Holiday courses

 

 

Limited spaces remaining for our Easter 11+ workshops (8–9 April).

 

Our KS2 courses run as short, focused holiday programmes, designed to give children a confidence boost without overwhelm.

They are ideal for:

  • consolidating key skills

  • building fluency and confidence

  • enjoying learning in a calmer, small-group setting

All courses are taught by an experienced teacher and focus on how children think, not just what they produce.

Upcoming Course: Easter 11+ Preparation Workshop

This Easter we will be running a two-day 11+ preparation workshop designed to strengthen the core skills that underpin success in the grammar school entrance test. Places are limited due to small group sizes. 

The workshop provides a calm, focused introduction to the types of thinking children encounter in 11+ assessments, while building confidence and enjoyment in learning.

Enquire About Availability

Dates
Wednesday 8 April
Thursday 9 April

Time
9:30am – 12:00pm

Location
Holy Apostles Church Hall
Cheltenham

Group size
Small groups to allow for individual attention and thoughtful teaching.

Price
The 2 day workshop is £95. Individual days are charged at half the full workshop rate. 

Day 1 – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning

The first morning focuses on mathematical thinking and spatial reasoning.

Children will work on:

  • key mental arithmetic strategies

  • recognising number patterns and relationships

  • approaching multi-step problems calmly

  • developing visual reasoning and pattern recognition (Non-Verbal Reasoning)

The emphasis is on clear thinking and method, rather than speed alone.

Day 2 – English and Verbal Reasoning

The second morning develops the language and reasoning skills that support success in many 11+ assessments.

Children will work on:

  • vocabulary and word relationships

  • verbal reasoning problem types

  • reading comprehension and inference

  • explaining answers clearly and confidently

Sessions are carefully paced to help children think carefully, articulate ideas, and build confidence with unfamiliar questions.

Who the workshop is suitable for

This workshop is most suitable for:

  • Year 4 and Year 5 pupils preparing for the 11+

  • children who would benefit from a structured introduction to reasoning questions

  • pupils who enjoy learning in small, calm groups

Enquiries and booking

If you would like further details or would like to reserve a place, please get in touch.

Parents are always welcome to discuss whether the workshop would be a good fit for their child.

Other courses available upon request

Maths courses

Lower KS2 Mental Arithmetic

Years 3–4

This course builds secure number foundations and confidence with mental calculation.

We focus on:

  • number bonds and place value

  • adding and subtracting mentally

  • developing understanding of times tables

  • estimation and checking strategies

Sessions are interactive, carefully paced, and designed to reduce maths anxiety while building enjoyment and confidence.

Best for:
Children who need stronger foundations, more confidence, or a calm alternative to fast-paced maths drills.

 

Upper KS2 Mental Arithmetic

Years 5–6

A more advanced course aimed at improving speed, accuracy, and flexibility with numbers.

We focus on:

  • efficient mental strategies for all four operations

  • fractions, decimals, and percentages

  • multi-step calculations

  • applying mental methods under light time pressure

Children learn how to think mathematically — an essential skill for Year 6 and beyond.

Best for:
Children preparing for Year 6, entrance assessments, or who want to feel more confident tackling harder mental maths.

 

Mathematical Reasoning & Problem Solving

This course develops children’s ability to reason, explain, and solve problems, not just calculate answers.

We focus on:

  • interpreting word problems

  • choosing appropriate strategies

  • spotting patterns and relationships

  • explaining mathematical thinking clearly

Children are encouraged to slow down, think carefully, and articulate their reasoning.

Best for:
Children who can calculate accurately but struggle with problem-solving or explaining their thinking.

 

Reading Courses

Reading Fluency & Confidence

This course supports children in becoming fluent, confident readers who enjoy reading.

We focus on:

  • reading aloud with accuracy and expression

  • developing pace without rushing

  • vocabulary development

  • building confidence and enjoyment

Sessions are supportive and encouraging, helping children move from hesitant reading to fluent, confident reading.

Best for:
Children who lack confidence, read hesitantly, or need support developing fluency.

 

Reading Comprehension

This course helps children understand and engage with what they read.

We focus on:

  • retrieving information accurately

  • making inferences

  • understanding vocabulary in context

  • explaining answers clearly

Texts are carefully chosen to stretch understanding while remaining accessible and engaging.

Best for:
Children who read fluently but find comprehension questions challenging.

 

How the Holiday Courses Work

  • In-person sessions

  • Small group sizes for individual attention

  • Short, focused holiday blocks

  • One hour a day for the week, offered at convenient times
  • Supportive and encouraging teaching style

  • Ideal for Easter and summer consolidation

Parents are always welcome to get in touch to discuss whether a course is the right fit for their child.