Reading School 11+ Tuition for Boys in Reading
Brainbox Learning provides bespoke, one-to-one tuition at home for boys preparing for the Reading School entrance exam.
Every boy’s tuition is shaped session by session around his academic strengths, areas for development, interests, personality, confidence and stage of preparation. His tutor focuses on exactly what he needs across English, Maths, Creativity and the wider National Curriculum.
Face-to-Face
& One-to-One
Taught by Experienced
Teachers & Tutors
Tailor-Made Reading
School 11+ Tuition
Free Mocks in
Years 4 & 5
Face-to-face introductory session and tutor matching
Every boy begins with a one-hour introductory tuition session in your home with one of Brainbox Learning’s senior 11+ tutors.
This is a full tuition session, while also giving the senior 11+ tutor time to understand your son’s academic ability, confidence, interests, hobbies, personality, learning style and previous preparation. The session also includes time to speak with parents and understand the family’s availability, practical requirements and any concerns.
How the matching process works
Parents speak with the Brainbox Learning team about their son and the family’s requirements.
One of our senior 11+ tutors leads the introductory session face-to-face in your home.
After meeting and teaching the student, the senior 11+ tutor proposes the Brainbox Learning tutor they believe will provide the strongest academic and personal match, and a weekly tuition slot is offered.
Your son’s tutor receives a full handover from the introductory session before weekly tuition begins.
We always aim to get boys up and running as soon as possible, but the proposed match is largely informed by meeting and teaching your son, rather than simply by an initial telephone conversation.
Preparation designed specifically for Reading School
Our tuition develops the knowledge, accuracy, exam technique and confidence needed across all subject areas tested in the Reading School entrance exams (English, Maths, Creativity and the wider National Curriculum). Each boy’s preparation reflects both Reading School’s published entrance exam format and his own strengths, areas for development and stage of preparation.
English
Depending on your son’s needs, English tuition may include:
- reading comprehension
- vocabulary development
- grammar and punctuation
- spelling and accurate written responses
- inference and deduction
- meaning in context
- recognising tone, purpose and viewpoint
- retrieving and connecting information across a text
- comparing possible answers and eliminating plausible distractors
- responding precisely to free-response questions
- working accurately through longer and unfamiliar passages
- managing time across different question styles
Our tutors help boys strengthen the comprehension, vocabulary and language skills needed across the Reading School entrance exam. Particular attention is given to reading unfamiliar material carefully, selecting evidence accurately and adapting between multiple-choice and free-response questions with confidence.
Maths
Depending on your son’s needs, Maths tuition may include:
- number and place value
- arithmetic and calculation
- fractions, decimals and percentages
- ratio and proportion
- measurement
- geometry
- statistics, tables and graphs
- multi-step problems
- mathematical reasoning
- interpreting information presented in unfamiliar ways
- applying familiar knowledge in unfamiliar contexts
- choosing efficient methods rather than relying on lengthy calculations
- accuracy, checking and avoiding unnecessary errors
- working confidently under time pressure
Our tutors strengthen underlying mathematical understanding, identify and address gaps, and help boys recognise how familiar Maths can be tested in less familiar ways. The emphasis is on flexible problem-solving: understanding what a question is really asking, choosing an effective method and applying core mathematical skills accurately across the varied contexts used in the Reading School entrance exam.
Creativity
Depending on your son’s needs, Creativity tuition may include:
- generating original and imaginative ideas from unfamiliar prompts and stimuli
- planning an effective response before beginning to write
- structuring ideas clearly, with purposeful paragraphs and a well-developed beginning, middle and ending
- thinking like an author – making deliberate choices about character, setting, viewpoint, tone and language
- developing ideas rather than relying on predictable or overly simple responses
- using ambitious, precise and varied vocabulary naturally and effectively
- varying sentence structures and using punctuation accurately for effect
- improving spelling, grammar and overall written accuracy
- adapting writing appropriately to different formats, purposes and audiences
- maintaining clear, legible presentation
- balancing planning, writing and checking within the available time
- reviewing and improving a response independently
- understanding what Reading School is looking for in the Discovery paper and what is required to produce work that is of the expected standard
Creativity tuition is not about teaching boys a single formula or a collection of passages to memorise. Instead, we help them become more thoughtful and adaptable writers: able to interpret an unfamiliar task, generate their own ideas and make purposeful decisions about how best to communicate them.
