Parents paying for tuition need more than “She is doing well” or a list of percentages. A good 11+ progress report should tell them what has improved, what still needs attention and what the tutor plans to do next.
It should also avoid pretending that practice data can guarantee a grammar-school outcome.
Keep the report to one useful page
A concise report is more likely to be read and discussed. Use consistent headings so parents can compare one review period with the next.
Section 1: current focus
Write one sentence explaining the current phase.
Example: “This half-term we have focused on Maths fluency, comprehension inference and building timed Verbal Reasoning accuracy.”
This gives the numbers context.
Section 2: strengths
List two to four specific strengths.
Better: “Accurate on fraction-of-an-amount questions and now selects operations independently.”
Weaker: “Maths is good.”
Specific strengths show parents what should be maintained rather than retaught.
Section 3: current priorities
Choose no more than three. Explain the behaviour, not just the subject.
Priority: “Comprehension answers are often plausible but not supported by evidence from the passage.”
Action: “We are using a read-answer-prove routine and short inference sets.”
Now the report contains a plan.
Section 4: timed performance
Include completion, pacing or stamina where relevant. A child can have strong knowledge but still need exam-condition practice.
Example: “Accuracy remains strong in untimed Maths, but the final five questions are frequently rushed. We are adding short timed sets before increasing full mocks.”
Section 5: homework and independence
Record whether work is being completed reliably and how much prompting is required.
Avoid blaming language. “Homework completion 3/5; family reports Thursday is difficult due to clubs, so tasks will be due Sunday” is actionable.
Section 6: mock evidence
Use a small table:
A free teacher account records scores and written feedback against each assignment, so the evidence table largely fills itself. create a free teacher account
Date | Paper | Accuracy | Completion | Key finding
Do not overinterpret minor week-to-week score changes. Look for trends.
Section 7: next four weeks
State what the tutor will teach and what home practice should support.
Parents should finish the report knowing the next action rather than simply knowing the last score.
Copy-and-use template
Pupil:
Review period:
Target exam/school(s):
Current teaching focus:
Strengths:
1.
2.
3.
Priorities:
1. Issue — Action
2. Issue — Action
3. Issue — Action
Timing/stamina:
Homework/independence:
Recent mock evidence:
Next four-week plan:
Suggested home practice:
Tutor note: Practice scores guide preparation but do not guarantee an admissions outcome; families should check current school admissions criteria directly.
Keep evidence in the same system
EduArchives' teacher dashboard allows tutors to record scores and written feedback against assigned work, making periodic parent reports easier to evidence.
Use the free tutor dashboard →
Frequently asked questions
Should a progress report include predicted 11+ scores?
Only with great caution. It is usually better to report trends, readiness and specific skill evidence than imply a guaranteed real-exam outcome.
How often should tutors send reports?
Termly or half-termly reports can work well alongside shorter regular updates. Agree expectations with families.
Should the child see the report?
Age-appropriate parts can be useful, especially strengths and next steps. Avoid language that makes the child feel permanently ranked.