Dylan had always struggled with very poor handwriting. After only a few months teachers can now read his writing and he feels more confident. His coordination problems have been recognised “Thanks to your suggestion,” and this has helped at school. It has made a big difference to his schooling as he enjoys it much more now.
Samantha WildingParentPortsmouth
She says “I Love to Learn Now!”
Mariana brought her daughter to us as she was having a few problems with maths at school. She liked it so much that now she comes for English as well! Mariana says that now “She is more confident with math now and she’s coming to I Love to Learn for pleasure. She is very happy with her teacher, she says she is very kind and patient.”
Howard JonesI Love to Learn
“Joshua got his GCSE results today and I just wanted to let you know how he got on. He got an 8 in English Language and a 7 in English Literature, he has always struggled with English and wouldn’t of been able to achieve these amazing grades without yours and Adam’s help, if you could please let him know how Joshua done. So once again thank you for all the work you did with him.” Emily (parent) 2021
Emily EvansparentI Love to Learn Portsmouth
We brought him to the centre in Year 6 because he just had no idea about maths. This year won the ‘Most Improved in Maths’ certificate for his year. He also came top of his class in 2 out of 3 maths exams. Coming to here is the best thing we ever did!
Mr S White
“I Love to Learn really helped me prepare for my entrance exam. I give I Love to Learn 10/10. I Love to Learn helped me understand pie charts, algebra and story writing. I enjoyed coming to I Love to Learn and would love to come back in the future.”
-Ollie, Student in Portsmouth
Thank you both so much for all the support you have give our Darcey. she really has grown in her confidence with her maths and you have defo given her the foundations to grow. She is very excited about starting senior school in September and I am sure we will be back in the future for more support for her or her younger sister. Big, big hugs.
Heidi & Lee
Albie had been diagnosed with mild dyslexia and his reading age was around 2 years behind! The standard in private school is often higher, so we were worried about the Entrance Exams. Soon after he enrolled he started making rapid progress. The school say he is now Level 5 in literacy and the teacher can see a lot of difference. His reading age has shot up and the gaps in maths have been filled in and he has caught up amazingly quickly.
It has definitely, definitely made a difference and I have recommended the centre to my friends.
Jilly (Albie’s Mum)
“Dear Howard
Thank you so much for all these lessons you’ve been giving me! They really have improved my work at school and now I can put all your help to good use with my SATs. Thank you so much for everything! From Lewis”
Lewis (student)
“The GCSE Maths Tutors Are Great.”
T’anna came to us as her mum had seen us on Facebook and decided to call. T’anna, now in year 10, had always struggled with her maths. In four short months however, she has improved so much that, the school want to put her up for the Higher GCSE paper!! Kerry, T’anna’s mum says ” She has come on leaps and bounds, I am so pleased with the progress. The tutors are great! It’s a convenient location and the assessment is easy to arrange.”
Kerry RobertsonParents
“Our children have enjoyed their time at your tuition centre very much, and my wife and I have been incredibly impressed with your professional approach to tuition. Thank you so much for all you have done in making our kids feel comfortable, cared for and safe.” Mr Usuanlele.
Mr UsuanleleParent
11+ Mock Exam & Open Day at I Love to Learn Liphook
Date: Saturday 10th October 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: I Love to Learn Tuition Centre, The Chase, Chiltlee Manor, Liphook
Following our recent guide to the 11+ and independent school admissions process around Liphook for 2027 entry, we’re inviting local families to our upcoming free 11+ Mock Exam & Open Day at Chiltlee Manor.
Preparing for the 11+ is about much more than just academic knowledge. For most children, the hardest part isn’t the questions themselves—it’s getting used to strict exam conditions and staying calm in a room full of unfamiliar faces.
Our goal is to provide a supportive, low-stress practice run. While the students tackle the papers, our experienced tutors will be right on hand to chat with parents, answer questions, and talk through the 11+ journey.
Why Attend?
A mock exam gives students the opportunity to:
Identify strengths and areas for improvement in a low-pressure environment.
Become familiar with common question styles used by selective and independent schools.
