Is 'value for money' always best when preparing your child for their Assessments?

I like to see this as a long road.

You have a long road in front of you.

If you are planning on going down the independent schools route, you have several toll booths on this road.

You have the 3+, then the 4+, the 7+, the 8+ and then the 11+ or 13+.

You may have some additional tolls should you apply for occasional places.

Working with the right person means stopping at fewer toll booths.

Let’s use Habs Girls as an example.

I teach a lot of girls who want to go to this school.

If she is successful at her 4+ Assessments, the road will get much shorter for her. That’s it she is in!

If she isn’t successful, her journey along the road continues. She has to do the 7+ which she will need to start preparing for from the time she is in Reception. If she is successful, she has journeyed along the road for a bit longer.

If she isn’t successful, she has to prepare for the 11+. Now the road becomes A LOT longer and we are on this road together from Year 3 all the way to Year 6.

Choosing a tutor who provides you with ‘value for money’ therefore is always best.

I’m not talking about the cheapest.

I’m talking about the tutor who can actually support your daughter to get in at 4+.

To shorten the road for you. I’ve seen this so many times.

Parents say to me that my lessons are ‘too expensive’. Believe me, it is far more expensive to ‘save money’, not be successful and then have to prepare for another 2-4 years!

‘Value for money’ to me means that you find a teacher than can actually help you to be successful to the school that you want your child to go to. That is true ‘value for money’.

How I read an Assessment invite Versus how you might read it

Yesterday one of my clients sent me the Assessment invite to one of the schools that her son will be sitting Assessment at.

I’m going to go through it sentence by sentence with the hope of being able to help you to understand how I would read it compared to how you might read it.

The assessment procedure will take about 1 hour. Children of a similar age are invited to attend in small groups and will be encouraged to participate in some simple play-based activities

How you might read this- My child will go in and play.

How I read this - Your child will NOT go in and play.

(Your child will) undertake some basic maths and letter work and listen to a story about which they will be asked some questions. They will be seen by the Head of Pre-Prep and three other experienced Pre-Prep teachers.

How you might read this - It will be simple maths and my child might need to know some of their letters. My child will just listen to a story and answer questions.

How I read this - Your child needs to be able to count to 20, recognise numbers to 10, write numbers to 10, know their shapes, be able to use mathematical terminology with confidence, be able to focus for longer periods of time in order to complete a maths task. In the reading task, your child will need to be able to show skills of focus and concentration, be able to listen attentively to the teacher in order to be able to correctly answer their questions and be able to listen to the answers of others just in case they are asked to follow on from what they have said. Your child will need to know their phase 2 and phase 3 phonics to a very high standard.

Be very careful how you read the invites to the Assessments. This particular school has a rigorous 4+ Assessment. That is not how it sounds in the invite. Please don’t ask me why the schools downplay the Assessments, I cannot answer that for you. But what I would be asking instead is this…

How can I ensure that my child is prepared to the highest possible standard to be able to go in a thrive?

That is a question I can answer for you!

Last remaining place to work with me for 4+ Assessment preparation (2025 entry), after this I will only be accepting Curriculum Coaching for my 4+ students. I also have three exceptional 4+ teachers available for new students. Book your Sample Lesson today!

It breaks my heart when parents ask me this question.

Where is my child compared to x?

As an educator, I have heard this question thousands of times, maybe tens of thousands of times!

My answer is always the same.

I do not compare children.

When I worked full time as a primary school teacher, the worst time of year for me was Assessment Week. This was always towards the end of the school year and we would all sit down in a room surrounded by our students’ books and post it notes. We would then have to group the children into abilities. We would look at how they scored in their End of year Assessments and their Assessments throughout the year and we would place them into their groups.

I remember this well as a child. Being placed in the ‘middle’ group table. It was so obvious to me. The more ‘intelligent children’ had bigger books and wrote more than me. And the ‘lower group’ had different books and they had more adults sitting with them at the table. I remember thinking, ‘I’m not smart enough’ and ‘Why is she smarter than me?’

Schools will continue to do this and I understand why they do it. I don’t like it but I understand it.

My thoughts about comparing your child to others however is this.

If you want to compare them, do it with numbers, facts and figures. Book yourself a private Assessment with a company that will give you a spreadsheet with figures. That way you can actually see how your child did and you have data to help you to support them. This is a productive way to compare your child to children in their same cohort. You don’t need to show your child, this information is for you.

