About
About
About
English with Dr Sophie Breese
Online English tutoring for 11+ and upwards
11 plus Courses
In the summer of 2025 I launched my first dedicated 11plus courses. These were one-to-one and both students got into all the schools they applied to including St Paul's Girls' School, Westminster, City of London Girls' School, Godolphin and Latymer, Latymer Upper and Wycombe Abbey. This year I am introducing my first small-group 11 plus summer course, following the same structure as the successful course last year. It will be the first of many so for those with children in Year 4 below, watch this space. In 2027, I will be launching other courses, including one-day workshops and masterclasses, group courses and one-to-one bespoke 11plus courses.
11plus Creative Writing Course — Beyond the Formula
3–7 August 2026 · Online via Zoom · Limited to 4 students
The 11plus English papers at schools like St Paul's Girls' School and City of London Girls' School are not won by formula. They reward literary imagination, genuine engagement with language, and the ability to write with distinctive creative control.
This summer I am offering a small, intensive online creative writing course for Year 5 students preparing for 11plus examinations in 2026/27. The group is limited to four students only, ensuring that each child receives a genuinely individual experience.
Over four morning sessions, students will read and discuss extraordinary writing, experiment with their own creative voices, and discover what makes a piece of writing truly sparkle. The course is followed by a marked paper and a written report for each student.
Admission is by application only. I am looking for students who love reading and who are ready to be challenged — not polished exam machines, but curious, engaged young writers. Although I am focusing on the type of creative writing required for schools like City and SPGS, any student looking at applying to a school with a creative writing element is welcome to apply.
Please note that the deadline for applications is coming soon: 30th April.
Why Work with Me?
After studying for my doctorate and teaching English Literature at Oxford University, I spent nine years teaching English at St Paul's Girls' School, where I wrote and marked the 11+ English entrance paper. I was awarded the prize of Teacher Trailblazer by the Poetry Society. Since moving to France in 2013, I have been tutoring for 11plus entrance. In January 2026, all six of my students who applied to St Paul's Girls' School received offers; all four who applied to Westminster received offers.
How to Apply
Please fill in the form on the Contact page and I will send you full details.
Sophie is a standout teacher whose knowledge of literature, language (and all things 11+ related) is nothing short of astounding. Our daughter was fortunate to complete the 11+ summer course with Sophie and during this time her knowledge and confidence grew. Our daughter found Sophie’s lessons engaging and enriching; she received clear and constructive feedback and lots of guidance on how to improve. As parents we felt we also came away with a greater understanding of the 11+ process and what was required. Our daughter absolutely loved every minute of Sophie’s bespoke course. It was pitched and delivered perfectly by Sophie and - by a country mile and then some - the best thing our daughter has done!
Parent of student, year 6, who completed summer course 2025
Sophie is, quite simply, brilliant. She’s one of those rare teachers who not only knows her subject inside out, but also knows how to bring out the absolute best in her students. Her enthusiasm is infectious, her energy lights up every session, and her deep understanding of how to teach and inspire young minds is something truly special.
Thanks to Sophie’s incredible support, my daughter was offered places at all the top schools we applied to—including St Paul’s Girls’ School, Godolphin and Latymer, City of London Girls’ School, Tiffin Girls’ School, North London Collegiate, Alleyn’s, and JAGS. This success is a direct reflection of Sophie’s expert guidance, not only in academic preparation but in building confidence, resilience, and strong exam technique.
One of the things that makes Sophie stand out is her refreshing, non-formulaic approach. She teaches children to think critically and independently—not to be robotic or rely on pre-learned templates, but to develop their own voice, ideas, and style. My daughter didn’t just learn how to pass exams—she learned how to love learning, how to self-reflect, and how to express herself with clarity and confidence.
Sophie makes learning exciting and empowering. She is incredibly organised, thoughtful in her feedback, and always takes the time to communicate with parents so we can work as a team. We are so lucky to have found her. I will always be grateful for the passion, commitment, and brilliance she brought to this journey.
Parent of student, year 6, who was awarded places at top schools including St Paul's Girls' School, City of London and Wycombe Abbey, JAGS, Godolphin and Latymer, NLCS, March 2025