In simple terms, it’s an online 11 Plus tutoring programme that runs automatically, allowing children to practise and learn whenever it suits them.
Built by boffins who love the 11 Plus
Club 11 Plus was created by a group of tutors who all share an enthusiasm for the 11 Plus test.
Leading the project is Alex Gorringe, who has more than 16 years of experience tutoring children for the 11 Plus in the Poole area.
Over those years, thousands of teaching resources were developed and refined while working directly with students - lessons, quizzes, explanations, tricks, tips and practice materials covering every aspect of the exam.
Eventually it became clear that these materials could help far more families if they were organised into a structured online academy.
That idea became Club 11 Plus.
Our Mission: to level the playing field
Preparing for the 11 Plus can be a stressful experience for parents.
Private tutoring has become extremely common, but it can also be very expensive. Many families feel they must choose between paying large tutoring fees or letting their child face the exam with limited preparation.
We believe grammar schools were originally intended to provide academic opportunity based on ability, not family income.
Our mission with Club 11 Plus is simple: to make high-quality 11 Plus preparation affordable and accessible to everyone.
What Club 11 Plus includes
The Club 11 Plus academy contains hundreds of online lessons and quizzes designed to prepare children for GL 11 Plus exams.
Subjects covered include:
• Maths
• English
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning
Children progress through lessons and quizzes that build their knowledge step by step while developing the skills needed for the exam.
The academy also includes:
• Baseline tests to assess starting points.
• Mock tests to practise exam technique and timing.
• Regular quizzes to reinforce learning.
• Progress tracking so parents can monitor improvement.
If a child works steadily through the lessons and quizzes, they will cover the full range of topics normally required for a GL-style 11 Plus test (see a couple of exceptions below).
Learning that fits around family life
One of the biggest advantages of Club 11 Plus is flexibility.
The academy is available both on desktop computers and through our mobile app, meaning children can practise wherever it suits them.
Some children use it for short daily practice sessions, others for longer study periods at weekends.
Because everything is online, learning can happen at home, on a tablet, on a phone, or anywhere with an internet connection.
Not just study - a bit of fun too
While the 11 Plus is serious business, we believe learning works best when it’s enjoyable.
That’s why Club 11 Plus lessons and quizzes are sprinkled with a little quirky humour from the Club 11 Plus boffins.
Throughout the programme children will find:
• motivational comments
• playful explanations
• encouraging feedback
• fun illustrations and images
• certificates awarded for completing modules
• certificates awarded for completing modules
The aim is simple: keep children engaged, motivated and smiling while they learn.
What about spatial reasoning?
A few schools also include spatial reasoning questions as part of their non-verbal reasoning test.
This is relatively uncommon and wasn’t originally part of the Club 11 Plus programme because it isn’t used in the area where the academy began.
However, spatial reasoning materials are currently being developed and will be added to the academy soon.
Creative Writing
A very small number of grammar schools also include creative writing tasks as part of their entrance tests.
Because it requires individual feedback from a tutor, our Creative Writing Kickstarter Masterclass sits outside the core programme.
This course includes:
• Three video tutorials.
• Three writing assignments.
• Individual marking and feedback from an experienced 11 Plus tutor.
Click here for more information about our Creative Writing Kickstarter Video Masterclass.
Click here for more information about our Creative Writing Kickstarter Video Masterclass.
How families use Club 11 Plus
Families tend to use Club 11 Plus in two main ways: some use it as a complete 11 Plus preparation programme, working through the lessons and quizzes step by step. Others use it alongside traditional tutoring, where it works well as structured homework between sessions.
Because the academy is always available online, children can practise little and often - which is the most effective way to build confidence and skills.
Support for parents and students
Even though the academy runs automatically, parents are never left to figure things out alone.
We offer several ways to help families along the journey:
• Free email advice for parents with 11 Plus questions.
• A free 30-minute Zoom or phone consultation for subscribers.
• Ask Club 11 Plus, where children can get help when they get stuck on a question.
Preparing for the 11 Plus can sometimes feel overwhelming, and we aim to make the process a little calmer and clearer.
Free resources for the 11 Plus journey
Alongside the academy, we also offer several free downloadable resources for families beginning their 11 Plus preparation.
These include:
• The Club 11 Plus Book List
• The Year 5 Starter Pack
• The Homonym Handbook
• The GL Topic Checklist
These are designed to help children build reading habits, vocabulary and structured revision alongside the main programme. For more details of these free downloads, check out our Resources menu.
When Should Children Start Preparing for the 11 Plus?
Club 11 Plus materials are primarily designed for children in Years 4 and 5.
Children starting with us in Year 4 are often encouraged to begin with verbal and non-verbal reasoning, since these subjects rely less on topics that may not yet have been taught at school.
From there, they can gradually build up their skills across the full range of subjects.
A flexible way to prepare for the 11 Plus
Every child’s 11 Plus journey looks a little different.
Some families begin preparation two years before the exam, whereas others start just a few months beforehand.
Club 11 Plus is designed to work for both approaches, allowing children to move at their own pace while covering everything needed for GL-style 11 Plus exams.
Our aim is simple: to give every child the chance to prepare well - and to help parents navigate the 11 Plus journey with a little less stress.