If you're a parent in Tower Hamlets considering grammar school options for your child, navigating the 11 Plus process can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know, from understanding the exam itself to identifying which grammar schools are accessible from our borough.
The 11 Plus is a selective entrance examination taken by Year 6 pupils (typically aged 10-11) who wish to attend grammar schools. Despite Tower Hamlets not having its own grammar schools, many families prepare their children for grammar schools in neighbouring boroughs, particularly Newham and Redbridge.
The exam tests four key areas:
English – Comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. Students must demonstrate strong reading skills and language understanding across various text types.
Mathematics – Problem-solving, arithmetic, and mathematical reasoning that goes beyond the standard Year 5-6 curriculum, requiring pupils to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts.
Verbal Reasoning – Logic puzzles using words, including analogies, codes, and pattern recognition. These assess logical thinking about language.
Non-Verbal Reasoning – Visual problem-solving using shapes, patterns, and sequences, testing spatial awareness and abstract reasoning.
Not all grammar schools test all four areas. The specific format depends on which schools you're applying to and which consortium they belong to.
Understanding the timeline is crucial for adequate preparation without unnecessary stress.
Most families begin researching options and considering whether grammar school is right. It's too early for intensive preparation, but a good time to research accessible grammar schools, understand your child's academic strengths, and ensure they're reading widely. Many experts recommend against formal tutoring at this stage.
Preparation typically intensifies during Year 5 autumn. Many families begin structured preparation through tutoring, self-study materials, or a combination. Focus on introducing practice papers gradually, identifying weaker areas, and building exam stamina. Consistency is key—regular 30-45 minute sessions work better than marathon weekend cramming.
By late Year 5, children should be completing timed practice papers under exam conditions, developing time management skills, and building confidence while maintaining balance with normal childhood activities.
Critical: Registration deadlines typically fall in late June or early July of Year 6—earlier than many parents expect. Missing this deadline means your child cannot sit the exam. You'll need proof of address, birth certificate or passport, a recent photograph, and completed registration forms.
Exams take place in September, usually within the first three weeks of autumn term. Results are released in mid to late October, before the 31st October secondary application deadline.
Tower Hamlets doesn't have grammar schools, but the exam is popular among families seeking selective education beyond local comprehensives. Students from across the borough sit the exam, particularly from:
Many families near the Newham border find applications particularly practical due to manageable travel times. Taking the 11 Plus doesn't commit your child to grammar school—many families use it as one option within a broader secondary school application strategy.
While Tower Hamlets has excellent comprehensive secondary schools, families seeking grammar education typically look to neighbouring boroughs.
Redbridge grammar schools are the most accessible for Tower Hamlets families, particularly those in eastern areas:
Ilford County High School – A boys' grammar school with outstanding academic results, located in Barkingside and accessible from areas like Bow and Mile End via public transport.
Woodford County High School – A girls' grammar school in Woodford Green with strong results. The journey from Tower Hamlets is longer but manageable for families in the eastern borough.
Redbridge schools use the Redbridge Consortium test covering all four elements: English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Newham schools – Some selective programmes accept Tower Hamlets students through consortium arrangements.
Essex and Kent grammar schools – Schools in Brentwood or Kent are theoretically accessible but involve significant travel time, practical only for families willing to commit to long commutes.
Sutton grammar schools – While geographically distant, schools like Nonsuch High School for Girls are sometimes considered by families accepting longer journeys.
Grammar school admission uses multiple factors:
For Tower Hamlets families, distance is often the critical challenge. Even with excellent scores, closer students may receive offers first.
Before embarking on 11 Plus preparation, consider whether this path aligns with your child's needs.
Academic challenge – Fast-paced curriculum with high expectations suits children who thrive on intellectual stimulation.
Results – Grammar schools consistently achieve strong GCSE and A-level results with high university progression rates.
Peer environment – Being surrounded by academically motivated students creates a stimulating learning environment.
Travel time – Long commutes exhaust 11-year-olds and limit participation in after-school activities and local friendships.
Pressure – Academic intensity and competition don't suit every child's personality or learning style.
Local excellence – Tower Hamlets comprehensive schools like Mulberry School for Girls, Morpeth School, and Bow School achieve excellent results without selective entry. Many now rival grammar schools for outcomes.
Costs – Preparation involves significant tutoring expenses (£1,500-2,500+ over 18-24 months) plus daily travel costs throughout secondary education.
Before committing, physically make the journey during school hours. Consider:
School-based support – Some Tower Hamlets primaries offer after-school 11 Plus clubs, though this varies.
Small group tutoring – Sharing a tutor with 2-3 students reduces individual costs.
Online platforms – Services like Atom Learning offer structured preparation at a fraction of private tutoring costs.
Community programmes – Some Tower Hamlets community centres run affordable preparation classes.
Library resources – Tower Hamlets libraries stock 11 Plus practice books available free, though popular titles have waiting lists.
Never fill all six preferences with grammar schools alone. Include:
The 11 Plus is unpredictable. Bright children can underperform due to nerves, while pass marks vary yearly. Have honest conversations about the process being one pathway among many, not a test of worth or intelligence.
Children who maintain hobbies, sports, and social time generally perform better than those who drop everything for exam prep. Exhausted, stressed children don't think clearly in exams.
Watch for sleep problems, anxiety about practice, perfectionism, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, or withdrawal. If these appear, step back from preparation intensity.
Consider visiting the school again and speaking with current parents. Accepting a grammar place means committing to the journey and environment for at least five years.
This is disappointing, but maintain perspective. The 11 Plus measures specific skills on a particular day—it doesn't define intelligence or future success.
Many Tower Hamlets comprehensives offer excellent education. Some students thrive better in comprehensive environments where they can be high-achievers and leaders rather than feeling average in a grammar school cohort.
The 11 Plus represents one pathway, and Tower Hamlets families have excellent comprehensive options locally. Before embarking on this journey, carefully consider whether grammar school suits your child's personality, the practical implications of travel to other boroughs, the financial investment required, and the excellent comprehensive schools available on your doorstep.
Whatever decision you make, keep your child's wellbeing central. Their success depends on finding the right educational environment—whether that's a grammar school, a high-achieving comprehensive, or another provision. With realistic expectations, good support, and balanced preparation, Tower Hamlets families can navigate this process successfully while prioritizing their children's overall happiness and development.
