Achieve success in Newcastle’s Selective Schools with expert tutoring that strengthens thinking skills, creativity, and confidence. Tailored one-on-one or group sessions prepare students for the exam and beyond.
Or Call 0408 692 045
Selective Schools are the powerhouses for developing high academic achievers.
Preparation for success in these schools is not simply a matter of basic skills for good students. The examination aims to select the brightest of bright students. Extension work preparing students for the Selective Schools examination and beyond must extend their thinking skills and creativity. It’s not just a matter of work ethic, memory and convergent focus on a single ‘right answer.’
All primary school students need solid basics as a platform for later success, building these will develop confidence and encourage growth and creativity.
The speed and difficulty of work covered in a Selective School environment can mean that even gifted students may encounter some difficulties if they don’t have a very solid academic grounding and strong self-confidence.
Our approach in preparing students for Selective School entry examination is to focus beyond the examination itself and to also equip students with the problem-solving and thinking skills that will carry them confidently through their first years in the Selective Schools environment.
We also believe that learning should be fun and develop positive interpersonal skills. Small group classes can be used to improve cooperative problem-solving and a student culture of supporting and encouraging each other in their learning. An essential aspect of our approach to preparation for the examination itself involves intensive practice and instruction in examination techniques. We feel however, that it is not enough to simply assist our students to work through the doorway created by this examination, as they must be equipped to flourish once they are in the actual Selective Schools environment.
This cooperative approach has long-term benefits both for the student’s well-being in school and to move confidently forward on their educational journey.
Once students have entered a Selective School, we often find they continue their educational journey through ongoing tutoring at Arrendell Secondary Education Centre. This supports their goal for academic success and further study or workplace achievements.
Waiting until Year 6 to begin Selective School preparation often puts unnecessary pressure on students. At that stage, there’s little time to address knowledge gaps, introduce new question formats and build problem-solving speed. That’s why many families choose to begin in Year 5 or even earlier.
By starting earlier, students have more time to develop the depth of thinking and resilience required, not just to succeed in the exam, but to cope with the pace of selective school environments. It’s not about rushing ahead; it’s about giving students the space to grow into the challenge.
At Arrendell Secondary Education Centre, we focus on more than ticking boxes. Students are introduced to questions that require flexible thinking, pattern recognition and multi-step reasoning. These are not rote-learning tasks. They require students to stretch their minds, explore alternate approaches and make connections across concepts.
Literacy support isn’t just about vocabulary lists or comprehension drills. It’s about recognising tone, interpreting nuance and forming ideas clearly under time pressure. In Maths, students are taught to look for shortcuts, verify answers and work strategically. These techniques make a difference not only in the entrance exam but in the classrooms that follow.
Every student has a different set of strengths. Some may need more guidance in reading or critical writing, while others need support with number patterns, logic puzzles, or abstract reasoning. Our tutors are experienced teachers who know how to spot what’s holding a student back and work through it without making them feel behind.
At Arrendell, our selective schools tutoring centre provides the balance of encouragement and challenge. We stretch students without burning them out. Our sessions are focused and structured, but flexible enough to adapt to each child’s progress week by week.
Group learning, when structured well, creates a sense of camaraderie. Students see others wrestling with similar challenges and learn how to work collaboratively. We’ve seen students grow more willing to ask questions, share ideas and try new approaches when they’re surrounded by others aiming for the same goal.
That’s why many of our Selective Schools’ sessions are held in small group formats. These aren’t just efficient, they’re effective. They help students develop interpersonal skills and grow more comfortable with challenges.
Success doesn’t stop at gaining entry to a Selective School. The adjustment to new subjects, faster classroom pacing, and greater expectations can be a big leap. That’s why many families continue tutoring with us after the exam to maintain progress, manage pressure and continue refining academic skills.
Our approach doesn’t end with results. It continues through the next stage of the student’s schooling, helping them stay grounded, focused and supported as expectations grow. With ongoing sessions, students are able to reinforce key skills, ask questions without hesitation and stay academically strong even as the workload increases over time.
Getting Started
Step 1:
Contact us to book a free appointment, discuss your student’s learning needs, and understand where we can help them thrive.
Step 2:
We pair your student with the tutor that’s right for them, who we know is going to help them excel in their chosen subject.
Step 3:
Watch them grow their confidence in their subject, build positive learning habits, and start their pathway to personal excellence.
Contact Us
See the difference that the right tutoring can make in your child’s education. Get in touch with us today to discuss how Arrendell Secondary Education Centre can help them thrive.
Call 0408 692 045
Monday – Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday / Sunday: By Appointment Only