FAQs

Before you decide whether this programme is right for your child, I ask that a parent or guardian books a ‘Break-through Call.’ This is an informal Zoom call to give you the opportunity to talk through the options on offer and to ask any questions that you might have. You can either click here  or email me at claire@theenglishlab.co.uk.

Please note: this is not a sales call! I have no wish to enrol a child on the programme who will not cope with it or for parents/guardians to feel pressured into signing up. It’s very important that the students on this course feel happy and positive about being there. Therefore, this is simply an opportunity for you to meet me and have a chat and see if it’s right for your child.

There are 10 modules on the programme and your child can work through these in any order they wish, taking it at their own pace. 

The course is paid for monthly (£300 per calendar month,) so your young person will have access to the course for as long as they wish and FREE access to any relevant Literature masterclasses whilst they are still having lessons with me (AQA only.) Once students have left, they can still attend the Literature classes at a charge of £20 per session. Some students complete the online course in 12 weeks; others prefer to stay for the academic year or longer and use the online modules as and when they need them. It is entirely up to you. Students staying for the year can also request fully-resourced Literature lessons in the 1:1 live Zoom lessons that take place once a week.

Whilst I can’t guarantee specific grade outcomes – and no ethical tutor should – I can guarantee that I’ll work with focus, care and expertise to support your young person’s progress and add real value to their learning experience, which will give them a huge advantage when answering AQA GCSE English exam questions. I have a huge amount of experience and my reviews speak for themselves. Please do take a look!

If you have signed up for The AQA 1:1 Lab, the whole learning experience is 1:1. It’s the only option I offer that is. Places are limited which is why it is offered at a premium with all the additional extra support you would expect from a 1:1 bespoke offer.

On the rare occasion your child cannot attend their lesson for any reason, a lesson will be recorded and shared with you and your child. Lessons are billed a month in advance, so no refund is given with short notice not to attend, but the lesson is provided nonetheless and shared, so that the young person can attend at their leisure. 

The main focus is the Language course, as this is the one most students tend to prioritise, however Module 10 is focused on how to tackle the AQA GCSE Literature course. In this section of the programme students will use everything they have learnt from the English course and apply it to the Literature course. Most of the skills are transferable, and this module will give your child a real insight into approaches to the Literature papers. If your child is staying for the academic year, there will be plenty of time to cover both Language and Literature, though, with one lesson per week, I am not in a position to teach the Literature texts from scratch. The bulk of this work will be done in school or alternative provision lessons. The texts will need to be read independently.

No, this is unrealistic because the students who enrol on this course will be studying a variety of novels, plays and poetry. Students are expected to cover the Literature content in school or at home. However, regardless of the texts being studied, the exam skills are identical, so Module 10 will equip students with the requisite skills to tackle any Literature essay with confidence. However, if your child is learning with me for the whole academic year, I will of course revise Literature texts with them too.

No, this programme is specifically for AQA English students only. If the Literature board is different, it may still be relevant to your child, however, as long as their Language course is AQA.