11 Plus · Year 3
Year 3 students studying together at ARK Tuition

Give Your Child a 3-Year Head Start on the 11 Plus

Our Year 3 programme builds the deep foundations in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning that grammar school success demands — at the perfect pace for 7 and 8 year olds.

Year 3 students studying together at ARK Tuition

The Earliest — and Smartest — Start in 11 Plus Preparation

3-Year Head StartStarting in Year 3 gives your child three full academic years to master all 11 Plus content — no cramming, no last-minute pressure.
Small Group ClassesMaximum 6 per class so every child gets individual attention and targeted support throughout the year.
Age-Appropriate PacingContent is introduced gradually and reinforced across multiple sessions — designed specifically for children aged 7–8.
97% Pass RateOver 15 years, our pupils consistently earn grammar school places. Starting early is one of the biggest reasons why.

Why Year 3 Is the Ideal Time to Begin

The 11 Plus exam is sat at the very start of Year 6, which means families who begin preparation in Year 3 have three full academic years to cover all content without rushing. At Ark Tuition, we use this time wisely — introducing topics gradually, reinforcing them repeatedly, and building your child's confidence well before exam year arrives.

Our Year 3 programme is designed specifically for children aged 7–8. Rather than compressing the full 11 Plus syllabus into a short window, we spread foundational work across the year so each concept takes root properly. Children leave every session having genuinely understood — not just memorised — what they have been taught.

  • Age-appropriate introduction to all four 11 Plus subject areas
  • Progress tests every 6–8 weeks to track development and guide next steps
  • Free initial assessment to place your child in the right group from day one
  • Feeds naturally into our Year 4 and Year 5 programmes

What Your Child Will Learn in Year 3

The Year 3 curriculum introduces all core 11 Plus disciplines at a pace matched to your child's stage of development — building genuine ability, not just test technique.

English — Reading Comprehension

Children develop close reading skills using age-appropriate texts. We focus on inference, language features, and answering both multiple-choice and written questions accurately.

English — Creative Writing

We introduce sentence variety, expanded vocabulary, narrative structure, and accurate punctuation — building independence and creativity gradually across the year.

Maths — Number & Calculation

Place value, mental and written arithmetic, multiplication tables, and early division. We build fluency and speed with core number work — the foundation for all 11 Plus maths.

Maths — Problem Solving

Multi-step word problems, logic puzzles, and mathematical reasoning tasks. Children learn to select the right method and show their working clearly.

Verbal Reasoning

Introduced from scratch for most Year 3 children. We cover word relationships, letter codes, and analogies progressively — building confidence across all 21 question types over time.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Spatial reasoning and visual pattern recognition through progressive exercises — series, matrices, and shape transformations — paced to suit 7–8 year olds.

Everything You Need to Know

Days

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday

Duration

1 Hour Per Subject

Class Size

Max 6 Students

Location

Ilford Centre + Online

Programme Fees

Choose the option that works best for your child and your schedule.

One Subject

Single subject group tuition

£60*/4 weeks

1 hr/week · max 6 students

  • Weekly Saturday or Sunday session
  • Small group teaching
  • Regular class checks
  • Study materials included
Get Started
* All prices exclude VAT

How It Works

Everything included in your hourly rate

No hidden extras
  • Initial assessment included
  • Tailored resources provided
  • Progress updates to parents
  • Pay via Tax-Free Childcare
  • Pay via childcare vouchers
Book a Free Assessment
* All prices exclude VAT

How It Works

Simple, flexible booking

No lock-in
  • Book individual sessions as needed
  • Priced per subject per hour
  • Pay per session attended
  • Switch to monthly for better value
  • Subject to class availability
Enquire Now
* All prices exclude VAT

Childcare Choices — Use Your Benefits

We accept several government-backed funding schemes to help make 11 Plus preparation more affordable for eligible families.

Tax-Free Childcare

Open a government Tax-Free Childcare account and receive a 20% top-up on money deposited. Pay us directly via your TFC account.

  • Government adds £2 for every £8 you pay in
  • Up to £500 government contribution every 3 months
  • Available if you earn under £100k/year

Childcare Vouchers

If your employer offers childcare vouchers, these can be used toward tuition fees.

  • Pre-tax salary sacrifice scheme
  • Accepted from all major voucher providers
  • Only available to existing scheme members

Universal Credit

Families receiving Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs through the childcare element.

  • Up to 85% of costs covered
  • Paid monthly in arrears
  • Must be in work or starting work

Need help working out which scheme applies to you? Call us on 020 3441 7272 or email info@arktuition.co.uk and we'll help you navigate the options. You can also visit childcarechoices.gov.uk for a full eligibility checker.

Ready to Secure Your Child's Place?

Class sizes are limited to 6 students. Book a free assessment to discuss your child's needs and check current availability.

What Parents Say

Hear from families who have been through our Year 3 programme.

"We weren't sure whether Year 3 was too early to start, but it turned out to be the best decision we made. My daughter joined Ark not knowing what Verbal Reasoning even was — by the end of the year she was flying through the questions. The tutors are patient, encouraging, and clearly know their subject."

Priya Mehta
Priya MehtaParent · Daughter starting Year 5 programme

"My son was ahead in school but I knew the 11 Plus was a different challenge altogether. Ark gave him the structured preparation he needed without making it feel like a chore. He actually enjoys his Saturday sessions, which says everything. The small class size means the tutors notice exactly how he is getting on."

David Okafor
David OkaforParent · Son making strong progress in Year 3

"What I love about Ark is that they build real understanding, not just exam technique. My daughter's reading and maths have improved so much that her school teacher noticed the difference. Starting in Year 3 means no stress — just steady, confident progress."

Fatima Akhtar
Fatima AkhtarParent · Daughter enrolled Year 3

"We tried another centre first and the pace was far too fast for our son. Ark's Year 3 programme is perfectly matched to where children actually are at that age. The feedback we get as parents is genuinely useful, and the tutors clearly care."

James & Yetunde Kolade
James & Yetunde KoladeParents · Son transferred to Ark in Year 3

Common Questions

Year 3 is in fact the ideal time to begin. The 11 Plus is taken at the very start of Year 6, meaning a Year 3 start gives your child three full years of preparation. This allows us to cover all content gradually, build genuine understanding, and arrive at exam year feeling confident rather than pressured.
The Year 3 programme covers all four core 11 Plus disciplines: English (reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics (number, calculation, and problem solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Content is introduced progressively at a pace appropriate for children aged 7–8.
Not at all — it is completely normal. Most Year 3 children have had no exposure to Reasoning at school. Our programme introduces both subjects from the very beginning, starting with the most accessible question types and building up gradually. By Year 5, what once seemed unfamiliar becomes second nature.
We conduct formal progress tests every 6–8 weeks, with results shared and discussed with parents. You will receive clear feedback on your child's strengths and areas for development. Your child's tutor is also available to speak with you directly after sessions.
Year 3 group sessions run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Each session is one hour long. Contact us on 020 3441 7272 or book a free assessment at calendly.com/arktuition/30min to check current availability.
Yes. Ark Tuition Centre accepts Tax-Free Childcare, childcare vouchers, and the Universal Credit childcare element. Our team will explain exactly how to apply these towards your fees when you enrol.

Your Child's Grammar School Journey Starts Here

Book a free assessment today and let our expert tutors show you exactly what your child is capable of — with three years ahead of you, there has never been a better time to begin.