Guides for parents
Clear answers on the 11+, GCSEs and A-Levels.
Written by our tutors for families in Barking, Dagenham, Ilford and across East London.
11+ and grammar schools
- My child didn't pass the 11+. What now?Didn't pass the 11+? Your options explained: other school preferences, waiting lists, appeals, selective sixth forms at 16, and how to support your child.Updated 1 October 2026
- Can East London children apply to Essex CSSE grammar schools?Can East London children apply to Essex CSSE grammar schools? How out-of-area applications work, 2027 entry dates, the 303 minimum score and priority areas.Updated 1 October 2026
- Where can I find free 11+ practice papers?Free 11+ practice papers from official sources: GL Assessment familiarisation packs for Redbridge and CSSE past papers for Essex, plus how to use them well.Updated 1 October 2026
- Ilford County High vs Woodford County High: a parent's guideIlford County High vs Woodford County High compared: boys and girls grammar schools, the shared Redbridge 11+, places, past cut-off scores and sixth form entry.Updated 1 October 2026
- Is my Barking postcode in the Redbridge 11+ catchment area?Check if your Barking postcode is in the Redbridge 11+ catchment area for Ilford County High and Woodford County High, step by step, using Redbridge Maps.Updated 1 October 2026
- Redbridge 11+: dates, papers and how to registerRedbridge 11+ dates, papers and registration explained: when to register in Year 5, the September test, results, the 31 October deadline and offer day.Updated 1 October 2026
- What are verbal and non-verbal reasoning in the 11+?Verbal and non-verbal reasoning explained for parents, with simple 11+ example questions and worked answers, plus how to practise them at home.Updated 1 October 2026
- When should my child start 11+ preparation?When to start 11+ preparation: a calm Year 4 to Year 6 plan for the Redbridge and Essex grammar school tests, with what to cover each term and when to register.Updated 1 October 2026
GCSE
- AQA vs Edexcel GCSE Maths: which board does my child sit, and does it matter?AQA vs Edexcel GCSE Maths for parents: how to find your child's exam board, what is the same, what really differs, and why it matters for revision.Updated 1 October 2026
- Combined or triple science GCSE: which is right for my child?Combined vs triple science GCSE explained: how many GCSEs each gives, exam papers and time, grading, and whether triple is needed for A-Level science.Updated 1 October 2026
- GCSE grade boundaries explained: what does my child need for a 4, 5 or 7?GCSE grade boundaries explained for parents: what 9–1 grades mean, how boundaries are set after marking, why they change, and real 2026 AQA maths figures.Updated 1 October 2026
- How can my child go from a grade 4 to a grade 7 in GCSE Maths?A practical plan to go from grade 4 to grade 7 in GCSE Maths: check the tier, find the gaps, practise past papers and know how many marks you really need.Updated 1 October 2026
- My child's GCSE mock results were disappointing. What should we do next?GCSE mock results disappointing? What mocks really tell you, how they affect tiers and sixth form predictions, and a calm step-by-step plan for what to do next.Updated 1 October 2026
- When is GCSE results day 2027, and what should we do on the day?GCSE results day 2027 is Thursday 19 August. What to do on the day in Barking and Dagenham, how reviews of marking work, resits, and local sixth form options.Updated 1 October 2026
- What should a Year 11 GCSE revision timetable look like?A week-by-week GCSE revision timetable for Year 11, from October to the summer 2027 exams, with real exam dates and simple steps parents can follow.Updated 1 October 2026
- Which selective sixth forms are there in East London, and what grades do they need?Selective sixth forms in East London compared: London Academy of Excellence, Brampton Manor and Newham Collegiate Sixth Form entry requirements and deadlines.Updated 1 October 2026
A-Level
- What are the AQA A-Level Chemistry required practicals, and how are they assessed?The 12 AQA A-Level Chemistry required practicals, how the practical endorsement (CPAC) works, how practicals appear in exams, and tips to secure the marks.Updated 1 October 2026
- How are A-Level predicted grades set, and can my child raise them?How A-Level predicted grades are set for UCAS, what teachers base them on, and practical steps your child can take in Year 12 to raise them before applying.Updated 1 October 2026
- Why does A-Level Maths feel so much harder than GCSE, and how can my child catch up?Why the GCSE to A-Level Maths jump feels so big, which skills cause the most trouble in Year 12, and a simple plan to bridge the gap in the first term.Updated 1 October 2026
- What are the hardest A-Level Biology topics, and how can my child tackle them?The hardest A-Level Biology topics students bring to tutoring, from respiration to gene expression, plus practical ways to learn them and win exam marks.Updated 1 October 2026
- What A-Level grades do Imperial, UCL and King's ask for?Typical A-Level offers for Medicine, Computer Science and Engineering at Imperial, UCL and King's College London for 2027 entry, plus tests and deadlines.Updated 1 October 2026
- How can my child resit A-Levels as a private candidate in London?How to resit A-Levels as a private candidate in London: finding an exam centre, entry deadlines for June 2027, fees, and the science practical endorsement.Updated 1 October 2026
For parents
- Secondary schools in Barking & Dagenham by GCSE resultsSecondary schools in Barking & Dagenham ranked by 2025 GCSE Attainment 8 scores, with a plain-English guide to what the numbers mean for your child.Updated 1 October 2026
- Can I find a female tutor for my daughter in Barking?Looking for a female tutor in Barking? How to ask for one, what to check, and how LCB offers female tutors on request and respects prayer times.Updated 1 October 2026
- Where can my child get free revision help in Barking?Free revision help in Barking and Dagenham: library study spaces and wi-fi, Oak National Academy, BBC Bitesize and free GCSE past papers from the exam boards.Updated 1 October 2026
- Is group tutoring as good as one-to-one tutoring?Group tutoring vs one-to-one: what the research says, the honest pros and cons of each, and how to decide which suits your child and your budget.Updated 1 October 2026
- How to help with homework when you didn't go to school in the UKHow to help with homework when you didn't go to school in the UK: year groups, the 9 to 1 GCSE grades explained, and free resources like Oak and BBC Bitesize.Updated 1 October 2026
- How do I choose a safe tutor for my child?How to choose a safe tutor: which DBS check to ask for, how to check Ofsted registration, the questions to ask and the red flags to watch for.Updated 1 October 2026
- Online or in-person tutoring: which is better for my child?Online vs in-person tutoring: the honest pros and cons of each, which children suit which, and what to check before you choose a tutor for your child.Updated 1 October 2026
- How much does a tutor cost in East London in 2026?How much does a tutor cost in East London in 2026? We compare private tutors, agencies, tuition centres and small-group monthly plans, with real prices.Updated 1 October 2026
- Should my child have a tutor in Year 7?Should your child have a tutor in Year 7? The signs of KS3 gaps after primary school, what the evidence says about transition, and when extra help is worth it.Updated 1 October 2026
- Can I use Universal Credit to pay for tutoring?Can you use Universal Credit to pay for tutoring? How the 85% childcare costs rule works, who qualifies, the 2026 monthly limits and how to report costs.Updated 1 October 2026
Free assessment
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Groups are 3–5 children. Book by 31 Oct to start in November:
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“My son went from a grade 3 to a 7 in Maths.”
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