What I don’t think is helpful is comparing them to other children without having any facts. Saying things like - ‘She can already blend and my child can’t’, ‘He knows his numbers to 10 and my child doesn’t’, ‘She can write her name and my child can’t even write one letter.’

It’s not helpful.

It’s detrimental to your child if they hear you say these things.

It just doesn’t lead to anything positive.

Your child is where they are. They will develop at their own rate. They are running their own race.

Set them targets and help them to set their own goals for THEMSELVES.

Why reading 5 books a a day will help your child to stand out in their 4+ Assessments

Believe me, you can clearly see the difference in terms of vocabulary when speaking to a child who reads avidly compared to one who doesn’t - At any age. This blog will be focusing on children who are currently preparing for their 4+ Assessments.

Obviously at the age of 2 and 3, you will be reading to your child but your child is still ‘reading’!

When I read with my 2 year old son, there is so much vocabulary being developed each and every time. By reading a variety of books each day, he is exposed to hundreds of new words. I have been reading to him since birth. However, only recently have I started reading him 5 books a day at the very minimum. Sometimes, we read even more than this!

Your child will stand out in their 4+ Assessments for two reasons:

1. Their vocabulary will be far more developed than a child who hasn’t been read to much or at all.

2. They will be a lot more used to having a story read to them compared to a child who is not used to sitting down and listening to a full story.

It took a long time but my child can now sit and listen to a full story. Some stories are longer than others of course and some stories we will read in two or even three sittings. But for the most part, he listens to a full story all the way to the end.

He has developed the skill of being able to sit still, keep focused, listen attentively, answer my questions and ask his own questions.

Your child will definitely stand out in their 4+ Assessments if they read five books a day.

So let’s get reading!

Teach your child phonics like an expert with these 3 easy steps.

Are you struggling to teach your child phonics?

You are not alone.

Teaching phonics is a skill.

Teaching phonics takes patience.

Teaching phonics needs trust in the process.

Teaching phonics happens at very different timescales for individual children.

Here are 3 easy steps to teach phonics like an expert!

1. Choose a phonics scheme

Don’t overthink this.

Just choose one. It really does not matter which one you choose. One isn’t better than the other.

As a company we use Anima Phonics. But there are other great phonics schemes such as RWI, Jolly Phonics and Little Wandle which are also great choices.

2. Make a plan

Get a notebook dedicated to your teaching of phonics and make a plan.

Have a clear timeframe.

Let me give you a simple example.

Give yourself 6 months.

In those 6 months, you want your child to know their phase 2 and phase 3 phonics (single sounds). So create a timetable and write down the sounds that you will teach each week. Remember that you should not move on until your child knows the sound that you are teaching. As in they can tell you with confidence and independently the sound.

3. Assess and evaluate

At the end of each week, I would like you to assess and evaluate how each week went for your child. Ask yourself these 4 questions:

What did my child do well?

What didn’t go well?

What will I do differently tomorrow?

How is my child showing progress?

If you need further support with teaching phonics, Curriculum Coaching will be perfect for you. Join my incredible programme today to receive expert guidance and focused learning tailored specifically for your child and the phonics that they are learning.

Why starting 4+ Assessment preparation early matters (Hint: 3 months is not early!)

I spoke to a parent today who wants her daughter to sit Assessment at NLCS and HABS. She told me, ‘Don’t worry, I have plenty of time as I’m starting from tomorrow to prepare her.’ She is very, very wrong!

This is NOT enough time.

First round @ NLCS is in the beginning on January so that means 6 months from today.

First round @ HABS girls is mid December so about 5 months from today.

6 months of preparation is okay, I guess. But it will be rushed and it will also depend at what stage of learning your daughter is currently at.

You need to consider that your daughter will need to know her phonics, be able to count to 20, be able to write numbers to 10, write her name, write letters of the alphabet and be able to answer questions to a very high standard. These are just a few things that she needs to be able to do.

Starting early matters. By starting early you are giving yourself and your child the opportunity to really prepare properly and well for the 4+ Assessments. Especially if you are considering top schools like Habs and NLCS.

Having prepared hundreds of girls for these schools, I can tell you that the Assessments are not easy. Some parents I speak to tell me ‘I’m not worried, she’s only 3’, ‘I know my daughter is bright already’ and ‘How hard can it be?’

