracy drills
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Pattern recognition, spatial awareness and logical reasoning.
- Shape patterns and sequences
- Rotations, reflections and transformations
- Odd one out and analogies
- 3D visualisation and nets
- Codes and matrices
- GL-specific question types
CSSE Exam Format: Two Papers Only
Unlike GL, CSSE does not include separate VR or NVR papers. The Essex consortium exam focuses entirely on English and Mathematics.
English Paper
Written responses testing comprehension and creative writing. 40 marks for comprehension, 20 for continuous writing.
- Fiction, non-fiction and poetry with written answers
- Gathering information and identifying key details
- Inference, character analysis and literary techniques
- Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, prefixes and suffixes
- Grammar: tenses, clauses and verb agreement
- Continuous writing: vocabulary, originality and structure
Mathematics Paper
Full KS2 curriculum with a problem-solving emphasis. Questions require clear working and may exceed standard primary level.
- Number and place value
- Operations and BIDMAS
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Ratio and proportion
- Algebra: sequences and simple equations
- Measurement, geometry, statistics and multi-step problems
For CSSE students: No VR or NVR preparation needed. Focus is entirely on English and Maths, though questions can exceed standard KS2 level, making exam technique and timed practice essential.
Why Sterling Study?
Proven results, specialist tutors, and a methodology built around data - not guesswork.
Exam-Focused Teaching
Every session trains students to think like exam-takers - managing time, maximising marks, and performing under pressure.
Specialist 11+ Tutors
All tutors are trained specifically for 11+ preparation and overseen by our PhD scientists from Imperial College and UCL.
Monthly Progress Tests
We test every student monthly and act on the results. If a child falls behind, they receive a free 1-to-1 session - automatically. Learn more →
No Contracts
Free assessment. Free trial class. No fixed-term commitments. We earn your trust every month through results.
Parent App
Track scores, view topic breakdowns, manage bookings and message tutors through the Sterling app. Explore →
Full Mock Exams
Timed full-length mocks as the exam approaches, building stamina and confidence with hundreds of past-style practice questions.
How Tuition Works With Us
From first assessment to exam day - a clear, data-driven process that keeps every child on track.
Free Pre-Assessment
A diagnostic across all four subjects to identify your child's current level, strengths, and gaps before the first lesson.
Free Trial Class
Your child joins a live session matched to their level, experiencing our teaching style first-hand. No obligation.
Join Weekly Live Classes
Regular weekly classes covering all four subjects, structured around GL or CSSE and building progressively towards the exam.
Progress Tracking and Parent Updates
Every student sits a monthly exam. Results feed into a detailed individual report shared directly with parents. Our tutors use this data to adjust what each child works on in class and at home. Nothing is guesswork. Every decision is backed by the numbers.
Free 1-to-1 Catch-Up Sessions
Students who fall below expected progress in their monthly tests are offered free 1-to-1 sessions to close specific gaps, keeping every child on track for exam day.
Our Summer Intensive 11+ Booster Course
Eight weeks, three sessions per week. In 2025, every single student who attended passed their 11+.
100% Pass Rate for Summer 2025 Attendees
Our 8-week intensive is designed for Year 6 students who want focused, exam-ready preparation in the months before the test.
Course Structure
- 8 weeks of intensive preparation
- 3 live sessions per week, 24 sessions in total
- All four subjects: Maths, English, VR and NVR
- Full-length timed mock exams
- Detailed performance feedback after every session
- Exam strategy and technique workshops
50% Off for Current Sterling Study Students
Enrolled students receive half price plus first priority on limited spaces.
Contact us for pricing. Existing students get access before general release.
Download Free 11+ Practice Papers
Four full-length GL-format papers, completely free. Designed by our expert team and sent instantly to your inbox.
What Parents and Students Say
Real results from real families.
"I had three different exams and at first that felt really scary. But we went through each one and I started to understand what they were looking for. On the day I felt ready for all of them."
"I used to panic in the English paper because it is so long. We did it again and again in lessons until it did not feel scary anymore. I started finishing it properly and my scores kept going up."
"When I started I found the maths really hard but every week something new clicked. My tutor never made me feel bad, just kept helping me get better. By the end I actually looked forward to sessions."
"Maths was the bit I was most worried about but my tutor helped me figure out where I kept going wrong. By the end I actually enjoyed it. I passed and got into Kent Grammar!"
"Before I joined I used to rush through papers and get loads wrong. My tutor taught me to slow down and actually think. By the end I was finishing papers and checking my answers too."
"The practice papers we did were just like the real exam. I went in and recognised all the question types. I got into Medway Grammar and I could not believe it when I found out!"
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65% pass rate. 150+ students placed. Start with a free assessment - no obligation, no pressure.
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