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
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.
Starting Year 11 in September? 4 Easy Ways to Get Ahead in GCSE English
Starting Year 11 in September? These four quick and easy summer tips will help you feel more confident going into your final GCSE English year…all without giving up your holiday.
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.
Your Child’s Starting Year 11: How to Help Them Get Ahead in GCSE English
Is your child about to start Year 11? This practical guide for parents explains how to support them with GCSE English over summer, from quote revision to essay practice, to help them feel confident and prepared for the year ahead.
Starting Year 11? Here’s How to Get Ready for Your Final GCSE English Year
Starting Year 11? This guide breaks down what to expect in your final GCSE English year and offers practical summer tips to boost confidence before September. Perfect for students who want to stay one step ahead without the stress.
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.