Our team includes qualified English teachers, experienced examiners, school leaders, assessment specialists and published authors.

Each tutor brings substantial professional expertise, but we also know that successful tuition depends on the relationship between the tutor and student.

Lyndsay or Jade will recommend a tutor whose experience, subject knowledge and teaching style suit your child’s qualification and individual needs.

 

Jade Hickin FCCT

Founder | English teacher | Assessment specialist | Senior Examiner

Jade has worked in education for more than 17 years as a Teacher of English, Head of Department and Lead Practitioner.

She holds postgraduate-level expertise in assessment from the University of Cambridge and works as a Senior Examiner across GCSE and A-Level English qualifications.

Jade has authored and contributed to books on English teaching, assessment and educational leadership. She has also worked as an assessment consultant for GCSE English textbooks.

Her teaching combines high expectations, precise feedback and a strong understanding of how learning can be adapted for individual students.

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Lyndsay Bawden FCCT, MEd

Founder | English teacher | Principal and Senior Examiner

Lyndsay has worked in education for more than 25 years as a Teacher of English, Lead Practitioner and Director of English.

She has extensive examining experience across GCSE and A-Level English and has worked as both a Principal Examiner and Senior Examiner for several exam boards.

Lyndsay has written books on the teaching of English and contributed to GCSE textbooks and revision materials, including work as a Series Editor for Oxford Revise.

She is particularly passionate about helping students understand what successful English responses require and giving them the confidence to demonstrate their knowledge.

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Melissa

English curriculum leader | Senior Examiner | Academic specialist

Melissa is an experienced English teacher, tutor and curriculum leader. She has also worked as a coordinator for highly able students.

After completing a master’s degree and PhD at the University of St Andrews, Melissa trained as a teacher and has since published work connected to her academic expertise.

She is an experienced examiner and Senior Examiner across several GCSE and IGCSE English Language and Literature specifications, with experience of assessment development.

Melissa is particularly well suited to students who benefit from exceptional subject knowledge, intellectual challenge and precise analytical guidance.

 

Philippa

English teacher | Senior Examiner | A-Level and GCSE specialist

Philippa holds a master’s degree in education and has more than 12 years of classroom experience.

As a Senior Examiner for GCSE English, she has detailed knowledge of assessment standards and examiner expectations. She also has extensive experience of teaching A-Level English Literature and English Language and Literature.

Philippa has particular success supporting students working around the Grade 4/5 boundary and those aiming for Grades 7–9.

Her supportive and carefully structured teaching helps students develop both confidence and independence.

 

Mary

English teacher | Former senior leader | Examiner | Published author

Mary is a highly experienced English teacher whose professional roles have included Lead Practitioner, Assistant Headteacher, Director of English, School Improvement Officer and National Strategy Consultant.

She has written two books on the teaching of English and works as an examiner across GCSE and A-Level qualifications.

Mary combines extensive subject knowledge with a strong understanding of curriculum, teaching and school assessment.

She is particularly skilled at identifying the precise barriers preventing a student from reaching or exceeding their target grade.

 

Sue

English teacher | GCSE examiner | A-Level specialist

Sue is an experienced English teacher who has taught and led the subject in high-performing schools.

She trained as a teacher at the University of Oxford and has extensive experience of GCSE and A-Level English.

As a GCSE examiner, Sue brings detailed knowledge of assessment expectations alongside considerable expertise in teaching English Literature and Language.

Her calm, academically rigorous approach is particularly valuable for students seeking strong GCSE or A-Level outcomes.

 

Gwen

English teacher | A-Level specialist | Published academic author

Gwen has taught English for more than 20 years across secondary and further education.

She holds a master’s degree in Modern English Literature and has specialist experience of teaching A-Level courses.

Gwen’s published work includes writing for Oxford University Press, Routledge and Bloomsbury. Her particular academic interests include grammar, literary analysis, Frankenstein and the teaching of classic texts.

She is especially well suited to students who need to deepen their subject knowledge and develop sophisticated literary interpretations.

 

Jill

English teacher | GCSE examiner | SEND and EAL specialist

Jill has nearly two decades of classroom experience across KS3 and GCSE English.

She works as a GCSE English examiner across several exam boards and has detailed knowledge of assessment criteria and examiner expectations.

Jill has particular expertise in supporting students with SEND and EAL through clear, structured and engaging teaching.

Her calm and supportive approach helps students build confidence while developing the analytical thinking and writing skills required for examination success.

 

Find the right tutor for your child

You do not need to decide which tutor to approach.

Tell us about your child’s qualification, exam board, current performance and individual needs. Lyndsay or Jade will recommend the tutor they believe is best suited to help.