Total Tutoring

Today is Buckinghamshire 11+ results day.

Results are released after 4pm, and for many families this afternoon will bring real excitement and for others, a result that wasn't what they were hoping for.

If that's where you find yourselves this evening, please know it doesn't mean the door is closed. There's a process for exactly this situation and understanding it properly makes a big difference to how manageable the next few weeks feel.

If you'd like some clarity on next steps, we're running a free webinar on the Buckinghamshire Selection Review process: what it is, when it may be worth considering, what evidence matters, and what your child's school's role is in it.

📅 8pm, Sunday 11th October
Free and open to all Buckinghamshire 11+ families.

https://www.totaltutoring.org.uk/product-page/selection-reviews-what-you-need-to-know

To every family opening 11+ results today, we're thinking of you. 💛

Whatever the letter says, please take a moment to be proud of your child. They've worked hard, sat a demanding test and shown real courage along the way.

After ten years of teaching, one thing has stayed true: the children who go on to do well are the ones who keep their curiosity, resilience and love of learning.

A result is one moment. Their attitude to learning is what carries them forward, whichever school they go to next.

If today hasn't gone the way you hoped, it's completely normal to feel disappointed, and you're not alone. There are still options available, and it helps to understand them calmly.

That's why we're running a free parent webinar this Sunday. We'll talk through what happens next and answer your questions.

Join us here:

Selection Reviews - What you need to know | Total Tutoring I remember how it feels to open an 11+ result and see a score you simply weren't expecting. It can be a horrible moment - and it's not the easiest time to suddenly have to work out what happens next.So this is our little way of giving something back. Every year since then we've helped our 11+ famili...

🎉🎈 TOTAL TUTORING IS 10! 🎈🎉

This October, we're celebrating our 10th birthday - and a whole decade of Total Tutoring deserves rather more than just a birthday cake. 🎂

So, starting on 10th October (yes, that's right - I'm a proud maths geek and it's 10/10 🤓), we're having:
🎁 A DECADE OF LEARNING: 10 DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS 🎁

For 10 days, we'll be giving away 10 little gifts, sharing some birthday fun and celebrating the children, families and teachers who have been part of Total Tutoring over the past decade.

Because somehow - and I'm not entirely sure where the time went - we've been doing this for TEN YEARS. ❤️

Ten years of small groups and individual lessons.
Ten years of lightbulb moments. 💡
Ten years of “I can't do it” becoming “I CAN!”
Ten years of sparking curiosity, lighting the fire of learning and helping to quieten academic fear and anxiety.

In that time, we've taught hundreds of children and delivered thousands of hours of tuition.

And something rather wonderful has happened along the way...
Those first children have grown up. ❤️

They're now at university, in employment and making their own way in the world. Some have gone on to extraordinary academic success - we have former pupils at Cambridge, King's and Sheffield, and they're just the ones we've managed to keep up with!

And then there are the quieter successes - the ones that mean every bit as much to us.

The children who arrived telling us they hated reading, until we found the book that lit the spark.
The ones who were convinced they were “rubbish at maths”, until something finally clicked and they discovered that actually, they could do it.
The anxious children who gradually stopped being frightened of getting things wrong.
The children for whom progress was hard won, one small step at a time.

Those moments matter.

Because education isn't just about the next test, exam or school place, it's about giving children opportunity by building strong foundations, curiosity and confidence - and helping them discover what they're capable of.

We still love what we do. We still celebrate those little breakthroughs with our pupils every day.

This October, we're taking the time to celebrate one of our own. 🥳

And we'd love you to celebrate it with us.
🎁 10 days. 10 gifts. 10 years of Total Tutoring.

It all begins on 10th October.

Full details coming next week - keep your eyes peeled! 👀🎈

I remember how it feels to open an 11+ result and see a score for the 11+ test you simply weren't expecting. It's a horrible moment, and not the easiest time to work out what happens next.

Every year since our own experience of this, we've helped Buckinghamshire 11+ families through this difficult time.

In this free webinar, I'll explain the Selection Review process in straightforward terms: what a review is, when it may be appropriate, what evidence matters, the role your child's school plays, and what you need to do next.

No sales pitch or charge, just practical information to help you understand your options.

