https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/about daily 0.75 2020-05-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/teaching-online daily 0.75 2020-05-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-folder-2 daily 0.75 2020-05-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/entrance-exams daily 0.75 2020-05-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/entrance-exams-2 daily 0.75 2020-05-25 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/home daily 0.75 2025-11-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/reviews-2 daily 0.75 2025-11-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1590882385566-M3ZW9ZHNBUN6EVROJ574/image-asset.jpeg Books - Books Creating this website has been a labour of love. Now I have turned my attention to Palmer Plus Publishing. I have 45 box files full of material that I have written, which has helped many, many children win a place at a grammar school. I intend to draw on the very best of it to produce texts that will help students working towards the 11+. I am particularly looking forward to choosing the material for ‘Reading for Meaning’. There are quite a few comprehension books on the market. I think I’ve bought most of them to see what’s on offer. (Don’t get me started on ‘packs’. Once you’ve removed the cover, the slice of internal cardboard and the blank coloured paper, you are left with very little content.) Most comprehension books test skimming and scanning skills. I can find very little material to help students practise inferential (reading between the lines) questions. It’s time to fill that gap in the market. Please sign up for my newsletter to discover when the first of my books is available to purchase. I always recommend Bond books. They offer genuine academic rigour. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-2 daily 0.75 2020-06-02 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/contact-1 daily 0.75 2022-11-02 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2020-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591017318625-YC5RZYQHHP7E7C8UO6PM/image-asset.jpeg 13+ - Far fewer students sit the 13+ compared to the 11+. There is, therefore, no need for multiple choice questions to facilitate easier marking. Students provide written answers to the English questions. This means they can really show off their English skills. I have an almost 100% success record when it comes to this exam. This is deeply satisfying. I teach students online on a one-to-one basis. Or alternatively, they can be taught in a small online group - with a maximum of 4 students. These groups need to be restricted in number because the 13+ can be a steep learning curve. However, it’s a positive experience as the skills learnt provide a solid foundation for GCSE success. Please text or email if you would like me to help prepare your child for the 13+ or the 12+. Don’t leave it too late. Some parents only contact me when there is a week to go before the exam! Photo by mrdoomits/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2020-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592241021928-YK64I6TVX9IF8N0TL08F/Transparent.png What When Where - Workshops If you don’t want the regular commitment of a weekly lesson, you might like to enrol a child for a workshop. These take the form of a short course of lessons and include video recordings. Your child’s work will be marked and sent back to them via email. If you sign up for the newsletter, I will be able to let you know when I’ll be offering workshops. I have provided a brief outline of each course, together with the number of sessions and amount of homework involved. (Each session is one hour long.) Please see Fees page for fee structure. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-2-1 daily 0.75 2020-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593720522124-4DHUN1XAGVW0V56CXWB1/image-asset.jpeg GCSE Exam Boards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1590525037418-0FBS04GXENDZ17TV1NIN/image-asset.jpeg GCSE Exam Boards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1590525239511-1VQ2Y3DJRHWH6R1AA97U/image-asset.jpeg GCSE Exam Boards https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/tuition-centres daily 0.75 2020-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591043707957-LK3SJ0S1ZEPL1VDPI3OB/image-asset.jpeg Tuition Centres - The 11+ tuition centre - a relatively recent phenomenon. Some parents like them. Some don’t. Photo by BrianAJackson/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/success daily 0.75 2025-03-13 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-4 daily 1.0 2025-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1590427503002-RX7VTP5HPX0E384I8SRM/Transparent.png palmer plus online English tuition - Welcome to my website! My website name doesn’t just refer to the fact that I tutor 11+ and 13+ students.The biggest plus is that I have spent 40 years honing my skills as an English teacher, and now, thanks to the internet, your child can take advantage of my experience. Another plus is that the vast majority of students seem to really enjoy their lesson time with me. I certainly enjoy working with them. Many of my 11+ students return for GCSE English Language and Literature tuition. Please note that I don’t employ other tutors, nor do I teach maths! Sherrie Palmer https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/my-approach-to-the-11 daily 0.75 