Tutoring & Workshops

Confidence, Creativity, Results

LinkyThinks finds the missing link to building your child’s self esteem, revealing their untapped potential. Using proven, fun and practical methods that teach exam skills as life skills, we make learning fun, taking the stress and boredom out of tuition.

11+ English Tuition

Our 10-week, online courses can be used as ongoing tuition or booster support, for 11+ success without the stress. Every course has fresh content, allowing you to join at any stage of the process, whether a new or veteran LinkyThinker. We are happy to take on any child preparing for any school entrance exam. Our pass-rate speaks for itself, but we are even prouder of the nurturing relationships we build with our students and their families.

Key Stage 3 Tuition

Igniting a love of learning and independent thinking at that tricky age, leading up to GCSE. Boosting confidence and communication skills, we surprise and challenge our students to think about their education in new ways. We merge proven exam techniques with a critical thinking mindset that lasts a lifetime.

Workshops & Clubs

Our one-off workshops and school holiday clubs give your child the opportunity to target specific areas of learning in fun ways. Whether you’re taking a taster of the LinkyThinks approach or a regular attendee, our workshops delve deep into a topic to fill gaps and boost practical skills.

Assessments & Mock Tests

At whatever stage of the process, whatever your child’s goals, we provide context for their current performance and what can be done to get them to where they need to be. In a nurturing, friendly environment, our assessments and mock exam setups are designed to boost experience and confidence, providing both parent and child with constructive feedback and positive steps for ongoing improvement.

Parent & Teacher Seminars

We don’t just guide students - we are here to support adults too! Our parent seminars take a top-down approach, so that tuition is a family affair with everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. Our teacher training provides CPD and enrichment to tutors and school teachers, allowing the LinkyThinks approach to help more and more children all over the world.

  • We believe that the idea exams (especially 11+ preparation) has to be stressful is a total myth. With the right approach, tailored to the child, exam prep can follow a child’s interests and adapt according to their own motivation. We work with parents to quiet the noise and hype around entrance exams, relieve anxiety and find a calm focus towards whatever your child’s goals may be. If you can tap into what drives a child’s self-esteem, the rest is easy. Tuition is at its best when it’s a family affair and we will work with any family who wants to get on board with the LinkyThinks approach. We run seminars for parents as well as courses for their children. When everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet, we can prevent burnout, confusion and family arguments.

  • Creative writing is not only a staple of many 11+ exams, but it contains a set of skills that are hugely important in later life. Written communication, organisation of ideas, imagination, storytelling, debate, discussion, persuasion and more. We cover all of the genres and styles, providing proven, practical methods for planning, structuring and styling great writing. Children learn to give and receive nurturing feedback with a peer group that spans different ages, learning from each other across a range of abilities. Every course is different, broadening experience and exposure to articulate written communication over time.

  • Comprehension is typically dull and unrelatable. We teach each question type as a specific ‘job’ (hunter, detective, chef, actor etc.) and learn the life skill of understanding the demands of a question. From there, we discover how to decode a text, structure answers, make solid inferences and prove to an examiner what you understand. Annotation, P.E.E. structure, self-marking and more, all go towards making articulate and exam-ready students. What’s more, we make it fun, practical and stress-free. We have helped thousands of students pass comprehension exams with flying colours and they carry their LinkyThinks skills all the way through their educational careers.

  • The gap between 11+ and GCSE is often where students lose their confidence, interest and aptitude for English. Our KS3 English Mastery course is designed to surprise and engage students in that awkward adolescent phase, using comedy, advertising, philosophy, debate, TV, art, politics and more, to make English feel relevant and thrilling. We build confidence in poetry, Shakespeare, essay writing and more, but in ways that school simply can’t. A love of English at this age paves the way for so many other GCSE subjects and beyond into later life.

  • SPAG exists to help us communicate. They can either be taught as confusing, oppressive rules to catch us out, or tools for clear communication. We run workshops and short courses on grammar, looking at funny examples of where things go wrong to help demonstrate how to get it right.

  • Art is so much more than an ability to draw pretty pictures. LinkyThinks uses art to teach a range of topics, whether it’s in visualising descriptive language or developing critical thinking and observation skills. Art is like visual philosophy and the LinkyThinks approach enables even the most art-phobic student to use creativity as a superpower. Keep an eye out for our popular art clubs in the school holidays!

  • What makes a well-rounded, thoughtful young person? School often focuses on the questions with yes/no, right/wrong answers. LinkyThinks gives kids the opportunity to think more deeply, interrogating their own opinions and engaging with questions that have no fixed answers. Life is not black and white and our Critical Thinking courses are often the first time a child has really explored the big ideas that make life meaningful. Whether it’s ethics or alien life, we consider the big questions that get students to consider their own minds and practice articulating themselves as young adults. We build their confidence in communication, making them feel seen and heard.

  • Poetry and Shakespeare can either be boring and confusing, or absolutely life-enhancing. Bringing literature off the page, LinkyThinks helps each student discover the relevance of poetic texts to their own lives. Whether it’s through song lyrics, film or theatre, we bring these areas of English to life in fun workshops and dynamic, interactive courses. Much more than just passing exams and writing excellent coursework, we foster a love of these art-forms, to last a lifetime.

