There are over 160 grammar schools in the country and securing a place at one of these establishments becomes more competitive each year. As a result, private tuition is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, as very few children attempt the 11+ and independent entrance exams without some form of formal tuition in preparation. Theresa Cox is a talented tutor striving to make a difference, equipping children with the knowledge and selfesteem to sit their exams with confidence and ease. We learned more about Theresa and her empowering endeavours below, as her business is named in the Greater London Enterprise Awards 2025. Best 11+ Tutoring Company 2025 Based in Orpington, Theresa Cox is an experienced tutor providing classes for Year 4 and Year 5 students to prepare them for 11+ and independent entrance exams. She runs ten 90-minute online classes per week via Zoom for children around the world, though predominantly in the Orpington and Bromley areas. Together, they cover mathematics and verbal reasoning one week, followed by English and non-verbal reasoning the next on a fortnightly rotation. She also teaches one Year 6 class per week, which focuses on improving mathematics and English skills. A qualified primary school teacher, Theresa boasts more than two decades of experience in the educational field. She began tutoring in 2012, initially starting the business to save extra money for her upcoming wedding and operating it alongside her full-time teaching position. The numbers grew rapidly through word-of-mouth and client recommendations, as Theresa’s effective approaches and unrivalled expertise gained renown. In 2015, Theresa left her full-time job so that she could focus exclusively on her tutoring business. Theresa Cox 11+ Tutorials has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from 1:1 tutoring to group classes, and then from face-to-face classes to online learning at the start of the pandemic. Following the success of the virtual classes, Theresa opted to stay online and now teaches children from all corners of the globe – including Poland, Malaysia, and Bahrain. This transition has been beneficial for both Theresa and her clientele – offering access to premium tutoring without the costs of a classroom or a 1:1 tutor – though it has not been without its challenges. “As a self-confessed technophobe, it has been a steep learning curve,” she told us. “My IT skills and knowledge have definitely improved over the last five years of teaching online. Many parents have PTSD from lockdown and home-schooling, and it can be a challenge to convince them of the benefits of online classes. A large part of my marketing strategy is convincing parents that online is just as good as face-to-face learning – if not better!” Despite the changes, Theresa’s core values have remained the same. She opts to teach classes with a maximum of eight children to ensure that each receives the attention they truly deserve. Communication is actively maintained, with a roadmap made at the start of the year, weekly feedback emails and lesson summaries, and a personal progress report made three times a year. The results certainly speak for themselves; students genuinely enjoy learning with Theresa. “The children I work with achieve excellent results,” Theresa told us, “and over the past 13 years I have helped hundreds of children secure places in some of the most prestigious grammar and independent schools in the country. I provide a ‘no pressure’ approach to the 11+, which I think can be quite rare in the 11+ arena, as it is a results-driven industry. The children I work with know that it doesn’t matter if they don’t pass, and that I am proud of them regardless.” At her core, Theresa’s primary focus is to nurture an environment that boosts her students’ confidence and facilitates learning. To Theresa, a pass in an exam is secondary to this mission, and she avoids pressuring her students to succeed. This is an ethos that Theresa has maintained since establishing the business, and one that she will uphold indefinitely. As summer school draws to a close and a new term begins, Theresa steps back into the classroom with renewed energy – continuing to live up to the title of Best 11+ Tutoring Company 2025. “When I started my business, I had no idea it would grow to what it is today,” she reflected. “I never had a business plan; it has grown organically through constant reflection and adaption. I took a risk, and it paid off. I am proud when I see the children reaching their potential and having the opportunity to attend some of the best schools in the country – I feel like I am a small cog in the wheel that is leading them to success!” Contact: Theresa Cox Company: Theresa Cox 11+ Tutorials Web Address: www.11plusorpington.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==