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
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.
Who Is the Inspector in An Inspector Calls? Why He Matters for Your GCSE English
Who is Inspector Goole, really? This GCSE-friendly guide explains what makes him one of the most important characters in An Inspector Calls, and how to write top-grade exam answers about him.
Who Is Juliet in Romeo and Juliet? What You Need to Know for GCSE English
Juliet is more than a lovestruck teenager. Here’s a clear, student-friendly guide to her character, how she changes, and why she’s so important for your GCSE exam.
The Theme of Redemption in A Christmas Carol: Why It Matters for Your GCSE English Exam
Studying A Christmas Carol for GCSE? This guide unpacks the theme of redemption, showing how Dickens uses Scrooge’s transformation to deliver one of the most powerful moral messages in literature - and what examiners are looking for.
Moving into Year 10? How to Get Ready for GCSE English
Starting Year 10? Here’s how to get GCSE English ready over the summer without the stress. From set texts to writing practice, this guide shares easy ways to build confidence and start the year feeling prepared.
The Theme of Socialism in Animal Farm: What It Means for Your GCSE English Exam
Studying Animal Farm for GCSE English? This guide explores the theme of socialism, how Orwell presents it through the rebellion and the pigs’ betrayal, and how to write about it in your exam.
The Descent into Savagery in Lord of the Flies: What You Need to Know for GCSE English
Studying Lord of the Flies for GCSE English? This clear guide explains the theme of savagery, how it develops through the novel, and what you need to know for your exam.
Who Is Macbeth? An Easy Guide to His Character (and Why He Matters for Your GCSE)
Struggling to understand Macbeth for GCSE? This student-friendly guide breaks down who he is, how he changes, and what examiners are really looking for when it comes to Shakespeare’s most ambitious character.