I’m not here to contradict anyone’s belief system. By all means believe what you want. What I am here to do is share my own experience and help to support as many parents as possible to have the success that they desire to have at all of their target schools.

9 months - 12 months is optimum. I have some clients who do 18 months of preparation with me. This is even better. I can say with confidence that all of my clients with 9 months - 18 months of preparation time will be successful to most of their schools of choices, if not all of their schools of choices.

I have one final place for 4+ Assessment preparation with me (for 2025 entry).

If you want your child to have the highest chances for success in all of their 4+ Assessments, book your Sample Lesson Today!

Two things you must never do when teaching phonics to your child.

I hope that you are really enjoying the process of teaching phonics to your child. I personally think that an excellent understanding of phonics is very important when it comes to your child learning how to read. I see it with my older students who do not have a solid foundation when it comes to their phonics knowledge. We have to spend so much time going back and learning phonics and if they knew them already we would be able to simply move on to other things. Not knowing their phonics definitely holds children back in terms of their ability to read.

Here are the two things that you must never do when teaching phonics to your child.

1. Not teaching them the pure sound.

And please don’t be surprised if this is taught incorrectly at your child’s nursery, pre - school or school. Always check. Please do not just assume that it is being taught correctly.

Your child must say the pure sound. They must not be adding the ‘e’ or ‘u’ sound at the end of it. Eg. When learning phonics ‘p’ your child must say the pure sound and not ‘p u’

Think about it. When they come to blend, it will be virtually impossible for them to do it. Eg. When reading pig. If they are not saying the pure sound, how will they ever be able to sound out this word.

2. Not teaching the sounds consistently.

Learning phonics once a week is not going to cut it. If you want to be successful in teaching your child their phonics, you must do it daily and consistently. Even if just for a few seconds everyday. I do understand that this is challenging. We all live busy lives but we can all find a few seconds in our calendar to pull out a sound and ask our child if they remember what it is.

Teaching phonics once a week will not lead to the results that you are looking for.

That’s why my programme is so successful, My clients receive learning to do with their children each and every day in between my lessons. They don’t just see me once a week and then forget about me. Actually, they have access to me 24/7. No other tuition programme provides this!

Book your Sample Lesson Today!

The one thing you must stop doing to be successful with teaching phonics.

The one thing you must stop doing to be successful with teaching phonics. 

Many of my clients are currently teaching phonics to their children. 

It is a very important part of 4+ Assessment preparation for most schools. 

I love teaching phonics. Some of my clients don't love it as much as me! 

Here is what you must stop doing if you want to be successful with teaching phonics. 

I sometimes catch myself doing this with my own son! 

What you must stop doing is thinking that your child is just 'not getting it'. 

Here is what I mean. 

You teach your child a new sound and they refuse to say it. They look at it and then they look at you. They shrug and tell you that they don't know it. 

Here is what most parents do. They believe that they don't know it and they just move on to something else. 

Don't do this. 

Show them the sound you are working on. Ask them if they know the sound? If they do - great! If they don't, you tell them the sound and ask them to repeat it. Keep repeating it over and over. Focus on that one sound for the day. Even just for a minute here and there. While you have lunch, while your child has their bath etc. Show them pictures beginning with that sound. 

Don't move on to a new sound until they know the sound that you are working on. 

It may take a few days, it may take a few weeks, it may take longer. This is why it is vital to start early. If you know your child's Assessment is a year away, give yourself that full year to prepare them and prepare them well! 

I have only one more space available for 4+ Assessment preparation. After this has been filled, my doors will close (for 2025 entry) and I will only be offering Curriculum Coaching with myself. Book your Sample Lesson Today!

'We do NOT want children to be prepared BUT we expect them to do everything that we ask them to do...'

We all think that our children are the brightest, most charismatic and most amazing things in this World.

Why would a school not want out children at their schools?

We don’t question when these top schools tell us that we must not prepare our children for their Assessments.

And I strongly believe that this is wrong.

In the last 15 years preparing children for their 4+ Assessments at all top inner and outer London schools, I’ve had hundreds of parents stopping their tuition with either myself or one of my teachers because they went to an Open Day and were told to absolutely not prepare their child for their 4+ Assessment. Of course, that is up to them and I always respect their choices. Who am I to tell them that they should continue?

