Eight phases of unique and intensive education at its best

Within the three terms, there are eight ‘phases’ of study (plus the Mock Tests), designed to stimulate learning and development of a deeper understanding through our own inimitable teaching styles. This constitutes a thorough, structured and well-balanced programme of study throughout the year that will significantly improve your child’s’ prospects of success…

AUTUMN TERM

Phase 1 – ‘Introductory’

This first phase of eight stepping-stones to success, introduces your child to the Head Start programme, the fundamental elements of each of the 11+ disciplines, the question types they are likely to encounter, and the basic skills required to answer them, as well as introducing lateral thinking to develop a greater foundation for their preparations later on in the course programme.

This phase is also an opportunity for our staff to get to know the character of your child and their specific learning requirements at an early stage of the course. Equally we believe that it is very important that your child has the chance get to know us and to familiarise themselves with the structure of Head Start classes whilst developing the necessary attitude to learning required to succeed in the 11+.

Due to the sheer amount of time required to cover all of the question types the children are likely to encounter, this phase is a fundamental part of the course of study to ensure your child is adequately prepared for the year ahead.

This Phase is listed as ‘AM ONLY’, however if you wish to attend a PM class this can be arranged so please call us to discuss.

SPRING TERM

Phase 2 & 3 – ‘Preparatory’ and ‘Foundation’

These phases are designed to familiarize your child further with the essential elements of the 11+ and to build on the basic knowledge and skills gained on the Introductory Phase in such a way so as to allow your child to successfully implement what they have learned directly to the 11+ question format. Classes take the form of 2.5hr sessions with worksheets focussed on developing the children’s ability in each particular question type within each section of the 11+, supported by a weekly homework programme that reinforces what they have learned in class, improving their memory retention. We also work on the ‘visceral ‘elements of the 11+ curriculum – general knowledge, vocabulary, basic numeracy and English skills etc – all of which are often neglected by schools but are vital to success in the 11+, giving them the necessary preparation and foundation for the phases that follow. Phase 2 is listed as ‘AM ONLY’, however if you wish to attend a PM class this can be arranged so please call us to discuss.

Phase 4 – ‘Familiarisation & Assessment’

This is an extremely important phase of the programme. On this course, students are introduced to the notion of working against the clock and are taught the essential strategies required to help them approach and tackle an exam and manage their time effectively whilst doing so. This includes fundamental exam technique and strategy that will help them complete the test as efficiently and effectively as possible, in a way that will help maximize their ability and potential. At this stage they are also introduced to the multiple-choice answer format, and the format of the 11+ test paper.

A large part of the day is devoted to working through and familiarizing the children with the various types of questions, and learning the appropriate methods and skills required to answer the questions quickly and accurately. The children will work through the bespoke Head Start practice test, which will introduce them to most questions type encountered in the 11+ and our Assessment Tests and, crucially, help the to understand and get a feeling for the time allowed per question in each section and thus the pace they will have to work at.

Students will also work with our Neuro-linguistic programming expert to discuss their fears and anxieties and to learn coping mechanisms and strategies they can implement to help remain calm and controlled in the face of a highly pressurised and stressful situation like the 11+.

The culmination of the day is the Assessment examinations, set and conducted in the standard 11+ format, with the children taking one test in Verbal Skills which tests their Verbal Reasoning and English skills; and a second test of Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. These tests are written by us exclusively for us and our Assessment process and are typical of what the children can expect in the 11+ in regard to style, format and content.

The results from each section of the test will be sent to you in a report which provides a breakdown of your Child’s performance in each test, anonymised results table, a prediction of 11+ success based on current ability and anticipated learning curve and some guidance on how to improve going forward.

The Head Start Assessment Report

A more exhaustive and detailed report is available and will outline how your child performed in each specific question type, accompanied by a written report from our teachers. This ‘Assessment Report’ has been finely tuned over the 30 years that we have been providing education and tuition for the 11+ and 12+ examination process giving you detailed feedback on performance of each specific question type, accompanied by a written report from our teachers. In providing you with this report, we aim to give you comprehensive and thorough feedback on your Child’s current ability and learning potential; a snapshot, as to how your child would perform in the 11+ at that moment in time. The report forms a vital component of our assessment process and is the most effective way of communicating our thoughts and expert opinion to you as to how your child is doing together with a realistic prediction as to how your child may perform in the 11+ later on that year. This will hopefully aid in your decision making on how to guide your child in the months leading up to the 11+ and beyond, at school and at home.

