By Gemma Louise Bull

I am currently in the process of choosing my 2025 academic diary. I have looked at countless diaries - online and in shops - but, so far, I have been unable to find one that suits my needs. Like most people, I have a complicated schedule with a wide range of commitments.

While musing on my hunt for a suitable diary, it occurred to me that, for parents preparing their children for the 11+, it must be almost impossible to find the perfect calendar. So, to support you with the process, I have created some tools to help you create a personalised schedule for you and your child.

If your child is in Year 5, you will undoubtedly be aware of the looming exam dates. In a previous post, I discussed the importance of setting short-term goals to support progress towards the ultimate goal of passing the 11+.

Preparations and Considerations

Before sharing an example schedule, I would urge you to consider a few questions:

When does my child do their best work?

Some people are night owls, preferring to work later in the evening but struggling to concentrate in the morning. Other people are early birds - wide awake and ready to go in the morning, yet understandably tired in the evenings. Before organising your schedule, consider whether your child is an owl or a lark. If they find it challenging to make conversation in the morning, completing vocabulary tasks or times tables will probably be ineffective.

How long can my child concentrate in one sitting?

Most 10-year-olds can focus for 20-30 minutes before needing a break. Indeed, a maximum of 60 minutes is recommended for adults, Of course, every child is different - and you know your child best. I work for up to an hour before allowing myself a 5-10 minute break. I use the break to make a cup of tea, grab a snack, have a good stretch, etc.

Think about the best way to use your child's breaks. For example:

20 minutes: Complete comprehension questions x 14
5 minutes: Break (snack)
20 minutes: Mark comprehension questions and identify target areas. Complete VR 10-minute test.
10 minutes: Break: (play with toys, draw, etc.)
20 minutes: Complete Maths 10-minute test and NVR 10-minute test.
5 minutes: Break (drink and play)
20 minutes: Mark all 10-minute tests. Note progress and set targets.
Treat: video games, watch TV, etc.

In this example, a child would complete 80 minutes of focused work with 20 minutes of breaks, with a total time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. Naturally, you will need to tweak this schedule to suit your exam focus (the example includes VR and NVR for GL papers) but this should give you an idea of how to schedule an evening or weekend study session.

Where will my child complete their work?

Where possible, having a designated study space is an excellent way to encourage focused learning. Ideally, it should be an uncluttered space as studies have shown that our brains work more effectively when the area we are working in is tidy and organised. Sitting at a desk - or a dining table - is best as it creates a familiar workspace and helps promote good posture too. During breaks, I recommend standing up and moving away from the 'workspace' to create a distinct difference between work and play.

When will I give my child 'free time'?

When preparing for the 11+, it can be tempting to use every available moment to study for the exams. However, it is vital to have regular opportunities to unwind and recharge. I suggest having one day per week completely free from studying. If that's not possible owing to other commitments, I would allocate two evenings per week as free time.

Example Schedule

Date:

Short-term goals:

To improve Reading Comprehension marks.
To develop vocabulary knowledge.
To consolidate Maths, VR and NVR marks.

Day of the Week	Morning	Afternoon/Evening
Monday	Vocabulary flashcards x 5. Test during breakfast/on way to school. Note any unknown words for review later in the week.	School club English tutoring 5pm-6pm Reading before bedtime
Tuesday	Mental arithmetic questions focused on times tables.	Comprehension questions. Mark and identify targets. Reading before bedtime.
Wednesday	Vocabulary flashcards x 5	School homework. Reading before bedtime.
Thursday	Mental arithmetic questions focused on times tables.	School club Maths tutoring 5pm-6pm Reading before bedtime
Friday	Vocabulary flashcards x 5	VR and NVR 10-minute tests, Mark and identify target areas. School homework. Family time.
Saturday	Review vocabulary. Review times tables. English mock paper.	Catch up on any school homework/outstanding tasks. Create schedule for next week based on identified targets.
Sunday	FREE DAY	FREE DAY

Targets for next week:

Further focus on comprehension. Speak to our English tutor for suggestions about resources.
Review vocabulary from last week in addition to new words. Still some misunderstandings.
Complete additional focused work on VR questions - Compound Words and Hidden Words. Use CGP workbook.

Like all of my suggestions so far, you will probably need to create a different schedule that takes into account your commitments and your child's activities, tutoring, etc. Nevertheless, I hope that the schedule below provides you with an idea of how to manage your child's 11+ preparations.

I highly recommend creating the schedule with your child so that they both know your expectations and feel part of their learning journey.

To download a blank schedule, click the document below: