11 Plus Success: A Tutor's Guide for Parents
Having tutored for the entrance exams since 2018, I have some general observations which can help parents with preparation for their own children. The 11+ rewards execution just as much as it does one's academic knowledge. Timing and accuracy must be taught simultaneously so bad habits are avoided.
Helping parents navigate their children’s academic development in the age of AI
Recent data reveals that global attainment levels in the core academic disciplines of literacy, numeracy and science have had a marked decline. Many have speculated that AI could be to blame. This piece will address the current state of research about the degree to which AI educational tools are negatively impacting student attainment and what parents can do to offset these impacts.
This article will also draw on my own experiences as a tutor and my many interactions with parents who are concerned about their children’s academic performance. I receive questions regularly on how parents should introduce AI to their children, what limits may be needed and how to best adapt their education as the technology changes. There are continuous pressures on parents to find a technological edge for their children’s education. However, it is important to not treat AI as a tool which has authority over parents, educators and students. AI is a tool that should be integrated within a system of educator-led and data-backed approaches to learning. A key takeaway will be that learning the ‘hard way’ is even more necessary as the role of ed-tech in education continues to expand.
AI and Education: What we risk when AI becomes the teacher
AI’s advance has raised questions on how we educate and, more fundamentally, how we value education itself. As intelligence becomes increasingly abstracted from humans, we must ask whether AI is threatening the processes that make education meaningful.
Education is not merely the transfer of information, solutions, or data. It is knowledge shaped by experience and interpretation. A teacher’s knowledge is situated in their own perspective, and students encounter not just content, but a way of knowing.
I explore how AI’s value lies in its augmentation, rather than replacement, of education. It is critical that metrics don’t override experience, and that convenience does not overtake struggle. My work focuses on the ethical questions at the intersection of AI, intelligence, and education.
ADHD in Children: A Disadvantage or a Hidden Advantage in Education?
When we hear “ADHD,” the first thought is often about academic challenges. But is it truly a disadvantage, or could it reveal unique strengths in children? ADHD traits—like inattention, impulsivity, and restlessness—are human behaviors everyone exhibits to some degree. The real question may not be about the child, but whether our education systems and expectations are aligned with how children think and learn. By reframing ADHD, we can see opportunities for creativity, energy, and self-awareness, helping children thrive both in and out of the classroom.