How to Improve SPaG for Better Writing Quality
Improve SPaG through short draft checks for sentence endings, tense, and punctuation, with a worked rewrite and a home routine.
Read guidePublished 3 April 2026
Start here | exam technique for writing
11+ Exam Technique Guide for Creative Writing
Use this guide when timed writing goes worse than untimed writing. It helps with quick planning, revision priorities, and feedback that improves the next timed attempt.
How to use this guide (without overcomplicating it)
Pick one article based on your child's current bottleneck, use it for a week of practice, then come back and choose the next step. You do not need to use every page at once.
- Stuck on ideas? Start with prompts or examples.
- Writing feels messy? Move to planning/technique pages.
- Language feels flat? Add vocabulary or descriptive writing support.
Exam-technique and planning guides
How Tutors Structure a Writing Lesson: Parent Guide
See how strong writing lessons are often structured, with a simple home version, worked example, and parent-friendly lesson checklist.
Read guidePublished 3 April 2026
Dialogue Punctuation Rules Made Easy
Learn four easy dialogue punctuation rules, a worked two-speaker example, and a quick home check for Year 5 writing.
Read vocabulary guidePublished 2 April 2026
How to Avoid And-Then Storytelling in Year 5 Writing
Help your child stop listing events and start building cause and effect with one worked rewrite, parent prompts, and a short home drill.
Read guidePublished 2 April 2026
How to Avoid Run-On Sentences in Year 5 Writing
Spot and fix run-on sentences with a worked rewrite, a simple breath test, and a short home editing task.
Read vocabulary guidePublished 2 April 2026
How to Use Commas in Dialogue
Learn the main comma patterns in dialogue, plus a worked fix exercise and a quick parent check for Year 5 writing.
Read vocabulary guidePublished 2 April 2026
How to Use Paragraphs Properly in 11+ Writing (Exam Ready)
Use simple paragraph triggers, a worked Year 5 rewrite, and a 12-minute layout drill so exam stories are easier to follow and mark.
Read guidePublished 2 April 2026
First Person vs Third Person in 11+ Writing
Compare first and third person with a side-by-side scene, quick parent checks, and a home viewpoint practice task.
Read guidePublished 2 April 2026
11+ Creative Writing Checker: What to Check Before Submitting Practice Work
Use this 11+ creative writing checker before submitting practice work: child self-check, parent quick-check, worked example, and a short final-check routine.
Read guideUpdated 19 March 2026
Creative Writing for Parents: Practical 11+ Help This Week
Creative writing for parents, made practical: what to check first, what to say after a draft, and how to help a Year 5 child improve for 11+ writing this week.
Read guideUpdated 19 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing Feedback for Parents: Comments Children Can Use
11+ creative writing feedback for parents: specific comment examples, a simple formula, and a weekly routine that turns one draft into a better next draft.
Read guideUpdated 19 March 2026
How to Control Pace in Year 5 Writing (Short and Long Sentences)
Help your child control story pace with short and long sentences, a worked example, and a quick home practice routine.
Read guidePublished 19 March 2026
How to Create a Believable Character in Year 5 Writing
Build believable characters with one quick planning card, a worked example, and a realistic Year 5 practice task.
Read guidePublished 19 March 2026
How to Edit in 10 Minutes (Child-Friendly)
Try a child-friendly 10-minute editing routine with clear steps, a worked example, and one realistic home practice task.
Read guidePublished 19 March 2026
How to Include Figurative Language Safely in Year 5 Writing
Help your child use figurative language safely with one-image rules, a worked example, and a practical Year 5 home task.
Read guidePublished 19 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing Tutor: Near Me or Online?
Compare 11+ creative writing tutor options near me or online, what to ask before booking, and when a parent may not need a tutor yet.
Read guideUpdated 19 March 2026
Cost of 11+ English Tutor UK: Price Guide and Lower-Cost Alternatives
See realistic UK price bands for 11+ English tutoring, what pushes the bill up, and lower-cost alternatives that still help writing improve.
Read guidePublished 8 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing Course Online Guide: What Parents Should Check
Compare online 11+ writing courses, what details matter before you pay, and how to spot class formats that fit your child.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
Best Books to Improve Year 5 Writing: Parent Picks by Goal
Choose the best books to improve Year 5 writing by goal, with practical parent picks, a worked example, and a weekly book-to-writing routine.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
How to Practise Writing Without Tears: Parent Guide for Year 5
Reduce writing battles at home with a calm Year 5 routine, practical parent scripts, a worked example, and a realistic three-session weekly plan.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
How to Write Faster Under Time Pressure (Without Losing Quality)
Help your child write faster under time pressure with a 90-second planning method, pace checkpoints, worked example, and practical home drills.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
Kent Writing Task Planning Tips (Timed Parent Method)
Practical Kent writing task planning tips with a timed planning card, worked example, and a realistic two-week drill for home use.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
Timed Creative Writing Drills (10 and 20 Minutes): Parent Practice Plan
Run realistic 10 and 20-minute creative writing drills, see what to mark after each, and build timed confidence step by step.