Reduce exam anxiety by making the assessment process feel more familiar.
For parents, the event offers insight into your child’s current level of preparation and confidence, together with practical guidance on the most beneficial next steps.
What to Expect on the Day
Students will have access to papers covering:
Mathematics
English & SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar)
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Assessments will reflect the range of formats used locally, including ISEB Common Pre-Test style questions and school-specific entrance papers.
Note: When you sign up, let us know which schools your child is aiming for. We‘ll do our absolute best to tailor the paper styles and question formats to match your target list.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, 10th October 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: I Love to Learn Tuition Centre, Chiltlee Manor, Liphook
Who it’s for: Year 5 and Year 6 students preparing for 11+ and independent school entrance exams.
11+ Exams Around Liphook: A Parent’s Guide to 2027 Entry
Understanding 11+ exams in Liphook
There is no single, universal 11+ exam. As Liphook sits in Hampshire, a non-selective local authority with no state grammar schools, the term 11+ locally refers almost exclusively to independent school entrance assessments rather than local authority grammar testing.
Local state secondary schools (such as Bohunt School) follow Hampshire’s standard, non-selective coordinated admissions process. Meanwhile, nearby independent schools set their own entrance assessments, interview formats, and registration deadlines. Because each independent school sets its own entry criteria, your child’s preparation should change with your target school list.
Assessment Format
Assessment formats vary depending on the target school, but local independent assessments commonly evaluate English, mathematics, creative writing, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Exams fall into two main categories:
Online Adaptive Pre-Tests: Several schools use the ISEB Common Pre-Test (CPT) or similar online adaptive tests covering English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Candidates take these online tests once (often at their current primary/prep school or an approved test centre), and results are shared across participating schools, such as St Catherine’s, Bramley.
School-Specific Written Exams & Activity Days: Many schools set their own entrance papers, creative writing tasks, interviews, or team experience days. For example, Churcher’s College publishes its own assessment covering creative writing, maths, English/SPaG, and verbal reasoning.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
If you intend to apply for academic, music, sports, or drama scholarships or bursaries, keep in mind that registration and application deadlines often fall 2–4 weeks earlier than the standard entry deadlines listed below.
It is easy to confuse the ISEB Common Pre-Test with standard Common Entrance. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online adaptive assessment taken in Year 6, used both for direct 11+ entry and as early screening for 13+ entry later on. Common Entrance is different — subject-specific written papers, usually sat in Year 8 for 13+ entry (occasionally at 11+, if a school specifically asks for it.)
How should families prepare?
Start by confirming the admissions route and deadline for each target school. Preparation can then focus on a mix of curriculum knowledge, reasoning, timed work and interview confidence. Preparation works best when it’s steady rather than rushed. We recommend focusing first on underlying accuracy across unfamiliar question types before introducing timed conditions.
Steps for parents
Shortlist destination schools before choosing an exam-preparation programme.
Confirm whether each school uses its own 11+ assessment, the ISEB Common Pre-Test, Common Entrance or a combination.
Record registration deadlines as well as assessment and interview dates.
Treat month-only dates and published windows as provisional until Admissions confirms the allocated day.
For 13+ entry, ask whether a Year 6 pre-test and later Year 8 Common Entrance are required.
At our Liphook I Love to Learn Professional Tuition centre, we can help families understand the likely assessment route and build a focused preparation plan across English, maths, and verbal/non-verbal reasoning. Contact us to discuss your child’s target schools, timescale and current confidence.
Note
School deadlines and entrance arrangements are accurate as of September 2026, but families should always verify dates directly with admissions teams.”
Who Our Tuition Is Not Suited For?
A Guide to Who Will Not Benefit From Our Tuition Service
We want parents and children to get the best out of our tuition service. The last thing we want to do is waste anyone’s money on something that is not for them.
Here is a guide to help parents decide if we are the right service for their child or children.
Last minute exam prep-esp GCSE
Take a Break!
