Blog Posts
11+ Preparation Blogposts
Your Guide to 11 Plus Preparation
Is your child planning to apply to a grammar or independent school? Most likely, they will need to take the 11 plus. Students seeking admission to selective grammar or independent schools typically sit the 11 plus exam in Year 6 – but not without proper preparation...
11+ Reading List
Struggling to engage your child with reading?Join our next online Children's Book Club — six sessions, lively discussions, creative challenges & just £12.50 per class. Click below to register your interest and receive 10% off your first purchase. "My daughter...
10 Ways to Support your Child with Algebra
Whilst algebra is commonly introduced to children in year 6, algebra style questions are often included in 11+ examinations. These questions range in difficulty so it is good to be aware of the different types of questions that your child may come up against. 1) Write...
What are the ISEB Common Pre-Tests?
What are the ISEB Common Pre-Tests? These tests are for the UK independent sector and are taken when a pupil is in year 6 (or occasionally taken in year 7). They are an age-standardised measure of ability and attainment. They are computer based, multiple-choice tests...
The 11+: Choosing the Right School
Choosing the best secondary school for your son or daughter is a big decision and a daunting one at that! If you’re looking into independent or grammar schools for secondary, Bright Light Education can help make this transition from primary to secondary school as...
Tricky Areas in the 11+ Maths Exam
Here are some tips on how to tackle some tricky 11+ maths questions.
Creative Writing Blogposts
Encouraging an Avid Writer from the Early Days
My daughter turned four at the end of October and, although she will not be starting school until this September, I am keen to encourage her to begin ‘writing’. Full disclaimer: contrary to popular belief that teachers must be pushy mothers who train their children to...
Supporting your Child with Creative Writing
When children are busy writing a piece of fiction, they can sometimes get so carried away with the plot that they forget to include some good skills and techniques. For other children, they can get ‘brain-freeze’ and just don’t know what to write next. Here are some...
Reading and Comprehension Blogposts
Reading with your Children
Why is reading so important? It broadens vocabulary. It allows children to immerse themselves in a different world. It gets their creative juices flowing and stimulates thinking imaginatively. It expands their understanding of the world around them. It expands their...
Children’s Magazines
Children’s magazines are a great way to get your child into reading and to encourage a love of learning! There are some fantastic magazines out there for all different ages. Magazines cater for a wide variety of interests and are packed full with interesting...
Helping your Child with Comprehension
Comprehension is a task in which children have to read and answer questions about a particular passage of English literature (poetry, fiction or non-fiction). In the 11+ exams, whether they are for grammar or independent schools, there is almost always a comprehension...
Phonics Blogposts
What is Phonics?
Most of us never learned to read and write using phonics at school so it can all feel very new and confusing to parents with children beginning to learn it at nursery and in Reception. We hope the following guide will help you to make sense of it all! Phonics is about...