The outcome of the programme is simple: get to grips with the techniques and approach needed to tackle the AQA English GCSE (with units on tackling the AQA Literature course too.)
This programme is entitled The AQA GCSE English Fast-track Programme, because that’s my focus here: an intensive & forensic course which aims to help students master the skills they need within 3 months.
We’re going to solve the 3 big problems that prevent some students from making progress in conventional tutoring sessions.
Whilst some students thrive in a 1:1 scenario, it doesn’t work for all. More than two decades of experience in tutoring English has taught me that many students won’t speak readily in a 1:1 hour-long lesson, so the tutor can sometimes end up doing most of the talking and modelling, whilst the student is passive. This means that the information is quickly forgotten within a day or two and then it’s another 5-6 days before the student meets with their tutor again. Progress can be very slow for some students.
Answer: an online programme where the modelling, exam skills, exemplars and forensic ‘how to’ bits are done in high-quality videos.
The student will start by logging into a member’s only portal where they will be asked to consider their current level of ability, performance and target. This self-assessment is a key aspect of the course, gradually moving students from a system of over-reliance on their teacher/tutor to a place of greater self-regulation, independence and confidence.
Next, they’ll move into a systematic and highly accessible programme of forensic videos, taking them step by step through the exam papers, with tasks along the way to practise key skills. There are ten modules. The videos can be paused so students can take notes or complete tasks in their work book, and watched or rewound as many times as needed. This is based on a technique called ‘Mastery Learning,’ whereby subject matter is broken into bite-sized pieces and with clear objectives, which students work through at their own pace until they have mastered it.
Research from ‘The Education Endowment Foundation’ reveals that some of the most effective strategies for learning include: metacognition, (being able to think about their own learning and giving them strategies for learning,) mastery learning, oracy, collaborative learning, dialogue, peer to peer support and talking in groups. Much of this can’t be achieved in a 1:1 scenario. In my experience as a teacher of thirty years and a tutor for 25 years, the best education happens within a social constructivist model because not only do students achieve and progress far more, they also develop their personhood. Therefore, when we get together for a small group Zoom meeting, the focus can be on talking through progress, asking questions, sharing challenges and doing a deep dive into one of the questions each week. These lessons are all about bespoke content, live support and community.
The result: far from ‘getting lost in a crowd,’ students will take far more ownership of their learning, based on what they’ve been studying during the week.
Most parents I chat with firmly believe that paying for their child to see a tutor for an hour once a week (sometimes for years on end) is the ‘gold standard.’ For some, it is and works extremely well, but for many children who have had 25 lessons at school between tutoring sessions, they will remember little or nothing of what they did 7 days before with their tutor.
Answer: an on-call tutor who is there to support a student as and when they need it. (Gold Programme only.)
For students on the Gold Programme I offer an on-call service Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-5.30pm.
If students encounter any challenges or have a query they need an answer to, they can email me or send me a voice note at any time and I will respond in detail via Vimeo, email or a quick Zoom meeting. (Tuesday-Thursday between 9 and 5.30pm.)
This means that students on the Gold Programme have a far more bespoke 1:1 experience than a traditional tutoring model offers, as the discussions will be based on very specific issues that need to be sorted out before the next lesson. Very few tutors will offer this service.
The result: the bespoke 1:1 service that parents always hope for.
Students make progress when they are DOING, not listening. The more students practise immediately after receiving swift and high-quality feedback, the more they will improve.
Answer: a complete GCSE course of downloadable materials which can be kept forever, (Gold and Silver Programmes,) and a marking service (Gold Programme only)
For Silver and Gold Programme students I have created a complete pack of AQA GCSE English materials to download and keep. After each video students can click on the ‘Lesson Materials’ tab and download all the PDFs to keep forever. This will include TASKS, presentations, exemplars, models, tips and hacks.
For students on the Gold Programme, I also offer a marking service, which means they can send me anything from the programme that they would like me to mark. This work can be sent at any time and I will respond between 9am-5.30pm Tuesday-Thursday. (Please note, this will not include doing or marking their homework from school!) Because I only teach a small number of students, I can completely devote myself to offering a swift and detailed response. Research from the ‘EEF’ pinpoints that rapid and frequent feedback ‘redirects and refocuses the learner’s actions to achieve a goal by aligning effort and activity with an outcome.’ (Education Endowment Foundation.)
In addition to this, even if students on the Gold Programme do not have any work for me to assess, they will still be encouraged to stay in touch (once a week) and let me know how they are getting on. This could be via a voice note on Loom or a Vimeo video or an email. I will respond Tuesday-Thursday between 9am and 5.30pm..
The result: a confident and independent student who is mastering key skills for AQA GCSE English (and English Literature.)
The online course can be purchased on its own or with Zoom lessons, 1-2-1 support and instant feedback:
“I really can’t recommend Claire enough! She taught me through KS4 and inspired me to continue with English Literature and take it at A-Level. She is so strikingly kind and cares deeply for all of her students, and that has stuck with me all these years later! If you are looking for a passionate and experienced tutor that will motivate, engage and inspire, I can’t think of anyone better than Claire for the job. 5 stars does this service an injustice!”
Hi Claire, Sam got his interim school report this week and achieved an ‘outstanding’ in English right across the board for all areas of his work. You are an amazing teacher, Claire. This is an absolute first for Sam in English. He’s improved and more motivated with you involved!
“I could not recommend Claire enough for anyone looking for English tutoring. She tutored me through A-Level English Literature and Creative Writing. Each session Claire tailors it to what you want or need to work on. From learning Othello quotes to comparing novels Claire was able to help my writing and understanding develop. Her enthusiasm and motivation enabled me to continue my passion for English and achieve the grades that I needed for university. She always believed in me, saw the strengths I had and motivated me. If you are looking for a tutor to help with your English, Claire 100% is the person you need.”
