Catching Up on Achieve English News!

What an incredibly busy period it's been here at Achieve English! With GCSE English Language Paper 1 approaching this Friday (23rd), my wonderful students and I have been deep in exam preparation mode. While I know these exams are as significant for me as they are for my tutees, I can't help but feel enormous sympathy for the relentless schedule that defines GCSE examination periods.

I've shared my thoughts on this before—we simply have too many exams, and it's becoming unnecessarily overwhelming for our young people. Some students face the exhausting reality of sitting an exam every single day next week, a gruelling marathon that continues week after week. This system desperately needs reform.

Professional Development News 

I've recently joined the Tutors Association, which I believe is a crucial step forward in our field. The tutoring industry currently operates without any formal regulation, which I find deeply concerning. Many of us in the profession anticipate that when authorities finally recognise the need for oversight—and they will—this organisation is likely to become the regulatory body.

For parents and students who want assurance about their tutor's qualifications and background, using a platform that conducts thorough pre-screening can provide valuable peace of mind. There are several reputable options available, such as TStack Tutoring and Sherpa Online, both of which maintain rigorous vetting standards for their tutors.

Focusing on What Matters Most

My students have been putting tremendous effort into mastering Question 4, the most heavily weighted reading question across both papers at 20 marks, alongside their creative writing skills. For Question 4 success, students must craft 4-5 well-developed paragraphs that clearly agree, disagree, or partially agree with the given statement. More importantly, they need to demonstrate why and how the writer achieves their purpose through sophisticated analysis of language, structure, and tone.

I've developed comprehensive lesson plans with step-by-step guidance and detailed example analyses that students can reference during both our sessions and independent study time. It's rewarding to see them grow in confidence as they develop these critical analytical skills.

Making Creative Writing Come Alive

The creative writing component offers a refreshing change of pace—particularly enjoyable for students who love storytelling. We've been exploring an important principle: quality trumps quantity every time. A well-crafted 1.5-2 pages will always outshine six pages of unfocused content.

Our recent sessions have been particularly exciting as we experiment with non-linear narrative structures and innovative approaches that help student work stand out from the hundreds of essays examiners will review. Students have embraced these challenges admirably, working systematically through their checklists to ensure their vocabulary choices are both adventurous and precise, while incorporating the various techniques we've been refining throughout our preparation.

Building Strong Foundations

Of course, my work extends far beyond Year 11 students. I find tremendous fulfillment in teaching Years 9 and 10, particularly knowing that the solid foundations we build together will serve them exceptionally well when they face their own GCSE examinations.

For parents of Year 9 and 10 students, it's worth noting that positive changes are coming to AQA English Language—changes that will benefit your children. I've discussed these developments in detail in previous blog posts, and I'm optimistic about their impact.

Looking Forward

As we navigate this intense examination period, I'm sending supportive and positive energy to everyone involved in the process—students, parents, teachers, and examiners alike. Remember, this challenging time will pass, and the skills and resilience being developed now extend far beyond any single exam.

Stay strong, keep pushing forward, and remember that every step of preparation brings us closer to success!