Parents of Year 3–5 children: if you’re thinking of hiring a tutor, this post is for you. I recently wrote an article that got me thinking hard. When a parent asked me whether a student tutor or an experienced tutor is better, I realised that my answer should be that neither will truly succeed unless you are deeply involved. Because what most people don’t realise is this: Tutoring doesn’t magically fix everything. Without your engagement, your consistency, your emotional support … even the best tutor can only do so much. Here are the truths I want to repeat. WHAT REALLY MATTERS You + Child + Tutor = the golden triangle. Remove one side, and things wobble. A tutor should do more than teach. They should empower. Teach thinking, not just answers. Real support comes from checking in regularly. Ask how the session went. What was hard? What felt good? Expect guidance, not perfection. It’s okay to feel anxious. It’s normal to have weeks when progress is slow. WHY SOME TUTORING JUST DOESN’T WORK The tutor comes, and then the parent goes back to business as usual. No consistency. Relying completely on someone else to “fix” things. Your child ends up passive, not active. Expectations that are too high or vague. What are you really aiming for? Confidence? Understanding? Skills? Here’s what to do instead - action steps you can start now. Ask your tutor to show you how they plan their sessions. Demand clarity. Be present. Even if it’s ten minutes - review, encourage, discuss. Set realistic goals. Not perfect scores, but small wins (reading more, using new words, finishing a test). Celebrate the effort. Not just the result. If you want, I have a free resource that helps you build from this — a guide called Home Prep for the 11+ – A Parent’s Blueprint. It’ll show you how to build strong foundations with you as the active partner. Click here to enter your details and download your free guide. Let’s stop expecting tutors to do it all. Let’s start expecting ourselves to show up. Because that’s where real change happens.

Let’s talk about something that can really make a difference right now. Target schools. If your child is in Year 5, you’re probably thinking about which schools to apply to. But are you clear on what your target schools actually are? It helps to have a list. About 5 to 7 schools you’re genuinely considering. Not because someone else said they were good. Not because they came up first on Google. But because they feel right for your child. For your family. There is a calm that comes when you know what you’re working towards. The pressure drops a little. You can plan better. You can talk to your child with more clarity. And your child feels that too. What goes into choosing those schools? That’s the bit I find fascinating. Is it the vibe when you visited? The style of teaching? Distance from home? Or just a gut feeling you can’t quite explain? You don’t have to share names. But I’d love to know what helped you build your list. Or what you’re still figuring out.

I’ve been wanting to do this for so long, something to motivate you and your child as we get ready for the new academic year. This week only, I’m marking down five of our top resources to just £1 each, one every single day! And today, we’re starting big Vocabulary, Comprehension & Reading Strategy Bundle Activity booklets + resource packs + challenges — usually part of our premium sets, but today, it’s yours for just £1. https://the11plusjourney.co.uk/product/vocabulary-comprehension-and-creative-writing-bundle-worbooks-tips-for-parents-and-resource-packs/ And if you’re thinking about joining ourYear 4 or Year 5 Learning Journey Programme, you don’t need to buy today’s bundle separately. It’s included in your resources. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85662302856?pwd=KFp9R7jYHp4K9CMa2HQUfpBKLcqZVu.1 Meeting ID: 856 6230 2856 Passcode: 679673 Instead, come along to our free demo session tomorrow at 7pm on Zoom link above , where I’ll explain everything in detail. If your child is sitting the 11+ test this September, you can also grab our GL-style mock test from our store for 50% off to help them get fully ready. https://the11plusjourney.co.uk/online-store/ Don’t miss this week. It’s my way of helping families get motivated and make a strong start to the year ahead.

I’ve assigned some extra work on Atom Enterprise for all Year 5 students in our Learning Journey Programme who are sitting the test this September. For those of you who already have your own Atom subscription, you can of course continue assigning work to your child as you normally do. If you’re in Year 5 and would like additional practice on specific topics, please reply to this post in the comments (not private messages). Let me know the topics you’d like your child to practise more, and I will assign extra work for you on Atom Enterprise.

For all September test-takers, our GL-style mock test paper is now 50% off (£25 instead of £50). I’ll also share with you how to review your child’s paper in 5 simple steps — so you can spot their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and help them boost their score in the very next test. The mock test paper from our online store. LJ families have taken this already as part of their test prep. 50% off on GL Style Mock Test – English, Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics. https://the11plusjourney.co.uk/.../gl-style-mock-test-paper/ Now, for the step-by-step guide on how to review effectively. This is my formula with 5 Easy Steps to Review Your Child's Mock Test and Guarantee a Score Boost in the Next One. https://the11plusjourney.co.uk/5-easy-steps-to-review-your-childs-mock-test-and-guarantee-a-better-score/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMWmYJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZY0J5bWNkWDZMUE5ORUgzAR4OT2kKoEY-D-oQfvT3_JsmTgCNP3pVkcZOqF0PH6kyUJhQ2gXWpsBtGyU3Xw_aem_ZJbQP-6Me6_IEQYb6yEJaQ Take action this weekend and give your child the tools to succeed.