October Half-Term GCSE Literature Intervention Masterclasses
Year 11 is a crucial stage. With GCSE English Literature exams in Summer 2026, many students need that extra push to secure their grades and feel confident in the exam hall.
Our October Half-Term Masterclasses are designed to do exactly that. Each session provides:
- Key revision points on the set texts (An Inspector Calls, Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, and Power & Conflict Poetry)
- Clear guidance on how to approach and structure exam-style question
- Insights from key critics to help students stretch their analysis
- The opportunity to write a practice response in exam conditions
- Personalised feedback and follow-up strategies to support further development
Sessions are:
 1 hour 15 minutes long
 Small group-based (maximum 6 students) for individual attention
 Level-matched: students aiming for Grade 5/6 will focus on core exam skills, while those aiming for Grade 8/9 will tackle more challenging, nuanced questions
These masterclasses are not simply revision. They are an intensive boost to build confidence, sharpen writing skills, and ensure students are exam-ready.
By the end of the week, each student will have practised exam-style responses, deepened their knowledge of characters, themes, and context, and received targeted feedback to carry forward into their ongoing studies.
We know every student’s journey is different, so it’s important to choose the sessions that will give the most benefit. Here’s some guidance:
Students currently working at Grade 5 or below should choose the Grade 5/6 sessions. These focus on building confidence, developing strong exam techniques, and securing the skills needed to achieve a solid pass.
Students currently working at Grade 6 or above should choose the Grade 8/9 sessions. These sessions stretch students further, focusing on complex themes, nuanced interpretations, and higher-level critical responses that push towards top grades.
If you are unsure which level is right, don’t worry — we are happy to discuss and guide you in choosing the most appropriate group for your child.
You can also decide whether your child attends all sessions for maximum impact, or just the ones that cover the texts and skills they will most benefit from. Either way, these masterclasses are designed to give students the focus, practice, and feedback they need to feel confident in their Summer 2026 exams.
Below you’ll find all of the sessions, organised by subject, with the date, time, focus question, and target level clearly outlined. Each session is 1 hour 15 minutes long, in small groups of 6 students maximum, and costs £20 per student.
An Inspector Calls
| Date | Time | Level | Focus Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 27th | 11:30 – 12:45 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | Responsibility – How do different characters react to the Inspector, and what does Priestley want the audience to learn? |
| Mon 27th | 12:50 – 2:05 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | Generational conflict – How does Priestley contrast younger and older characters to explore social change? |
| Wed 29th | 11:30 – 12:45 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | The Inspector’s role – How does Priestley present him as a powerful and moral figure? |
| Wed 29th | 12:50 – 2:05 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | The Inspector as a dramatic device – How does Priestley use him to expose hypocrisy and challenge capitalism? |
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Macbeth
| Date | Time | Level | Focus Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 27th | 2:10 – 3:25 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | Macbeth at the start – How does Shakespeare present him as a brave soldier and loyal subject? |
| Tue 28th | 12:50 – 2:05 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | Ambition and morality – How does Shakespeare use ambition to question responsibility for Macbeth’s downfall? |
| Thu 30th | 12:50 – 2:05 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | Fate and free will – To what extent does Shakespeare suggest Macbeth is responsible for his own downfall? |
| Thu 30th | 2:10 – 3:25 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | Lady Macbeth – How does Shakespeare present her ambition and influence over Macbeth? |
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A Christmas Carol
| Date | Time | Level | Focus Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 28th | 11:30 – 12:45 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | Scrooge’s transformation – How does Dickens present Scrooge’s selfishness at the start of the novel? |
| Tue 28th | 2:10 – 3:25 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | Dickens and society – How does Dickens use Scrooge to criticise Victorian attitudes to poverty? |
| Thu 30th | 11:30 – 12:45 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | The Cratchit family – How does Dickens use them to highlight inequality and the struggles of the poor? |
| Fri 31st | 12:50 – 2:05 | Students aiming for Grade 5/6 | The Ghost of Christmas Present – How does Dickens use this spirit to show generosity and Christmas spirit? |
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Power & Conflict Poetry
| Date | Time | Level | Focus Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 29th | 2:10 – 3:25 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | The impact of human conflict – How do two poets explore the destructive effects of war? |
| Fri 31st | 2:10 – 3:25 | Students aiming for Grade 8/9 | The lasting effects of war – Compare Remains with another poem that deals with memory and trauma. |
At Mr Burke’s Classroom, we know how important the October half-term is for GCSE preparation. That’s why we are running a focused GCSE English Literature Intervention Programme designed to help students strengthen their knowledge, practise exam-style questions, and build confidence ahead of the summer exams.Each session is:
- 1 hour 15 minutes long.
