Top Class Learning provides specialist English tuition delivered by qualified teachers with extensive classroom, leadership, curriculum and examining experience.

We do not recruit general tutors and hand them a standard programme. We carefully match each student with an English specialist who understands their course and can respond to their individual needs.

 

Qualified teachers

Every member of our tuition team is a qualified teacher.

This matters because effective tuition requires more than knowing the answer. A successful tutor must understand how to explain difficult ideas, identify misconceptions, adapt teaching and help a student become increasingly independent.

Our tutors bring substantial classroom experience alongside their subject expertise.

 

Experienced examiners

Our team includes GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level examiners with experience across a range of specifications.

Examining experience helps our tutors understand:

• how assessment objectives are applied;

• what different levels of performance look like;

• why apparently strong answers may lose marks;

• which misconceptions occur frequently;

• how students can communicate their knowledge more effectively.

We use this experience to provide precise teaching and feedback—not shortcuts, predictions or formulaic answers.

 

Specialist English expertise

Our tutors include subject leaders, senior school leaders, published authors, curriculum specialists and assessment experts.

This breadth of experience allows us to support students working towards essential pass grades as well as those aiming for the highest levels of performance.

 

Personalised tutor matching

A tutor may have outstanding qualifications and still not be the right match for every student.

When recommending a tutor, we consider:

• the student’s qualification and exam board;

• the subject and texts being studied;

• current and target grades;

• individual learning needs;

• confidence and personality;

• the tutor’s specialist strengths;

• availability and time zone.

Lyndsay or Jade personally reviews each enquiry before recommending a tutor.

 

High expectations with the right support

We believe every student should experience ambitious and intellectually meaningful teaching.

Personalisation does not mean making the work easier. It means identifying the knowledge, explanation, modelling and practice that will help the individual student succeed.

Our aim is to build confidence through genuine improvement.

 

Clear feedback

Students need feedback they can understand and use.

Our tutors explain:

• what the student has done successfully;

• what is currently limiting the response;

• what needs to change;

• how to make that change;

• how to apply the learning independently.

 

Safeguarding

All tutors hold an Enhanced DBS check and follow Top Class Learning’s safeguarding expectations.

Online lessons are conducted professionally through agreed platforms. Parents receive clear information about lesson arrangements and how to contact us with any concern.

​

Our founders

​

Jade Hickin FCCT

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

She holds postgraduate-level expertise in assessment from the University of Cambridge and has worked 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.

As a parent of neurodivergent children, Jade also understands the importance of teaching that is ambitious, responsive and genuinely personalised.

​

Lyndsay Bawden FCCT, MEd

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

She has extensive assessment experience, including work as a Principal Examiner and Senior Examiner across GCSE and A-Level English qualifications. Lyndsay has also written books on the teaching of English and contributed to GCSE English textbooks and revision materials.

Having experienced dyslexia herself, Lyndsay understands how damaging it can be when a capable student begins to believe they cannot succeed. Her work is driven by the belief that expert, carefully structured teaching can transform both performance and confidence.

 

Talk to us about your child

Book a free, informal consultation with Lyndsay or Jade. We will listen carefully, explain the available options and recommend the support we believe is most appropriate.

​