  • Mock tests can either build or break a child’s confidence. We believe that they should be all about giving context and experience to enable confidence in the exam or interview setting. We run what we call ‘Mock Mock’ tests and interview sessions, that teach as well as test. This way, we can explain what to expect, train the relevant skills and give constructive feedback for ongoing improvement. Rather than coaching a child to be an over-rehearsed robot, we help them to find what is unique and special about them and how to showcase their best selves.

  • Words are living, breathing tools for communication. Rather than shoving fancy words down their throats, we break down the building blocks of vocabulary and look at how they make sense in context. Etymology (the origins of words) bring words to life, sparking connections between history, mythology and geography. This makes words memorable and useful for written and spoken communication. What’s more, our students learn how to make sense of big, scary words they encounter in everyday life.

  • Classic literature is commonly used in exams, but it can be dry, frustrating and confusing. When approached with care, it can also be the cause of great fulfilment and spark a true love of reading. Our holiday book clubs select challenging texts to prompt deep discussion on surprising themes. Not only does this enrich vocabulary and reading confidence, but it broadens and deepens a child’s view of the world. We watch movie clips, debate controversial topics and practice tricky questions that relate to the chosen texts. Even the most reluctant readers come back to LinkyThinks Book Club year after year and carry their newfound love of reading with them forever.

  • We believe that every child can shine, no matter their temperament. Coaxing someone out of their shell takes time and sensitivity, making them feel safe to show who they are. It’s not about stigmatising shyness, but equipping them with the skills to advocate for themselves when they want/need to. On the other hand, some children have the confidence but not the clarity of communication. We bring together confidence, clarity and eloquence to unleash each child’s individuality. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so we work with children and their families to bring out the best in them.

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FAQs

  • All LinkyThinks classes take a unique approach, allowing children to learn from each other across a broad age range. The 11+ and beyond courses are typically for years 4/5/6 and we are increasingly offering classes for other ages. We have many older students who continue beyond their exams and occasional younger students who are comfortable being exposed to higher level material. These classes allow for each child to take what they need, whether it’s exam preparation or general enrichment. No two courses are the same and, as the style and techniques used are quite particular to LinkyThinks, no one is held back or left behind.

  • We are not able to offer 1:1 support at the moment, due to massive demand. However, we make lots of time for supporting each child according to their needs, providing them and their parents with regular guidance and feedback. Group learning does not have to be a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, our group classes provide skills that 1:1 teaching often does not: peer reviews, exposure to many standards of writing, self-awareness, giving and receiving constructive feedback etc. You can join the mailing list to be notified when new courses are available.

  • Each class listing has an outline of the content covered. Please see above, under the listed classes. No two courses are the same. By running our courses in 10-week stints (we don’t believe in pressuring clients into long-term financial commitments), this allows old and new students to work alongside each other. Not only does this strengthen their learning, by exposing them to a range of standards, but it also means that we can assess the needs of the child at every stage and act accordingly. Some children only need a crash-course. Others come again and again, for ongoing support. Some dip in and out, alternating subjects each term. If it’s right for the child, it’s right for us.

  • Class sizes vary depending on the course style, but typically capped between 10-20 children. This is the optimum class size for the LinkyThinks approach, to maximise interactivity and peer learning, while allowing each child teacher attention and plenty of opportunity for their individual contributions.

  • In the longer courses, you have the option of submitting weekly homework tasks via an online system, whereby we keep track of each child’s progress. Rather than formally marking with ticks and crosses, certain courses involve us reviewing homework together as a class and developing an understanding of the examiner mindset that is essential for developing self-awareness and accuracy. Certain courses also offer my written feedback at regular intervals and parental catch-up calls (see individual class details).

  • No two courses are the same. We use a system of ‘staggered learning’ which allows us to revise core skills while always moving forward and building on them. This allows longstanding and new students to work together, without getting bored or confused. As a result, new children may join at any stage and existing students can progress from one course to the next. So, while we may revise certain concepts, the materials and tasks are always new. Think of this as ‘two steps forward, one step back.’ Children are supported through constant development at whatever their individual level is, without losing their foundational skills.

  • No child is forced to contribute or share their work with the class. It is encouraged, when they are ready, that they share their ideas. All children are reminded that this is not a comparative or competitive environment - each child is on their own journey - we all learn from each other in positive ways, through constructive feedback and targeted support. We have had many introverted and low self-esteemed children join us, who come out of their shells when they experience the non-judgemental, nurturing environment we promote. We specialise in growing a child’s confidence and treat this as a high priority.

  • You are welcome to make multiple bookings for siblings, but it is one child per booking. We ask that siblings who are booked to join the same class attend on separate devices in separate rooms, so they can interact as individual members of the class and receive their fair share of teacher attention.

  • Our track record for exam success speaks for itself - see our testimonials page for reviews from years and years of consistently happy clients. But we teach life skills, not just exam skills. The idea that ‘fun = frivolous’ is a myth. We believe that if you can connect with what a student enjoys, then the rest comes naturally. Our methods are rigorous and proven. It makes us so proud to see students exceed their own expectations, whether in their exam results, their school reports or in whatever their goals may be. We are equally proud to be regularly told by parents that LinkyThinks lessons are the ones that their children attend most willingly and happily.

Free videos for improving your child’s vocabulary & creative writing: