Calm preparation. Confidence that lasts.
The Dorset 11+ is changing. From September 2027, all four grammar schools use a new test set by Quest — and we prepare your child for exactly that, calmly, one-to-one or in small online groups. Less pressure for them; far less worry for you.
Free & no obligation — replies usually within the hour, 8am–9pm.
- 1:1 & small-group
- Online · in person on request
- Enhanced DBS-checked
- Free
- Initial diagnostic assessment
- 1:1
- & small-group lessons
- 2027
- First Dorset Quest test
Dorset grammar schools
Whichever grammar you're aiming for, we prepare for it.
From September 2027 all four share one test, set by Quest — and we prepare children specifically for each school.
Poole Grammar School
Boys' grammar · Poole
Selective entry via the Dorset Quest 11+ — Maths, English & Verbal Reasoning.
View 11+ prepParkstone Grammar School
Girls' grammar · Poole
Selective entry via the Dorset Quest 11+ — Maths, English & Verbal Reasoning.
View 11+ prepBournemouth School
Boys' grammar · Bournemouth
Selective entry via the Dorset Quest 11+ — Maths, English & Verbal Reasoning.
View 11+ prepBournemouth School for Girls
Girls' grammar · Bournemouth
Selective entry via the Dorset Quest 11+ — Maths, English & Verbal Reasoning.
View 11+ prepPass marks and catchment areas vary year to year — always check each school's admissions page. We'll tailor your child's preparation to their specific target schools. Not sure which suit your child? We'll help you decide.
Sitting a GL test instead — at South Wilts or Bishop Wordsworth’s in Salisbury, or elsewhere in the UK? We prepare for those too.
01 / Why Atlas 11+
The name is a promise.
In myth, Atlas carries the weight of the world so others don't have to. That's exactly how we approach the 11+. The exam can feel enormous — for children and parents. Our job is to shoulder the planning, the structure and the strategy, so your family can simply focus on learning.
We don't believe in drilling children into burnout. We build genuine understanding, exam technique and quiet self-belief — the things that last long after results day.
Tailored, never templated
Every child starts with a free assessment. The plan we build is theirs alone.
Built for the new Quest test
We've worked through Quest's own sample papers in detail and teach to its question styles — including the ones that need more than one answer.
Confidence first
We protect wellbeing as fiercely as we chase marks. Calm children perform better.
Transparent progress
Regular practice scores and honest feedback — you'll always know where things stand.
02 / The 11+, demystified
Three papers. One confident child.
From September 2027 the Dorset grammar schools use one shared test set by Quest Assessments: three multiple-choice papers, 40 minutes each, sat in one session — with nothing beyond the Year 5 curriculum. We prepare children for all three, building the knowledge and the exam technique the new format rewards.
English
A reading booklet with a passage, then questions on meaning, inference and the writer's language — plus punctuation, grammar and vocabulary.
Mathematics
Year 5 maths done quickly and accurately — arithmetic, fractions, measures and shape, plus puzzles like missing digits.
Verbal Reasoning
Vocabulary and logic — closest and opposite meanings, analogies, odd ones out, missing letters and short deduction puzzles.
Until 2026 · GL Assessment
- Maths 50 min · English 45 min · Verbal Reasoning 50 min
- Multiple choice, marked on a separate answer sheet
- Key Stage 2 content — last sat on 26 September 2026
From September 2027 · Quest
- Three papers of 40 minutes each, in one session with a short break
- Multiple choice, usually five options, on a separate answer sheet
- Some questions need two answers — or all that apply
- Nothing beyond the Year 5 National Curriculum
Quest publishes free sample booklets for each paper: see Quest’s Dorset guidance — or ask us to talk you through it.
03 / Our approach
From first lesson to results day — one steady plan.
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Free assessment
A relaxed baseline session to understand your child's strengths, gaps and target schools.
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Tailored plan
A personalised roadmap across all three Quest papers, paced to the September 2027 test.
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Weekly tuition
Focused lessons plus light, purposeful homework — building skill without overwhelm.
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Exam-ready
Timed practice in the Quest format — answer sheet included — so the real test feels familiar, not frightening.
04 / Free online diagnostic
Know exactly where your child stands — in 30 minutes.
Our free, timed online assessment covers the three core 11+ areas — English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning — in the style of the new Quest papers — including questions with more than one answer — and gives you an instant, subject-by-subject snapshot of your child's strengths and where to focus next. No cost, no obligation — just a clear starting point.
Sitting a GL test instead — for example in Salisbury? Try the GL-style diagnostic.
Enhanced DBS-checked
A current enhanced DBS check, so safeguarding always comes first.
The three Quest papers
English, Maths & Verbal Reasoning.
100% tailored plans
Built around your child after their free assessment.
Free first assessment
A relaxed, no-obligation starting point for every family.
05 / Our promise to your family
Serious preparation, without the pressure.
Choosing the right tutor is a big decision. Here's what every Atlas family can count on, from the very first lesson.
Start free, no pressure
A relaxed, no-obligation assessment and an honest opinion — even if that's "not yet".
A plan built for your child
No off-the-shelf worksheets. Every programme is shaped around your child and their target schools.
You're never in the dark
Clear, regular feedback and honest practice scores, so you always know how things are going.
No long contracts
Pay as you go, month to month. Stay because it's working — never because you're tied in.
Year 5 now? This is your year
The first Dorset Quest test is in September 2027
- April 2027
- Registration opens
- September 2027
- The Quest test (date to be confirmed)
- Mid-October 2027
- Results released
- 31 October 2027
- Secondary applications close
Dates from Quest's Dorset guidance, checked September 2026 — always confirm with your target school.
We keep places limited so every child gets real, focused attention. Start with a free diagnostic and a no-obligation assessment — then we'll recommend one-to-one tutoring, a small online group, or a mix.
What parents say
★★★★★
“Our tutor has been a great support for our daughter as she's prepared for the 11+. He tailors the lessons appropriately to challenge her and help her to learn without pushing her over the edge making her feel overwhelmed. He's reliable and has a calm presence that makes her feel at ease in the sessions. Her maths scores improved significantly between her first and second mock exams as this was the period she was receiving tutoring with Atlas 11+. I'd certainly recommend Atlas 11+ to others preparing for the 11+.”
★★★★★
“Our tutor is fantastic and helped my son immensely in his 11+ preparation. He is very experienced, patient and kind.”
Peace of mind
Trusted with your child.
Choosing a tutor means trusting someone with your child. Here's how we earn that — before you've even met us.
Enhanced DBS-checked
A current enhanced DBS check — safeguarding you can rely on.
Quest-ready, GL-experienced
We've taught the Dorset GL test and studied Quest's own sample materials in depth — so your child prepares for the test they'll actually sit.
Safeguarding-first
A parent is home for every lesson, and one-to-one sessions usually end with a 5–10 minute chat with you. Lessons are never recorded.
Founder-led
You work directly with the founder — senior attention on every child, no hand-offs.
Your data, handled properly
Your details are kept private and used only to reply to your enquiry (GDPR).
No lock-in
Free first assessment, pay as you go, and cancel anytime.
06 / Going it alone?
Could you prepare them yourself? Honestly — maybe.
Plenty of parents start with a stack of practice books, and for some that's enough. But the 11+ rewards specialist technique and calm, consistent preparation — and doing it all yourself, while staying your child's biggest cheerleader, is harder than it looks. Here's the honest difference.
On your own
- Working out which books match the new Quest test — most 11+ practice books were written for other tests
- Teaching exam technique and timing you may never have been taught
- No objective benchmark — is your child on track, or not?
- Fitting it all around work and family life
- Being parent, tutor and exam-coach at once — usually the hardest part
With Atlas 11+
- A plan built to the Quest format — no guesswork
- Specialist exam technique, timing and question strategy
- Honest practice scores, so you always know where they stand
- We carry the planning — you get your evenings back
- You stay the encouraging parent — we'll be the tutor
Not sure which is right for your family? Start with the free diagnostic — no cost, no obligation.
07 / Tutoring
One-to-one, or a small group.
Every child starts with a free assessment. Then we recommend the right fit — one-to-one tutoring, a small online group, or a mix of both.
One-to-one tutoring
Lessons built entirely around your child.
- Weekly lessons across English, Maths & Verbal Reasoning
- A personalised plan after the free assessment
- Regular progress updates and honest feedback
- Live online on Microsoft Teams — in person on request
Small-group sessions
Learn alongside a few other children — live online.
- English, Maths & Verbal Reasoning, taught together
- Small groups, so every child gets attention
- Live on Microsoft Teams — no travel
- Regular progress updates for parents
Not sure which suits your child? Ask us — we'll advise honestly after the free assessment. Pricing discussed on a quick call.
