By Atom | Mar 26, 2025, 9:33 AM
Last week, hundreds of thousands of families in England received their long-awaited secondary school offers. For parents applying to grammar schools, this moment marked the culmination of months – if not years – of 11+ preparation, with one question looming large: had all the hard work paid off?
For parents using Atom Home, the answer was a resounding yes. This year, Atom Home users secured places at some of the country’s most competitive grammar and independent schools, including St Paul’s Girls’ School, Royal Grammar School Guildford, Wilson’s School and The Tiffin Girls’ School. Many also earned academic scholarships and financially-assisted places at top independent schools, opening doors to opportunities that might not have been otherwise accessible.
Year 6 parent
One parent whose child secured a place at Stroud High School in Gloucestershire described how Atom Learning’s 11+ preparation had been instrumental in their journey:
"It helped to identify my child’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to focus our efforts. The platform was engaging and provided realistic test experiences, which really boosted confidence."
Another parent whose child secured a place at St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School in London shared:
"We used Atom Learning throughout the preparation period. The structured approach really helped my child stay on track, and the adaptive tests meant they were always challenged at the right level."
A family whose child was offered a place at Dame Alice Owen’s School in Hertfordshire also reflected on their experience:
"Atom Learning was an invaluable tool. The mock tests in particular helped my child feel completely ready for the real exam. We could see their progress improving week by week."
The 11+ exam process is complex. Children need to master a wide range of skills, including reading comprehension, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning to be eligible for a place at many schools. For many families, knowing where to start – or how to structure revision effectively – can feel overwhelming.
Atom simplifies this process by using AI-driven adaptive learning technology to tailor content to each child’s ability. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the platform continuously assesses performance and adjusts the difficulty of questions to ensure steady progress. This means children always work at the right level for them, avoiding unnecessary frustration or knowledge gaps.
One parent whose child secured a place at Wimbledon High School in London highlighted the importance of Atom’s engaging approach:
"Plenty of material to work through. I liked the adaptiveness. The gamification helped the kids stay engaged and motivated."
A key feature of Atom Learning’s 11+ preparation is unlimited mock tests. These replicate the real 11+ grammar school exams and independent school entrance exams as closely as possible, helping children get used to the timing and question styles they will face on the day.
For many families, private tuition is simply too expensive. Atom offers a high-quality, more accessible alternative. Atom provides specific tests for your child’s exams. Both 11+ paper tests and online mock tests are available, with recommendations tailored to the format your child will take.
One family preparing for entry to Highworth Grammar School in Kent shared:
"Atom helped them get prepared for the exam, as otherwise, we would have had to go for tutoring, which would have been unaffordable for the family. The structured learning and regular mock tests helped immensely. Thank you Atom!"
For busy parents, tracking your child’s progress can be difficult. The dashboard on Atom Home solves this with detailed analytics, providing real-time insights into strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance. This allows parents to pinpoint areas needing more attention, making it easier to support their child’s learning journey.
A parent whose child was offered a place at St Margaret’s School in London shared:
"I loved tracking their progress, highlighting areas that needed practice and also having a system that my daughter could be responsible for her own learning, whilst still giving me visibility on what has been done or needs a bit of a nudge."
The 11+ is a challenge for both children and parents, and the dedication, resilience, and hard work you've shown deserve recognition. Beyond securing a school place, children have gained confidence, sharpened problem-solving skills, and developed perseverance. Parents, you've navigated the highs and lows, kept motivation up, and balanced it all alongside daily life – no small feat!
Whatever the outcome, the progress made will benefit your child far beyond this exam. They’ve worked hard, and so have you. That’s worth celebrating – well done to every family!
The 11+ is a big milestone, and the right preparation can make all the difference.
Atom Home gives your child everything they need to succeed – adaptive learning, unlimited mock tests, and expert-designed content that mirrors real exam questions. No guesswork, no stress – just smart, structured learning that builds confidence every step of the way.
Get started today with a free trial and give your child the best chance of success in the 11 plus!