11 Plus tutors in London: grammar schools, costs and how to prepare (2026)

London's 11 Plus market is unlike anywhere else in the UK. The combination of competitive state grammar schools in several boroughs and highly selective independent school entry at 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+ creates an almost year-round demand for specialist tutors — and intense competition for places means preparation typically starts earlier here than anywhere else in the country.

Which London schools require 11 Plus preparation?

London's selective landscape divides into state grammar schools and selective independent schools:

State grammar schools by area

• Barnet: Queen Elizabeth's School (boys), Henrietta Barnett School (girls), St Michael's Catholic Grammar. These are among the most competitive state schools in England. QE and HBS typically require scores in the 99th+ percentile.
• Enfield: Latymer School (co-educational), Enfield County School.
• Sutton: Sutton Grammar (boys), Nonsuch High (girls), Wallington County Grammar (boys), Wallington High (girls), Wilson's School (boys), Greenshaw High. Sutton is the most concentrated grammar school borough in London.
• Kingston/Richmond: Tiffin School (boys), Tiffin Girls' School. Among the most academically selective grammar schools in the country.
• Bexley: Beths Grammar (boys), Bexley Grammar (co-ed), Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar, Townley Grammar (girls), Wilmington Grammar (boys and girls).
• Redbridge: Ilford County High (boys), Woodford County High (girls).

Selective independent schools

Many London families also prepare for selective independent school entry at 11+: City of London School, St Paul's Boys', St Paul's Girls', North London Collegiate, Godolphin and Latymer, Highgate, City of London School for Girls, Francis Holland, Channing, and dozens more. These schools use their own entrance exams, not the standard 11 Plus format.

What format is the London 11 Plus?

London's state grammar schools use a variety of test formats. Most Sutton schools use the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) exam, which does not publish past papers. Barnet schools use their own consortium test. Tiffin and other schools also use independent tests. Independent schools use school-specific exams.

This variety means that choosing a tutor who knows the specific school(s) you are targeting — not just "11 Plus" generally — is important. A tutor who knows the Sutton CEM format is not the same as one who knows the QE Barnet test.

When to start 11 Plus preparation in London

For the most competitive London grammar schools — QE Barnet, HBS, Tiffin, Sutton top schools — most families start preparation in Year 4. Some start in Year 3 for the most competitive schools. Families who start in Year 5 are not too late but face a more intensive preparation period.

For London independent schools, timelines vary by school. Entry exams for independent schools at 11+ are typically sat in January of Year 6.

How much does an 11 Plus tutor cost in London?

• State grammar preparation: £40–£65 per hour for most tutors. Specialist 11 Plus tutors with a strong track record for QE, HBS or Sutton schools often charge £60–£90.
• Independent school prep (11+/pre-test): £55–£100 per hour. Tutors who specialise in St Paul's, City of London, NLCS and similar schools often work from personalised programmes and charge accordingly.
• Online 11 Plus tutoring: £5–£15 per hour less than in-person for equivalent quality. Many families use online tutors for the academic content and in-person for paper-based timed practice.

Find an 11 Plus tutor in London

Browse 11 Plus tutors in London on TutorLab — compare profiles, see rates and enquire directly without agency fees.

By London area: Barnet · Sutton · Wimbledon · North London · South London · Online

Also see our general 11 Plus tutor guide for the UK.