8 Plus Tutor
Expert, 1-1 preparation for prep school entrance
The Dukes Tutoring Approach to the 8 Plus
At Dukes Tutoring, we have extensive experience helping families prepare for the 8 Plus entrance exams. Our 8 Plus tutoring is always delivered one-to-one, enabling our tutors to identify your child’s knowledge gaps, strengthen key skills in English and Maths, and develop the confidence needed for competitive school assessments. Every pupil’s progress is overseen by our Head of Primary, who monitors development and ensures steady improvement.
Every 8 Plus tutor is carefully selected for their teaching expertise and their experience preparing pupils for leading independent schools. Alongside regular lessons, we offer realistic mock exams that mirror the structure and timing of 8 Plus assessments, as well as structured interview preparation so pupils feel calm and confident on the day.
Our tutors have helped children secure offers from highly selective schools in London and across the UK, and they remain up to date with each school’s latest admissions expectations.
Get in touch with our team today to be matched with an experienced 8 Plus tutor for your child.
Make an Enquiry
Meet Our 8 Plus Tutors
Please see a small selection of our 8 Plus tutors below. All are hand-picked and thoroughly vetted for their 8 Plus experience and track record with top prep schools in London and the wider UK.
We take care to personally match each child with the tutor who best suits their requirements, target schools, and personality.
Denise
“Having worked as a classroom teacher for more than thirty years – including roles as diverse as Head of English, Head of PHSE and Head of Religious Studies. I joined the Dukes Tutoring team as a private tutor more than ten years ago. Over time, my role with Dukes Tutoring expanded and I became the examiner for 11+ English mock exams: this has seen me both writing and marking these exams. I have also run numerous workshops in both English and maths for 7+ and 11+ students. I pride myself on having a 100% success record for my 11+ students being offered a place in one of their schools of choice. Outside of my professional role with Dukes Tutoring, I am a qualified teacher of both ballet and tap dancing and attend classes twice a week. And I am passionate about Fiat 500 cars – having never owned any other car in my life!”
Qualifications
- University of Manchester
- BEd in Education and Psychology
- Associate of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing
Elliot
“I have been working in education since 2019 and as a tutor specialising in school entrance exams for over three years. I specialise in all subjects for the 11+, 13+ and Common Entrance exams. In addition, I have a vast amount of experience in assisting younger students in their 7/8+ exams. I have prepared students for a range of competitive schools including St Paul’s, Westminster, Eton, Winchester, Highgate, Latymer Upper, City of London (Boys and Girls) and many more. My tutoring style is rigorous and structured but also holistic, focusing not only on preparing students for exams but in developing them as an individual and critical thinker. I am a keen writer and published my debut collection of short stories, ‘Peace and Quiet and Other Stories’ in October 2025. The leading story of this collection was longlisted for the Yeovil Literary Prize 2014. ”
Qualifications
- TEFL & TESOL -Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- University of Nottingham – LL.M Human Rights Law
- University of Birmingham – LL.B Law
Katie
“With over 16 years of experience as both a classroom teacher and one-to-one tutor, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive and trusting learning environment where children feel motivated to pursue their goals and explore their learning potential. It is a privilege to tailor learning to each student’s individual needs, and I take great pride in helping children grow into confident, enthusiastic learners who think independently, work creatively and enjoy the process of problem-solving. I specialise in all subjects for the 11+ and have experience preparing students for the 7+, 8+, and 10+ exams. Over the years, I have guided many children toward securing places at some of the country’s top independent and grammar schools. Outside of teaching, I’m happiest outdoors—be it hiking, camping, or just getting into nature. To unwind, I love a good book or film. ”
Qualifications
- Oxford Brookes University, MA – Creative Writing
- Oxford Brookes University, PGCE– Primary
- Manchester University, BA (hons)- Religious Studies
Tania
- 11+
- 13+
- 7+
- Education Consultant
- English
- Interview Preparation
- KS1
- KS2
- Literacy & Numeracy
- Maths
- Music
- NVR
- Occasional Place: 8+ 9+ 10+
- VR
Tania
“I have extensive experience in education having taught for over 25 years as a class teacher, Assistant Head and Deputy Head Teacher in outstanding primary schools in Norfolk, London and Cheshire. Also, I was Head of Schools, Head of Learning and Head of Dukes Tutoring; however, I now focus solely on tutoring. I am meticulous and take pride in creating structured lessons to match each of my student’s potential. Lesson feedback is both thorough and personal, inspiring students to meet achievable goals, involving them in setting their own academic targets. I am enthusiastic and highly committed, building professional relationships with my students and their families. I also act as an education consultant for Dukes Tutoring, conducting many academic assessment reviews and guidance, as well as interview preparation for secondary schools. Music is my passion, and I am a skilled pianist, a keen songwriter and a member of a local community choir. I love both attending and performing in concerts as well as regular trips to the theatre.”
