KS4 tutors for the subjects that need attention

English, maths and science are core subjects in England’s KS4 national curriculum, but pupils’ courses and options differ. English Language and English Literature need different preparation; in science, say whether the learner takes combined science or separate subjects. Include option subjects, such as history or a language, when setting priorities.

Share the school’s qualification title, exam board and specification code if you have them. The specification is the board’s description of the course and its assessment. It helps the tutor choose relevant topics, texts and questions. For a vocational or technical course, send that course’s title too.

The year numbering and qualifications used across the UK differ. The Year 10–11 guidance here refers to England. If the learner studies elsewhere, give their nation, school year and actual qualification when enquiring.

These invented examples illustrate GCSE skills and show how reasoning can turn a correction into an answer the learner understands.

Maths: why equal percentage changes do not cancel

A price of £50 rises by 20%, then falls by 20%. Saying “back to £50” treats both percentages as a share of the original price. After the increase, the price is £50 × 1.20 = £60. The decrease is now 20% of £60, or £12, so the final price is £48.

A better explanation names the changing starting amount: the second percentage acts on £60. To check understanding, try £80 increased by 15% then decreased by 15%. It becomes £92, then £78.20. Explaining why it finishes below £80 matters as much as the calculation.

English Language: support an inference with the words on the page

Take this invented sentence: “Maya folded the letter twice and pushed it beneath her plate.” Asked what her action might suggest, “Maya is sad” gives an emotion without showing how the sentence supports it.

A more grounded response is: “Maya may want to hide the letter because she pushes it ‘beneath her plate’, putting it out of sight.” This connects a possible meaning to precise evidence without pretending to know her motive for certain. A different interpretation can work if the words support it. Now compare “Maya laid the letter open in the centre of the table”: the new action makes concealment a less convincing reading.

Science: more gas does not necessarily mean a faster reaction

Imagine a reaction has collected 0 cm³ of gas at the start, 40 cm³ after 20 seconds and 60 cm³ after 40 seconds. A pupil might see the larger total and say the reaction is speeding up. Compare equal time intervals instead.

The first interval produces 40 cm³ in 20 seconds: a mean rate of 2 cm³/s. The next produces only 20 cm³ in 20 seconds: 1 cm³/s. The gas total is still rising, but the mean rate has fallen. On a graph of collected gas volume against time, the second interval has a smaller average gradient. If the total reaches 70 cm³ at 60 seconds, the next interval’s mean rate is 10 ÷ 20 = 0.5 cm³/s.

Latimer tuition is one-to-one and online-first. Tutors set their own rates, and standard lesson billing is pay-as-you-go. Check the tutor’s displayed rate and agree lesson length and frequency before deciding what fits your budget. A matching request is free.

Microsoft Teams is the default lesson platform; another platform can be agreed with the tutor. Before the first lesson, check that the learner can join, hear clearly and show their working. Have the relevant book, question paper and writing materials ready. In-person lessons require an individual arrangement, so confirm the location and travel expectations before booking.