11+ Familiarisation Classes

Our 11+ familiarisation courses are open to boys and girls in Year 5 (as at 1 September of the current school year) who are considering applying for a place at a grammar school.

Courses during 2023-24 for September 2025 entry into Year 7

Please note that attending these classes is not part of the School's admission process. Enrolling on one of our 11+ Familiarisation Courses does not constitute an application for your child to take the 11+ examination or an application for admission to the school. Please see 11+ Applications For Entry Into Year 7 (The 11+ Procedure)

About our Courses

The 11+ Familiarisation Course is a course offered to boys and girls in Year 5 who are considering applying for a place at a grammar school.  It consists of 6 after-school sessions on Wednesday evenings and is held 3 times each year, once per term.  The 3 courses are identical and so children need attend for just one term.

The Course covers key elements of Key Stage 2 English and Mathematics to provide familiarisation with likely material that could be tested in the 11+ examination.  The focus is on the teaching material, not the examination itself, although some elements of examination technique are included.  The aim is to provide guided familiarisation with likely content of 11+ papers in an interactive seminar setting.  The Course provides practice and consolidation of primary school teaching and exposure to different question styles.  It does not teach new topics or provide specific coaching for the examination.  Feedback to parents and guardians is not provided.

Course Dates 2023-24

All sessions start at 4:15pm and finish at 5.45pm.  They include two 40-minute lessons, one in English and one in Mathematics, with a 10-minute break between subjects.

The cost of the Course is £125 and refunds for partial attendance can be given in exceptional circumstances only.  For children eligible for free school meals, the cost is £25*.

Please note that the Course is entirely separate from the application process for a place at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, which is detailed here.

The School reserves the right to alter these arrangements if circumstances change beyond its control, for example, renewed Covid precautions.

For further details please contact: Mrs C Saunders at ces@bishopwordsworths.org.uk or Telephone: 01722 333851

To Book a Course

Financial Assistance

* Subsidised places are available on our 11+ Familiariation Courses for children who are in receipt of free school meals. Please contact Mrs C Saunders at ces@bishopwordsworths.org.uk with evidence to support your application before booking a place. Evidence should be one of the following:

• A letter from your local authority (e.g. Wiltshire Council)
• A letter from your child's current school on the school's headed paper
• An email direct from your child's current school sent from the school's email address

In addition, the BWS Foundation provides grants to pupils not currently at the School but who need financial assistance to support their application, for example attending open days and the 11+ examination. For information on how to apply, please see our Financial Assistance page.

Letter to Parents