The saddest thing though, is that NONE of the parents who have stopped tuition with me have then gone onto be successful.

What does this tell you?

To me, it tells me that children 100% need to be prepared.

They must be prepared.

So regardless of what you are told, prepare your child.

However you choose to do it, prepare your child.

Do it yourself.

Hire a teacher.

But prepare them. And prepare them well.

Tell me this.

How else will your child be able to…

Say all of the phonics sounds they are asked to say?

Answer questions in detail?

Count to 20?

Write numbers to 10?

Blend words?

These are just a few. I could go on and on and on.

My child is now 2. He is amazing. I know any school would be LUCKY to have him.

But I will still prepare him thoroughly for any Assessment that I send him to. And you absolutely must too.

Don’t be one of the hundreds of parents who will call me after the fact and tell me how much they regret not having started. And having to face the ordeal of the 7+. 7+ is far harder than 4+ let me tell you. Then you have to wait until 11+ and that is pretty much your last chance unless the school does 13+ or you are successful at gaining an occasional place (even harder at these top schools!)

I know it’s a big investment. But it’s 100% worth it.

95% of my clients continue working with me even after the Assessments are over. What does this tell you?

They see the value in what I offer.

They see the progress their children make.

They know that I am making a different in their lives and the lives of their children.

This is why I do what I do.

One space remaining to work with me for 4+ Assessment preparation (2025 Entry). After this, my doors will close for 1:1 tuition and I will only be offering Curriculum Coaching.

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

Be very sceptical if a Top London School tells you that they will not test reading and writing.

I have been attending Open days myself these last few weeks!

My son will be going into Reception very soon (2026 entry!)

Let’s just say that I have seen a lot of eye rolling and tutting due to some of my questions!

It doesn’t bother me. I’m not there to please anyone. I’m there to get the information I need to make sure that my child has the best chances for success at all the schools that I decide he will be sitting Assessment at.

I have prepared children for their 4+ Assessments for over 14 years but this is MY first time going through the process of actually looking for the best school for my precious boy.

Do you know what fascinates me the most?

How most parents just nod along and accept everything that they hear as factual.

I am the complete opposite. I question everything. And so should you!

I’m not saying that your shouldn’t believe anything that you are told. That’s a bit extreme. But I would caution you to not believe every single thing that you are told.

I spoke to 3 of my clients today who told me that they were told this.

‘Do not prepare your child for reading and writing because we will not be assessing this.’

As reading and writing are two very important parts of the EYFS, my question would have immediately have been why?

Why would they not assess reading and writing?

I would have LOVED to have heard their answer.

A top academic school not assessing reading and writing?

Does that make sense?

So what will most parents do who are sending their children to Assessment at this school?

They will neglect these two fundamental aspects of learning.

My clients and I will not.

You do what you think is best for you and your child.

I have only one space remaining for 4+ tuition (2025 entry) After that my doors will close and you will only have the option of Curriculum Coaching with me.

Book your School Choices Free Consultation Today.

How my FREE School Choices Consultation can help you to have the highest chances for success.

Here is what some of my clients have told me about the School Choices Consultation.

‘It is so valuable because I learnt so many things that I did not know before.’

‘I was so naive about the whole process and I am so grateful to you and your honesty’

‘I can’t believe the expectations that these schools have and now I know exactly what I need to do in order to prepare my child.’

Knowing exactly how to prepare your child for their Assessments is fundamental.

You could be spending hours and hours each week simply preparing incorrectly.

I cannot tell you how many parents I have spoken to who have told me how much money, time and effort they have wasted doing the wrong things. One of my clients was telling me just yesterday how she prepared so incorrectly for her older child’s 4+ Assessment. She is now preparing her youngest child with me. We are preparing him to go to Habs Boys. I have a wealth of experience with this school. Read my reviews here.

In the School Choices Consultation we will discuss:

• Your choice of schools.

• Expectations at each school and how to start preparing your child.

• How we can work together to achieve the best results for your child.

If you see the incredible value in what I offer to all of my clients, you will be invited to work with me. If you just want to have a chat and make sure you are on the right track, that’s of course fine too.

My mission is to support all children to have the highest chances for success in any Assessment.

After all, the highest quality education is so important. And our children deserve the best.