2021-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591093699001-W7BS6QAIVISJBEV2G2JI/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ - Most children look for the answers when answering comprehension questions. This is a low level technique. Relying on skimming and scanning will ensure that marks are lost. I teach my pupils to read for the answer. When a child starts lessons with me, I give them a short comprehension test. 90% of them get 75% of it wrong. Is it a difficult text? No. I wrote it using only tier one words. (Words used in everyday speech.) Were the questions complicated? No. Not at all. When I explain why they lost so many marks - and they are always shocked that they didn’t get it all correct! - it is a real light bulb moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593724105150-8NO7F6F3QG1R0M20J2A3/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593723298938-8X7UGEJNFI9UAS5FR6QU/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ I don’t over work my students. A calm, considered approach is best. No one is rewarded with a grammar school place on the basis of the number of hours they have worked. It’s the quality of the work that counts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591095092706-B15C8MBNAA0TY7R8KWC1/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593721857164-X1RVJMDKSC8BI961YSLN/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ SPAG (GL) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591096985123-KM0QN3XOOB6XJY738VIS/image-asset.jpeg My approach to the 11+ Speed (CEM/GL) https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-5-1 daily 0.75 2025-12-15 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/entrance-exams-1 daily 0.75 2020-07-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593720674888-AZNK5QNWM7ARJ47E9CWP/image-asset.jpeg Entrance Exams - Independent School Entrance Examinations Photo by Memitina/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-2-2 daily 0.75 2020-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591043803579-GGYX30IF3S66KKC9P8JH/image-asset.jpeg The harsh reality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591044924072-NXNIGXJ5LVSFUHAX8IWH/image.jpg The harsh reality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1590701330282-ATISO45Q0ILCMRELDYG6/image-asset.jpeg The harsh reality Success https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-90 daily 0.75 2025-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591042838370-2D9K9T2SB3ASWNPETAI9/image-asset.jpeg How it began - ‘I really don’t think that online teaching will work.’ My words. I was wrong. I finally tried it and quickly realised the tremendous potential of working using the internet. Photo by NosUA/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-4-1 daily 0.75 2020-06-01 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-36 daily 0.75 2025-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/a215c657-deb1-4452-a7c6-1612a1b8ae70/Image+3.jpeg How it works - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593710917172-N0SUAIKQOV09F06JJSMB/Screen+Shot+2020-07-02+at+18.26.48.png How it works allowed to annotate my screen. This is s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593706928116-A2HPQ8Y1TKG4Q5IV6M9G/Screen+Shot+2020-07-02+at+17.19.39.png How it works - Marking Work is submitted as a PDF. The younger pupils usually handwrite their homework, and the parents photograph it on their phones. Older pupils usually type theirs. If they are using Google docs, I can see what they are typing when they make corrections during the lesson. I annotate the work on my computer using Adobe Acrobat Pro which means I can write directly on the work as if I was using a pen. (It’s the best way to highlight punctuation errors.) Then I send a copy back to the student. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-4-2 daily 0.75 2025-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591043357161-LOPJAHRQ95161MCADQ6X/image-asset.jpeg Palmer Plus Approach! - My students’ success is my motivation. I have been teaching English for four decades. I have never lost interest in improving as an English teacher. There’s no sign of this enthusiasm diminishing. Every week, I find a way to teach a skill even more effectively. I am now free of the mainstream school environment and can focus exclusively on being a highly proficient English teacher. Photo by masterzphotois/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-74 daily 0.75 2021-01-28 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page daily 0.75 2020-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593785380207-3ZW3C15U55FVHCA5HYHQ/image-asset.jpeg Not just stories! - Creative Writing Photo by artisteer/iStock / Getty Images https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593785452357-FL8HUT5RDT9X8P53K9ZA/image-asset.jpeg Not just stories! - This is because it is a truly shared experience. Students can listen and learn as I annotate their homework in real-time. I always found marking school exercise books a deeply unsatisfying task because I knew that my pupils would barely glance at my corrections and comments. Their only real interest was their final mark. Online is different. They have to look at the screen and watch the corrections take place. (If I am teaching a group, I will already have marked or partially marked the work, but I’ll explain my comments.) Another huge bonus of working online is that my students can write directly onto my screen. This is so much better than me waiting