Qualifications
- PGCE – Homerton College, University of Cambridge.
- BA (Hons) Music – Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.
8 Plus or 7 Plus?
Many parents wonder whether to apply for the 7 Plus or 8 Plus.
The key difference is timing. The 7 Plus is for entry into Year 3, with assessments usually taken during Year 2. The 8 Plus, by contrast, is for entry into Year 4, with children typically sitting the exams during Year 3. For families who missed the 7 Plus application cycle or prefer their child to join a school slightly later, the 8 Plus can provide another opportunity to secure a place.
In terms of exam content, the two assessments are broadly similar: all schools test Maths and English, with some also having a reasoning paper, and interviews increasingly common. Naturally, the level of content assessed in the 8 Plus is slightly higher, which is where an 8 Plus tutor can make all the difference.
A few schools offer both 7 Plus and 8 Plus entry points because they admit new pupils in both Year 3 and Year 4, while most treat 7 Plus as their main intake and only offer a small number of additional places at 8 Plus if spaces become available. As a result, the number of places at 8 Plus is often smaller, which can make the process particularly competitive.
FAQs
Most families begin 8 Plus tutoring during Year 2, with earlier starts particularly helpful if your child is aiming for very selective schools. Our experience indicates that a year of preparation typically yields the best results. However, it’s important to note that every child is unique, and if your child has less time available, a higher frequency of lessons can still enable them to achieve offers from their target schools.
We’ve been preparing children for the 8 Plus for decades. In that time, our 8 Plus tutors have helped children secure places at all the leading prep schools in London and around the UK. This includes Westminster Under, King’s Wimbledon, St Paul’s Juniors, Francis Holland, Garden House, Bute House, JAGS, and Wetherby Prep.
Our 8 Plus tutors typically focus on English and Maths, which form the core of most 8 Plus assessments. Lessons may also cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, comprehension, creative writing, and problem solving, if these are tested by your chosen schools. Tutors can also help prepare pupils for individual or group interviews, if required. While our tutors cover the entire curriculum, we can focus on particular areas to address any specific knowledge gaps or weaknesses. We also tailor our tutoring to the requirements of your chosen schools.
Most 8 Plus exams take place during Year 3, often between the autumn and spring terms before Year 4 entry. Exact dates vary by school, and some schools run assessments earlier or later in the academic year. Application deadlines are often several months before the exams, so it is important to check each school’s admissions timeline carefully.
The number of places available at 8 Plus varies between schools. Some preparatory schools have a dedicated Year 4 intake, while others only offer a small number of additional places if spaces become available after the 7 Plus intake. This means competition can be strong, and a gentle but thorough programme of long-term tuition can help children perform at their best in the assessments.
How our 8 Plus tutoring works
Book Consultation
A conversation to understand your child’s needs, goals and learning style. We often suggest an academic assessment to gain a baseline understanding.
Tutor Matching
We recommend a carefully selected tutor with the right expertise and approach.
First Session
Building rapport and setting a clear plan of action.
Ongoing Support
Regular check-ins and progress updates for parents.
From the moment Dukes Tutoring assessed my son, they knew instantly what he needed. The team are swift, efficient and extremely personable. As a parent going through the 7+ for the first time, they not only supported my son but also a very nervous and anxious mummy. I honestly couldn’t have got through the whole process without them!
Proud Parent
London
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