Boost Your KS3 English Skills Before September: Top Tips for Reading and Writing

As we head towards the end of the school year, now’s a great time to reflect on the progress you’ve made in English — and think about how to get ready for next year. Whether you’ve flown through your reading assessments or found some topics tricky, there are simple ways to keep your skills sharp over the summer.

As a former Head of English and GCSE examiner, here are a few quick tips to help KS3 students build reading and writing confidence before September.

✅ Top Reading Skills to Practise

1. Spotting Inference

When reading a story or article, ask yourself: What isn’t being said directly? What can I work out from the clues?

Tip: If a character “tightened their grip on the glass” or “glanced nervously at the clock”, what does it suggest about how they’re feeling?

2. Noticing Language Techniques

Look out for similes, metaphors, alliteration, or personification. Think about why the writer chose them and what effect they create.

Example: “The wind howled through the trees.” What mood does that create?

✅ Top Writing Tips to Try

1. Improve Vocabulary

Challenge yourself to learn one new word a day over the summer. Use it in a sentence or short story.

2. Vary Your Sentences

Mix up short, punchy sentences with longer, descriptive ones. It keeps your writing lively and makes a big difference in assessments.

Example:

Short: The sky darkened.

Long: The heavy, grey clouds rolled across the sky, blocking out the last of the evening sun.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to spend your summer buried in books, but a little practice here and there can help you start next year feeling more confident in English.

If you’d like expert support to build reading skills, improve writing or prepare for next year’s challenges, I have a limited number of tutoring slots available both online and in-person across Stockport, South Manchester and surrounding areas. Contact me today for a private tutoring quote, whether it’s confidence-boosting, literacy skills or early GCSE prep.

Visit the Contact page to get in touch.