How to Improve Your Child’s English Marks (A Guide for Years 7 to 10)
If your child is in Years 7–10, English is one of the most important subjects to get right — yet it’s also one of the most frustrating.
Many parents say:
- “They understand the text, but their marks don’t reflect it.”
- “They try hard, but English never seems to improve.”
- “I don’t know how to help without doing the work for them.”
The good news?
English marks can be improved — quickly — with the right strategies.
This guide explains exactly how parents can support students in Years 7–10 English, focusing on the skills that schools assess and examiners reward.
Table of Contents
- Why English Marks Often Plateau in Years 7–10
- The Core Skills That Actually Improve English Marks
- How Tutoring Helps Students Improve English Marks Faster
- FAQs
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Start a Free Trial Lesson →Why English Marks Often Plateau in Years 7–10
English becomes harder in high school because it shifts from:
- Basic comprehension
➡️ Analysis, structure, and expression
Students lose marks not because they “aren’t good at English”, but because they:
- Write descriptively instead of analytically
- Misinterpret questions
- Lack structure in responses
- Have weak sentence control
- Don’t practise writing regularly
These issues are skill-based, not talent-based — which means they’re fixable.
The Core Skills That Actually Improve English Marks
1️⃣ Reading Comprehension (Beyond Just Understanding the Story)
In high school English, students must:
- Identify key ideas and themes
- Understand why characters act the way they do
- Recognise author intention
How parents can help:
- Ask why questions when discussing texts
- Encourage explanation, not one-word answers
- Discuss themes, not just plot
2️⃣ Teaching Students How to Answer the Question
One of the biggest mark-losing mistakes is not answering the question properly.
Strong English responses:
- Address the key words in the prompt
- Stay focused on the task
- Link every paragraph back to the question
How parents can help:
- Get your child to underline key words in questions
- Ask them to explain what the question is really asking
- Encourage planning before writing
3️⃣ Writing Structure (Marks Are Lost Here)
Even good ideas score poorly if they’re poorly organised.
Students need to master:
- Clear topic sentences
- Logical paragraph structure
- Linking ideas back to the question
- Introductions that show direction
A well-structured response often scores higher than a longer, messier one.
4️⃣ Improving Expression and Sentence Control
Markers reward clarity — not “fancy words”.
Common issues include:
- Run-on sentences
- Vague phrasing
- Informal language
- Repetition
How parents can help:
- Encourage rereading aloud
- Focus on clarity, not length
- Practise rewriting weak sentences
5️⃣ Regular Writing Practice (Not Just Reading)
Many students read a lot but don’t write enough.
Improvement comes from:
- Short written responses
- Paragraph practice
- Timed writing
- Feedback on work
Even 15–20 minutes of writing practice a few times a week makes a difference.
How Tutoring Helps Students Improve English Marks Faster
Effective English tutoring helps students:
- Learn how to analyse texts properly
- Improve paragraph and essay structure
- Develop confidence in writing
- Understand what examiners want
- Practise with expert feedback
At KIS Academics, we focus on building transferable skills that improve marks across all English tasks — not memorising responses.
📘 Want help improving your child’s English marks?
KIS Academics offers specialist English tutoring for Years 7–10, focusing on writing skills, comprehension, and exam technique.
👉 Book a free academic consultation with KIS Academics today
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Start a Free Trial Lesson →FAQs
How can I help my child improve their English marks?
Focus on reading comprehension, writing structure, answering the question, and regular writing practice. English improves fastest when students receive clear feedback on how to improve their responses.
What are the most important English skills in Years 7–10?
Key skills include:
- Reading comprehension and analysis
- Paragraph and essay structure
- Clear written expression
- Interpreting questions correctly
- Developing ideas with evidence
These skills form the foundation for senior English success.
When should I consider English tutoring for my child?
English tutoring is especially helpful if your child:
- Understands the text but struggles to express ideas clearly
- Loses marks for structure, analysis, or “not answering the question”
- Avoids writing tasks or feels anxious about English
- Has marks that stay the same despite effort
- Is approaching important assessments or exams
Years 7–10 are an ideal time to start because skills and habits are still forming, and gaps are much easier to fix before senior English. Early support helps students build confidence, develop strong writing foundations, and prevent small issues from becoming long-term problems.
Want more personalised guidance to help support your child through their studies? Find a KIS Academics tutor today to support your child’s educational journey!
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