The Assessment report will include…

• A table with breakdown of each of the tests with the total score; the score for each element of the test (maths, English skills, verbal & non-verbal reasoning), and score for each question type to help you identify specific areas of strength and areas for focus and improvement
• A comprehensive written analysis by and feedback from our tutors as to your child’s performance on the assessment day
• A graphical representation of your child’s results and their performance in each of the elements over both tests
• A projection of the score your child is likely to achieve in the 11+ based on their performance in class and the exams, and the time remaining until the 11+

Summer Term

11+ Mock Tests

Practice ~ Refine ~ Improve 

A vital step in preparing for the 11+. Our course of 3 Mock Test sessions will expose students to all 11+ question types and give them the all important opportunity to: practice and refine their time management skills and exam strategy; learn how to adapt to the pressure of an exam and; boost their confidence in the process. Our bespoke Mock Tests are written by Head Start exclusively for our students and are similar in style, content and difficulty to the GL Assessment Tests that your child will experience in the Bucks 11+ Secondary School Selection procedure, to help familiarise them with the process they will have to go through. Each session includes two Mock Tests (Maths/NVR and Verbal Skills) taken back-to-back under examination conditions with pre-recorded audio guide, and a break of 20 – 30 minutes in between each test. A report is then sent to you with a breakdown of each of the tests including total score, score for each element of the test (maths, English skills, verbal & non-verbal reasoning), and scores for each question type to help you identify specific areas of strength and areas for focus and improvement at home. This stage of the course also helps to prepare our students to hit the ground running at Summer School to enable them to make the most of their time with us during that week. Three sittings are available, with 2 different tests in each, so children can attend one, two or all three Mock Test sittings without repeating any exams…

Phases 5 & 6 – ‘Progression’ & ‘Extension’

These sessions are designed for children whose parents would like their child to have a more protracted period of study so as to enable them to develop the knowledge and skills introduced during previous phases. In Phase 5 and beginning of Phase 6, we continue with the process of practise and familiarisation, reinforcing what has been learned previously, revisiting question types for a second and, where necessary, third time to give the children the opportunity to build upon, progress and extend their knowledge and understanding achieved during previous phases. This provides the continuity of learning and consequent growth of self-confidence so essential for success and brings the level of question difficulty up to that encountered at Summer School and the 11+. We also place a heavy emphasis on exam strategy and time management with timed worksheets and, during Phase 6 in particular, mini tests written exclusively for our programme of study which allows the children to hit the ground running at Summer School.

Phase 7 – ‘Summer School’

Our very first course 30 years ago; the renowned Head Start Summer School is now our ‘flagship’ phase of study and the heart and culmination of the entire Head Start programme. Please see our separate Summer School page for more information.

Read about our renowned Summer School

Phase 8 – ‘Revision’

The Revision phase takes place immediately prior to the examination period, helping to maintain the momentum built at Summer School, providing our students with a ‘running head start’ as they approach the 11+ tests. The phase is comprised of four 3.5-hour classes and is carefully structured to provide a comprehensive revision of everything learned to date.

Over the four sessions, the children will take Eight revision tests under exam conditions and then go through the questions they got incorrect with the guidance of our teachers. This process is invaluable as it ensures that our students not only retain the many vital skills and knowledge they have acquired in preparing for the 11+, but also provide an opportunity for them to fine-tune those skills and fill any remaining gaps in their knowledge and understanding that may be identified and address any issues that may arise. This is also the last opportunity for them to receive our infamous Head Start pep talks; to be reminded of all the important, expert advice given to them at Summer School and, of course, for them to ask our experienced teachers any final questions about any aspect of the upcoming exams.

This course is conducive to a ‘leave no stone unturned’ approach and getting the children ‘match fit’ and ‘raring to go’ for the challenge that lies ahead. It is during this phase that children can gain that extra confidence needed to perform at their very best so is vital at such a pivotal stage of their 11+ preparations. Sessions are independent of each other and available to book individually, but we strongly advise attending all four to get a complete and thorough revision of all question types.

Although we strongly advise your child’s attendance on all phases of the programme, you may consider certain phases more relevant than others. With our flexible programme structure and payment options, we can accommodate your individual requirements. If you have any queries or would like to know more about the phases of the programme and what we can offer, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please note that there is a discount available on our Summer School for students who have attended one of our previous phases of study.