Created without external investment, a software development team or paid advertising, Pip 11+ Practice has grown from a family learning project into an educational platform supporting primary school pupils.
LONDON, UK, October 27, 2026 – A London mother who set out to improve the way her children prepared for school entrance examinations has turned her idea into a growing education technology business. Arielle Phoenix, a mother of three, developed the learning app Pip 11+ Practice independently and has already attracted more than 2,000 users. The platform gained its first 1,000 users during its launch period, achieving this early growth without outside funding, a dedicated development team or spending on advertising.
Pip 11+ Practice was developed after Phoenix, who home-educates her children, recognised a need for more effective and engaging resources to support preparation for the 11+ entrance examination.
Originally intended as a learning resource for her own family, the platform has evolved into an independent EdTech venture designed for children aged seven to eleven. It combines personalised revision exercises, interactive teaching materials and manageable daily activities to help pupils prepare for the 11+ and Key Stage 2 SATs.
Rather than relying solely on question-and-answer exercises, Pip 11+ Practice places an emphasis on developing understanding before assessing knowledge. Its adaptive learning system adjusts activities according to a child’s progress, highlights areas requiring additional practice and incorporates spaced revision to reinforce previously covered subjects.
The platform supports pupils in Years 3 to 6, offering learning resources across mathematics, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. It also features a dedicated KS2 SATs preparation pathway and a Creative Writing Studio to help children develop their written communication skills.
One of the app’s central features, Pip Teaches, provides more than 80 short interactive lessons. These introduce key topics through guided explanations, allowing pupils to build their understanding before attempting related practice questions.
“My children were ecstatic, and they still wake me up to unlock devices so they can go on Pip,” said Arielle Phoenix, founder of Pip 11+ Practice.
“They’d used plenty of learning apps over the years, but I wanted something that actually helped them understand what they were learning. Pip teaches, not just tests.”
Phoenix began working on the application in June 2026 while supporting her eldest child through preparations for secondary school. After spending time working through 11+ revision books and practice examinations with her children, she decided to create a digital learning experience that better addressed their needs.
The Pip 11+ Practice website went live on 2 June 2026, with mobile versions becoming available through Apple’s App Store and Google Play ten days later.
Since its introduction, Phoenix has continued to manage and expand the platform herself while balancing development work with home-educating her three children. New lessons, learning activities and revision tools are regularly introduced as the app continues to evolve.
Pip 11+ Practice is available as a free download, with additional functionality offered through its optional Pip Pro subscription. The platform aims to make structured 11+ and KS2 SATs preparation more accessible to families while creating a learning experience that prioritises understanding, confidence and engagement over repeated testing.
