What to check before hiring anyone
Ask which 11 Plus areas the tutor regularly prepares children for, whether they teach the specific Maths content and question style used by your target schools, how they diagnose gaps, what homework they set, and how progress is reported. For group tuition, ask the maximum group size and how work is differentiated.
Also check current prices directly. Tutoring fees change too often for a static article to give a reliable universal figure.
1. Explore Learning
A large UK tutoring provider offering centre-based and online support. It can suit families who want a structured programme and regular sessions rather than an independent tutor.
Ask the local centre how specifically its programme is adapted to your grammar-school test.
2. Kip McGrath
Kip McGrath centres provide Maths and English tuition through a franchise network. The benefit is a structured teaching environment; the exact 11 Plus expertise can vary by centre, so speak to the tutor who would actually teach your child.
3. Fleet Tutors
An established tutoring service offering tutor matching and one-to-one support. It can be useful for families who want an individual tutor rather than a fixed centre programme.
Confirm current availability in your area and ask specifically for selective-school experience.
4. Tutorful
Tutorful is a marketplace rather than one teaching method. It gives parents a wide choice of online tutors and profiles, but quality and 11 Plus specialism vary by individual.
Filter for relevant experience and interview more than one tutor.
5. First Tutors
Another tutor marketplace that can help parents locate individual Maths tutors. The advantage is breadth of choice; the responsibility for checking fit, safeguarding information and local test knowledge remains with the parent.
6. Keystone Tutors
A premium tutoring provider with experience in competitive school admissions. It may suit families seeking highly tailored one-to-one support, particularly where independent-school and selective-school preparation overlap.
Request a clear plan before committing to a long programme.
7. Owl Tutors
Known for matching families with experienced tutors, including qualified teachers. This can be useful when a child needs strong curriculum teaching as well as exam technique.
8. Local 11 Plus specialist tutors
A reputable independent specialist can be better than a national brand when the local test has distinctive formats, catchments or school-specific expectations. Ask other parents for recommendations, but verify claims yourself.
Look for transparent policies, realistic promises and evidence of safeguarding.
9. Small-group grammar-school preparation centres
Local centres can offer lower per-session costs than one-to-one tuition and create a useful exam-practice environment. They are best for children who work well in groups and do not need intensive individual remediation.
Ask how many pupils are in each class and whether feedback is genuinely personalised.
Red flags
Avoid tutors who guarantee a grammar-school place, imply they have secret papers, pressure you into large prepaid packages or cannot explain how their teaching maps to the current admissions test. A good tutor should be able to describe what your child needs to learn and how progress will be measured.
Do you need a tutor at all?
Not necessarily. If your child has secure KS2 Maths, responds well to home teaching and needs mainly practice and timing, books or an online platform may be enough. Review our cost guide to see if tutoring is a right fit. For self-study, check out our revision-book guide.
