Foundations

For Year 3 and Year 4 children — building the mathematical depth, advanced comprehension and writing maturity needed before full 11+ preparation begins.

£120/session

📍 Location: Our Lady of Victories School, SW7 5AQ

📅 Term Time: Sundays: 10:00-12:30 or 13:00-15:30 (Same Content In Each Session)

🕙 School Holidays (Mon-Fri): 10:00am-1:00pm

📋 Holiday Sundays: Mock exams and assessments

👥 Group Size: 4-8 children

Location and Schedule

Venue

Our Lady of Victories School, Fulham Road, London, SW7 5AQ

**Holiday courses are occasionally held at Kent House, Knightsbridge. The confirmed venue is included in joining instructions sent before each term or course begins.

Schedule

Sunday Afternoon | 10 – 12:30

Sunday Afternoon | 13:00 – 15:30

Term

2nd February 2025 – 30th March 2025

Curriculum Details

Maths Reasoning

Multi-step problems with hidden steps
Logical deduction and “prove it” questions
Early algebraic thinking (patterns, unknowns, generalising)
Fractions/decimals reasoning foundations
Method choice: multiple approaches, efficiency

English Depth

Inference, author intention, subtle meaning
Answering with clarity and precision (no waffle)
Vocabulary expansion and nuance
Writing maturity: structure, control, tone, paragraphing
Grammar and punctuation accuracy under time

Logic & Reasoning

Teaching Methodology – How sessions are run

Sessions work across Maths, English and reasoning within each class — the connections between these disciplines matter increasingly at 11+. Extended written work is marked and discussed in detail. Children are expected to explain their thinking, not just produce answers.

How to join

Use the enquiry form on this page or message us directly.
We will have a short conversation to confirm the right course and session time for your child.
Once a place is confirmed, we will send details for your first session. Sessions are billed only when attended – there is no upfront term fee. Payment by bank transfer, cash or card.
Joining instructions and venue details are sent before the first session.

Exam Details

What Foundations is building toward

Foundations does not prepare children for a specific assessment. It prepares them for rigorous 11+ work in Year 5 and Year 6. Children who struggle at 11+ are often those drilled on past papers without the underlying skills to adapt when questions are unfamiliar. Foundations is where those skills are built.

What selective schools look for at 11+

London’s most competitive 11+ schools test mathematical reasoning, reading comprehension, analytical and creative writing, and in most cases verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Strong performance requires depth of understanding, not just familiarity with question formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Foundations an entrance-exam class?

Yes — it’s the stage that builds the depth needed for later Pre-11+ and 11+ performance. It’s where strong candidates become exceptional.

My child is ahead — will they be stretched?

Yes. We stretch through harder reasoning, deeper explanations and higher expectations of accuracy and structure.

My child hasn’t done 8+ prep — can they still join?

Often yes, depending on readiness. We’ll advise the best group.

Why might my child move groups?

To ensure pace and challenge are appropriate. This is a positive sign of careful matching, not a “problem.”

Does this include VR/NVR?

Yes where beneficial — reasoning skills support maths and comprehension and become crucial later.

How does this help 11+ specifically?

It strengthens multi-step reasoning, inference and writing maturity — the exact skills that decide outcomes at top schools.

What should we practise at home?

Short, targeted practice: reasoning habits, reading depth, writing structure — not endless worksheets.

What’s the next step after Foundations?