Calm, experience-led 11+ preparation in East Devon

Summer Courses

11+ intensive summer courses in East Devon for Colyton Grammar preparation

Our 11+ intensive summer courses give children structured, focused preparation for the Colyton Grammar entrance exam across August, without taking over the holidays. Morning sessions run Monday to Friday in small groups of ten or fewer, led by two experienced 11+ teachers. Each week targets a specific area of preparation so families can choose the course that matches their child’s needs.

Holiday preparation can bring up mixed feelings for parents. You want to do the right thing, but you don’t want your child to feel pushed, or for the summer to become all about the 11+.

Our 11 plus summer school removes that pressure. They give children a calm, supportive way to practise the skills that matter, while keeping the experience positive, friendly and manageable.

Ask what's right for your child

A Quick Overview

What our holiday courses feel like

A short introduction from our team explaining the tone, structure, and how we keep preparation calm and positive.

WHY THIS HELPS

A calm, structured use of time

A well-planned holiday course can take the uncertainty out of summer preparation. Instead of guessing what to focus on, children are guided through the areas that make the biggest difference, in a steady and reassuring way.

For many families, the biggest benefit is simply calm. Structure brings reassurance. Children know what they’re doing and why, and parents feel confident that preparation is moving in the right direction.

Confidence through familiarity

The goal isn’t pressure. It’s removing the unknown. When children understand what practice looks like and what’s expected, confidence grows naturally.

Clear methods and strategies

We focus on explanation and approach so children learn how to tackle questions, not just do more of them. That’s what makes practice feel manageable.

A steadier summer

Families often tell us it’s a relief to have a clear plan in place. It keeps preparation calm and balanced, without the summer becoming dominated by worry.

WHAT THE EXPERIENCE

Enjoyable, supportive and productive

These courses are focused, but they are not intense in the way parents often worry about. The tone is welcoming and supportive, and children are encouraged throughout.

Groups are kept small and sessions are led by two teachers, allowing teaching to be adapted to different needs while still maintaining a calm group dynamic. Children feel supported, not singled out, and learning stays positive and productive.

What children can expect

A clear session structure, so nothing feels rushed or uncertain
Teacher-led explanations and guided practice
A friendly environment where confidence builds steadily
Light, targeted follow-up work to reinforce learning without overload

WHO IT SUITS

For children who are ready for structured support

Holiday courses are well suited to children preparing for the Colyton Grammar 11+ who would benefit from a clearer structure during the summer, confidence-building exam-style learning, and calm explanation of methods and techniques. Whether you have identified a weak area which needs addressing or need help with exam strategies such as time-management or stress levels or just are concerned about the change in the test format this year, we may have a summer course which will help.

If you’re unsure whether a holiday course is right for your child, or which focus would be most helpful, we’re always happy to talk it through. The aim is to find the right level of challenge enough to build confidence, never enough to undermine it.

Helpful if your child needs

A boost in a part of the test which you have identified as a weakness
A catch-up as you started late in your 11+ preparation
A confidence boost by feeling more prepared
To gain exam strategies rather than losing points by winging it
A final truly focused revision of topics and exam strategy
This year particularly, to learn resilience in coping with a new and unknown section that may turn up in the test.

Not about “more”

This is not about doing more for the sake of it. It’s about doing the right things, calmly, so children feel steadier and parents feel clearer.

THE WIDER PATHWAY

Part of a calm, joined-up approach

Holiday courses work best when they form part of a clear, reassuring plan. For many families, they sit alongside other preparation steps. Summer courses focus on the key areas you , as parents, have identified as weakspots in your child’s knowledge and where we come in to strengthen your child’s knowledge in those key areas, build strategies for tackling them and feel more confident about what lies ahead.

Rather than doing more for the sake of it, the focus is on using time well to catch up on specific skills while building familiarity and confidence.

This is about doing the right things, at the right time, in a way that feels manageable for both children and parents.

DATES AND BOOKING

Practical details

A simple, structured week that supports confidence while still leaving plenty of time for rest, family and enjoyment.

Schedule and format

Days: Monday to Friday
Time: 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Total: 15 hours across the week
Course focus: Each week has a specific learning focus

Setting and group size

Location: Lympstone Village Hall, Committee Room
Group size: Maximum of 10 children
Teaching: Led by two experienced 11+ teachers

Each course week has a particular emphasis. If the dates you can attend don’t perfectly match the area you feel your child needs most, please get in touch before booking. We’ll help you choose the most sensible next step without pressure.

QUICK QUESTIONS

What parents often ask

Will this take over the summer?

No. The morning-only format supports learning while still leaving plenty of time for rest, family and enjoyment.

Does my child need to be at a certain level already?

No. We will assess every child’s knowledge and level at the beginning of the week and plan our lessons so that any weaknesses are put right and highlighted to you as their parent. The small-group setting allows teaching to be adapted so children can engage at their own stage, without pressure.

Colyton have changed from FSCE to Quest and we worry we don’t understand the new format, can you help?

Yes. In our 30+ career, we’ve seen the 11+ formats for both the Colyton and Torquay exams change significantly 3 or 4 times. We will do our very best over the months in the run up to the new format exams to get as much information as we can on the style and format of the new exam so that we can help our students feel comfortable. In truth, Grammar school children should be able to roll with new questions and formats as it is an important part of being a grammar school child so we build resilience and self-confidence into the children so they have the confidence to tackle anything new and unusual.

We’re not sure what the next step should be, can you help?

Yes. Our role is to help families feel clearer and more confident, not rushed or pushed.

Take the next step with confidence

Whether you wish to book a holiday course or simply ask a question about timing, we are happy to assist without any pressure.

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Lympstone11+

Experience-led preparation for the Colyton Grammar School entrance exam.