08 / Free resources
Your free 11+ resource hub
Everything we wish every Dorset parent had from the start — clear, honest and genuinely useful. No sign-up needed to read or use them.
The free online 11+ diagnostic
A short Quest-style assessment — including multi-answer questions — that shows you exactly where your child stands today — and which areas to focus on next. The single best place to begin.
The Dorset 11+ Parent Handbook
Our free, evidence-based handbook to the new Quest test — how places are decided, every question type, and a plan to September 2027.
Read the handbookThe 11+ year, step by step
When to register, when the exam is sat, and how the application year unfolds.
See the timelineReading that builds 11+ skills
A short, curated list — reading widely is the best way to grow the vocabulary the English and Verbal Reasoning papers reward.
Browse the list11+ jargon, explained
Quest, GL, VR, answer sheets, catchment… every key term in plain English. Searchable.
Open the glossaryThe 11+ year, step by step
How the year runs for the first Dorset Quest test. Dates from Quest's Dorset guidance — always confirm with the school.
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Year 4 – early Year 5 · Build the foundations
Strengthen reading, core maths and word skills calmly — long before any exam pressure. This is where the real advantage is won.
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April 2027 onwards · Register for the test
Quest says registration opens in April 2027. You register directly with one of the four grammar schools — separately from your main secondary-school application.
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September 2027 · Sit the Quest test
Three 40-minute papers — Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning — at the grammar school you registered with. The exact date is still to be confirmed.
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Mid-October 2027 · Results, then apply
Results are due in mid-October — in time to name your preferred schools on the national application (the deadline is 31 October 2027).
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1 March 2028 · Offer day
National Offer Day for secondary places. If things don't go to plan, you have the right to appeal and to join waiting lists.
Reading that builds 11+ skills
Wide, regular reading is the single most powerful thing you can do at home — it grows the vocabulary and comprehension the English and Verbal Reasoning papers reward. Quest also publishes its own free reading list and vocabulary list. A starting point, not a checklist:
Build confidence
Age ~8–10 · fluent, fun
- Roald Dahl — Matilda, The BFG
- Michael Morpurgo — Kensuke's Kingdom
- Dick King-Smith — The Sheep-Pig
- The How to Train Your Dragon series
Stretch & vocabulary
Age ~9–11 · richer language
- Katherine Rundell — Rooftoppers
- Philip Pullman — Northern Lights
- Frances Hardinge — The Lie Tree
- Eva Ibbotson — Journey to the River Sea
Classics & comprehension
Timeless · exam-style language
- C.S. Lewis — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Frances Hodgson Burnett — The Secret Garden
- E.B. White — Charlotte's Web
- A good children's poetry anthology
Tip: keep a notebook of new words your child meets while reading — looking them up together does more for Verbal Reasoning than any worksheet.
See the full reading list & reading habits11+ jargon, explained
The terms you'll come across, in plain English.
- Quest Assessments
- The exam board that sets the Dorset 11+ from September 2027.
- GL Assessment
- A major 11+ exam board. Dorset used it until September 2026; the Salisbury grammar schools still use it.
- Eleven Plus (11+)
- The selective entrance exam sat at the start of Year 6 for entry to grammar school.
- Verbal Reasoning (VR)
- Problem-solving with words — meanings, analogies, odd ones out, letter patterns and logic.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR)
- Problem-solving with shapes and patterns. Not in the Dorset test, but part of some GL tests — such as Bishop Wordsworth's in Salisbury.
- Comprehension
- Reading a passage and answering questions on it — a core part of the English paper.
- Cloze
- A fill-in-the-gap exercise that tests vocabulary and grammar in context.
- Standardised score
- A score adjusted for your child's age, so younger children aren't disadvantaged.
- Qualifying score / pass mark
- The score needed to be eligible for a place. It varies from year to year.
- Catchment area
- The geographic area a school prioritises when offering places.
- Super-selective
- A school that admits purely on exam score, regardless of where you live.
- Practice paper (mock)
- A full practice test under timed conditions — the best way to build familiarity.
- OMR answer sheet
- The separate sheet children mark by drawing a line through a box. Quest and GL both use one.
- Multi-answer question
- A question that asks for two answers, or all that apply. Some Quest questions work this way.
- National Offer Day
- 1 March — when families are told which secondary school place they've been offered.