The aim is to develop the originality, structure, vocabulary, accuracy and writing control needed for Reading School’s Discovery paper, while giving boys the confidence to approach an unexpected Creativity task independently on the day.
Wider National Curriculum
Depending on your son’s needs, wider National Curriculum tuition may include:
- applying knowledge and skills to unfamiliar questions and contexts
- interpreting information drawn from Science, History, Geography, Computing, Design and Technology, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education and Languages
- developing confidence with questions that combine knowledge from more than one subject or skill area
- identifying relevant information and distinguishing it from unnecessary detail
- using logic and deduction when the answer is not immediately obvious
- making connections between different pieces of information
- explaining reasoning and drawing sensible conclusions from the information provided
- developing vocabulary across a broad range of subjects and topics
- approaching unfamiliar material systematically rather than being unsettled by a topic he has not encountered before
- checking whether an answer is supported by the information provided
The wider National Curriculum element of the Reading School entrance exam can draw upon Science, History, Geography, Computing, Design and Technology, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education and Languages. However, preparation should not simply involve trying to memorise facts from every subject.
Instead, boys need to be able to understand unfamiliar information, make connections and work out how to use what they already know. A question might introduce a scientific concept, historical source, map, piece of music, design problem or information from another area of the curriculum before asking the candidate to interpret, reason with or draw conclusions from it.
Our tuition therefore focuses on helping boys become flexible and resourceful problem-solvers. They learn to approach unfamiliar material carefully, identify what a question is really asking, connect different pieces of information and apply their existing wider curriculum knowledge effectively.
The aim is not to make every possible topic familiar in advance. It is to give boys the breadth of knowledge, confidence and transferable skills to work successfully with something they may never have seen before.
Local entrance-exam expertiseLocal tutors with local entrance-exam expertise
Reading-based tutors with expertise in the local entrance exams
Brainbox Learning is based in Reading. We specialise in preparing children for their selective-school entrance exams, and have years of experience successfully guiding girls and boys through their Kendrick School and Reading School preparation.
Our tutors are supported extensively with Brainbox Learning’s bespoke school-specific resources, a wide range of physical and digital content, and realistic examiner-written mock exam materials. This allows tuition to specifically reflect the Reading School 11+ format at all times.
Local tutors with local entrance-exam expertise
All Brainbox Learning tutors are based in Reading or the surrounding area.
We interview every tutor face-to-face and carry out detailed reference and qualification checks.
Every tutor holds an up-to-date enhanced DBS check.
Our team includes tutors with varied backgrounds, personalities, interests and areas of expertise.
Our tutors include current and former teachers with more than 20 years of in-school experience, as well as recent Master’s and PhD graduates with strong, up-to-date curriculum, subject and exam-preparation knowledge.
This range helps our senior 11+ tutors match each boy with the Brainbox Learning tutor whose expertise, personality and approach will best suit his individual needs.
How tuition is tailored each week
Every boy preparing for the Reading School entrance exam needs very different support.
Each session is planned individually
All Brainbox Learning tutors are supported by our wider tuition team and have access to materials from many different sources, including our bespoke Reading School preparation resources.
Session length and frequency
Sessions usually last for one hour. Most boys are tutored once or twice each week, although the frequency can always be increased or reduced according to your son’s needs and other commitments.
Homework
Homework preferences are always discussed with parents first. Homework is usually provided but remains entirely optional. The amount and type are adjusted to support your son’s preparation without becoming unmanageable alongside school and other commitments.
