As we prepare for our upcoming writing courses, a familiar pattern has emerged — a sigh, a groan, or a quiet slump in the chair when we say, “Today, we’re doing English.” It’s something we see all too often, especially among children who love maths and non-verbal reasoning but shy away from reading and writing. Many parents shrug it off: “He just hates English,” or “She finds writing boring, but she’s brilliant at numbers.”
We understand that English is too often reduced to “writing stories” or “doing comprehension” in children’s minds, but it’s far more than that. English is the foundation of how children learn, think, communicate, and succeed, not just in school exams, but in life beyond them.
Why English Matters More Than Ever
In recent entrance exams across London’s top independent schools, including St Paul’s Junior School, Westminster Under, City of London School for Girls, and St Paul’s Girls’ School, we’ve seen first-hand how English is deeply embedded into almost every element of assessment.
From dictation to comprehension, from creative writing to diary entries and non-fiction tasks, candidates are being tested on far more than their ability to spin a tale. They’re being asked to infer meaning, express opinions clearly, absorb new information, and communicate it with precision and insight.
Take this example from this year’s 7+ exam at King’s College School:
Candidates had to read a passage about a boy visiting Mars and then answer the question:
- “What would you say to your grandmother about your adventure?”
This isn’t just a test of imagination. It’s about empathy, clarity, structure, and voice.
Or from the 11+ general paper at St Paul’s Girls’ School:
- Pupils had to translate old English words, invent their own secret language, and comment on societal beliefs about witches and magic.
These aren’t traditional “English” exercises, they demand reasoning, flexible thinking, vocabulary depth, and written accuracy. Without strong English skills, students quickly find themselves overwhelmed in unfamiliar contexts.
It’s Not Just About Writing Stories
Our writing courses reflect this shift. We now include non-fiction formats, such as diary entries, articles, instructions, persuasive writing, and formal letters, not only to prepare children for exams but to help them see the broader relevance of English.
Because English isn’t just about “being a writer.” It’s about knowing how to:
•Write down the results of a science experiment.
•Design a poster about recycling.
•Fill out a form correctly.
•Send an email with clear tone and purpose.
•Explain your reasoning in a maths word problem.
In fact, some of the most common feedback from 11+ interview days and taster lessons is that children are observed in classroom environments and expected to engage thoughtfully in lessons – not simply regurgitate facts, but to listen, write, think, and respond.
Helping Children Reframe English
Especially for children who naturally gravitate towards maths, it can help to reframe English as a tool rather than a subject. It’s the key to expressing what they already know. They’re not being asked to write a “beautiful story”, they’re being asked to think logically, describe clearly, and explain themselves well. For many, that simple shift in mindset makes all the difference.
We’ve also seen that regular vocabulary-focused reasoning, something we embed in our courses — often improves spelling, word recognition, and reading confidence in students who previously found English “hard” or “boring.”
Final Thoughts
The demands of modern entrance exams mean that success is no longer about subject silos — English, maths, reasoning — but about how well those skills work together. Children must write well to express their thoughts in interviews. They must read carefully to solve complex comprehension and reasoning questions. They must understand context to answer accurately.
Our English Comprehension and Creative Writing workshops are built with all of this in mind. It’s not just preparation for exams, it’s preparation for school, for communication, and for confident, curious learning across the board.
So next time your child sighs when you mention English, remind them: it’s not about writing stories. It’s about learning how to think, and how to be heard.