Overview

This comprehensive 12-month study plan is designed specifically for a Year 4 student preparing for the 11 Plus GL exam. Within each month, weekly 2-hour sessions target Key Stage 2 concepts in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, aligned carefully with The National Curriculum for England. The plan balances new learning, vocabulary development, diagnostic assessments, revision, and mock tests to refine skills and target individual weaknesses.

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Structure of Each Weekly Session (2 Hours)

• 20 mins: Vocabulary development and spelling (National Curriculum: English Programme of Study - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation)
• 40 mins: Focused topic teaching (rotating subjects as per monthly theme)
• 30 mins: Application activity (e.g., problem-solving, reasoning puzzles, written tasks)
• 20 mins: Assessment or self-reflection and review
• 10 mins: Reading comprehension or non-verbal reasoning practice

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Monthly Breakdown: Objectives and Suggested Activities

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Month 1: Foundations & Diagnostics

Objectives

• Baseline diagnostic assessments across all four areas.
• Introduce key vocabulary strategies (root words, prefixes, suffixes).
• Maths: Place value and number facts review (National Curriculum maths: Year 4 - Number - number and place value).
• English: Sentence types, simple and compound sentences (National Curriculum English - Writing composition).
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning: Introduction to question types and strategies.

Activities

• Diagnostic tests using past papers tailored to the GL exam format.
• Vocabulary mapping: Create word banks and graphic organisers.
• Sentence construction games.
• Basic Sudoku and pattern-sequence puzzles.
• Reading aloud followed by sentence rewriting.

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Month 2: Number & Sentence Mastery

Objectives

• Deepen understanding of addition and subtraction strategies aligned with Year 4 standards.
• Sentence expansion and punctuation focus (full stops, commas, apostrophes).
• Vocabulary focus: Homophones, synonyms, antonyms.

Activities

• Mental arithmetic drills.
• Sentence transformation exercises (simple to compound, adding descriptors).
• Word sort for homophones & synonyms game.
• Logic grid puzzles for reasoning.
• Weekly vocabulary quizzes.

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Month 3: Multiplication, Division & Grammar

Objectives

• Multiplication and division facts and problem solving (NC Year 4 Number: multiplication and division).
• Grammar: Parts of speech – nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives.
• Expand vocabulary with themed word lists (e.g. nature, emotions).

Activities

• Real-life multiplication scenarios.
• Grammar sorting tasks (e.g. colour-code word classes).
• Creating sentences using new vocabulary sets.
• Pattern recognition riddles.
• Second diagnostic test on grammar and number.

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Month 4: Fractions & Writing Composition

Objectives

• Understanding and using fractions (equivalent fractions, adding fractions).
• English: Writing narratives with a clear structure (National Curriculum - Writing composition).
• Vocabulary focus: Figurative language and idioms.

Activities

• Fraction card games with visual aids.
• Writing a short story using vocabulary lists and idioms.
• Comprehension passages with inference questions.
• Spatial puzzles for non-verbal reasoning.
• Vocabulary journal entries.

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Month 5: Measurement & Comprehension Focus

Objectives

• Measuring length, perimeter and converting units (NC Measurement - Year 4).
• Reading comprehension: retrieval, inference, and prediction skills.
• Vocabulary: Prefixes and suffixes advanced focus.

Activities

• Practical measuring activities using rulers and tape measures.
• Comprehension exercises using GL exam style texts.
• Creating word trees for prefixes/suffixes.
• Mirror image and symmetry puzzles.
• Mid-plan mock test and analysis session.

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Month 6: Decimals & Grammar Deep Dive

Objectives

• Understanding decimals to two places and related calculations.
• Grammar: Expanded noun phrases, conjunctions, and sentence cohesion.
• Vocabulary expansion through reading diversified genres.

Activities

• Decimal place value charts and money-based maths.
• Sentence combining exercises.
• Reading excerpts from various genres, identifying vocabulary and grammar used.
• Coding-type sequence reasoning puzzles.
• Vocabulary spelling bee challenge.

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Month 7: Time & Creative Writing

Objectives

• Telling time using 12- and 24-hour clocks, solving time problems.
• Creative writing using character and setting development.
• Vocabulary focus: Prefixes dis-, mis-, re- and negative meaning.

