Our Pioneering 11+ Workshops Return to Thomas’ Battersea and Launch at Prospect House
Preparing for the 11+ is no longer simply about exam papers. Today’s pupils need confidence, emotional regulation, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. That’s why the Kidz4 pioneering 11+ workshops were created: to support children academically while giving them practical tools that build resilience, calmness, and concentration.
After a highly successful first run, our 6-week 11+ programme is returning to Thomas’ Battersea, and we’re excited to have launched a brand-new ½-day afternoon workshop at Prospect House. Both formats have been shaped by a multi-disciplinary team including Qi Gong teachers, psychologists, ADHD specialists, and educators with over 30 years of combined experience.
This isn’t tutoring. It’s whole-child learning.
✅ Why Schools Need a Fresh Approach to 11+ Preparation
The selective entry landscape is intense:
71 percent of upper KS2 pupils report test-related anxiety (University of Exeter, 2023).
Some London schools report that over 40 percent of Year 5 parents seek external 11+ guidance (ISC, 2022).
When wellbeing strategies are combined with exam prep, children are up to 50 percent more likely to meet or exceed predicted performance (EEF).
Schools want to support pupils without overloading staff or increasing pressure. That’s exactly where our programme slots in.
✅ What Makes the Kidz4 11+ Programme Unique?
There’s nothing passive about this workshop. It is completely practical and physically engaging, designed so every child can participate fully — including those who find sitting still for long periods challenging.
The programme was crafted collaboratively with:
✅ Qi Gong teachers (focus, regulation, grounding)
✅ Psychologists (resilience, mindset, stress responses)
✅ ADHD specialists (neurodiversity-supportive strategies)
✅ Expert educators (30+ years of combined experience)
This ensures each session supports learning, wellbeing, and behaviour — not just exam technique.
And because everything is practical, the strategies are ideal for:
PSHE lessons
Assembly time
Classroom transitions
Whole-school wellbeing initiatives
Children don’t just hear about good strategies. They experience them.
✅ A Toolkit Pupils Will Use Long After the Workshop
Across both the 6-week programme and the ½-day workshop, pupils learn a toolkit they can apply:
during 11+ exams
in day-to-day classroom challenges
when they feel overwhelmed
during homework or revision
even in social or emotional situations
Teachers consistently tell us pupils keep using the techniques long after the programme ends.
✅ Fun, Active Techniques That Strengthen Focus and Calm
Our sessions blend learning with movement and games that strengthen concentration and emotional regulation.
• The Dhristi Game — boosting concentration through movement
A standout favourite. This activity involves controlled focus, visual tracking, and stillness through play. It’s especially effective for children with attention difficulties or anxiety.
• Educational pieces on mindfulness
We teach children how their brains respond to stress, why focus fluctuates, and how small strategies can support learning. This creates powerful “aha” moments where pupils understand themselves better.
• Breathwork for instant stress reduction
Using Qi Gong breathing and modern psychological techniques, children learn simple breathing styles proven to lower physiological stress by up to 30 percent in under two minutes (Harvard Medical School, 2022).
These tools help children regulate quickly — which is essential during timed 11+ tasks.
✅ The 6-Week Programme at Thomas’ Battersea
Our partnership with Thomas’ Battersea has been so successful that we were invited back for a second year. The extended 6-week structure allows children to:
build confidence gradually
develop deeper familiarity with verbal and non-verbal reasoning
practise calming techniques repeatedly
improve stamina for exam-style work
feel prepared rather than pressured
Teachers noted improvements in focus, confidence, and self-regulation — which is exactly why the school is hosting it again.
✅ The New ½-Day Afternoon Workshop at Prospect House
Prospect House wanted something equally impactful, but suited to an afternoon schedule.
This led to the creation of the ½-day workshop, designed to work with pupils’ energy levels and attention spans. It includes:
movement-based Qi Gong grounding
exam strategy drills
the Dhristi focus game
confidence-building activities
breathwork exercises
practical problem-solving
mindset tools children can use instantly
It’s fast, fun, and incredibly effective — perfect for schools who want to support their pupils without committing to a long series.
✅ Why Schools Choose Kidz4
Schools choose Kidz4 because our approach:
supports wellbeing AND achievement
reduces pupil anxiety
is active, inclusive, and joyful
supports neurodiverse learners
requires no additional teacher workload
delivers immediate, visible impact
aligns beautifully with school PSHE and wellbeing goals
blends academic rigour with child-friendly regulation techniques
It’s one of the few 11+ support options that feels truly healthy, balanced, and school friendly.
✅ Looking Ahead
With strong outcomes, glowing feedback, and growing interest from schools, our pioneering 11+ workshops are continuing to expand.
If your school would like to explore running a Kidz4 11+ workshop — whether a 6-week programme or a ½-day session — we’d love to talk.
