The Sherpa Blog

STEM, Education and Online Tutoring News from the Sherpa Team.

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7 Essay Mistakes That Are Costing GCSE English Students
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Isabel J

4 days ago

Most GCSE English students don't lose marks because they don't know the text. They lose them because of how they write about it. Here are the seven mistakes to fix first.
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Why Technical Theatre Is a Blind Spot For Most Drama Students
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Lucy

4 days ago

Most Drama students have an idea of how they want a scene to look but no language to describe it. A former Stage Manager explains why hands-on experience makes all the difference.
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How Should Students Choose Their A-Level Further Mathematics Optional Modules?
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Fei Y

4 days ago

Choosing Further Maths optional modules is not about finding the easiest option. A specialist tutor explains what each module involves and how to pick the right one for you.
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How to Prepare for A-Level Computer Science Over the Summer
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Mohammed S

4 days ago

A-Level Computer Science is a significant step up from GCSE. A specialist examiner explains how to spend the summer and why just a few hours a week is enough.
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Why Do Schools Not Cover ‘Exam Technique?’
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Kate B

4 days ago

An experienced examiner explains why exam technique is rarely taught in schools and what students can do about it.
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Using the ILAC Method to Solve Problem Questions
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James F

1 week ago

One method stands above the rest for A-Level Law problem questions. An examiner with 20 years' experience breaks down ILAC and shows exactly how it works in practice.
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The Ultimate Year 11 Guide for Better GCSE Maths Grades in 2027
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Dr Sam

1 week ago

The summer before Year 11 is one of the most valuable periods in a student's GCSE journey. A Maths teacher explains how to use it wisely, in under an hour a day.
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My Child Knows the Answer. So Why Can’t They Write It?
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Sundus

1 week ago

Last week, I taught a student who spent more than two hours writing a single English Literature paragraph. Why is this?
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How to Improve Evaluation in Sociology and Psychology Essays
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Ria D

1 week ago

“Add more evaluation” is a common piece of feedback in Sociology and Psychology, but it is not always clear what this actually means.
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A Summer of Stealth: Encouraging Subtle GCSE Support

Angela Winters

1 week ago

Summer needs to feel like summer. Teens need to relax with friends and family so we’ve put together some tips on how parents can quietly prepare for GCSEs in the background.
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What to Do When A-Level Results Day Doesn’t Go to Plan
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Russell Kilgour

2 weeks ago

So, you've had a disappointing A-Level results day. Don't panic or let it get you down. There are plenty of ways to bounce back. In this guide, we talk you through the next steps.
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What to Do When GCSE Results Day Doesn’t Go to Plan
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Russell Kilgour

2 weeks ago

So, you've had a disappointing GCSE results day. Don't panic or let it get you down. There are plenty of ways to bounce back. In this guide, we talk you through the next steps.
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What I've Learned as an AQA GCSE English Examiner and How Students Can Use It to Improve Their Marks
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Molly W

2 weeks ago

Every year, thousands of students sit their GCSE English examinations, often wondering what Examiners are really looking for.
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Why So Many GCSE Maths Students Stay Stuck at a Grade 4 and How to Break Through
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Omar

2 weeks ago

Every year, thousands of GCSE Maths students work incredibly hard, but still find themselves achieving the same grade over and over again
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3 Things I Learned as a GCSE Maths Examiner That Every Parent Should Know
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Mathew O

2 weeks ago

After marking thousands of GCSE Maths papers, a teacher and examiner spotted the same mistakes over and over. Here are three fixes that don't require hours of extra study.
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