The Freeze... And how to move past it
As exams get closer, I'm spending less time talking about subject content and more time talking about exam technique. For GCSE students...
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Nicola Burkinshaw
- Feb 24
Stating the Bleeding Obvious
This post is probably the most ironic I have ever written. I haven't written a post for some months, partly because time has run away...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Sep 1, 2022
Poetic Form and How to Identify It
If you are studying poetry you will have come across discussion of rhyme and metre: perhaps you have carefully noted down a rhyme scheme...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- May 4, 2022
How to Support Your Child with English Language GCSE
English Language GCSE is a test of your ability to communicate your ideas and your understanding of others when they communicate their...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Feb 23, 2022
Half-Term Reading: The British Empire
This half term I’m taking the opportunity to read as much as possible. When I’m working it can be a struggle to really get into a book...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jan 11, 2022
Writing an Essay: Questioning the Question
When you receive an essay title it’s likely that it will include words and phrases such as: “to what extent”; “assess the validity of the...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Nov 7, 2021
Happy Bolshevik Revolution Day!
Today marks the 104th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. For those of you studying Russia at either GCSE or A Level you will be...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Aug 17, 2021
Are You Ready?
We're nearly at September which, for me, is more like the new year than January. It's the month where I embrace good intentions, plan...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Aug 8, 2021
Five Thoughts About Results Week
GCSE and A Level results are out this week and I know that there will be a lot of mixed feelings, worry and concern from students,...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jul 13, 2021
Context in English Literature
When you’re reading a new book, poem or play it’s always worth having a think about context before you start. The amount of depth you go...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jul 8, 2021
What We're Reading...
In 1948, The New Yorker magazine published a short story that would soon become a classic. The story was The Lottery: a atmospheric and...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jul 3, 2021
Exam Anxiety
If you are doing some form of mock exam right now you're probably feeling a little bit stressed. A couple of things that might help a...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jun 21, 2021
The Trouble With Social Media
The other day I did something I had promised myself I would stop doing: I got into a social media spat. The subject was not massively...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jun 15, 2021
What We're Reading...
As my long-suffering students will tell you, one of the major themes of my tuition - whether it's English or History - is the importance...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jun 13, 2021
That Awkward Subject...
I hate talking about money. I am horrendously British and get stammery and pink-faced whenever the subject comes up. But unfortunately...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Jun 5, 2021
Movin' On Up...
It's that time of year when, pandemic or not, teenagers finish one stage of their education, breathe a sigh of relief, then start...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- May 22, 2021
Why it's time to forget about exams
It's a bittersweet time of year for us educationalists. On the one hand there's the faint tinge of sadness as we watch our young people...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- May 11, 2021
A Crash Course in Dealing With Historical Sources
I was going to write a convoluted and frankly naval-gazing piece pontificating upon the role of sources in history but it strikes me that...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Apr 30, 2021
Meet the Team!
In recent weeks I have been spending time on LinkedIn. It's a useful resource in many ways and it's good to stay in touch with what's...
Nicola Burkinshaw
- Apr 23, 2021
A Little Reminder...
It is taking all my restraint to stop myself from ranting about the absolute mess that is the exam season this year: it will not help and...
Contact
I'm always happy to chat with parents or students about anything English or History related. Feel free to drop me an email, give me a call or fill in the form below. Or you can contact me on social media if you prefer.
07914554522
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