Read guidePublished 5 March 2026
Describing Movement (Year 5): Verbs, Adverbs, and Stronger Action Sentences
Help Year 5 writers describe movement clearly with practical verb and adverb choices, a worked rewrite, and a 12-minute home practice task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
Describing Sounds (Year 5): Onomatopoeia, Verbs, and Better Lines
Help Year 5 writers describe sounds clearly with practical onomatopoeia choices, verb upgrades, and a realistic 12-minute home rewrite task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How Long Should the Story Be for 11+? A Practical Parent Guide
Set realistic 11+ story-length targets with word ranges, paragraph plans, a worked example, and an 18-minute home pacing task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Avoid Cliches in Year 5 Writing
Replace tired phrases with specific detail using a simple parent-led method, a worked paragraph rewrite, and a practical 20-minute task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Build Confidence in Writing: Practical Steps for Year 5 Parents
Build writing confidence with a simple Year 5 routine: easy wins, stretch tasks, reflection prompts, and feedback language that keeps momentum.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Get Full Marks in 11+ Creative Writing (Realistic Parent Guide)
A realistic parent guide to aiming high in 11+ writing: what to score first, how to improve week by week, and a practical marking routine.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Help a Reluctant Writer at Home (Year 5 and 11+)
Reduce writing resistance at home with calm scripts, short tasks, and a practical 14-day routine for reluctant Year 5 writers.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Transition Between Scenes in 11+ Story Writing
Help your child link scenes clearly with a simple bridge method, a worked rewrite, and an 18-minute home practice drill.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Use Senses in Writing (Year 5): 5-Senses Checklist
Use a practical 5-senses checklist to improve Year 5 descriptions with balanced detail, a worked rewrite, and a 15-minute home task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Write a Strong First Paragraph (11+ and Year 5)
Build stronger first paragraphs with a clear checklist, line-by-line worked example, and a realistic 20-minute home opening drill.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
How to Write Dialogue That Sounds Real (Year 5 and 11+)
Teach natural dialogue with a simple voice method, a worked rewrite, and a realistic 20-minute home practice task for Year 5 and 11+.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
Powerful Verbs for Action (Year 5): List, Sentences, and Upgrade Task
Upgrade weak action lines with a practical Year 5 verb list, sentence examples, and a 15-minute home writing task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
Top 10 Mistakes Year 5 Writers Make (and How Parents Can Fix Them)
Spot the ten most common Year 5 writing mistakes, fix them in the right order, and use a practical home routine that avoids overwhelm.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
What Do 11+ Examiners Look For? Parent Priorities and Marking Focus
Learn what 11+ examiners usually reward first, with a practical parent marking order, worked example, and weekly feedback task.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
What Level Should Year 5 Writing Be? A Parent-Friendly Benchmark Guide
Use a simple Year 5 writing benchmark grid to judge current level, spot the next target, and run practical weekly improvement at home.
Read guidePublished 3 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing Exam Technique Tips
Practical 11+ creative writing exam technique tips with a timed writing method, worked prompt, and parent checklist for mock practice.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing Structure and Paragraph Plan
Use this parent-friendly 11+ structure template to plan paragraphs fast, write clearly, and improve timed creative writing at home.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
Best 11+ Story Structure (3-Act Simple)
Use this simple 3-act 11+ story structure with a worked example, fast parent checks, and a practical home task for Year 5 writing.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
How to Plan a Story in 5 Minutes (Template)
Use this 5-minute 11+ story planning template with a worked example, parent coaching script, and realistic home routine for Year 5 writers.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
How to Start with Action (Hook Writing) for 11+ and Year 5
Learn action hook writing with a clear formula, worked rewrite, and a short home drill to improve Year 5 and 11+ openings.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
How to Write a Twist Ending (Without Confusing)
Plan clear twist endings with clue placement, one worked story example, and a practical home task for Year 5 and 11+ writing.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
How to Write Tension (Easy Steps) for Year 5 and 11+
Build story tension with easy steps, a worked rewrite, and a realistic home practice drill for Year 5 and 11+ writing.
Read guidePublished 2 March 2026
11+ Creative Writing AI Feedback at Home: Why Parents Can Trust It
A parent-friendly guide to modern AI feedback for 11+ writing: why it is now advanced, what great feedback looks like, and how to use it confidently at home.
Read guideUpdated 28 February 2026
11+ Creative Writing Feedback Sheet (Printable)
Printable-style 11+ creative writing feedback sheet for parents, with a completed example, useful comments, and a 10-minute review routine.
Read guidePublished 26 February 2026
11+ Creative Writing Marking Rubric for Parents (Simple Version)
Use a simple parent-friendly 11+ creative writing marking rubric to score practice work, choose one next-step target, and track progress week by week.
Read guidePublished 26 February 2026
Practise timed writing with a clear structure
Pair technique pages with example pages and revision planning support so timing and writing quality improve together.