Tuition focus can be adapted in response to:
Personalisation is not something that happens only at the beginning – it continues throughout your son’s time with Brainbox Learning.
Friendly, flexible tuition built around family life
A positive relationship with a regular tutor
Working one-to-one with the same regular tutor allows a genuine rapport to build. Parents often tell us that Brainbox Learning feels very different from group tuition, and boys usually look forward to their sessions.
Parent communication and support
Tutors usually speak briefly with parents after each session, so feedback remains informal and ongoing. Parents can hear how tuition is progressing, share anything their son has found difficult and suggest areas for future sessions to focus on.
Parents are, of course, always welcome to share schoolwork, homework or other materials they would like tutors to revisit or include in a future session.
Flexible arrangements
Boys have a regular weekly slot, providing consistency for the student, tutor and family. We always aim to be as accommodating as possible when school events, clubs, holidays or other commitments affect the usual schedule.
Shared folder
Each student has a dedicated shared folder where he, his parents and tutor can access homework, tuition materials, schoolwork, reports, mock exam progress and examiner reports.
Support beyond the weekly session
The wider Brainbox Learning team are always available to help with practical arrangements and discuss any changes to tuition that may be needed.
Considering Reading School tuition for your son?
We’re always happy to answer questions and talk through what might suit him.
Regular mock exams and progress tracking
Our regular mock exams give boys opportunities to apply their skills under timed conditions and allow tutors to further tailor preparation around the areas that require the most attention.
Progress that can be followed over time
Mock exam results show how your son performed across the different areas assessed in the Reading School entrance exam, including English, Maths and the Wider National Curriculum, as well as across the individual Adventure, Beacon and Compass papers.
Discovery Creativity is reported separately against the required standard. Results are presented alongside average scores for your son’s year group, with progress tables showing how performance has developed across every Brainbox Learning mock sat so far.
Shaping priorities for upcoming sessions
Tutors use our detailed mock Examiner Reports to further guide tuition. This may include revisiting a particular English or Maths skill, strengthening an area of Wider National Curriculum knowledge, developing Creativity, practising free-response questions, improving the application of familiar skills in unfamiliar contexts or working on timing, accuracy and exam technique.
Because tutors can see both the scores and the detailed question-level feedback, mock exams help identify not simply what went wrong, but why – allowing subsequent tuition to focus on the areas most likely to make a difference.
Six Unique Paper Sets
Boys can sit up to six Brainbox Learning Reading School mock exams with no repeated questions.
Each mock follows the Reading School four-paper format:
Adventure · Beacon · Compass · Discovery
This gives boys repeated experience of moving between different question styles, including multiple-choice, free-response and Creativity tasks, while encountering completely new material on each occasion.
Mock-exam benefits for regular tuition students
Brainbox Learning tuition students receive one complimentary Reading School mock exam place in each academic year. Additional mock exams take place regularly and are available at a discounted tutee rate.
All tutee bookings are upgraded free of charge to include the Full Examiner Report package, giving tutors detailed feedback to use in subsequent sessions. Boys can then work through their results, mistakes and individual areas for development directly with their regular tutor, turning each mock into a practical part of their ongoing tuition.
What parents say about our Reading School 11+ tuition
Feedback from families who used Brainbox Learning’s tuition and mock exams during their children’s Reading School 11+ preparation.
“Can’t thank the team enough, our son achieved the required score for Reading Boys. Thanks to the team for all your help through his lessons and mocks.”
“Our son achieved the required entry score for Reading School after studying weekly with his tutor and attending a mock exam in August. Thank you so much for all your support.”
“It has been an absolute pleasure seeing you work with our child. The change has been remarkable, and we are so grateful for all the kindness and warmth shown.”
“This was incredibly useful preparation for our son, and the walkthroughs are very well put together.”
“Authentic experience for the kids and great feedback afterwards. Incredibly useful for them in their preparation.”
“Very well done and a great experience for the kids.”
