Talisman Tutoring - Miss Thornton: English, SEND and phonics.

It’s important to remember that your results don’t define you. Sure they can help to open doors but all you can do is try your best and the is good enough. Speaking as someone who resat my maths GCSE later in life, it doesn’t matter what route you take just enjoy the journey.

This is what I have always endorsed. A great way to build relationships and also a way to reduce pressure within a session.

Q: Why do you play games like Spot It and UNO at the end of your lessons? Wouldn’t my child be better off playing word games?

A: Great question!

Games like Spot It and UNO might not look like traditional literacy learning, but they play a powerful role in building executive function — the brain skills we need to learn effectively.

Executive function includes things like:
• Working memory (holding and using information)
• Attention and focus
• Impulse control
• Cognitive flexibility (switching between ideas or rules)

When children play these games, they’re practising:
✨ Tracking rules and patterns
✨ Thinking quickly and flexibly
✨ Managing frustration and emotions
✨ Taking turns and staying engaged

These skills are essential for reading and writing. For example, a child needs executive function to:
📚 Follow the sequence of sounds in a word
📚 Stay focused on a sentence
📚 Check and correct their own work

So while it might look like “just a game,” it’s actually targeted brain training — and ending sessions this way also helps children finish on a positive, fun note 💛

Learning isn’t just about what we teach — it’s about building the brain skills that make learning possible.

Some other great games for building executive function are:

🧠 Memory – strengthens working memory and attention
👀 Simon Says – builds listening skills and impulse control
⚡️ Bop It – encourages quick thinking and response inhibition
🎲 Connect 4 – supports planning, strategy, and flexible thinking
🃏 Go Fish – develops memory, turn-taking, and focus
🧩 Jenga – builds self-control, patience, and fine motor planning

The best part? These all feel like fun — but they’re quietly building the brain skills children need for reading, writing, and learning 💛

Sending Happy New Year wishes to all of my wonderful families who I have worked with over the past year. Thank you for all of your support and for making me feel so welcome. I hope 2026 is kind to you all.

That’s a wonderful piece of advice

It’s fair to say that I am beyond proud of my students today! They have absolutely smashed their exam results. Each and every one of them has secured at least a grade 4 in English.
Some at grade 4, some at a grade 5 and some at a grade 6.
Not to mention my History student who only went and smashed a grade 9 out of the park! 🥹 ❤️
The world is their oyster now.

Good luck to my beautiful stepdaughters and all of my lovely students awaiting their GCSE exam results tomorrow. I’m sure all of your hard work will have paid off. It’s time to look towards a bright future. ✨

I was so proud last night to receive a phone call from a parent and their child absolutely smashed their SATs. It’s moments like this that I absolutely love. 🥹❤️