• Talking tutors – Khaled N.

    Established English tutor, accomplished writer and passionate founder of Figtree’s first creative writing class, Khaled Naim is helping children rediscover the joy of the written word. We talk to Khaled about his tutoring career and how creative writing can benefit students across the curriculum.

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  • Turning exam stress into exam success

    Turning exam stress into exam success

    Studies have shown that stress can adversely impact children’s exam performance. So with changes to the GCSE assessment structure coming into full force this year, proactively coping with stress is more important that ever. Here are our top tips on how to spot – and stay on top – of exam anxiety.

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  • Getting to grips with GCSEs

    Last year saw the introduction of a new assessment structure for GCSEs across England. Part of a parcel of revisions to the curriculum initiated in 2014, the bulk of the changes to GCSEs come into effect this summer. So what exactly is happening, and what does it mean for students preparing to take their exams…

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  • When should you turn to tuition?

    When should you turn to tuition?

    Whether it’s in preparation for an exam or for support in a specific subject, to boost your child’s confidence or boost their chances of entry to a top school, the decision to start private tuition can be a difficult one.

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  • Extra tuition – over the top or an essential top up?

    Increasing numbers of parents are turning to private tuition. But with their children already attending often excellent – and sometimes expensive – schools, why do they feel the need to top up their education?

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  • The rise of the machines

    The Internet continues to revolutionise the way we live at an extraordinary pace, with digital technology now an integral part of family life.

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  • Switch on to online tutoring

    Switch on to online tutoring

    This month, we’re looking at why increasing numbers of students and parents are switching on to the benefits of online tutoring. With the trend clearly here to stay, here are our thoughts on how technology is changing tutoring for the better.

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  • Talking tutors – Rishi S.

    This month we talk to Rishi Sankar, our resident 11-plus expert, on how his former career at the BBC has shaped the tutor he’s become.

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  • Coming of age in the digital age

    Social media has become a huge part of the way we interact in the digital age, but a recent report by Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield paints a worrying picture of young children dependent on ‘likes’ and comments for personal affirmation.

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  • Talking tutors – Aoife L.

    This month, we talk to Figtree tutor Aoife about what makes her tick and the secrets of a successful tutor-student relationship.

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  • Staying safe and social online

    Staying safe and social online

    This month, we reported on a study into social media use by Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield. Her findings raise considerable concerns about children’s increasing dependence on ‘likes’ and comments for acceptance and affirmation. But with social media here to stay, is switching off the answer?

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  • 11 ways to conquer the 11-plus

    11 ways to conquer the 11-plus

    Your insider guide to tackling entrance exams at any age.

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  • Talking tutors – Ariana Azad (Part 1)

    This month, we talk to founder Ariana Azad about her career, her work and her vision for Figtree – both now and into the future.

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  • What would the future hold for a world without the 11-plus?

    Last month, the North London Independent Girls’ School Consortium announced they’d be scrapping the 11-plus exam from 2019. Concerned about the wellbeing of children in the face of pushy parents over-prepping, the 12 schools in the group will instead ask for a verbal reasoning test and an interview with applicants.

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  • Read our feature in The Guardian

    Read our feature in The Guardian

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