- Delivered in small groups (maximum of 6 students) to ensure individual attention.
- Centred around a key exam-style question from each text on the GCSE specification.
We offer sessions tailored to two levels of learners:
- Students aiming for Grade 5/6 – focusing on building confidence with core themes, characters, and clear, structured responses.
- Students aiming for Grade 8/9 – focusing on developing nuanced interpretations, analysing writer’s methods, and tackling more complex exam-style questions.
Below you can find the full timetable of sessions. Parents and students can choose which sessions to attend depending on their current targets and areas for development.
| Day | 11:30 – 12:45 | 12:50 – 2:05 | 2:10 – 3:25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 27th | An Inspector Calls (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: Responsibility How different characters react to the Inspector and what Priestley wants the audience to learn. | An Inspector Calls (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: Generational conflict How Priestley contrasts younger and older characters to explore social change. | Macbeth (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: Macbeth at the start How Shakespeare presents him as a brave soldier and loyal subject. |
| Tue 28th | A Christmas Carol (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: Scrooge’s transformation How Dickens presents Scrooge’s selfishness at the start of the novel. | Macbeth (Students aiming for Grade 8/9 Focus: Ambition and morality How Shakespeare uses ambition to question responsibility for Macbeth’s downfall. | A Christmas Carol (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: Dickens and society How Dickens uses Scrooge to criticise Victorian attitudes to poverty. |
| Wed 29th | An Inspector Calls (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: The Inspector’s role How Priestley presents him as a powerful and moral figure. | An Inspector Calls (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: The Inspector as a dramatic device How Priestley uses him to expose hypocrisy and challenge capitalism. | Power & Conflict Poetry (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: The impact of human conflict Comparing how two poets explore the destructive effects of war. |
| Thu 30th | A Christmas Carol (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: The Cratchit family How Dickens uses them to highlight inequality and the struggles of the poor. | Macbeth (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: Fate and free will To what extent Shakespeare suggests Macbeth is responsible for his own downfall. | Macbeth (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: Lady Macbeth – how Shakespeare presents her ambition and influence over Macbeth. |
| Fri 31st | A Christmas Carol (Students aiming for Grade 5/6) Focus: The Ghost of Christmas Present How Dickens uses this spirit to show generosity and Christmas spirit. | Power & Conflict Poetry (Students aiming for Grade 8/9) Focus: The lasting effects of war Comparing Remains with another poem that deals with memory and trauma. | Â |
Fees & Payments
- Each session is charged at £20 per student.
- Payments must be made in advance of the sessions.
- The deadline for payment is Friday 24th October.
- An invoice will be issued once you have confirmed your child’s sessions.
- Payments can be made securely via BACS transfer or by Visa / Mastercard.
 Please note: Spaces are limited to 6 students per group. Sessions are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and bookings will only be confirmed once payment has been received.
đź“‹ What Happens Now?
đź“ť If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the registration form using the link below. The form will ask a few short questions to help us understand your needs and place the student in the most suitable group.
📞 Once your registration has been submitted, you will receive contact from Mr Burke within 72 hours to arrange a short telephone consultation. This call is an opportunity to discuss your child’s needs (or your own, for adult courses), confirm the most appropriate class, and outline the next steps.
âś… After the consultation, your place on the course will be confirmed.
đź”— Click here to complete the Registration Form
📧 If you would prefer, you can also contact us directly by email:
info@mrburkesclassroom.com
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