That Mock-Tale Buzz

It’s been lovely to meet the new tutees who are joining us for the final part of the summer term and to connect with families who will start with us in September. Welcome to BA English Tuition! We’re thrilled to have you on board. Please know that we are always here to help support your child’s learning journey.

Any questions? Just drop us an email at: info@ba-english-tuition.com. We always aim to reply on the same day (for emails sent before 8.00pm) or by 9.00am the next morning if you contact us after that time.

📖 Mock Exam Madness: The Focus Has Intensified

Year 10 mock preparation has officially stepped up a level. Depending on the school our tutees attend, they have been focusing on a selection of:

• English Language Paper 1

• Macbeth

• Jekyll & Hyde

• Poetry (Love & Relationships)

• An Inspector Calls

Sessions are now centred on developing tighter analytical responses, unpicking question styles, and building a bank of high-quality quotations that can be deployed effectively under pressure. The aim is to ensure our students enter that exam hall equipped, confident and razor-sharp.

🎯 Bradley’s Top Mock Exam Tips

1. Start with 4 and 8 Marks; Not 40: When starting to revise for English Language Paper 1, start your revision with the smaller questions. This avoids the panic that sometimes comes from tackling and planning your question responses first. Getting early marks on the board boosts confidence and ensures no question is overlooked.

2. The Power of Anchoring Quotes: When preparing for Literature responses, pick one anchoring quote per theme or character; a quote that packs a punch and can be pulled apart from multiple angles. Research shows that memory recall improves when revision is ‘anchored’ in repeated, focused practice.

📅 Year 10 Pre-Mock Exam Webinars – Reserve Your Spot

🗓️ English Language Paper 1 Mock Webinar:
Sunday 29th June | 7.00–8.00pm

🗓️ English Literature Paper 1 Mock Webinar:
Tuesday 1st July | 7.00–8.00pm

These webinars are designed to give our Year 10s the final push before they step into the exam. Expect walkthroughs, top tips, and exam-style tasks led live by our team.

👉 Sign up to the webinars HERE.

🧠 Mental Health: Handling Your First Mock Exam Week

Sitting your first exam in the 'big hall' is a milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. Here are three lesser-known strategies that can help:

✅ Use “Cognitive Distancing” When anxiety builds, shift perspective by narrating your feelings in third person: “[Your Name] is feeling anxious, but he/she’s prepared.” Studies show this distances negative emotion and helps regulate your response.

✅ The "5-Minute Reset" Between revision chunks once the mock exam season has started, give your brain a full reset: sit somewhere different, stretch, or walk barefoot outside for just five minutes. These sensory shifts have been shown to reduce cortisol levels and increase memory retention.

✅ Visualise the Walk-In Mentally rehearse walking into the exam hall or room, sitting down and opening the paper. Research shows this reduces cortisol spikes and enhances calm during the real moment.

🌞Our Summer Edge Tuition Package

Our Summer Edge tuition programme is perfect for students who want to stay sharp over the break, whilst still enjoying the beach, BBQs and bed!

🎓 Four tailored sessions for £125
📆 Flexible dates that work around your summer plans
☎️ All booked via a short planning phone call with us

Book that call HERE to secure your space now.

🎉 Life Outside the Books

Arlo’s current obsession is the “Here We Go” football chant which he belts out loudly and proudly, especially during visits to the supermarket! We’re not sure if he’s more excited about watching England's World Cup Qualifiers (which seems unlikely given the results!) or seeing Arsenal’s new kits for next season :-)

Bradley has invested in an ice bath tub, claiming it’s to “freshen the mind after those long and engaging tutoring sessions.” Jemma, meanwhile, is definitely planning something sneaky for Father’s Day. Bradley has clocked the mysterious Amazon packages and whispered conversations. Watch this space...

And Bradley has been reminded of his first ever Year 10 mock exam at school. Sat in the very front row of the main hall, where he promptly dropped his pen three times and tried to hide a Kit-Kat under his blazer as he'd 'forgotten' to eat at break time. The moral of the story? Always double-check your pencil case and eat your snacks beforehand!

Remember to stay focused and to stay BA...Tuition!