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The AQA 1:1 Lab – Bespoke Tuition & Intensive Support

The AQA 1:1 Lab – Bespoke Tuition & Intensive Support

This is for students that specifically require AQA 1:1 bespoke tuition. It is our most exclusive programme is designed for students who are ready to commit and want tailored, expert guidance every step of the way. Ideal for students who want to boost performance, access the upper echelons of the mark scheme, refine exam technique, and gain access to expert resources. There is a minimum requirement of at least Grade 4 on entry, with a target grade of 6 or above. The Bespoke Tuition & Intensive Support programme suits ambitious independent learners and good communicators.

What's included?

Weekly 1:1 Zoom lessons with Claire
Extensive members-only Language resource hub with video lessons & tasks
Homework setting, detailed marking & feedback
Complete Language revision pack
Access to the full Literature Masterclass Programme for free (worth up to £400)
Priority tutor access: Message Claire Tuesday–Thursday, 9–5

Cost:

£75 per week (billed monthly)

Availability: Very limited – premium service

Enquire to book your place...

Problem: Some students prefer to work 1:1 and many tutors only offer group-learning scenarios.

Answer: Whilst I am a great advocate for group learning, some students do not thrive in a group setting. At its best, group learning is terrifically powerful, however one size does not fit all. More than two decades of experience in tutoring English has taught me that, whilst many students thrive in a small supportive group, others need a 1:1 focus. As a tutor who cares about providing the right learning environment, I want to offer parents a range of options to suit preferred learning scenarios and different budgets. If parents need a tutor who is prepared to teach their child 1:1 and offer a whole package of high quality support, I want to be able to offer something more than other tutors.

Answer: an online programme where the modelling, exam skills, exemplars and forensic ‘how to’ bits are done in high-quality videos which support live Zoom lessons.

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 programme, 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 both AQA English Language 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 and dialogue. Therefore, when we get together for a live 1:1 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, modelling and dialogue.

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

Problem: Some students need more than an hour a week with their tutor.

Answer: Most tutoring will take place for an hour a week to support learning in school and provide really valuable additional support. It works extremely well and I have seen excellent progress in all of my group sessions. However, some students are extremely ambitious and want a more immersive ‘360 support,’ which includes a tutor who is available in between lessons, a marking service and additional learning resources.

Answer: an on-call tutor who is there to support a student as and when they need it.

For students on the 1:1 AQA Lab programme, I offer an on-call service Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-5pm

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 5pm.)

This means that students on the 1:1 AQA Lab 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 when they are paying for a premium offer.

Problem: Limited time for high-quality feedback in the majority of tutoring scenarios.

Answer: 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 and a marking service.

Along with the videos, I have created a complete pack of AQA GCSE English materials to download and keep forever. 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.

I also offer a marking service, which means they can send me anything from the online programme that they would like me to mark. This work can be sent at any time and I will respond between 9am-5pm 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 1:1 AQA Lab 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 or a Vimeo video or an email. I will respond Tuesday-Thursday between 9am and 5pm.

The result: a confident and independent student who is mastering key skills for AQA GCSE English (and English Literature.)

What people say...

GCSE Student at ICC (AY)

‘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, Mrs Davidson saw through to the real me and coaxed me to put some effort in and see how I did. Eventually 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 provides fantastic support in the process, making you believe in yourself. 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.’

H.W.

“Claire was my A Level English Teacher after I relocated to Plymouth from Liverpool with family. English and reading in general had always been a huge passion of mine, but the move and leaving best friends behind had been somewhat of a distraction and my heart was no longer in it. Claire not only reignited my passion for English which got me the A needed for Birmingham University, but also the highest exam mark that year in our local district. Her love for the subject is contagious. The way she presented each module was dynamic and thought provoking. Othello is still my favourite Shakesperean Play solely down to Claire’s presentation of it. In fact, it inspired me to write an essay on the play whilst at University for which I received a “First” class mark from a tutor notorious for never giving out “Firsts”. I couldn’t recommend Claire as a personal tutor more. My husband (who was also taught by Claire) and I still refer to her as “Superwoman” due to her outstanding level of talent, patience and professionalism. If you need assistance, inspiration or help getting back on track with English, Claire is 100% your lady!”

D.T. Review of the AQA GCSE English Programme

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.

P.C.

You’re a superstar teacher! S got a Year 10 mock paper back today. He was really pleased. Just shy of a grade 7!

C.H.

“I couldn’t recommend Claire Davidson enough. Claire taught me for my GCSEs back in 2000 & 2001. With Claire’s enthusiasm and great teaching style, I went from getting Cs & Bs at the beginning to finally ending up with an A/A* for English language & English literature. Claire made English lessons become interesting, rather than a boring compulsory subject that I thought of it as before entering her class. Claire taught me so many skills for essay writing and analysis that prepared me for not just the rest of my education up to post-graduate Masters level, but life in general. With the company “World Challenge”, Claire took my brother in a team of students to Morocco for a week and a few years later, Claire & I went to Malawi & Zambia for a month with another team. She encouraged and helped motivate us into such life skills and experiences that we would never have achieved through school alone. These skills helped with university and job applications and life in general. I will never forget the time and effort Claire put into us as children and the opportunities she gave us. Claire is the perfect candidate, if you are considering her tutoring services of your child.”

J.B.

“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?”

Four grade Jump from Mocks to Actual Results. August 2025. HM

‘Having got a 4 for Lang and 3 for Lit in his mocks, B needed a 5 in Lang for college and after your lessons, he was hopeful. What we weren’t expecting was an 8 in Lang and not only that, but a 6 in Lit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to sit down and stop myself from bawling my eyes out. He is not a fan of English and I did wonder how much he was taking in, but you must be one b****y amazing teacher Claire. I knew you were, but now I’ve seen it for real. That’s a 4 grade jump in Lang and 3 grade jump in Lit and he was predicted 6/6. He got the grades he needed for college (and the school if he’d wanted) which is a massive relief and it turns out that his highest grade was Eng Lang! Thank you so much for the lessons and of course, you’ll be getting my recommendation. I could still cry and you’re owed a massive hug.’

Absolutely Incredible Tutor! (N.B.)

“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.”

Amazing School Report – P.C.

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!

Success for Home Educated Daughter (ET)

‘My daughter did the masterclass with Claire as a home ed student. We’re absolutely delighted as it was so thorough. My daughter got a Grade 7. I’d HIGHLY recommend Claire’s programmes.’

Parental Review – Sept 25 (LF)

Highly recommend Claire! She helped my son break down the AQA GCSE English Language into something logical that he could navigate. Claire has a calm and clear approach to her sessions, which helped George cut through all the noise and notes from school! He achieved a grade 8, which says it all!

J.W. Review of the AQA GCSE English Programme

I already knew of Claire professionally and was aware of her outstanding teaching and commitment to students. After a disastrous mock result and losing all confidence, we signed up our son to the programme on the understanding he would be committed, (I had no doubt the programme would be tailored and meet the needs of the GCSE.) It has been brilliant. He has been engaged of his own accord, the resources are downloadable for further revision and recap, and he has received beneficial feedback. I was a bit worried he would struggle with his sporting commitments, work and homework, but he has been able to attend sessions, work through the programme, and this has been vital to his GCSE preparations. Thoroughly recommend.

How to ace your AQA English GCSE

Do you need at least a Grade 4 to pursue your next steps?

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