GCSE and IGCSE English, online, all boards
Get your child from a 5 to a grade 9
For students who are revising, working hard, and still stuck. I got grade 9s in both English Language and Literature, and I teach exactly how.
How it works
Four steps, no contract
01
Free first lesson
I find out exactly where your child is and what's holding them back.
02
A plan for your child
Discussed with you after. What we'd work on, and in what order.
03
Weekly lessons
Same slot each week, on Google Meet. Nothing to install.
04
Email support
Questions and work between lessons, answered.
How I teach
I teach what examiners actually reward
Most students I meet already know the plot and already know the quotes. What nobody has shown them is what an examiner is actually looking for, or how to get it down on paper in the time they've got.
That's the bit I teach. I show them the questions to ask themselves so they get past their first idea. I give them structures that hold an answer together. And I write answers live in front of them, because watching one get built is worth more than being told what a good one looks like.
An Inspector Calls
Grade 5
Mr Birling says the Titanic is “unsinkable”, which shows he is wrong and arrogant.
Grade 9
Birling's certainty that the Titanic is “absolutely unsinkable” suggests Priestley wants us doubting his judgement before he has made a single political point, discrediting capitalism entirely.
Macbeth
Grade 5
Lady Macbeth says “unsex me here”, which shows she wants to be more like a man.
Grade 9
The imperative “unsex me here” implies Lady Macbeth sees her own femininity as an obstacle to be removed, suggesting Shakespeare frames female power as unnatural.
How to go from a 3 to a 6
Realistic tips to help you improve
Language Paper 1, Q2
How to answer it properly
About Sammy
I got two grade 9s in this exact exam
I went to King’s College London to study International Relations and realised halfway through that English was the thing I actually cared about. So I stopped ignoring it. Teaching English is the only job I’ve ever wanted, and I get more out of a student finally getting it than I ever did out of my own results.
I’ve been doing it three years now, both in person and online, across several tutoring companies and my own students, including students with dyslexia, ADHD and autism. Teaching them forced me to break things down far more clearly, and every student I’ve had since has benefited from that.
Most of the students I take on have decided they’re just not good at English. That’s usually the first thing to fix. I’d rather spend a lesson on one paragraph until it properly clicks than race through a whole text and leave someone nodding along.
I got my grades because I had teachers who explained things properly. That’s what I’m trying to be for someone else.
Lessons and pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
Twice a week
£70/week
Two 1-hour lessons
- Tailored plan
- Email support between lessons
- Faster progress
I teach a limited number of students each week. First lesson is always free.
What parents say
In their words
Catherine
Parent of Year 11
Samantha has really helped my son Alfie with his English GCSEs. She has been patient with his ADHD and she has sparked his confidence. Without her help he would not have passed his English exams so she was definitely worth it!
Anne
Parent of Year 11
Samantha is a true gem. Her passion for English together with her brilliant and methodical approach has proved an incredible help. She manages to clarify very difficult concepts and she is so natural at teaching. Moreover Samantha is very reliable, she is incredibly supportive and shows true dedication. I could not have hoped for a better tutor!
Group lessons
FAQ
Questions parents ask
Which exam boards do you cover?
All of them. AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas or WJEC for GCSE English Language and Literature, plus Cambridge and Edexcel for IGCSE. Tell me which board your child sits and I shape everything around that mark scheme.
What happens in the free lesson?
A 45 minute lesson where I work out where your child actually is: what's solid, what's missing, and what's costing them marks. Afterwards I'll go through what I'd recommend with you and we can decide from there. No obligation, and you're welcome to sit in.
How do lessons work online?
On Google Meet, with nothing to install. We annotate essays and extracts live on screen, which is quicker and clearer than passing paper back and forth. Your child gets constant attention and feedback.
How does contact and booking work?
I only arrange lessons and payment with a parent or guardian, never directly with a student. If your child messages me, I will always ask them to get a parent involved.
Do you teach students who find English hard?
Yes. I've worked with students who found English difficult for reasons that had nothing to do with ability, including dyslexia and ADHD. I don't hold a formal SEN qualification, but I adapt how I teach to how your child learns, and I'll tell you honestly if I think someone specialist would serve them better.
How does payment work?
Bank transfer, paid in advance. For 1-to-1 lessons you pay weekly for the week ahead, and most families set up a standing order so it happens automatically. Group lessons are £25 a lesson, paid on the 1st of each month, so the amount depends on how many lessons fall in that month. If you join partway through a month you only pay for the lessons left in it. I'll message you a few days before anything is due. There's no contract and no long block booking, so you can stop whenever you like.
What's your cancellation policy?
For 1-to-1 lessons, let me know 24 hours ahead and I'll move it to another time that week. Less than that and the lesson is charged, since I keep the slot free. If your child is unwell, just tell me as soon as you can and we'll find another time. Group lessons run to a fixed timetable, so a missed session isn't refunded, but I'll always send over what we covered. Groups pause for school holidays and you're never charged for those weeks.
Do you teach international students?
Yes. I teach families on the British curriculum abroad, including the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Tell me your timezone and I will find a slot that works.
Will my rate change?
No. Whatever rate you start on is the rate you stay on. If prices change, that only applies to new students.