
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

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.

An Inspector Calls – How Does Priestley Present the Character of Sheila?
Struggling to revise An Inspector Calls? This breakdown of Sheila’s character explores her development, key quotes and Priestley’s message, with tips on how one-to-one tutoring can help sharpen your GCSE essay skills.

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.

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.

The Duality of Man in Jekyll and Hyde: What It Means and Why It Matters for Your GCSE
The duality of man is one of the key themes in Jekyll and Hyde. Here’s a simple, student-friendly guide to what it means, how Stevenson shows it, and how to write about it for your GCSE exam.

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.

Why Established Experts Yield Better Student Outcomes Than Unqualified Tutors
As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their education, but in the realm of private tutoring, not all options are created equal…

Breaking Down Lady Macbeth: A GCSE Guide to Understanding One of Shakespeare's Most Complex Characters
Students! Let’s dig deep into the enigmatic character of Lady Macbeth. We're dissecting a 20-line extract that packs a punch in revealing her deepest desires and fears…