- Waiting list
- If your first choice is full, you can be held in rank order should a place free up.
- Appeal
- Your right to formally challenge a decision if your child isn't offered a place.
Questions, answered
The questions parents ask first.
When should my child start preparing for the 11+?
Most families begin in Year 4 or early Year 5, which gives plenty of time to build skills calmly without cramming. If your child is in Year 5 now, they'll sit the first Dorset Quest test in September 2027 — starting this autumn gives a calm, well-paced year. Book a free assessment and we'll advise honestly on the right timeline.
What's changing with the Dorset 11+?
From September 2027 (for Year 7 entry in 2028), the four Dorset grammar schools — Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar and Poole Grammar — switch from GL Assessment to a test set by Quest Assessments. It's three multiple-choice papers — Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning — 40 minutes each, sat in one session, with nothing beyond the Year 5 curriculum. Some questions ask for more than one answer. The test on 26 September 2026 is the last GL one.
When is the first Quest test?
September 2027. Quest says registration opens in April 2027 and results are released in mid-October 2027; secondary school applications close on 31 October 2027, and offers come on 1 March 2028. The exact test day hasn't been published yet — we'll confirm it as soon as the schools do.
Do you tutor in person or online?
Mostly online. One-to-one lessons and small-group sessions run live on Microsoft Teams, with shared on-screen lesson pages, so there's no travel. In-person one-to-one lessons are available on request across the Bournemouth, Poole and Parkstone area.
Which schools and tests do you cover?
Our focus is the Dorset 11+ for Poole Grammar, Parkstone Grammar, Bournemouth School and Bournemouth School for Girls. We also prepare children for GL Assessment tests — including South Wilts and Bishop Wordsworth’s in Salisbury — and teach families online anywhere in the UK, including non-verbal reasoning where your test has it.
How do you keep the experience low-pressure?
We set realistic, bite-sized homework, celebrate progress, and never compare children to one another. Tutors are warm and encouraging, and we keep parents informed so there are no surprises. A confident, settled child simply performs better on the day.
What happens at the free assessment?
It's a relaxed, no-obligation session (around 45 minutes) where we gently gauge your child's current level in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning and chat with you about goals and target schools. You'll leave with a clear, honest picture and a recommended plan — whether or not you choose to continue with us.
Is it too late to start?
Almost certainly not — and a focused final stretch can make a real difference. Start with the free diagnostic to see exactly where your child stands, then we'll recommend the right intensity, whether that's one-to-one tutoring, a small online group, or a mix of both. We'll always give you an honest view of what's realistic in the time you have.
How much does it cost?
Because every child's plan is different — one-to-one or small group, and how often — we quote based on what your child actually needs rather than a one-size-fits-all rate. Our pricing is fair and transparent, with no long contracts. Get in touch and we'll talk you through the options after a free assessment.
How do I book and pay?
Start with a free assessment — tell us about your child and we'll arrange a time to talk. If we agree it's the right fit, we confirm the plan and send our bank details. There's no online checkout, so places are never booked by strangers. Lessons are paid in advance by bank transfer.
Free download
The Dorset 11+ Parent Handbook
Our free handbook to the new Dorset Quest 11+: how places are decided, what each paper looks like, a month-by-month plan to September 2027 — and what hasn't been published yet. Pop in your email for the printable PDF, with a practice paper, answer sheet and key-dates calendar.
- A month-by-month plan to Sept 2027
- Every Quest question type explained
- 12-question practice paper + answer sheet
- Printable key-dates calendar
How it works
Securing a place is simple.
No online checkout, no obligation. We only take payment once we've spoken and agreed the right plan for your child.
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Book a free assessment
Tell us a little about your child and pick a time that suits you.
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A quick, honest chat
We look at where they stand, your target schools and the timeline.
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Secure the place
Happy to go ahead? We confirm the plan and send our bank details, and lessons are paid in advance by bank transfer.
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You're all set
Payment confirms the place — then we get started.
Get started
Book a free, no-pressure assessment.
Tell us a little about your child — we usually reply within the hour (8am–9pm) to arrange a convenient time. No commitment, no hard sell — just honest, expert advice.
- Call us 07877 527759
- Email us hello@atlas11plus.co.uk
- Message us Chat on WhatsApp
- Serving Dorset & Salisbury · online across the UK
Prefer to pick a time?
Book your free assessment instantly — choose a slot that suits you.
or send a message