89% of Oppidan students received offers from their preferred choice of school in 2024

With school places offered in spring every year, we support families with school choices and students with their 11+ assessments and interviews.

In 2024, we are proud to say that nearly nine in 10 of the students we mentored on the 11+ Journey received an offer from their preferred school, including some of the UK’s leading independent schools.

How does the 11+ Journey work?

Parents come to us with two major concerns they want addressing: greater engagement and confidence with their studies, and a first choice of school for their child. The 11+ Journey addresses both concerns.

Designed for students in Years 4, 5 and 6, the 11+ Journey is a package of one-to-one support, assessments, video courses and advice, covering everything necessary for successful entry to an independent school at either 11+ or 13+. The content is academic in nature and has been designed in collaboration with our prep school partners.

• Step 1 – Academic assessment

  Our academic assessment is an academic MOT test: it provides a comprehensive and comparative view of your child’s strengths and weaknesses relating to the 11+ content, and is followed by a 15-minute diagnosis to set up the roadmap together.

• Step 2 – Start the 11+ handbook

  Mentors come armed with our 11+ guide: a 12, 25 or 50-session workbook developed with our prep school partners that takes students through all the key academic areas of the 11+.

• Step 3 – Consultation with our school advisor

  Once your child and their mentor are underway, parents can set up a 15-minute meeting with our Head of Schools Advisory Cat Sutherland-Hawes to determine school choices.

• Step 4 – Parent check in

  Regular check-ins between office team and parent to ensure the journey is progressing well and remains adaptable to expectations.

• Step 5 – Interview video course

  Our online video course draws on our work interviewing 10,000 children in prep schools. Hilarious and engaging, it condenses key learnings into six chapters with accompanying quizzes.

• Step 6 – Mock tests

  Close to the test, your mentor will supervise mock tests to help the student acclimatise to the type and feel of school assessments.

“Oppidan are the sector leaders in terms of support for young people attending senior school interviews or assessments. Their employees are hugely impressive: positive, professional and child-centred. I would strongly recommend them, whether for interview practice, academic tutoring or general mentoring. As a Deputy Head Academic, I see a sea of people in this market and these guys are leading the way.”

– Luke Owens, Deputy Head of Elstree Prep School

Find a mentor for senior school assessments.

Speak to the team