“Thank you very much for our son’s detailed examiner report following his mock exam. It was great to hear how well he has done in many areas, and also useful to know which areas he and his tutor can focus on together.
We’ve shared the report with him so he can hear the encouraging comments, which he enjoyed reading. We’ve also begun to explore areas which were more challenging for him.
The mock, and the follow-up report, have been extremely useful in helping him to be – and feel – more prepared for the exam in July.”
Student and tutor names have been redacted for privacy. Reviews are available to read in full via Google or our Reading School 11+ mock exam page.
Frequently asked questions
Who are your teachers and tutors?
All of the tutors that we work with are based locally in and around Reading. We interview all tutors face-to-face, and carry out detailed reference and qualification checks, as well as ensuring they have up to date enhanced DBS checks. Our team includes tutors from a mix of backgrounds, with different personalities, interests and areas of expertise.
In terms of experience, our tutors range from experienced teachers with 20 or more years of in-school experience, to recent Masters and Phd graduates with a wealth of recent subject-specific and exam preparation experience.
How do your assessments work and how do you match students with the right tutor?
Your son’s first session with Brainbox Learning will always be with our senior tutor responsible for his age group. This allows us to do two things. Firstly, it gives you as parents or carers an opportunity to discuss any preferences regarding your child's tuition in greater detail, asking any questions you may have at the same time.
Secondly, over the course of this first session, our senior age-group tutor will be able to assess your son in terms of areas of strength and weakness and learning styles, and will be able to determine the most appropriate tutor for you going forward. Interests and personality of both student and tutor are also taken into account. After this assessment session, we will be in touch to introduce your tutor.
Of course you are then free to request a change at any time, however as of June 2024, we are proud to say that this has yet to happen!
What days and times do you offer tuition?
Tuition is available throughout the day. We have tutors operating between 9AM and 9PM, 7 days per week.
Where does tuition take place?
Tuition takes place face-to-face, in your home. Our tutors are also happy to meet in other locations, such as coffee shops, however a responsible adult would still need to be present. We also offer online tuition where requested, but we always recommend face-to-face sessions where possible.
How much does tuition cost and how is payment made?
Our rates start at £34 per hour. You can access our price list here. Invoices will be sent by email on a weekly or monthly basis, and can be paid by debit or credit card, Apple Pay or bank transfer.
What measures do you take to guarantee the safety of children?
As corporate members of The Tutors' Association, we adhere to strict safeguarding procedures. All sessions are also fully insured. We interview all of our tutors and teachers face-to-face, as well as meticulously checking references and qualifications, and ensuring that all tutors have up to date, valid enhanced DBS checks.
Are you a local Reading company?
Yes! We are based in Reading, including all tutors and staff. This gives us a great level of knowledge when it comes to local schools and local exams. You can also check out our local community and charity page here.
What's changing with this year's Reading School entrance exam?
Reading School announced changes to its 11+ entrance exam in May 2025, to begin with the September 2025 entrance exams. The main changes included moving to a four paper format (Adventure paper, Beacon paper, Compass paper and Discovery paper), and the inclusion of National Curriculum subjects other than English and Maths. Full details can be found in our Reading School 11+ guide.
When is the Reading School entrance exam and have the dates changed?
In 2026, Reading School announced that the 11+ entrance exams for boys would take place in July instead of September, meaning that boys looking to join Reading School in 2027 will be sitting the entrance exams in July 2026. Full details can be found in our Reading School 11+ guide.
When are the next Kendrick School and Reading School open days?
Please see our Kendrick School 11+ guide and our Reading School 11+ guide for the latest announced dates.
Are your tuition services or mock exams endorsed by the local grammar schools?
Neither Reading School nor Kendrick School endorse any private tuition providers, mock exams or guides. The schools do not run their own mock exams.
Ready to get your son’s Reading School preparation underway?
Book a free consultation with one of our senior 11+ tutors. We’ll discuss your son’s current preparation, answer any questions and talk through how our one-to-one tuition works.