Book your FREE School Choices Consultation today!

I look forward to talking with you.

'Your child will be grouped with peers of a similar age'. What most parents take this to mean...

And why you should not make it mean this!

Most parents believe that because their child will be grouped according to their age group that their Assessments will be different.

This is rarely the case.

I do not prepare my younger students any differently to how I prepare my older students.

That should tell you all that you need to know.

I have never in my 14 years doing this, heard a single parent tell me that their child’s Assessment was different to another child’s Assessment.

So regardless of your child’s age, prepare them to the highest of standards so that they can go in and have the highest possible chances for success in all of their 4+ Assessments.

Unsure you are on the right track?

Book your Free School Choices Consultation with me.

The only way to know if your child is ready to be left alone at their 4+ Assessments.

There is only one way to know.

To know for sure.

And the only way is this.

The way you know if your child is ready to be left alone at their 4+ Assessments is if your child consistently goes somewhere new and unfamiliar happily and calmly.

Not just every now and then. Once in a blue moon.

It must be consistent.

It must be frequent.

Going to nursery doesn’t count. Nursery is familiar to them.

Here is what counts:

Going to a new club.

Going to a new day care (eg. creche)

Taking your child to a variety of new clubs in the next few months is going to help them to get used to being left alone in new and unfamiliar environments to them.

Once they are comfortable in the clubs, choose a new one.

Do this consistently for the next 3-6 months and if your child can go in calmly, happily, look you in the eye and say goodbye without shedding a tear, I can pretty much guarantee you that they will go into their 4+ Assessments very happily.

If your child goes into their 4+ Assessments crying and upset, they will not pass.

Therefore this is the most important aspect of 4+ Assessment preparation.

I support all of my clients with this.

And I would love to support you too.

1 space only remaining to work with me for 4+ Assessment preparation.

Book your Sample Lesson Today!

Is your child really assessed differently because they are younger?

No!

Many of you won’t like what I have to say.

And that’s ok.

I’d rather be honest with you than tell you something that simply is not true.

Many parents I speak to believe that because their child is summer born that they will be assessed differently to their Autumn born peers.

Let’s not get this confused.

Children are grouped into age groups (at most 4+ Assessments) but please don’t take this to mean that they will be assessed differently to their peers who are older than them.

I’ve never spoken to one single parent who has ever told me that their child was assessed differently compared to another child.

The Assessments will not be different for your child just because they are summer born.

Why would they be?

Prepare your child in the exact same way as a child who is nearly a year older than them will be prepared.

If you don’t, it is highly likely that they will not be ready for their 4+ Assessments and it is very likely that they will not pass.

Last few places remaining to work with me.

Book your Sample Lesson today.

Why should my child be disadvantaged because he is July born?

Makes no sense to me.

But it makes a lot of sense to a lot of other parents.

I hear this daily!

‘I’m so worried because my child will be at a disadvantage’

‘It’s not fair because other children at the assessment will be nearly a whole year older than my child’

I fully understand their concerns but it is simply not true.

Your child will not be at a disadvantage.

Why do we, as a society choose to believe that summer born children are at a disadvantage compared to their Autumn born peers?

My son is summer born. July to be precise. I promise you that he will not be at a disadvantage compared to his autumn born peers.

Why should he be?

Yes, if he attends a 4+ Assessment, he will be one of the youngest.

So what?

Let’s look at this logically.

If I started preparing my child at the age of 1 and another parent starting preparing their child at the age of 2 then we would have both had a full year of preparing our children.

If I start preparing my child at the age of 1 and another parent also started preparing their Autumn born child at the age of 1, then absolutely they would have nearly one year more preparation than my son. However, it’s the quality of the preparation that counts.

So perhaps instead of thinking that our summer born babies will be disadvantaged compared to their autumn born peers, perhaps we just need to provide them with 3X the learning opportunities.

My son will not be at a disadvantage. I believe this 100%. And you should too.

Because ultimately, what is the upside of believing that they will be disadvantaged?

None.

Prepare your child, prepare them well and I promise you that they will only have the advantage over other children.

Preparing for the 4+ Assessments for 2025 entry?

Last few places remaining to work with me.

Book your Sample Lesson today!

3 reasons why you should work with the best teachers online versus good teachers in person.

