Brain-Friendly 11+ Preparation

By the end of the workshop, you'll have explored how to:

• Understand the developing learning brain: Explore how attention, memory, executive functions and emotional regulation can influence 11+ preparation.
• Recognise barriers to preparation: Identify how cognitive overload, anxiety, sensory needs, processing differences and working memory demands can affect learning and practice.
• Build psychological safety and confidence: Explore ways to help your child ask questions, make mistakes and talk about worries without unnecessary test pressure.
• Use evidence-informed preparation approaches: Explore retrieval practice, spaced learning, manageable practice sessions and appropriate breaks.
• Create a balanced preparation plan: Develop a realistic, flexible approach that includes rest, play and wellbeing, while considering expectations and how to respond to different outcomes.

This workshop may be particularly useful if you:

• Have a child preparing for the 11+ or considering selective school entrance tests.
• Want to understand how to make practice more effective and manageable.
• Are unsure how much preparation is appropriate.
• Notice worry, frustration or reluctance around practice.
• Support a child with different learning, sensory or processing needs.
• Want to manage expectations while protecting your child's confidence.

No previous knowledge of learning science or 11+ preparation is needed.

Explore how children learn

We'll look at attention, memory, executive functions and emotional regulation, and how these influence learning during 11+ preparation.

Recognise barriers to practice

We'll explore time pressure, cognitive overload, anxiety, working memory demands and differences in how children process information.

Build confidence without unnecessary pressure

We'll consider how conversations about tests, responses to mistakes and family expectations can influence a child's confidence and willingness to ask for help.

Try brain-friendly preparation approaches

Drawing on the MINDI approach, we'll explore retrieval practice, spaced learning, manageable sessions and ways to adapt practice to individual needs.

Create a balanced plan

You'll identify realistic next steps that fit around school, family life, rest and play, including how to support your child whatever the test outcome.

• A 90-minute live, interactive online workshop.
• Practical examples and optional reflection activities.
• Downloadable 11+ preparation planning resources.
• Adaptable evidence-informed learning strategies.
• Opportunities to ask questions.
• A follow-up email with resources.

Preparing for the 11+ can involve memory, reasoning, attention, working memory and managing unfamiliar tasks under time pressure. Children's developing executive functions and emotional regulation can influence how they approach these demands.

We'll draw on psychology, neuroscience, education and learning science to explore approaches that support learning while recognising individual differences.

We'll also consider psychological safety and the pressure children may feel around selective tests. Children benefit from opportunities to ask questions, make mistakes and discuss worries without feeling that their value depends on a test result.

The aim is to help families make informed decisions about preparation while keeping children's wellbeing and broader development in mind.

Is this an 11+ tutoring session?
No. This workshop is for parents and carers and focuses on how to support effective, balanced preparation rather than teaching specific test content.

Will you cover different 11+ exam formats?
We'll discuss general preparation principles that can be adapted to different test formats. You should check the requirements of the schools or admissions arrangements relevant to your child.

Does my child need to attend?
No. This workshop is designed for parents and carers.

Is this suitable for neurodivergent children?
Yes. We'll consider individual learning, sensory and processing needs and how preparation can be adapted.

Will this improve my child's chances of passing?
We can't guarantee test outcomes. The focus is on evidence-informed preparation, realistic expectations and wellbeing.

Will we discuss how to manage pressure and expectations?
Yes. We'll explore how to support confidence, respond to mistakes and approach different test outcomes.

Can I request accessibility adjustments?
Yes. Please share any access needs when booking.

Will I receive resources?
Yes. You'll receive downloadable planning resources and a follow-up email.