13+ pre-test and
Common Entrance tutoring

Your son or daughter will be supported with a personalised learning journey that will equip them to succeed in pre-tests or 13+ entrance assessments, including Common Entrance. More importantly, they will have the conceptual knowledge, vocabulary and learning habits to thrive in their senior school education from Year 9.

Commons Education members specialise in school entrance preparation. Our inspiring, empathetic tutors have extensive experience of working with this age group, and a track record of success.

  • In Arjun’s words you were “awesome” and he loved his lessons / discussions with you. You treated Arjun as an an equal listening to his views, debating and discussing as equals. It really did wonders in terms of Arjun finding his own viewpoint and increased  engagement. I appreciated that you thought of his interests in getting him to appreciate new genres etc. I wish we had found you sooner. It would have helped his creative writing skills more. And I really appreciated  that you didn’t dump him with lots of homework. This way he enjoyed the learning.

    Meghna, happy parent of a successful Commons alumnus

  • Adam has been very good at understanding what makes my son tick and where his interests lie and has tailored the tuition to suit that. It’s typical ‘boy stuff’ a lot of the time with interesting adventure stories, tales about new countries and interesting parts of history, but interwoven into that are all the vital skills they need for 11/13+. The rapport Adam has with him is great: it’s professional but relaxed and that inspires my son to want to impress him and to give it his all in the hour he has with him. His vocabulary and style has undoubtedly improved

    Mel Ingle, London education specialist and happy parent

  • I wanted to thank you again for the gentle approach, the knowledge and practical tips that you shared with my son. Arzoo has been absolutely fantastic and I have been really impressed by how you managed to engage him, especially with his creative writing. It has really provided that little extra help that made all the difference. His end of the year report was excellent and I am sure he benefited from all your guidance.

    Rachel, happy parent of a successful Commons alumnus

  • Tutoring for my son worked around our schedule and really boosted his confidence. The tutoring was never high pressure, and his tutor, Arzoo, was always encouraging and kind. Adam's session on assessment interviews was also very helpful

    Ilona, happy parent of a successful Commons alumnus

Sustainable learning: exam success and beyond

St Edward’s Oxford: a co-ed school with 13+ entry, offering IB and A Level pathways in the sixth form. Commons alumni are doing brilliantly here.

Your son or daughter thriving academically in their senior school education is our main aim.

You might think tutoring is about passing exams. For us, it is about the entire journey. 13+ entrance is a longer, more complex process than 11+ so it is even more important that your son or daughter builds a rapport with a trusted guide, who will evolve the relationship and adapt the learning programme after each milestone.

The first step is pre-test preparation, working especially on vocabulary and skills to pass adaptive assessments such as the ISEB Pre-Test.

Then we pivot as we look towards 13+, whether scholarships, Common Entrance or senior schools’ own entrance papers. At this stage, the important thing is empowering your son or daughter with conceptual knowledge and learning habits that will help them pass the exam today, but, more importantly, thrive in their new senior school.

The heart of the Commons ethos is academic value-add: helping your child to make exceptional progress, wherever their starting point. 13+ school entry success is a happy by-product of this work.

A track record of outstanding results

Charterhouse: a strong all-rounder co-ed day and boarding school with 13+ entry. Commons alumni are thriving in this school.

They say it is better to travel well than to arrive… We say it is best to travel well, then arrive somewhere amazing!

Commons tutors take time and care to craft the entire 13+ preparation journey for your child. But we also keep an eye on the goal – we have a wealth of experience supporting children applying to academically selective schools at 13+, so we know what schools are looking for. We can also put your mind at ease about some of the senior school myths that circulate on social media.

Our team has an outstanding track record of success; former students have received 13+ offers from some of the leading selective schools, including Eton College, King’s Wimbledon, Tonbridge School, Charterhouse, Epsom College, Winchester College, Marlborough College and St Edward's Oxford among others.

Our students have secured 13+ places at some of the UK’s leading independent schools…

Emotional wellbeing and pastoral care

Woldingham School: a popular single-sex girls’ boarding school in Surrey with 11+ and 13+ entry points. Several Commons alumnae have gained places at this school.

What really sets Commons tutors apart is the quality of human relationships.

For every child, emotional wellbeing is key to their academic success. What marks out the Commons tutor team as exceptional is the emphasis we place on mental health and pastoral care. This is especially important for 13+ preparation, as we will be guiding your child through pre-teen years of transition.

All of our tutors have school teaching experience, giving them insight on the emotional needs of children at this crucial stage of their education, and the pressures facing parents during the 11+ process. Furthermore, many of our tutors have pastoral leadership experience, coaching experience, and certifications in safeguarding children’s wellbeing.