We are not able to cram for exams. Our tuition is designed to look for areas of weakness that students might have. We may need to go back a few years (educationally) to work on skills that students may have missed. This can take some time, and if you (or the student), are too focussed on an exam you might become frustrated. We are aiming for mastery and not just short term exam performance (that will probably be forgotten the day after the exam!)
SEN
We are not a specialist special needs centre. However, if we meet children for an assessment and feel we can work with them, we take them on. There are a few students, maybe their behaviour is too bad or maybe they can’t speak any English, who we find it difficult to help. The best thing to do is book in for a free assessment and we will give you our honest opinion.
Can’t Attend a Centre Regularly
Regular attendance at lessons is essential for progress. In many cases we only get 80 minutes once a week. We do not want to waste anyone’s money, so if you cannot attend regularly, we may not be the place for you.
If You Want Online Tutoring
We do not have an online offer at the moment. We still feel in centre tutoring is of a much higher quality than online, and that most children needs teachers to be present.
Free or Cheap Tuition
Good quality tuition by professional and experienced tutors does cost money. We have to provide a great learning environment and pay for fantastic, experienced and qualified tutors. We try to provide the best tuition that money can buy but we quite understand that it is not in everyone’s budget. We are committed to helping your child make progress so please don’t try to drive down our prices.
Common Questions About Our Tuition Services
Ask A Question And We Will Answer
In this article we answer some of the common questions that parents ask. We hope that you will find it useful.
Is it One to One?
Yes, but each tutor has four or five students at a time. They are able to give each student one to one attention, even though they may be learning different subjects or be different ages. Each week, the tutor will plan a individual programme for your child to help them with any areas of weakness. Because all the planning and resources are prepared in advance, the tutor is able to teach each student something new each session.
Will you Come to Our Home?
No, all of our tutoring is done in our centres so your child has access to all of our learning packages and technology in an optimal learning environment, without any distractions. Try homeschooltutoring…
Do You Do Online Tuition?
No, we do not have an online offer at the moment. We feel that we can deliver the best quality lessons in person and we feel that children respond better when teachers are present in the room.
How long will it take to solve my child’s problem?
Every child is different, so it’s important they come in for a FREE Assessment so we can come up with a plan and goals, for them to work towards. We don’t know how long it will take, but we promise to give you honest feedback about progress. Every session that your child attends is individually planned and adapted to suit their particular needs. We aim to unlock areas of difficulty as soon as we can for each child.
How do I know that my child will improve?
We guarantee to work with your child until they feel confident to flourish and no longer feel daunted by the problematic area. Combined with our expert tutoring, their school work and extra homework from us; your child will feel supported, encouraged and will make progress in the areas you are concerned about.
Can you tutor my child with a Special Educational Need?
We are not a SEN centre, but because we tailor our lesson plans to the specific needs of each child we have taught children with diagnosed ADHD, Aspergers, Dyslexia, Autism and others in the past. If your child falls into one of these categories it’s very important you get in touch and set up an interview with us and an assessment. Then, we can establish whether we can effectively tutor your child.
Our Portsmouth Centre has wheelchair access and the use of a disabled toilet. We want to offer the best for all the children we tutor, so this is a very important process. We are always willing to go the extra mile regardless of any special need. Please call for more details.
If you have a question or concern why don’t you email us at tutors@ilovetolearn.co.uk
Independent Schools in Portsmouth, Fareham, & Havant
Greetings, parents! In the Portsmouth area, you’ll find a variety of independent schools, each offering its own unique blend of educational ethos and environment, ranging from the grand to the intimate, and spanning a spectrum of academic rigour. We take great pleasure in assisting children with their preparation for the 11+ common entrance assessments, recognising the significance of this milestone. Additionally, we recognise the importance of ensuring everyone is well-informed regarding relevant dates and schedules. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on that front.
Scholarships
Academic Scholarships may be awarded to the top achievers based on the results of the school’s 11+ assessment. The criteria for this will vary from school to school, so you must apply directly to them.
Additionally, some schools offer scholarships for excellence in Art, Drama, Music, and Sport at 11+, 13+, and Sixth Form. These need to be applied for, and applications are usually submitted by the end of November preceding the September of entry. You can apply for more than one scholarship.