“Claire has been absolutely incredible and I can’t recommend The English Lab strongly enough. She tutored my daughter for her GCSE English this year as she was struggling and she has just received 7s in both her English language and literature results. This would not have been possible without Claire’s help. She not only has an incredible knowledge for her subject but makes it enjoyable, so much so that my daughter actually looked forward to her lessons every week. Thank you Claire- you’ve been amazing.”
“I highly recommend Claire Davidson as an exceptional English tutor for GCSE exam preparation. With her expert guidance and personalised approach, my daughter not only improved her understanding of the subject but also gained confidence in her abilities. Claire possesses a deep understanding of the curriculum and tailored her lessons to address my daughter’s specific needs, ensuring that she grasped challenging concepts with ease. Her patience, dedication, and passion for teaching shone through in every session, creating a supportive learning environment. I am immensely grateful for the invaluable impact Claire has had on my daughter’s academic journey. No doubt we’ll see Claire again in a few years when my son needs some help with his GCSEs.”
“Professional, experienced, friendly, knowledgeable, supportive, brilliant/ English has always been a struggle for my son, who got a low level 3 in the summer so started tutoring with Claire ahead of November resits. Her knowledge of the exam process, student learning and the English syllabus is amazing. She was able to encourage and support my son, who is now able to say that he knows he has made good progress in a short time. He came out of the summer exam shrugged his shoulders and made a grunt, he came out of the November exam saying he has never written so much in an English exam (and knew how to approach each question correctly) and was smiling, actually smiling after an English exam! Claire and my son worked together to find the areas he needed to focus on and then worked together through the process. He regularly submitted work, which Claire thoroughly and accurately marked, using her many years of experience. This bespoke approach motivated him and gave him confidence. I cannot speak highly enough of Claire, her knowledge and approach has given my son the best chance possible.” UPDATE: THIS STUDENT HAS JUST RECEIVED HIS RESIT RESULTS: HE DID IT, ACHIEVED THE GRADE HE NEEDED, AND CAN NOW PURSUE THE COURSE HE WANTS TO DO. CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM!
I would thoroughly recommend Claire as a tutor. Claire was a conscientious and thoughtful tutor who went the extra mile to make sure that my son was prepared for his English GCSE’s. He wouldn’t have achieved the grade he did without her support and knowledge.
Claire has been absolutely wonderful tutoring our daughter and helping her understand what is required for her GCSE English exams. K always looked forward to her lessons with Claire as she was so approachable, and she was always on a high after her lesson as she just understood it so much better than in the classroom environment at school. K particularly liked her lessons at home and not having to leave the house to go for tutoring. Furthermore, Claire always marked her work and gave feedback straight away. She also kept in touch with us on our daughter’s progress and also let us know when she was getting a bit lazy!! We highly recommend Claire, and we are so grateful she was recommended to us. K went from disliking English to enjoying it, which is all down to Claire. Thank you Claire.
“I cannot recommend Claire (Mrs Davidson/Ms Smith) highly enough. I was fortunate enough to be taught by Claire for my GCSE English (years 10 & 11). I really struggled at school, English in particular (later diagnosed with Dyslexia) and struggled even more with authority. Far from the perfect student. Claire completely transformed my English learning experience. I enjoyed the books we read and even enjoyed writing about them afterwards. I was given an understanding of that which had previously alluded me. Claire’s passion, patience and strong personality make for an exceptional teacher. I am extremely grateful for her influence in my schooling as I was able to attain a Grade C in GCSE’s – which I appreciate isn’t the pinnacle of educational accolades, but for someone who was previously predicted E/F this was a great achievement and meant I was able to enter into my chosen career as an Aircraft Engineer in the RAF. Again, for this I am extremely grateful and would not hesitate to recommend her as a tutor”
“Claire tutored both my children through KS4 resulting in them achieving their English GCSE. As a parent I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Claire – not only as a tutor but as person who actually takes an invested interest in her students. My children are adults now and still to this day are grateful and have fond memories of ‘Mrs Davidson’.”
“I wasn’t an amazingly academic student. Frequently, I was the class clown and the one to make a cheeky comment. This was of course all bravado and in reality, a cover up for a 16 year old with little confidence and belief in herself. I had a passion for English and occasionally some good ideas which were reflected in my work. Claire, Miss Davidson, Davy-Wavy (personal favourite!) saw through to the real me and pleaded with me to just put some effort in and see how I did. So I softened my stubbornness and did what she advised. She was there every step of the way, constantly marking my work, to give me an idea on how I was getting on. She was on hand for everything and no idea was bad in her eyes. She truly believes in her students and does everything she can, professionally and personally to get results, but also support you in the process. I was terrified to do my speaking and listening exam and was sure I was going to fail. Claire listened to my endless moans and whinging (give the woman a medal- patience of a saint!!) and she just urged me to give it my all and to believe in what I was saying. You best believe it, I nearly fell off of my chair when she delivered the news that little old me had the highest speaking and listening grade out of our top set class! I went from an E Grade in my mocks, to getting 2 As in English Language & English Literature. If you are looking for anyone to help you with your English, Claire is the lady for you.”
“Claire was an amazing teacher and is an inspiration to this day. The passion she has for teaching and learning is evident by the awe that children and young people have for her and the lessons she teaches. I will always value the time she gave me, the listening ear and the friendly smile. She believed in me, she saw abilities and strengths I hadn’t even identified or found in myself yet. Not only this she inspired me to take challenges and succeed at things I probably wouldn’t have done without her guidance and support. I will always recommend Claire to anyone looking for that person to guide, support, inspire and encourage someone to be a better person and along the way she will also help you to understand English! What more could you want?”