We all want the best for our children. I am now myself in the process of looking for activities for my son (aged 2) and I am also on the lookout for the best of the best.

After all, this is my precious boy. I want the best for him. It’s as simple as that.

So I get it, you want the best for your child.

And I can say with certainty that we are the best when it comes to Assessment preparation.

The value that we provide to our clients is out of this world.

No where in this country will you find a teacher that will provide you with 24/7 contact. Ongoing communication at anytime. I am currently on holiday but my clients know that whatever they need, they can call me or message me and I will always reply.

Here are the 3 reasons why you should work with the best teachers online versus good teachers in person.

1.The highest quality tuition from the most experienced teachers.

With Creative Minds Tutors, you only have teachers who have at least 8 years of teaching experience. Not only do they have teaching experience but they have actual experience with the schools that you are applying to. We will only ever match your child to a teacher who has had years and years of experience with the schools that you are applying to.

Don’t underestimate the value of this.

2. Lessons tailored towards the schools that you are applying to.

Our lessons are not generic. No two children are prepared in the same way. They are bespoke to the schools that you are applying to. Not only will we teach your child to the highest standard but we will also work closely with you to make sure that you fully understand the Assessment process and are ready to help your child to go in and actually pass.

3. Value for money.

What we charge for what you get is of extreme value.

For £60 a week, you get ongoing contact with your teacher (as in at any time!), entrance exam support tailored specifically to the schools that you are applying to and weekly online lessons with your teacher.

I personally speak to most of my clients at least 3 times a week. Some of my clients contact me every day. Some of my clients contact me once a week. It is up to them how they want to use their ongoing communication with me.

I don’t know of any other tuition company that offers what we offer to their clients.

We are passionate about supporting all of our students to get into their schools of choice and we would love to support you.

Book your Sample lesson today.

Don't ever think that the 4+ Assessments will be easy - They won't be.

I’ve been speaking to a lot more parents lately and it always fascinates me that some of them think that the 4+ Assessments will be ‘easy’. When I speak to them, I get the impression that they believe that I am over- exaggerating how hard the 4+ Assessments will be.

Why would I do that?

If you know me at all, you know that all I want to do is help students all over the country to be successful in their 4+ Assessments.

I want to help parents all over the country to support their children to get into their top schools of choice so that they don’t need to worry about 7+/8+ or 11+.

I want children to go into their 4+ Assessments equipped with the knowledge that they need in order to actually be able to pass.

I understand it however.

If you’ve never been through the Assessments, how would you know just how challenging they are?

If you don’t know anyone else who has been through the Assessments, how would you know just how challenging they are?

Well, if you are reading this blog and you get even just one thing out of it, let it be this.

Prepare your child.

Prepare them well.

You don’t need an in-person tutor.

You need a tutor who knows exactly what is expected at each school.

You need a tutor who has actual experience with each school and who has actually successfully supported children to pass their 4+ Assessments at each school that you are applying to.

Book your Sample Lesson Today.

Why it is imperative that you understand the format of your child's 4+ Assessments.

Do you know exactly what will happen at each 4+ Assessment that you will be sending your child to? 

If you’re not sure about what will happen, don’t expect your child to be sure!

Not all 4+ Assessments will be the same. 

Some will be a group format and others will be 1:1. Some will be with a large group and others will be with a smaller group of children. Some will be with one Assessor, others will be with several Assessors. At some Assessments your child will go straight in with the Assessor/s and at others you will be asked to wait with them until they are called. Some will be very different at Round 1 compared to Round 2. Some Assessments only have one Round. Some Assessments will be more formal than others. 

So why is this even important? 

It is important because as best as possible we need to prepare your child to understand exactly what will happen on the day of each Assessment. 

I support my clients by telling them exactly what has happened at the schools that they are sending their children to sit Assessment at. Of course, schools can and do mix things up each year. However, historically, the Assessments are very similar each year.

You might find that the information provided by the school about the Assessment procedures might be very vague. 

It is very important that you know the following...

* Is it a group or 1:1 Assessment? 
* How long will the Assessment be? 

The letter you receive should answer both of these questions. 

If the letter does not specify this, you can always ask. The Admissions team are generally more than happy to answer any questions that prospective new parents to their school might have. 

If the Assessment will be a 1:1 format, tell your child about it. Tell them exactly what to expect. I provide a script for all of my clients for each school that they are applying to for them to go through with their child.  

