GCSE English tutoring, one-to-one and online
English Language and English Literature, for your child’s exam board and set texts. Essays and written work are marked between lessons.
- per hour (GBP)
- From £25
- per hour (GBP)
- Free assessment call
- 15 minutes
- Free assessment call
- One-to-one lessons on Microsoft Teams
- 1 hour
- One-to-one lessons on Microsoft Teams
- Language and Literature
- Both GCSEs
- Language and Literature
What we cover
We teach GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. We support students with the set texts their specification requires, including:
- Shakespeare
- 19th-century novels
- Modern prose and drama
- Poetry anthologies
Tutors work from your child’s own exam board specification and assessment objectives.
Exam boards we teach
- AQA
- Pearson Edexcel
- OCR
- Eduqas
- Cambridge IGCSE
- Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
We also teach international students taking IGCSE, following their own specification and exam board. This includes Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE, where we have a suitably matched tutor.
How each exam board examines GCSE English
We teach all the major UK exam boards for GCSE English. This is how each board examines English, from the board’s own specification.
English Language
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE English Language (8700) | Paper 1, Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing, and Paper 2, Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives: 1 hour 45 minutes and 80 marks each. | Untiered. Spoken Language is a separate endorsement. |
| Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) English Language (1EN0) | Component 1, Fiction and Imaginative Writing: 1 hour 45 minutes. Component 2, Non-fiction and Transactional Writing: 2 hours 5 minutes. | Spoken Language Endorsement graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, reported separately. |
| OCR GCSE (9–1) English Language (J351) | Two papers of 2 hours and 80 marks each: Communicating information and ideas; Exploring effects and impact. | Spoken language reported as a separate grade. |
| WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9–1) English Language | Two components, assessing reading of a 20th-century prose text and of 19th- and 21st-century non-fiction, and creative and transactional writing. | Untiered. Spoken Language is reported as a separate grade. |
English Literature
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) | Paper 1, Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel: 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 2, Modern texts and poetry: 2 hours 15 minutes. | Untiered. Closed book. |
| Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) English Literature (1ET0) | Component 1, Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature: 1 hour 45 minutes. Component 2, 19th-century Novel and Poetry since 1789: 2 hours 15 minutes. | Closed book. |
| OCR GCSE (9–1) English Literature (J352) | Two papers of 2 hours each: Exploring modern and literary heritage texts; Exploring poetry and Shakespeare. | Closed text. |
| WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9–1) English Literature | Component 1 (Shakespeare; poetry from 1789 to the present day): 2 hours. Component 2 (post-1914 prose or drama; 19th-century prose; unseen poetry): 2 hours 30 minutes. | Untiered. Closed book. |
International GCSE
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500) | Paper 1, Reading: 2 hours. Then either Paper 2, Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours), or a coursework portfolio. | Grades A*–G (syllabus for exams in 2027–2029) |
| Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) | From 2028: Paper 1, Poetry and Prose, then either Paper 2, Drama and Unseen, or coursework. Set texts may be taken into the exam room. | Grades A*–G (syllabus for exams in 2028–2030) |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A (4EA1) | Component 1: 2 hours 15 minutes. Then either Component 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) or coursework. | Optional spoken language endorsement, reported separately. |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Literature (4ET1) | Component 1: 2 hours. Then either Component 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) or coursework. | Component 1 closed book; Component 2 open book, with unmarked set texts. |
“Closed book” means students may not take their set texts into the exam, so knowing the texts well matters.
From each exam board’s own specification; each name links to it. Boards update their specifications, so check the one your child’s school uses.
Where students find it hardest
English Language
- Analysing unseen texts
- Selecting relevant evidence
- Explaining language and structural effects
- Evaluation questions
- Creative writing
- Structuring extended responses
- Time management
English Literature
- Developing analytical arguments
- Using quotations effectively
- Analysing language, structure and form
- Context
- Comparing texts and poems where required
- Moving beyond plot description
- Developing a clear argument across an essay
How we teach GCSE English
Build an argument
We teach students to build and explain an argument, not to memorise model essays.
Literature
Students learn to analyse quotations and form their own interpretations, which they can adapt to different questions.
Language
Students practise analysing unseen texts and writing their own answers, with close attention to the assessment objectives and exam timing.