for them to write something and then reading it when we are in the same room. From Year 5 onwards, I use the GCSE Assessment Objectives and mark schemes. My students, and their parents, like this structured approach as they can understand how they are progressing. This isn’t extreme hot-housing. GCSE is an exam that caters for all abilities (which includes some extremely weak candidates). Some of my year 5 students may have weak English skills, but none have extreme difficulty with the subject. Therefore none will be achieving the lowest possible GCSE marks. These lessons are either given on an individual basis or in groups with children of similar abilities who meet up for a regular session once a week. The work is annotated and emailed back to the student. All classes are recorded and a link to the recording is sent to each student. This is another distinct advantage of on-line teaching. If you are unable to commit to a weekly session, I also offer short workshop courses. Photo by fizkes/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-3 daily 0.75 2026-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591391760748-SO2PAIXY4TJ4F4NU619E/image-asset.jpeg https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/student-resources daily 0.75 2025-11-20 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/assessment-objectives-ao daily 0.75 2020-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593721704492-VDNR2UB34IN45S2XX8ZT/image-asset.jpeg Assessment Objectives https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1593721755834-DU9GE090RBSOGJP9E5HX/image-asset.jpeg Assessment Objectives https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/test-and-teach daily 0.75 2020-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591950091652-QZR0LC3QTY5XDAX2HY33/20933946_207481559652956_5347012106753382624_o.jpg Palmer Plus Mocks - Test and Teach My mocks are different. They contain no maths or non-verbal questions. I’m not a maths teacher. I haven’t trained to teach maths. I focus purely on the English and verbal skills that will be tested in the 11+. Their English result will decide if they are offered a place. (Many of the candidates will be very strong at maths.) My mocks have been designed to give children the opportunity to answer questions and then receive immediate feedback. They consist of 3 comprehensions - poetry, prose (fiction) and prose (non-fiction). The questions test higher comprehensions skills, such as inference, and I have also set traps to catch out those who rely on the answers jumping out at them. I also include jumbled sentences and paragraphs, cloze and synonym/antonym questions (CEM) and SPAG questions (GL). Students pictured working on the cloze question. This was their final question before taking a short break. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591952322239-PUH6VHK16K841S7RJJTV/20900696_207480659653046_2529175894082727261_o.jpg Palmer Plus Mocks - The most important part - the teaching. They’ve had a break, and now we’ve gathered together to go over the answers. Now they can just listen as I do the work. I’ve explained the traps I inserted into the comprehension questions. I’ve shown them how to avoid such traps in future. The inferential question answers are explained. They are given the answers to the rest of the questions. The parents are welcome to be present at this point. Everyone goes home having learnt something. Students pictured listening to me teach them after taking my mini-mock. Isn’t this better than just turning up, taking the test and going home again? (I’ve had to go for a tight crop on this image to hide the faces of students and parents - this has meant that I’ve gone missing too!) https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-53 daily 0.75 2020-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591956083551-CSXJ8F4IRWYDYLOKYUEM/image-asset.jpeg 11+ Mock Exams - Are they worth the time and money? Photo by susandaniels/iStock / Getty Images https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1591960528019-ICMOD0U49S26IRSNZROE/image-asset.jpeg 11+ Mock Exams - I have mixed feelings about mock exams. I do think that it can be helpful to give a child the experience of sitting an exam with other children in a formal environment. It can also give them confidence in their ability to answer questions in a limited amount of time. But taking too many mocks can (and from my experience - does) blunt their focus - particularly if there is little to no feedback. Strong focus is crucial for 11+ success. Many become blasé about the whole process - another Saturday, another mock - and these exams can literally turn into multiple choice guessing games. You are then paying to reduce your child’s chances of performing well in the real 11+. Desperate parents, worried about their child’s disappointing marks, will then sign them up for more mocks! Photo by SIAATH/iStock / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/plot daily 0.75 2020-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592233353802-2KSHBCUXQYLEDR84ACCY/image-asset.jpeg structure - Structure (AO5/6) Most of my students make up their stories as they go along. This is not a good idea. It very rarely leads to a piece of writing which is compelling to read. Also, marks are awarded for structure - so a story needs to have a distinct plot. This is a very rewarding class. Once I have shared my techniques for crafting a clear structure, my students can see that they can make significant progress. I ask them to produce a piece of writing before the course begins - they then re-use the same title after learning plot technique - the improvement is always striking. Three sessions. Two pieces of homework. This is a very good course for building confidence. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/realism daily 0.75 2020-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592235214132-CUWVOB4ZKS0SVLE4GT8U/image-asset.jpeg realism - How to avoid sweet, sugary writing. Bitter sweet is better! https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-pagec daily 0.75 2020-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592232400386-B16TY73H8JXUNFK91WMS/image-asset.jpeg Can you really read? - Can you really read? No. Most children can’t really read! They can skim and scan, but rarely read closely.They don’t read for meaning. They just look for the answers. If you have read my approach to preparing my students for the 11+, I refer to a test where 90% of students get 75% wrong. The test is part of this mini course. This is a one-off class and provides an excellent introduction to my teaching. It explains how not to be hoodwinked by some of the comprehension questions. It will definitely be an eye-opener for your child. Strongly recommended for children who have attended tuition centres. One session. No homework. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/gothic daily 0.75 2020-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592236700185-Q8IHGLHZ390TM8N4PX3H/image-asset.jpeg Gothic - Gothic Stories (AO5/6) My students love these lessons! We learn the techniques used by the greatest Gothic writers - including Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. Then they produce a first draft of their own ghost story which is refined after receiving my feedback. They are always proud of their final draft. I can teach this course at any time - but it works particularly well around the Christmas period - the traditional time to read ghost stories. Two sessions. Two pieces of homework. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/anecdotes daily 0.75 2020-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592233016674-0ELA9E8OGSPGCCG7T4XK/image-asset.jpeg anecdotes - Anecdotes (AO7) I will teach your child how to write an anecdote that their audience will enjoy listening to (or reading). My technique was inspired by a goldfish. I can’t say any more. All will be revealed in the workshop. Two sessions. One piece of homework. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/punctuation daily 0.75 2020-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592233684098-1V11XMW7K5EP7OP2TYUO/image-asset.jpeg punctuation - Punctuation (AO5/6) It’s rare for a student to make effective use of punctuation. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-20 daily 0.75 2025-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1592552665189-9XRDMLVWM6W0C2MBN5VQ/image-asset.jpeg Discourse Markers - AO5 Organisation Aim to produce fluently linked paragraphs with seamlessly integrated discourse markers - the criteria for the highest attainment level. ‘The skilful use of discourse markers often indicates a higher level of fluency.’ (British Council) https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/words-for-tone daily 0.75 2023-03-31 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/syllabus daily 0.75 2020-08-07 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-5 daily 0.75 2025-03-04 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-84 daily 0.75 2023-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1611868026062-N91OYLROMX5D64JKYI1N/image-asset.jpeg 11+ Creative Writing - 11+ Creative Writing Groups Photo by John Howard/DigitalVision / Getty Images https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-86 daily 0.75 2021-11-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1636271130259-X4U1VWAJLIGAF8AJ3X5I/kW613bYX.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1636271674636-EPA0NS8ODKJ124T8H525/untitled-1_142.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1636271920287-R6WZ73L1WM9ULLVFL1SP/brands-03-95x86.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1636273590474-H222DA0RIA62501KRULT/images.jpeg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1636274060886-3M3XEQO7GLFMSLMAJK2Q/st-stephen-s-school-international-baccalaureate-ib-diploma-programme-education-png-favpng-J73TxRVanNL4KU8GLDBdquUPz.jpg New Page https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-54 daily 0.75 2022-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2eafdb23d93728a2df9e7/1655597851102-YL7DM36LLSDQ83EYK716/unsplash-image-rVUWNOWCKnE.jpg GCSE RE-TAKES - I have an impressive track record in helping students improve their GCSE English results. There are many reasons why students achieve disappointing results: it could be due to challenging external circumstances, lack of effort, insufficient skill and sometimes misreading a question or running out of time to finish a paper. I support all my students by boosting their confidence and teaching them the skills to succeed. There are only a few months to turn their results around, but it can be done. The combination of an experienced tutor, who wants to help, and a motivated student, who needs good grades, always produces improved results. https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/new-page-40 daily 0.75 2025-12-03 https://www.palmerplusenglish.com/general-1 daily 0.75 2025-11-29