Starting Year 10? Here’s How to Get Ready for GCSE English
If you’re about to start Year 10 in September, congratulations…you’re about to begin one of the most important chapters of your education. Over the next two years, you’ll work towards your GCSEs, and English is one subject that everyone has to take.
Don’t panic though: you don’t need to be perfect from day one. What matters is being organised, understanding what’s expected and starting good habits early. As a former Head of English and GCSE examiner, I’ve put together a few simple tips to help you feel ready for the challenge ahead.
✅ 1. Know What You’ll Be Studying
In GCSE English, you’ll work towards two qualifications:
English Language: Analysing how writers use words and writing your own pieces.
English Literature: Studying plays, novels and poems, and writing essays about them.
You’ll cover things like:
Analysing extracts from fiction and non-fiction.
Studying Shakespeare, a 19th-century novel, a modern text and a poetry anthology.
Practising creative and transactional writing (stories, speeches, articles and letters).
If you don’t know your set texts yet, ask your teacher before the summer break!
✅ 2. Start Building Good Habits Now
Year 10 is when you lay the foundations for your GCSE grades. Little things make a big difference later on.
Top tips:
Set up folders or notebooks for English Language and English Literature.
Get into the habit of reading regularly - novels, articles, anything!
Practise writing regularly, even short diary entries or reviews.
Learn to highlight key quotes as you read your set texts.
✅ 3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Lots of students feel nervous about English at GCSE, whether it’s remembering quotes, analysing poems, or structuring essays. The good news is, everyone finds some parts tricky and the sooner you ask for help, the easier it is to get back on track.
You might:
Speak to your teacher about areas you’d like to work on.
Use online resources like BBC Bitesize.
Consider a few tutoring sessions over summer or in the new term to build confidence.
✅ 4. Get a Head Start Over the Summer
If you’ve already been told your set texts, why not start reading them over the holidays? Even if you don’t study them properly yet, getting to know the stories and characters gives you a head start in September.
Final Thoughts
Year 10 is a brilliant opportunity to build your skills, confidence and independence. By getting organised and starting good habits now, you’ll make your life much easier when exam season arrives.
If you’d like expert support with GCSE English as you move into Year 10, 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 help with English Literature, Language skills or confidence-building.
Visit my Contact page to get in touch.