From Trial to Triumph: Buckinghamshire Transfer Test Success with Atom

When Rachael first heard about Atom Home from her sister during the pandemic, she didn’t know it would soon become a core part of her family’s 11+ preparation journey. Living in Buckinghamshire, where grammar schools are part of the educational landscape, she wanted to support her son in the most balanced and effective way possible, without the intensity of private tutoring.

Fast forward to today, and her son has secured a place at his first-choice secondary school after successfully passing the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Now, Rachael is using Atom Home once again to prepare her daughter, who will sit the exam in two years.

Starting out with Atom Home

“It began with a free trial,” Rachael recalls. “I was just really impressed at how well it broke down primary school concepts into short, manageable videos. It wasn’t just helpful for my son – it was helpful for me too.”

Like many parents, Rachael found that changes to the curriculum meant she wasn’t always confident in how to explain certain topics, particularly in maths. “It’s not the way I learned it! Atom gave me a way to support him without having to be his teacher. Let’s face it, kids never want to learn from their parents.”

Having a structured, reliable learning tool made a real difference, especially in a household where wearing multiple hats is the norm. “You’re trying to be a mum, a chauffeur, a chef, a teacher… Atom made it easier to take one of those hats off.”

Finding a rhythm that works

Rachael quickly discovered that what worked best for her son was a personalised and flexible approach. Early on, they started with weekend study sessions, gradually building up to more regular practice. “It wasn’t about hitting a rigid schedule. It was about understanding what he needed and adapting.”

Using Atom’s parent dashboard, Rachael could identify weaker areas and choose specific topics to target. She especially valued the ability to dig into explanations and view short teaching videos to support her son’s understanding.

“What I found powerful as a parent was having everything at my fingertips: the knowledge, the examples, the breakdown of what he got right and wrong. I didn’t have to Google things or figure it out alone.”

Navigating sibling dynamics and family life

While Atom Home became an invaluable support tool, the 11+ journey wasn’t without its emotional complexities, especially with siblings in the mix. “My daughter was quite envious of the one-to-one time I spent with my son during his preparation. Now that it’s her turn, she’s a bit more resistant but also curious. There’s a strange psychology to it!”

Rachael’s insight into how the preparation journey impacted family dynamics is something many parents can relate to. She emphasised the importance of empathy, flexibility, and finding what motivates each child individually. In her case, football sticker packs and sweet treats worked wonders.

“You’ve got to find their carrot, and it’s different for every child. My daughter’s is cake and wasabi peas!”

Keeping calm and carrying on

As the exam drew closer, Rachael’s biggest personal challenge was managing her own anxiety and letting go of what she couldn’t control.

“It took me until a month or two before the exam to really accept that whatever happens, it’s fine. It’s the effort that matters, not the outcome. Every minute on Atom is an investment in their future.”

Her advice to other parents? “Have faith in your child. Be involved, but don’t project your own ambitions onto them. Recognise when to push and when to take a step back. Sometimes, you just need to go to the shop and buy some biscuits instead.”

Looking ahead with her daughter

With two years to go before her daughter sits the 11 plus, Rachael is taking a gentler, more consistent approach this time. “She’s already benefiting from the fact I’ve done this once before. But I also know she’s a different person, so we’ll adapt the plan to suit her.”

They’re currently using Atom’s learning journeys at the weekend, tackling topics in longer chunks rather than daily practice. “It’s all about what works best for her. Sometimes it’s a whole hour at the end of Sunday, fuelled by snacks!”

A supportive partner in learning

For Rachael, the real power of Atom Home lies in the combination of quality content, expert guidance, and ease of use.

“It just takes the pressure off,” she says. “I’ve got a degree, I’ve done A level maths, and I still get things wrong when I’m trying to explain them! Atom gives your child that trusted voice on screen, and gives you the tools to guide them with confidence.”

When asked to sum up Atom Home in one sentence, Rachael reflects for a moment and says:

“It’s a vital resource for any family considering how best to prepare their child for secondary school entrance exams.”