📅 8pm, Sunday 11th October
Free and open to all Buckinghamshire 11+ families.

Selection Reviews - What you need to know | Total Tutoring I remember how it feels to open an 11+ result and see a score you simply weren't expecting. It can be a horrible moment - and it's not the easiest time to suddenly have to work out what happens next.So this is our little way of giving something back. Every year since then we've helped our 11+ famili...

Reading together builds so much more than vocabulary. It strengthens comprehension, builds confidence and helps children grow comfortable with complex language over time.

For children in Years 4 and 5, these are some of the most important foundations to build, particularly if the 11+ is something you're considering.

I've put together free reading lists for Year 4 and Year 5, featuring books children genuinely enjoy. As the autumn evenings draw in, ten minutes a day is a lovely place to start.

You can find them here: https://totaltutoring.tutorbird.com/resources

We're a few weeks into Get Set for 11+, our 11+ Preparation Programme, and I'm so pleased with how our new groups are settling in.

The feedback from parents has been lovely, and it's a joy to see the children growing more comfortable with their teachers and each other every week.

Our in-person groups are now pretty much full, but we still have places in our online groups. They're led by Dominic, a former local Year 5 & 6 teacher. It's the same programme and the same small groups of just 4 children, from your own kitchen table.

If your child is starting their 11+ journey, you can find out more here:
https://www.totaltutoring.org.uk/product-page/get-set-for-11-online-sept-26-start

It was a pleasure this month to write a feature for Families Chiltern Magazine.

My starting point is that the school year isn't won in September. It's won on the second Tuesday in November, when everyone's tired, the novelty has worn off and someone suddenly needs a Roman toga by tomorrow morning!

You don't need to be super-organised. A few simple habits make a big difference:

🎒 Monday starts on Friday. Pack kits and instruments at the weekend.

💬 Ditch "How was school?" The best chats happen sideways, on a walk or baking together.

📚 Books before battles. Ten minutes of reading a day. Comics and recipes count too!

You'll find the full article on pages 12–13.
https://issuu.com/familiesonline/docs/families_chiltern_september_october_2026

If you’ve ever wondered about private school, The Telegraph has written a really interesting piece that’s well worth a read.
Oh, and you might just recognise one of the experts they spoke to… 👀
Not-so-subtle hint: it’s our very own Vicky! 😄
Have a read and let us know what you think.

How to haggle for cheaper private school fees Despite the advertised cost, there may be scope for a discount – and ‘it never hurts to ask’

If you are considering the 11+ for your child, here's 3 points I think are well worth knowing as you go into the process:

1. The 11+ tests skills that aren't part of normal school lessons. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning don't come up in the everyday curriculum, so a child can be doing brilliantly in class and still need some familiarisation with these question types.

2. Starting early matters less than starting calmly. There's no need to rush: a steady, well-paced run-up tends to build far more confidence than a last-minute scramble in the summer term.

3. Confidence affects performance as much as ability does. A child who feels calm and prepared on the day will usually get closer to their true potential than one who's anxious, whatever their starting point.

If you'd like the full picture - including how to prepare in a way that protects your child's wellbeing rather than adding pressure - I'm running a free, live webinar series covering exactly this, with a Q&A at the end of every session.

If you'd like to join us, you're welcome to book a free place.

Workshops are running:
21st September 8pm
12th October 8pm
8th November 8pm
1st December 8pm

Book your free place here:
https://www.totaltutoring.org.uk/product-page/parent-information-evenings

If your child has just started in year 5 and you've been wondering if 11+ preparation the right path for your child, then this is the ideal next step for you.

Our free assessment is designed as an honest, independent look at where your child is right now.

We look at:

✔ Maths and English
✔ Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
✔ Where the natural strengths and next steps are

Afterwards, you'll get personalised feedback, so you can decide on next steps with real information rather than guesswork, including a few practical ideas for supporting learning at home before September.

September Assessment for Year 5 children | Total Tutoring Is 11+ tuition the right path for your child?If you’re unsure whether to start 11+ preparation, or your child isn’t certain about trying tuition, our free assessment or free trial lesson is the perfect first step for children who is in Year 5 in September 2026. Free AssessmentOur assessment is d...