Year 4 11+ Tuition – Build Strong Foundations for Year 5
Structured 11+ preparation for children entering Year 4, with weekly lessons in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning.
Our Year 4 course gives children time to develop the academic skills, vocabulary, reasoning ability and confidence they will need before moving into more intensive 11+ preparation in Year 5.
35 teaching weeks | 90-minute weekly lessons | Zoom or face-to-face
Why Start 11+ Preparation in Year 4?
Year 4 provides an ideal opportunity to build the skills needed for selective school entrance gradually and thoroughly, before more intensive 11+ preparation in Year 5.
At Smart Learning Tuition, we do not believe successful 11+ preparation should simply consist of repeatedly practising exam papers or learning shortcuts. Children need strong underlying skills in reading, vocabulary, mathematics, written English and reasoning.
Our Year 4 programme is designed to establish those foundations. Children develop their knowledge and techniques progressively throughout the year so that they are well prepared for the next stage of their 11+ journey.
Children who have not attended Smart Learning Tuition in Year 4 can also join us directly in Year 5.
How the Year 4 Course Works
Children attend one 90-minute group lesson each week. Lessons are available through live Zoom teaching and face-to-face sessions.
We teach all four principal areas required for 11+ preparation:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-verbal Reasoning
The subjects alternate each week. One week focuses on English and Verbal Reasoning, followed by Mathematics and Non-verbal Reasoning the next.
This gives children regular, structured exposure to all four subjects across the academic year.
What Children Develop During Year 4
The course goes beyond simply teaching question types. Throughout Year 4, we work on the academic foundations children will need both for the 11+ and for their wider education.
- Reading and comprehension – understanding increasingly demanding texts and answering questions accurately
- Vocabulary – developing knowledge of antonyms, synonyms, word meanings and figurative language
- English skills – grammar, written expression and accurate use of language
- Mathematical understanding – number skills, multiplication, division, mental arithmetic and problem-solving
- Verbal Reasoning – developing vocabulary, language reasoning and systematic problem-solving techniques
- Non-verbal Reasoning – recognising patterns, relationships and visual reasoning techniques
The aim is to ensure that children understand what they are doing rather than simply memorising methods.
Weekly Homework and Reinforcement
Children receive homework every week based directly on the subjects taught in their lesson.
After an English and Verbal Reasoning lesson, homework reinforces those subjects. After a Mathematics and Non-verbal Reasoning lesson, the homework follows those areas instead.
Additional work throughout the year develops vocabulary, multiplication and division skills, mental arithmetic and other important foundations.
Parents are provided with answers so that completed work can be marked. Where a child is unable to understand a correction, the question can be clearly identified and brought back to the next lesson for further explanation.
This helps ensure that difficulties are identified and revisited rather than simply left unresolved.
Regular Assessment and Progress Monitoring
We use structured online assessments throughout Year 4 to help us monitor each child's progress.
Children are given time to settle into the course at the beginning of the academic year before completing their first Year 4 Baseline Assessment.
Further testing during the year assesses progress across English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning and vocabulary.
Towards the end of Year 4, children complete the Year 5 Baseline Assessment, covering material taught during the year. This provides an important indication of their progress before they move into the Year 5 programme.
Test papers and answers are made available for review so that children can learn from mistakes rather than simply receiving a score.
From Year 4 to Year 5
Our Year 4 and Year 5 programmes are designed to work together.
Year 4 establishes the foundations: vocabulary, comprehension, mathematical fluency, reasoning techniques, organisation and effective study habits.
In Year 5, children build on these foundations as preparation becomes increasingly focused on the demands of grammar and independent school entrance examinations.
Starting with us in Year 4 gives children time to develop progressively, but new pupils are also welcome to join Smart Learning Tuition at the beginning of Year 5.
Why Parents Choose Smart Learning Tuition
- More than 20 years of 11+ experience
- Over 4,000 children placed at top UK schools in the past 20 years
- Preparation for both grammar and independent school entrance examinations
- Same expert tutor throughout the year for continuity
- Structured Year 4 and Year 5 programmes rather than short-term exam cramming
- English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning taught throughout the course
- Weekly homework linked directly to lessons
- Regular online assessment and progress monitoring
- Live Zoom and face-to-face teaching options
- Parent involvement, guidance and access to feedback
20+ Years of Grammar and Independent School Success
Over 4,000 children placed at top UK schools in the past 20 years — including Tiffin, QE, HBS, Sutton, Bucks, St Paul's, Eton, Westminster, Latymer, Hampton and LEH.
Our aim is not simply to prepare children for an entrance examination, but to develop the underlying academic skills that selective schools value and which continue to benefit children afterwards.
What Parents Say
"Our daughter received offers from SPGS, LEH, and Guildford High — all with scholarships. Thank you for everything."
— Parent, 2025
"Smart Learning laid the foundation for our son's Tiffin and Oxford success."
— Parent, 2024
"Pawan is one of the best teachers we've met. Thank you for helping our child win scholarships to St Paul's and King's."
— Parent, 2023
Year 4 11+ Tuition in West London and Online
Smart Learning Tuition is based in Southall, West London. We offer both face-to-face tuition and live online Zoom lessons.
Our online programme allows children to attend from further afield while following the same structured teaching programme, homework and assessment system.
Year 4 Tuition for September 2026
If your child is entering Year 4 and you are considering grammar or independent school entrance, submit an enquiry and we will contact you to discuss our programme and whether Smart Learning Tuition would be suitable for your child.