Financial Assistance
Some schools may offer financial assistance (means tested on income and exam performance) for Year 7 and Year 9 entry, and the deadline for applying is normally the end of November (September in the case of Portsmouth Grammar School), prior to the year of entry. Often, financial assistance is allocated first and foremost based on the child’s exceptional performance in the Entrance Assessments; the financial information you provide is then considered.
N.B. Please note that advice given here may vary between individual schools. It is important that you get in touch with individual schools to find out their exact criteria for entry requirements, scholarships, and financial assistance.
Common Entrance Assessment or 11+
This exam is so called as it is taken at the age of 11 years at the beginning of secondary education. Not all independent schools are selective, but almost all schools will want students to take an entrance assessment exam of some kind.
The entrance exams always cover maths and English to a high level. Children are also usually tested on their verbal and nonverbal reasoning. These tests are designed to be more difficult to prepare for as they are not school subjects. Verbal reasoning is concerned with language and word problems, while non-verbal reasoning includes logic, shape, and number patterns.
The 11+ Assessments typically consist of the following: Maths (50 mins); English (45 mins); Reading Comprehension (30 mins); Non-verbal Reasoning (30 mins); plus an Interview (20 mins).
Full Bursary
“We are so pleased that Mahera has got a FULL BURSARY for the local girl’s high school in Portsmouth. She has been to your centre before for tuition, but we came back in November so she could get ready for the exams. She has worked so hard and Linda has really encouraged her in her writing! Thanks so much!”
Summer will soon be here and Summer School 2018 is here by popular demand! Each student receives 10 hours of professional tuition in a week. Some children stay in the afternoon for sport activities.
Summer School 20th -24th AUG
Tuition: Maths & English 9-11am or 12-2pm Cost £200 6-16yrs
A full ten hours of professional tuition in reading, writing, spelling and maths to boost your child this summer. Individual plans and all abilities catered for. Classes in our Portsmouth and Fareham Centres.
It’s good to learn together.
Tuition and Sport*: Maths & English Tuition + Trampolining/Gymnastics 9am-3pm
Sport*: Trampolining, Gymnastics and other activities with fully qualified coaches from PSTGC
Learn some new moves and gain a badge and certificate at the end of the week!
*Transport is available to take students from the Fareham Centre and back to Priory Tennis for the sport activities.
-Save £30 by booking both Sport and Tuition-
Cost was £275 only £245 (if booked before w/e June 30th) 6-12yrs
Many Children Fall Behind
‘Research shows as many as one in three children can fall behind as a result of a seven-week break from the classroom.’
Amazing progress
For most children, summer is a time to leave classes and homework behind. While summer is a holiday from school, it does not have to be a holiday from learning. The summer holiday is great for recharging your children’s batteries, but if they are not using the skills and knowledge that was learned in the classroom, they will find themselves struggling when school starts up again.
Skills and knowledge gained throughout the school year fade during the summer months. Research shows that loss of content retention begins within 24 to 48 hours of learning unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately. That is why, during summer holidays, even the best students forget lessons they have learned during the school year. After a month without reinforcement, approximately 80 percent of what a student has recently learned can be lost.
Gain Confidence
For children who have struggled in school, summer is an invaluable opportunity to catch-up on key skills and feel more confident when they return to class. For students who do well, it is an opportunity to keep their enthusiasm for learning high.
If your child needs help with reading, writing, spelling or maths call Howard or Linda for a free assessment on 023 93 96 86 26 now.
Free 11+ Assessment Days
Looking For Expert Help for 11+ and Common Entrance?
Friday the 23rd June (Portsmouth) Wednesday 21st June (Fareham)
Find out if your child is suitable for the challenge of 11+ entrance exams! Are you thinking about entering your child for entrance assessment for local independent school such as:
Boundary Oak School
Mayville High School
Meoncross School
Portsmouth High School GDST
Stroud School
The Gregg School
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Twyford School
The standard of literacy and numeracy for these assessments can be high. If your child is strong in one or both areas you may want to find out which areas need attention.
