As the school term progresses, students aged studying towards their 11 plus exams may start to feel tired, less engaged, or overwhelmed by academic demands. Parents play a crucial role in helping them stay motivated and focused until the very end. Whilst motivation is not specific to 11+ pupils, the reality is pupils studying towards the 11+ are under more pressure compared to their non-11+ peers.
1. Mix Up Learning Styles
Every child learns differently, so sticking to just one study method can become tedious. Research suggests that incorporating interactive and varied techniques can boost engagement and retention. This may be easier for some subjects compared to others. For example, there may be a lot of interactive resources for Maths and English, but not very much for VR and NVR. Even then, switching up learning tasks may help. Parents and tutors may want to consider:
· Educational games (eg. online math challenges, vocabulary quizzes).
· Hands-on projects (e.g creative writing task involving writing a journal using 10 new words a day)
· Study groups (e.g small groups where pupils have to explain to each other their rationale for reaching a particular answer or conclusion.
· Visual aids (e.g. using magnetic cubes so pupils can make nets to help them better understand NVR (nets topic)
Variety prevents boredom and helps children discover what works best for them. This is a universal applies whether a child is aiming for a grammar school or a state school.
2. Set Small, Achievable Goals
Large tasks can feel daunting and can lead to procrastination. It’s better to break study sessions into smaller, manageable goals and celebrate progress. For example:
Complete 5 math problems, then take a short break
Complete one page of NVR and one page of VR today, summarise it tomorrow
Use a reward system (e.g., stickers, extra play time, or a fun activity after completing tasks).
It’s really important for a reward system to be built in so the child has something to work towards and look forward to.
3. Encourage Healthy Breaks
Research shows that structured breaks improve focus and productivity. The 52/17 rule (52 minutes of work, 17 minutes of rest) is effective, but even shorter intervals (e.g., 25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) can help. Encourage breaks that:
– Involve movement (e.g. stretching)
– Include mindfulness (e.g. deep breathing, a short meditation)
– Allow creative downtime (e.g. drawing)
Breaks prevent burnout and help children return to work refreshed. Burn out can be a real problem for pupils studying an 11+ curriculum as they have a lot of pressure on their young shoulders, so do try to timetable this in! Also, remind the child that after the 11+ exam has been sat in Year 6, the remainder of the year will be relatively easy and hopefully they can look forward to starting in a grammar school in Year 7.
4. Maintain Open Communication
Check in with your child regularly—ask how they’re feeling, what they find challenging, and what they enjoy. When children feel heard, they’re more likely to stay motivated. Try:
– Weekly chats about schoolwork and emotions.
– Problem-solving together if they’re stuck on a topic.
– Positive reinforcement (praise effort, not just results).
5. Create a Positive Study Environment
A cluttered or distracting space can make studying harder. Help your child set up a dedicated, organised study area with:
– Good lighting.
– Minimal distractions (away from TV or noisy areas).
– Fun stationery or motivational quotes.
6. Connect Learning to Real Life
Children stay engaged when they see the purpose behind their work. Relate subjects to their interests:
– If they love sports, use maths to calculate scores.
– This is difficult to do with subjects such as NVR, but try to make your child realise NVR is about pattern recognition, which may help in other areas (e.g. analysing a graph where a pattern may exist)
7. Plan Fun End-of-Term Rewards
Having something to look forward to can boost motivation. Plan a special activity after exams or assessments, like a family day out, a small treat for consistent effort, etc.
Final Thoughts
Keeping children motivated at the end of term requires patience, creativity, and encouragement. By mixing up learning styles, setting small goals, ensuring healthy breaks, and maintaining open communication, you can help your child finish the term strong—and maybe even enjoy the process!
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