St Paul’s 11 Plus English Exam (2025-2026)

What St Paul’s Really Looks For in 11 Plus English Candidates

Beyond marks. Beyond boxes.

It’s no surprise that St Paul’s School in southwest London isn’t searching for over-tutored students. But what does a child who is ‘overtutored’ look like? They are the students who have been trained to give pre-prepared answers to creative writing questions, so they sound fairly robotic. They would struggle to answer the type of open-ended comprehension questions that appear on a St.Paul’s paper because they are used to being given modelled answers before having a go themselves. 

Top schools such as St.Paul’s are seeking students who can express nuanced ideas and make inferences based on clues within a text extract. 

Children who can write with their own developed sense of voice and skill, rather than just a rehearsed story is of paramount importance. 

Here are some examples of questions that schools such as, St Paul’s, are subtly asking:

• Will this child flourish in a competitive academic environment?
• Can they think critically and independently?
• Do they write with subtlety and sensitivity?
• Do they genuinely enjoy language?

Parent insight: This is not about learning to write a ”perfect’’ essay that you can reproduce. It’s about helping your child to develop their thinking skills and ability to self-reflect on their writing. 

The 11 Plus exams for St Paul’s School (boys) and St Paul’s Girls’ School are both highly competitive, but they are run separately and have key differences in emphasis. 

St Paul’s School for boys typically includes a written English paper focusing on comprehension and composition, alongside maths and reasoning. 

Whereas, St Paul’s Girls’ School is known for its more challenging English paper that often tests a candidate’s literary analysis, vocabulary and creative thinking at a deeper level. While both schools look for intellectual potential, originality and strong language skills, the girls’ paper tends to be slightly more abstract and open-ended. 

The St. Paul’s 11+ English Exam Format 

(Please verify with the school nearer the time for updates.)

Comprehension Section

• Based on challenging literary extracts (often classic or complex modern fiction)
• Emphasis on inference skills, tone and advanced vocabulary use
• Expect open-ended questions that expect you to elaborate beyond the basic: “Why might the writer have chosen this?” or “What mood is suggested here?”

Suggested Reading Books

Whether your child already has a love for reading or you want to encourage their reading, there is always scope to broaden their book choice.  

English is often an additional language spoken at home for the students I teach so regular exposure to high-quality English language is essential for helping children develop their English skills. Blending audio books with paperback fiction books can also be a great option. 

These top 3 well-written books (loved by many students) have helped many Year 5 students on their 11 Plus journey foster an appreciation of words:

• A Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (Fantasy/Adventure)
• His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (Fantasy)
• The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett (A children’s classic)

There is no specific 11 Plus reading list, however you can find more great book titles from a range of genres in my blog: 11 Plus Reading Boosts

Creative Writing / Composition Section

• Your child may be asked to write creatively in response to an image, sentence starter or abstract idea.
• Writing will be marked on imagination/creativity, voice, control and effect of language, clarity and accuracy.

Online English Tutor Insight: A skilled 11 plus English tutor will work beyond ‘template teaching’ and will instead focus on helping your child write authentically with confidence. 

Download free 11+ English sample papers here.

What Sets Apart the Most Successful 11 Plus English Candidates in London

With many years of experience in top London schools and as a specialist online English tutor, here is what I see separates standout applicants:

• A reading voice: They don’t just decode words; they hear tone and subtext.
• Language bravery: They use ambitious vocabulary and aren’t afraid of figurative language. Applying these skills often takes children time to develop properly, so be careful not to rush ahead which is a common mistake many make. 
• Emotional intuition: They can sense and articulate what’s unsaid.
• Brave imagination: They have practised so much that they have learned how to harness their creativity and use effective planning skills. 
• A writer’s voice: Their writing doesn’t sound rehearsed; it sounds real and thoughtful because they have  practised a lot, without hidden overwhelm. 

Preparing for 11 Plus English Without Dampening Motivation

• Listen to audiobooks. Yes, even listening to stories aloud will help build your child’s  literary ear and fluency. This is especially important in households where English is an additional language. 
• Use books that reward re-reading: Nina Bawden, E. Nesbit, Eva Ibbotson, classic short stories and good modern fiction.

Encourage Private, Pressure-Free Journaling

• Journals build confidence and emotional expressiveness. However, don’t give up if your child is reluctant to use a journal. It can often take a little bit of time to stir a desire for it!
• Introduce structure later; let their writer’s voice come first.

Prioritise Thinking Over Tricks

• Discuss words at dinner: “What’s another way to say…?”

Use Real 11 Plus Comprehension Texts

• Use challenging texts from a variety of past papers similar to those in the St Paul’s 11 Plus English exam. 

The Role of Parents in 11 Plus English Success

Your mindset matters just as much as your child’s.

Children from families who thrive at English often come from homes where:

• Language is part of daily conversation – even in the form of audio books.
• Parents are curious about their child’s ideas
• Effort and creativity are celebrated over scores or correctness

Remember: Your role is not to their teacher (unless you want to of course) but to nourish a love of English. 

What If You’re Starting 11 Plus Prep Late?

Now is the time to begin with focus and intention. There is no time to waste. However, make sure to tread carefully to reduce panic and overwhelm. 

What you can do next:

• Get an honest sense of where your child is at emotionally and academically
• Choose an English tutor who listens to your child before they teach
• Create regular, high-quality quality sessions
• Encourage frequent low-stakes writing: short stories, letters or even observations. 

The St Paul’s English Exam Is a Challenge, Not Just Another Test

The exam asks: Can you think for yourself? Can you experiment with language? Do you care about your ideas?

So you’re not just preparing your child for yet another paper test. You’re preparing them to become a critical thinker. Someone who loves reading, writes bravely and speaks from the heart. 

Are you looking for an experienced online English tutor for your child? One who will focus on your child’s voice, depth of skills and real confidence. 

Email clare@creativehare.co.uk to book your free, initial consultation – I’d love to hear from you!

Or use the website contact form to reach out to me.