Each booking is 45mins long, and we will look at numeracy, literacy, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. We will give you free advice about your child’s readiness and learning needs.
We have heard that everyone has passed exams and been offered places to at lea
Salisbury Cathedral Choir School
st one of their chosen schools. This is such fantastic news and well deserved, you did it!
A big thank you to all our tutors who worked so hard with the entrance exam students. We are able to design programmes that focus on areas such as verbal and non- verbal reasoning. We also work with students to improve any areas of maths or English that need attention.
Special Mentions go to;
Conrad, Christ’s Hospital scholarship and Grammar School
Zeeshan, Salisbury Cathedral School, scholarship and other school offers
Lissiana, Grammar School, scholarship and English prize
We wish you all a great transition to your new schools and every success while there! There are more results to follow!
INVITATION TO PLAYZONE
Our entrance exam students are all invited on
Friday 23rd March between 4pm and 6pm
PLAY ZONE, Unit A4, Oak Park Industrial Estate, North Harbour Rd, PORTSMOUTH PO6 3TJ
Hotdog and drink on us! See you there!
Dates for 11+ Entrance Assessments for Local Independent Schools
Are you considering entering your child for an 11+ entrance assessment for an independent school? Here are some dates for some of the local Portsmouth schools.
Every year we help lots of children prepare for these tests. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if we can be of help.
Summer will soon be here and our Summer School is back by popular demand! Each student receives 10 hours of professional tuition in a week. Some children stay in the afternoon for sport activities.
Learning can be fun!
Summer School 21st -25th AUG
Tuition: Maths & English 9-11am or 12-2pm Cost £200 6-16yrs
A full ten hours of professional tuition in reading, writing, spelling and maths to boost your child this summer. Individual plans and all abilities catered for.
Sport: Trampolining & Gymnastics with fully qualified coaches from PSTGC Cost £75
Learn some new moves and gain a badge and certificate at the end of the week!
Tuition and Sport: Maths & English Tuition + Trampolining/Gymnastics 9am-3pm
*Save £30 by booking both Sport and Tuition*
Cost was £275 only £245 (if booked before w/e June 30th) 6-12yrs
Many Children Fall Behind
‘Research shows as many as one in three children can fall behind as a result of a seven-week break from the classroom.’
For most children, summer is a time to leave classes and homework behind. While summer is a holiday from school, it does not have to be a holiday from learning. The summer holiday is great for recharging your children’s batteries, but if they are not using the skills and knowledge that was learned in the classroom, they will find themselves struggling when school starts up again.
Skills and knowledge gained throughout the school year fade during the summer months. Research shows that loss of content retention begins within 24 to 48 hours of learning unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately. That is why, during summer holidays, even the best students forget lessons they have learned during the school year. After a month without reinforcement, approximately 80 percent of what a student has recently learned can be lost.
Gain Confidence
For children who have struggled in school, summer is an invaluable opportunity to catch-up on key skills and feel more confident when they return to class. For students who do well, it is an opportunity to keep their enthusiasm for learning high.
If your child needs help with reading, writing, spelling or maths call Howard or Linda for a free assessment on 023 93 96 86 26 now.
FREE Assessment
Simply complete our form to book your FREE assessment.
Yes, but each tutor has four or five students at a time. They are able to give each student one to one attention, even though they may be learning different subjects or be different ages. Each week, the tutor will plan a individual programme for your child to help them with any areas of weakness. Because all the planning and resources are prepared in advance, the tutor is able to teach each student something new each session.
the room.
We guarantee to work with your child until they feel confident to flourish and no longer feel daunted by the problematic area. Combined with our expert tutoring, their school work and extra homework from us; your child will feel supported, encouraged and will make progress in the areas you are concerned about.
“We are so pleased that Mahera has got a FULL BURSARY for the local girl’s high school in Portsmouth. She has been to your centre before for tuition, but we came back in November so she could get ready for the exams. She has worked so hard and Linda has really encouraged her in her writing! Thanks so much!”
