Wirral Tutor - 11+, English GCSE and A Level

Hi! I am now taking bookings for the academic year 2024 - 25. I teach 11+, GCSE English Language and Literature, and A-Level English Literature. I teach either face-to face, or via Zoom. My rates are very competitive and I have been teaching since 1990 so, if you want to hire an experienced tutor with a detailed subject knowledge for your child, please get in touch and let's talk about what I can offer.

Once again, I am celebrating the success of one of my students!

Demi came to me in late-January, stressed and worried about the forthcoming English and English Literature exams, having been told that she would struggle to attain the grades she needed to access the pathways she wanted to follow in the future. Well, after working with me for two sessions a week, she has received news of her results: a Level Eight in English Language and a Level 7 in English Literature! She's not just passed them, she's smashed them!

Fantastic news, and well-deserved for a focused, determined and committed student! Good luck in the future!

I am absolutely delighted with the news that an A-level student I have supported during Year 13 has just received her grade: she has been awarded an 'A' for English Literature [EDEXCEL]!

Anna worked really hard, prepared thoroughly and read the materials I sent her - and this is her reward! We worked together on Zoom [she lives in Lancashire] and resources were sent via email.

Anna is now going to study Law at Lancaster University. Good luck in the future; I'm sure you will be brilliant!

Booking for the academic year, 2023 - 24. Have tutored students via Zoom, so I can help young people nationwide! Please like and share!

Well, I've just said goodbye to my GCSE English Language and Literature students: it's been a real challenge, as my students have followed the AQA, EDEXCEL, and EDUQAS syllabi, so being on top of the different requirements, the range of question types, and the variety of texts has been interesting! However, I can now offer tailored revision for any students requiring support for GCSE for 2024 and beyond! DM me and hear what support I can offer your child!

How exciting! A new academic year, a new group of students! Lots of 11+ candidates, working hard on Non-Verbal Reasoning; GCSE students wanting to practise the variety of questions for the Language exam and exploring the challenging poems on the English Literature exam and, for me, something new and exciting: I am working with a student hoping to be interviewed to study English Literature at Oxbridge, via Zoom! If any of your children need support with any of these stages on their educational journey, contact me, and let's talk about what I can do to help.

Please share, share, share!

Really thrilled with the effort and application of one of my tutees. She came to me, struggling with fractions and decimals, but lacking in confidence with her times-tables. After one session with me, working on fractions, I asked her to go away and learn her times-tables; she came to me yesterday and had learned them! Fantastic effort and dedication on her part! This then meant that, when she was working with fractions, she was able to apply this knowledge and develop her understanding of how they work!

I'm pleased to report that one of my students who came to me late is making MASSIVE progress. He is working really well and is putting the effort in, and the improvements he has made, both in terms of confidence and ability, is startling!

If your child is taking the 11+ in September and you feel that s/he would benefit from some one-to-one sessions, DM me. The sooner you do, the quicker I can start to support and help your child to approach the exams with confidence.

Another new student started with me today, hoping to pass the 11+ in September, 2022. I assessed her skills and understanding and sent off work [via email] to Mum to get her daughter working as soon as possible! No time to lose, but I feel that, with the bespoke programme I can create for her, focusing on the areas she found challenging, she will be successful and get to where she wants to be! Let's do this!

Just been teaching Non-Verbal Reasoning to one of my tutees, hoping to go to West Kirby Grammar School, and she is absolutely smashing it! Scoring full marks regularly, and nothing lower than 80%. Her determination and willingness to practise the skills needed is really pleasing.

If your child is looking to take the entrance exams for any of the grammar schools on the Wirral, contact me. I provide focused, bespoke revision for Year 5 students to ensure we make the most of the time left, or take bookings for any Year 4 student, who is thinking about taking the 11+ in September, 2023.

One of my tutees is studying the Love and Relationships collection of poetry for AQA GCSE English Literature. To support her in her studies, I did some research and analysis of 'Porphyria's Lover' and discovered something that has altered my whole understanding and interpretation of this poem.

If you want your child to be able to be able to refer to interesting, unusual and engaging readings of the poems in this collection, DM me message and arrange to have a personalised learning programme created.

Had a lovely session with one of my tutees yesterday. He came to me, unable to get to grips with Non-Verbal Reasoning for his 11+ exam that is coming up in September and, after three sessions of focused, bespoke activities, he has scored 10 / 10 on a set of questions. Well done!

If your child is sitting the 11+ in September and has areas that s/he is finding challenging, contact me and let's talk about creating a personalised learning programme to head in to the exams in September with confidence!

Students and parents always have a number of FAQs [Frequently-asked Questions]. After teaching for 32 years, I am going to start posting some top tips that will help your young people prepare for English Language and Literature [GCSE] and A-Level English Literature.

Top Tip 8: When you respond to the writing task on Paper Two, you can usually find information that can be recycled. This will give your writing a greater sense of authenticity; however, if you can’t find any facts or figures that you can use, you can always make things up. Remember, you are not been tested on whether the facts and figures are true; you are being tested on how you shape and craft a piece of writing, and ‘true’ details are part of this.

Stay tuned for more top tips!

For Year 11 and 13 students, the exams are getting closer. If you are looking for help and support for GCSE English Language and Literature, and A-Level Literature to get those extra marks to boost your grades, DM me, and we can discuss what I can offer you: support that is bespoke for your child's needs!

Not only a business card, but a poster, too! Again, please share, share, share!

Look at what my wife has designed! My business card! Please share, share, share!

A really lovely session with one of my new tutees. A productive hour, focusing on areas of Non-Verbal Reasoning that were causing challenges; at the end of the session, the tutee had definitely made progress. During the session, I was reminded of the following anonymous observation.

I’ve just been asked by the parents of two students taking the 11+ in September, 2022, to create a bespoke programme of revision that focuses specifically on areas of the test that their young people have found challenging, such as ‘Analogies’ and ‘Code-breaking’ on the Non-Verbal Reasoning exam. If you think I may be able to help you with your child’s educational journey, DM me.

Students and parents always have a number of FAQs [Frequently-asked Questions]. After teaching for 32 years, I am going to start posting some top tips that will help your young people prepare for English Language and Literature [GCSE] and A-Level English Literature.

Top Tip 7: When you respond to the writing tasks on Papers One and Two, always take time to plan and prepare your answer. You should create a plan of about a side of A4, sketching out what you are going to put in each paragraph, and where you are going to use the various techniques that show the examiner the evidence of you crafting and shaping your writing.

Stay tuned for more top tips!

For Year 11 and 13 students, the exams are getting closer. If you are looking for help and support for GCSE English Language and Literature, and A-Level Literature to get those extra marks to boost your grades, DM me, and we can discuss what I can offer you: support that is bespoke for your child's needs!

Just finished preparing some research and creating some teaching materials for the poem, 'Belfast Confetti' by the Irish poet, Ciaran Carson. It's a challenging [but fascinating] poem that is part of the EDEXCEL Conflict anthology for GCSE. If your child is studying this anthology and wants help to unlock this poem, DM me!