If the Assessment is a group Assessment format, tell your child exactly what to expect. Tell them what you expect them to do on the day and how you'd like them to interact with the other children and the adults in the room. 

We need to be so specific and they need to fully understand what is expected of them. I would advise you start speaking to them about their Assessment/s at least one month before. Every day. Even just a minute a day of discussion about the school/s that they will be visiting. I would also advise you to take them physically to the school (just the outside of course!). Get them super familiar with the building so that when they go there, they know it well. We are all creatures of habit so familiarise them! Show them pictures on the internet or bring them along to an open day. 

I have a Summer 4+ Assessment Reset Workshop coming up on Sunday 16th June from 1:30pm - 4:30pm. Check it out here, 

It's going to be a brilliant workshop. If you are unable to attend live, I will send you the replay. 

Remember that 4+ Format Knowledge = Empowerment.

Empower yourself and your child by actually knowing what to expect.

Get rid of your fears about the 4+ Assessments once and for all!

Are you preparing your child for their 4+ Assessments?

Are you in need of a RESET?

Well, you are in the perfect place then!

May - August is the busiest time for us here at Creative Minds Tutors.

There are two types of clients who come to us during this time frame.

The first are the clients who have been sceptical for a long time about preparing their child for a 4+ Assessment and have left it until now to decide to begin and the other type are the clients who perhaps have been having preparation with about teacher and are not seeing the progress that they would like to be seeing.

If you identify with either one of these, this is your own personal invite to come to my Summer Reset Workshop!

It will be the breath of fresh air that you need right now if you are preparing your child for their 4+ Assessment (2025 entry)

In this game changing workshop, you will:

Create a 13 week Summer Assessment Preparation Plan that fits in with your life.

• Say goodbye to wasting time preparing your child for things that they will simply not be asked to do in their Assessments.

• Tailor your Summer Assessment Preparation Plan to the schools that you are applying to.

• Get guidance from a qualified teacher who has been preparing children for their 4+ for over 14 years!

This workshop includes:

• 3 hours with Maria. She will teach your HOW to prepare your child for the schools that they will be sitting Assessment at.

• Lifetime access to the Workshop replay

• A Summer Assessment Reset Guide to help you build your plan, take notes and review your child’s progress.

Plus these Bonuses (worth over £300!) if you purchase by 10th June 2024.

1.Access to one of module of your choice from my 4+ Assessment Accelerator course. -Choose from Phonics fun, maths, activities to expect and behavioural expectations.

2. Ongoing support from Maria for 30 days after the workshop - contact her with any of your questions relating to your child’s 4+ Assessment and she will be there to support and guide you

3. £50 voucher to be used if you book an in person mock Assessment (you will receive your voucher after the workshop)

All this for only £59! Book your place today.

The biggest mistake I see parents make when teaching phonics to their child

I’ve worked with thousands of parents over the last 15 years. I’ve seen this one thing hundreds of time and it is a huge mistake.

One that needs to be avoided at all costs.

It’s this.

Parents lose their patience.

Let me paint you a vivid picture of what I mean.

I had been working with Lily for several months preparing her for her 4+ Assessments. She was making lots of progress in many different areas but was struggling with learning her phonics sounds. Her mother would sit in on all of her lessons and was always very calm and helpful. But when it came to the phonics, I would often see Lily’s mother getting very frustrated and upset if Lily didn’t know the sounds and she would often say things like…

‘Why don’t you know it!’

‘We’ve done it hundreds of times!’

‘She’s never going to get it!’

‘This isn’t good enough!’

‘Focus!’

I think you would agree that these are not helpful comments.

This would lead to my student getting upset and often crying and therefore wasting 5-10 minutes of our lesson.

I get it!

We want our child to pick things up quickly. But it doesn’t always work out this way.

When teaching phonics, you must be calm, patient and accept that there will be times that your child will not know the answer or perhaps simply not want to say the answer.

You need belief and trust in the process and know that your child will learn and respond in their own time. And if they don’t get it or don’t want to say it, just move on or tell them that it’s okay not to know and you will try again another time.

All of my students will be able to read (blend three letter words at a minimum) after preparing for their 4+ Assessments with me (with at least 9 months of preparation)

Book your Sample Lesson Today.