Hey everyone, new and old members, I hope you are all having a good Sunday. Tomorrow is the first day of the 3-day Vocabulary Challenge starting at 5:30 pm, London time. Our LJ families have access to the joining link on the SKOOL Calendar here. For the rest of the families who have registered, I have sent out email reminders with the joining link and instructions on what children need to get for tomorrow. @Sheena Ager has finalised the content and her handouts, which you will receive every day after the session, along with the day's replay. I have finished the edits on the workbook. Looking forward to tomorrow.🥳

Today I was learning about something called a “million-dollar offer”.Not in the money sense. But in the sense of clarity. Knowing exactly what problem you solve and why it matters. And it made me think about words. Words were the difference for my children. Not extra papers. Not rushing ahead. But having words in their toolbox. My children needed words to understand the question and answer it. They needed words to answer comprehension questions that seemed complicated. Words helped them write creative writing pieces that stood out from the rest and impressed examiners. Words are life- conversations, emails, thoughts, stories. When children have words, they can explain what they mean. They can understand what they read. They stop second-guessing themselves in tests. They express ideas clearly in writing. I saw this first-hand with my own children. It is why they passed grammar school exams. It is why I wrote the book, What’s My Word? Because once words click, everything else feels lighter. That is the vision behind our 3 Day Vocabulary Challenge. No memorising lists. This challenge is about helping children notice words, understand them and use them naturally through stories, conversation and everyday thinking. Vocabulary is often the quiet reason children struggle later on. Not because they cannot read.But because the words slowly become harder, denser, and more precise. This vocabulary challenge runs live at 5.30 pm on 26th, 27th and 28th January. The workbook is currently being finalised and links will be sent a few days before. This may not be for everyone. That is absolutely fine. But for some of you, I know this is the missing piece you have been thinking about. If that is you, you can join us here https://the11plusjourney.co.uk/product/the-vocabulary-challenge-january-2026/ Places usually fill quickly.

As you are a month into preparing your child for the 11 Plus exam, I want to share some insights on why tuition alone may not suffice to ensure success. Today, I will be hosting a webinar at 7pm to discuss this topic in detail. I will also share links that will help you do this in real-time. Click here to register for the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Why Tuition Isn’t Enough While tuition provides a solid foundation by covering the core subjects and skills tested in the 11 Plus, it often focuses on a general curriculum that may not address individual weaknesses or foster the depth of understanding needed to excel. It’s essential to supplement tuition with additional strategies to give your child the best chance of success. The Role of Extra Work Consistent practice is crucial in the journey towards passing the 11 Plus. Here are some reasons why extra practice can make the difference. - Tailored Learning: Extra practice allows for customised study plans that target your child’s specific areas of improvement. - Confidence Building: Familiarity with the exam format and types of questions can significantly boost a child’s confidence. - Skill Enhancement: Regular practice helps refine problem-solving skills and time management, both critical for the exam. Recommended Resources To support your child beyond tuition, consider utilising the following resources: - Workbooks and Practice Papers: These provide targeted exercises in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English. - Online Platforms: Websites like Bond Online, BOFA and Atom Learning offer interactive exercises and mock tests. - Study Groups: Encouraging your child to join study groups can foster peer learning and motivation. - Educational Apps: Apps like Quizlet can make learning more engaging and accessible. I’ll be covering more about these resources and how to effectively integrate them into your child’s study routine in today’s webinar.