I spent my upper sixth year – now known as Year 13 – studying for my A levels at home. No school, just a correspondence course. It was 1978/9 and…
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Isn’t it great when you really feel someone is listening to you? You know, those times, with those people, when you can talk for as long as you need to,…
Many parents home educate their children but usually there is some element of choice involved and they have time to think about it. They do some research, read some books…
Exams are important. But not as important as you might think. Now, I am in favour of exams in lots of circumstances and I believe they help us to learn…
I was a home educating single mum for about six years. I say ‘about’ because once you’ve started home educating, it never really stops. My son went to college over…
My students – and their parents – often complain that they find older texts difficult to understand. Especially Shakespeare. I understand. Our language is constantly evolving and when we try…
My least favourite subject at school was maths. In a way I was lucky; I never had to ask, ‘what is the point of this? Why do I have to…
What is the point of poetry? Why is it so hard to understand? Why do we have to study it? Can it be made any easier? If you – or…
Did you have to read aloud in English class? I did. One day when I was 11 and attending a convent in England, we had to take turns standing at…
If your child is struggling with English or lacks confidence, you may be wondering whether to look for a private tutor. Here are some questions you could ask yourself right…
Confidence is important. When we feel confident, we are relaxed and ready to learn, develop and perform as well as we are able. Losing confidence, on the other hand, or…
Before today*, I didn’t know there was an Apostrophe Protection Society. But if I had, I would have been an enthusiastic supporter. I try not to be pedantic, but the…