What families say about GCSE English lessons
“The English Literature sessions have helped my son become much more confident with essay writing. His tutor has shown him how to analyse quotations properly instead of just describing what happens in the story. The feedback on his essays has been particularly useful.”
Mrs Patel, Parent of Year 11 student
“Our son was finding English Language difficult, particularly the longer writing questions. His tutor has worked with him on planning, structure and how to develop his ideas. We've noticed a big improvement in both his written work and his confidence.”
James T., Parent of Year 10 student
“I found English difficult because I knew what I wanted to say but struggled to turn my ideas into good exam answers. My tutor has helped me improve my structure, analyse texts in more detail and manage my time in exams. The lessons are clear and we always focus on the areas I need to improve.”
Hannah P., GCSE English Language
Genuine reviews, published with permission. How we check reviews. Results vary by individual. Outcomes depend on attendance, effort, homework completion and exam conditions. No grades are guaranteed.
Talk to us about GCSE English
Free 15-minute assessment call. We reply within 24 hours.
Who teaches it
- Your child is matched with one tutor from our team, who teaches every lesson.
- Tutors teach within their specialism and have relevant academic and/or teaching experience.
- Every tutor holds an Enhanced DBS certificate with a Children’s Barred List check.
We have English tutors for both Language and Literature. Availability depends on the exam board, set texts and tutor timetable.
How lessons work
Length and frequency
Lessons last one hour.
Most students have one or two lessons a week. Students close to their exams may need more. We agree the timetable with you, based on your child’s goals, availability and workload.
Lessons run 09:00–21:00 UK time (Europe/London), seven days a week.
Online, on Microsoft Teams
Lessons are on Microsoft Teams. Tutors use the Teams whiteboard and screen sharing to explain ideas, show worked examples and go through questions together. Lessons are not recorded.
Written work, marked between lessons
Students can email written work between lessons. The tutor marks it and gives feedback on content, analysis, structure, use of evidence, exam technique, accuracy and how well it meets the assessment objectives. We then go through the feedback in the next lesson, where it helps.
Homework
Homework is usually set after each lesson and takes 15–30 minutes. It might be exam questions, worksheets, practice questions, short recall tasks or work that backs up the lesson.
We can set more or less after talking with you and your child. The tutor checks it and uses it to decide what to go over again.
Materials
Tutors use:
- Past exam papers
- Exam board materials and questions
- Online learning resources
- Virtus Academy resources, where useful
- Worksheets and materials the tutor makes
- Other resources chosen for your child’s specification and level
We choose materials to suit your child’s exam board, tier and what they need to improve.
How you hear about progress
We keep you up to date with how your child is doing. How often depends on your child and what you prefer. Updates can cover:
- What has been covered
- What your child is doing well
- What needs more practice
- Homework completion
- Exam technique and preparation
- Next steps
Price and the free assessment call
The rate depends on the student’s needs: current level, target grade, and how much re-teaching is required. We confirm it after the free assessment call.
All prices are in pounds sterling (GBP). Payment is taken in GBP.
The free 15-minute call helps us understand where your child is now and what they want to achieve. We talk about:
- Year group and current level
- Subject and exam board
- Foundation or Higher tier, where it applies
- Strengths and what they find hard
- Recent test or exam results, if you have them
- Target grades and exam goals
- How your child likes to learn
- Availability and how often to have lessons
If your child isn’t sure what they need help with, the call helps work out where tutoring will help most.
GCSE English questions parents ask
Can you help with both English Language and Literature?
Yes. We teach both.
Can you teach my child’s particular set texts?
Yes, depending on tutor availability. We match your child with a tutor who knows their exam board and set texts.
Can you mark my child’s essays?
Yes. Your child can send written work between lessons for the tutor to mark.
Does English tuition involve learning lots of quotations?
Learning key quotations helps in Literature. We also focus on understanding the text, analysing evidence and building an argument, so your child can answer different questions.
Can you help if my child struggles with structuring essays?
Yes. Tutors break essay structure down and practise planning and developing answers, before moving on to exam-style writing on their own.
More about lessons, cancellations and payment is on the FAQs page.
Talk to us about GCSE English
Free 15-minute assessment call. We reply within 24 hours.