Activities

• Time conversions and real-world problem solving.
• Writing character profiles and descriptive paragraphs.
• Prefix “dis-” and “re-” word hunts.
• Pattern grids and shape puzzles.
• Refresher vocabulary quiz.

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Month 8: Geometry & Grammar Application

Objectives

• Properties of 2D and 3D shapes, angles, symmetry.
• Grammar: Direct and reported speech practice.
• Vocabulary: Multi-meaning words and context usage.

Activities

• Building/net-making of 3D shapes.
• Reporting speech role-play and transformation exercises.
• Multi-meaning word context games.
• Visual reasoning challenges (rotations, reflections).
• Second mid-year full mock test.

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Month 9: Statistics & Non-Fiction Writing

Objectives

• Interpreting data from charts and graphs.
• Writing non-fiction texts: instructions, reports (National Curriculum - Writing composition).
• Vocabulary: Technical and subject-specific language.

Activities

• Creating bar charts from class data.
• Writing instruction sets for a simple task.
• Using glossaries and dictionaries for technical word understanding.
• Non-verbal reasoning: sequence matrices.
• Vocabulary consolidation projects.

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Month 10: Scaling & Reading Fluency

Objectives

• Understanding scale factors and enlargements (basic).
• Reading fluency and expression improvement.
• Vocabulary focus: Roots from Latin and Greek.

Activities

• Scale drawing and measuring activities.
• Echo reading and choral reading with focus on tone.
• Word roots exploration and relating to known vocabulary.
• Puzzle solving with logic sequences.
• Mini vocabulary tests and self-assessment.

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Month 11: Revising Key Concepts

Objectives

• Consolidation of all maths topics: number, fractions, measurement.
• Grammar and punctuation review and mastery.
• Vocabulary: Exam strategy for vocabulary questions.
• Mock test preparation focus.

Activities

• Timed practice papers and peer review.
• Editing and improving written work.
• Mock vocabulary tests focusing on unseen words in context.
• Mixed verbal reasoning puzzles.
• Diagnostic review with personalised feedback.

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Month 12: Exam Readiness & Confidence Building

Objectives

• Full mock exams for all subjects under timed conditions.
• Exam technique: time management and stress control.
• Final vocabulary development and spelling accuracy.
• Review of weakest areas with targeted mini-sessions.

Activities

• Full GL 11 Plus practice tests.
• Post-mock analysis, error spotting, and personalised targets.
• Relaxation techniques and positive mindset workshops.
• Flashcard games for vocabulary.
• Confidence-building creative writing task.

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Key National Curriculum References

• English:

  • Writing: Develop positive attitudes and stamina for writing (NC Writing composition, Year 4)
  • Grammar: Use fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases, correct punctuation (full stops, commas, speech marks) (NC Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation Year 4)
  • Reading: Retrieve and infer information from texts, skim and scan with fluency (NC Reading - Word Reading and Comprehension Year 4)

• Maths:

  • Number & Place Value: Recognise the place value of each digit in a four-digit number (NC Number and Place Value Year 4)
  • Fractions: Recognise equivalent fractions and add/subtract fractions with the same denominator (NC Number - fractions Year 4)
  • Geometry: Identify lines of symmetry, angles, and properties of shapes (NC Geometry Year 4)
  • Measurement: Convert between different units of measure (NC Measurement Year 4)

• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning:
  Content tailored to GL 11 Plus exam standards, including pattern recognition, analogies, sequences, coding-decoding, spatial awareness, and logical puzzles, aligning with cognitive skills targeted in Key Stage 2 assessments.

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Additional Recommendations for Teachers

• Use diagnostic assessments formatively to tailor the plan dynamically.
• Incorporate multisensory learning methods (visual aids, manipulatives, interactive whiteboard activities).
• Engage student with gamification—e.g. vocabulary treasure hunts or maths escape rooms.
• Include parental involvement by providing monthly progress summaries and vocabulary lists.
• Encourage journal keeping for reflection and vocabulary use to build long-term retention.

This plan is designed not only to meet curriculum standards but to inspire confidence and mastery over a full year of targeted, progressive study leading up to the 11 Plus GL exam.