The 11+ examinations process can feel overwhelming for any parent, but when your child has Special Education Needs (SEN) navigating the system requires additional planning and understanding. The good news? With the right support and accommodations SEN pupils can demonstrate their true potential and succeed in a selective school environment.
As one SEN teacher once put it, "The goal isn't to fit the child into the system - it's to shape the system around what the child truly needs." That mindset is the foundation of supporting your child through the 11+ exams.
In this blog, we will explore how to help your child prepare effectively, reduce stress and access the support they are entitled to.
Understanding the 11+ landscape
It is important to understand the 11+ exam requirements in the area that you live. This can vary depending on the exam board that the local authority or school uses. The most recognised 11+ exam boards are GL Assessment (GLA), CEM, ISEB and Future Stories. The subjects that are frequently tested are:
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Verbal Reasoning
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Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning
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Mathematics
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English
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Critical Thinking
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Creative Writing
Each exam board has its own style, question types and formats. For a child with SEN, the type of exam matters. HarperCollins have a series of books that cover the topics above in their Support and Practice 11+ series. Children with dyslexia may find verbal reasoning or spelling-heavy English papers especially difficult. The example shows how spellings are tested in the 11+ examinations.
Those with autism may struggle more with ambiguous questions or time pressure. Children with ADHD often find it hard to sustain focus across longer papers.
As one parent advocate said, "It's not about lowering expectations, it's about levelling the playing field."
Understanding how the exam interacts with your child's particular needs is the first and most powerful step.
One of the other question types that pupils might be exposed to in the Verbal Reasoning section is Missing Three-Word questions. This can be a challenge for pupils with SEN as it involves a strong understanding of spelling patterns, which can be difficult if your child has dyslexia traits.
Does your child need access arrangements?
The single most important piece of advice for parents of SEN pupils is to start early. Most 11+ exams take place in September or October of Year 6, but the groundwork for access arrangements should begin at least a year in advance - ideally in the spring term of Year 5. The timeline is not arbitrary; it reflects the reality that Educational Psychologist assessments can have waiting lists of three to six months, and schools need time to gather evidence of your child's normal way of working.
If you have a formal diagnosis or documented need your child may be eligible for access arrangements: These might include the following:
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Rest breaks
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Additional time
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Sitting the exam in a smaller room or with fewer pupils
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Use of a laptop
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A reader or scribe (in some areas)
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Prompter
These adjustments enable SEN pupils to demonstrate their abilities without being disadvantaged by their learning differences. Think of them as glasses for someone with poor vision - they simply allow the child to show what they truly know. Common arrangements include extra time (typically 25% additional time), rest breaks during examinations, readers, or computer readers for pupils with reading difficulties, scribes or word processors for those with writing challenges, modified papers with enlarged text or coloured overlays, prompters for pupils who need help staying on task, and separate examination rooms for those who work better in quieter environments.
Choosing whether the 11+ is the right path
Not every child with SEN with thrive in a grammar school environment - but many absolutely do. It is worth thinking about academic fit. Grammar schools move at a fast pace. Does your child enjoy academic challenge? Are they resilient when work becomes demanding?
Having a tour of the possible schools with your child to ask:
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What SEN support do you provide?
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Do you have a pastoral team trained in ASD/AHDH/dyslexia?
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How do you support children during transitions?
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What does classroom differentiation look like?
Trust your instincts. As one SEN parent put it, "The right school will feel like an invitation, not an obstacle."
Study strategies that work for SEN learners
The British Dyslexia Association emphasises the importance of multi-sensory learning: "Children with dyslexia learn best when teaching involves all the senses - sight, hearing, touch, and movement." This principle applies to most SEN learners preparing for the 11+ and should inform your study approach at home.
For children with visual stress or dyslexia, using coloured paper or overlays can significantly reduce eye strain and improve reading fluency. Many pupils do not realise they are experiencing visual stress until they try coloured filters. Similarly, for children with ADHD or attention difficulties, breaking study sessions into fifteen to twenty-minute chunks with movement breaks maintains focus far better than long, gruelling sessions. Create mind maps and visual aids rather than relying solely on written notes. These work particularly well for visual learners and help with memory recall.
Practice under exam conditions is essential, but here is the crucial point: ensure practice tests replicate the exact access arrangements your child will receive. If they will have 25% extra time in the real exam, they must practice with that timing. If they will use a reader, practice with text-to-speech software or have someone read questions aloud. This is not just about familiarisation; it is about building accurate self-pacing and time management skills. Start with shorter time limits and gradually build stamina, as the cognitive load of sustained concentration can be exhausting for SEN pupils.
Create what educational psychologists call a 'test-taking toolkit' - a consistent set of tools your child uses during practice that they can also use in the exam. This might include fidget tools (if permitted), coloured overlays, a water bottle, and any other sensory aids that help them concentrate. ADHD Foundation research shows that "consistency in the testing environment and available tools reduces anxiety and improves performance for children with attention difficulties."
What if the 11+ does not go to plan?
No exam result reflects your child's worth. Many children with SEN go on to thrive in comprehensive schools, independent schools, or specialist settings. If your child does not pass, it is perfectly valid to explore appeals, late transfer tests, or alternative routes. However, it is equally valid to let the results stand and focus on a school that fits your child's profile and well-being.
Final Thoughts
The 11+ can be daunting, but with the right support system, a clear understanding of your child's needs, and a compassionate approach to preparation, your child can move through the process feeling capable and valued. As mentioned in this article it is important to understand the 11+ exam requirements and use the right practice materials to help alleviate any anxieties in your child.
https://collins.co.uk/collections/revision-collins-11-for-gl-assessment
The parental role is advocating, encouraging and believing in them is obviously very powerful. As one SEN parent beautifully said, ‘The greatest preparation we can give our children is the confidence that they are already enough’.