I‘ve built a library of articles for parents and students alike, designed to help you prepare for different stages of school life, like 11+, KS3 and KS4, how to get ready for exams (based on my experience as an AQA Examiner), alongside resources to help with key GCSE texts including An Inspector Calls, Macbeth and Lord of the Flies. And take a look at some of the book reviews I’ve written, too!
Articles
Home Schooling and English: Expert KS3 & GCSE Tutoring to Fill the Gaps
Home schooling offers flexibility, but English can be tricky to manage. With 30 years’ teaching experience and senior examiner insight, I provide expert KS3 & GCSE tutoring for home educated students, filling gaps and building exam confidence.
Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (A Challenging, Powerful Read for KS3 Students)
Read my review of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Find out what it is about, the key themes, and why confident KS3 readers will get a lot from it…
Exposure – How Does Owen Present the Horror of War?
Wilfred Owen’s Exposure reveals the grim truth of trench warfare, showing war as a slow, painful battle against nature, hopelessness and emotional numbness. Ideal GCSE revision support for Power and Conflict students.
Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Present Ambition and its Capacity for Corruption?
Shakespeare’s Macbeth explores the dark consequences of unchecked ambition, showing how the desire for power can destroy individuals and upset the natural order.
Supporting Students with Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism: Why One-to-One English Tutoring Can Make a Real Difference
Students with Dyslexia, ADHD or Autism often face extra challenges in mainstream classrooms. One-to-one English tutoring offers a calm, tailored space to help them thrive, academically and emotionally.
Starting Year 11 in September? 4 Easy Ways to Get Ahead in GCSE English
Starting Year 11 in September? These four simple GCSE English tips will help you get organised over the summer without sacrificing your holiday - from revising set texts to quick writing tasks.
Animal Farm – How Does Orwell Present the Character of Snowball?
Analysing Snowball in Animal Farm? This blog explores key quotes and Orwell’s intent, showing how one-to-one tutoring can help sharpen your GCSE English essays.
11+ Creative Writing Checklist for Entrance Exam Success in 2025
Creative writing tasks can be make-or-break in 11+ and entrance exams. This simple checklist gives children a clear, confident way to approach story writing, with exam-specific tips and reminders for structure, technique and proofreading.
11+ and Entrance Exam Success: How to Help Your Child Stay Ahead This Summer
If your child is preparing for the 11+ or independent school entrance exams this autumn, the summer holidays can feel like a risky gap. This post explains how to keep key English skills sharp and outlines the difference targeted one-to-one tutoring can make for schools like Altrincham Grammar, Loreto, Sale Grammar, Stockport Grammar and more.
Summer Reading List for 11+ and Entrance Exam Students
One of the most effective ways to build English skills before the 11+ or entrance exams is through regular, enjoyable summer reading. This blog shares a curated reading list – with classics, short stories and non-fiction – plus tips on how to make reading stick.
Top 5 English Skills for 11+ and Entrance Exam Success in 2025
If your child is preparing for the 11+ or an independent school entrance exam this autumn, it’s essential to focus on the right English skills. My latest blog outlines five areas that make the biggest difference, with tips, insights and how one-to-one tutoring can help.
Is Your Child Ready for Year 11? How to Make the Most of Summer for GCSE English
Is your child about to start Year 11? The summer holidays are a perfect time to reflect on their English progress and take small, low-pressure steps to prepare for the final GCSE year with confidence.
Your Child’s Starting Year 10: How to Support Them with GCSE English
If your child is about to begin Year 10, now’s the perfect time to help them prepare for GCSE English. This guide for parents explains what to expect, how to offer support over the summer, and when to consider tutoring for a confident start.
Is Your Child Ready for Year 10? Why Now’s the Time to Review Their English Progress
Is your child about to start Year 10? This post explains why summer is the ideal time to check their English progress and take small steps to build confidence before GCSEs begin.
Remains by Simon Armitage: What It Means and Why It Matters for Your GCSE English Exam
Remains by Simon Armitage is a raw and unsettling poem that explores the psychological fallout of modern warfare. Told from the perspective of a soldier haunted by a memory of killing, it highlights the lasting effects of trauma, guilt, and the invisible wounds soldiers carry long after they’ve left the battlefield.
Book Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Why KS3 Students Should Read It)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a heartfelt, uplifting story that KS3 students will love. This review explores why it matters, what it teaches, and how it helps readers reflect on kindness, empathy and being brave.
5 English Tutoring Strategies That Work Brilliantly for Students with ADHD
Students with ADHD can thrive in English with the right teaching approach. This blog shares five practical strategies that make one-to-one tutoring more effective, enjoyable and empowering for energetic, imaginative learners.
Book Review: Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick (Why KS3 Students Will Love This Creepy, Funny Read)
Like creepy stories with a sense of humour? Crater Lake is a spooky, funny, fast-paced adventure that KS3 students will love. Think Goosebumps meets school trip gone wrong…here’s why it’s worth a read.
Understanding Dyslexia: Supporting Your Child Through Secondary School
Dyslexia affects how students process written language, but with the right support, they can thrive at secondary school. This blog shares practical tips for parents and shows how one-to-one English tuition can build confidence, boost skills, and help dyslexic learners shine.
Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Why KS3 Students Will Love It)
If you’re in Years 7–9 and love stories that are exciting, dramatic and packed with big ideas, The Hunger Games is a must-read. This review explains what it’s about, why it works so well for KS3 readers, and how it can inspire your English skills.