Targeting Grade 9? The Difference Is Rarely Talent
Former Head of Maths | Eton & Westminster Experience | Current A-Level Examiner
Rated 5 stars across over 80 independent reviews ★★★★★
Most students who land on this page are already capable. The question isn't whether your child can reach Grade 9 — it's whether they're being shown the specific exam technique, depth of understanding, and disciplined practice that turns capability into a top grade. Getting that right now matters more than most parents realise — Grade 9 GCSE is also the gateway to A-Level Maths.
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Amanda, January 2026 (Trustpilot, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
"Lee has helped my son go from a 6 to a 9 in his recent GCSE mocks. Whilst my son has ability at maths, we were looking for a tutor to fill in some gaps in his knowledge and to boost his confidence, which Lee has done brilliantly."
Why Grade 9 Isn't Just About Working Harder
By the time Year 11 begins, the gap between a Grade 7 student and a Grade 9 student isn't usually about effort — it's about depth of understanding, exam technique, and the kind of mathematical fluency that comes from purposeful practice.
Most Grade 7 students plateau because:
- They've learned the methods but don't always know why they work
- They lose marks on technique — working out, notation, exam structure — rather than on the maths itself
- They run out of time on harder questions because they haven't seen enough of them
- Their school covers the syllabus broadly, but rarely drills the specific question patterns that separate a 7 from a 9
The students who reach Grade 9 don't just know more. They think more clearly, work more efficiently, and recognise patterns that less-prepared students miss.
That's not something you can rush in March. It's built methodically across Year 11.
Our Structured Small Group Programme Built for
Grade 9
This is not drop-in homework help. It is a structured, curriculum-aligned programme designed to take a capable student from where they are now to genuine Grade 9 fluency, following the Edexcel GCSE Maths specification.
The Cost & What Your Child Gets:
£50
Per Week. No sign-up fees. No long-term contracts. Cancel at any time.
Message me on WhatsAppSome Students Want More - That's Fine
Many of the students currently in the group also have one-to-one lessons with me alongside the group sessions, particularly in the run-up to mock exams or for students working on specific weak areas.
1:1 sessions are £100 per hour. You can take as many or as few as you need — there's no commitment.
The right path depends on the child:
- Some students thrive in the group alone
- Some students prefer the structure of the group plus one or two 1:1 sessions a week
- Some students — particularly those targeting Grade 9 from a lower starting point — work best with intensive 1:1 support
There's no one-size answer. A short WhatsApp conversation is usually the fastest way to work out what's right for your child.
Don't just take my word for it See what parents say on Trustpilot ★★★★★
Alesha Gyanwali, October 2025
"Mr Guffick has taught me from Year 11 through to Year 13 currently. He is very engaging and explains concepts thoroughly. He included everyone in the group and ensures we all have a chance to contribute. He has been extremely helpful and I enjoy his lessons!"
Fiona, April 2026
"Lee has tutored both my daughter and son for GCSE and A-level Maths and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He has a way of connecting with the pupil, making the subject matter both understandable and enjoyable. Not only has he improved my children's grades but he has managed to boost their confidence and motivation to do well."
Ann, April 2026
"Lee is professional and very knowledgeable about his subject and the specific exam board requirements. He has established a positive and effective rapport with my daughter, improving her understanding of the maths curriculum and how to approach exam questions; her mock grades have significantly improved in a short period."
Where Our Year 11 Students Go Next
Many students who join us for GCSE continue with us through Year 12 and Year 13. Some go on to achieve A* in both A-Level Maths and A-Level Further Maths.
That isn't a coincidence. The mathematical depth a student builds in our Grade 9 group is precisely what A-Level Maths demands from day one. Most students starting A-Level in September scramble to catch up by Christmas. Ours don't.
"I had Lee for 3 years through Year 11 to Year 13 and he has been a major help from improving my Maths ability. He helped me get an A* in Maths and aided me in getting into my chosen university."
— Year 13 student, August 2024
Meet Your Tutor – Experience You Can Trust
I’m Lee Guffick — a former Head of Mathematics at a leading independent school, with experience of teaching students from schools including Eton College, Westminster School, Brighton College, and Dulwich College.
I hold an MA (Distinction) in Educational Innovation from the University of Warwick and I am a current A-Level Maths examiner — which means I don't just teach the content, I know exactly how it's marked and where students lose marks unnecessarily. That same insight applies to GCSE: I see year after year exactly which mathematical foundations make A-Level work, and which gaps cause students to struggle later. I'm also a Hays Education Award winner.
I've helped hundreds of students achieve results they didn't think were possible. But more importantly, I've helped students who had given up on maths rediscover that they can do it — they just needed the right support.
I am an active teacher at a leading independent school in the West Midlands and I'm also fully DBS-checked and dedicate myself to each student's success. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a young person who once said "I'm just not good at maths" go on to ace their GCSE — and then their A-Level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will they cope in a group?
What technology do they need?
What if they miss a session?
Is there a minimum commitment?
Can my child also have 1:1 sessions?
My child does AQA/OCR, not Edexcel — does that matter?
Why Year 11 is the Right Time
Year 11 isn't just about getting through GCSE. It's about building the mathematical foundation that makes A-Level Maths possible.
Students who arrive at A-Level with a weak Grade 7 — even if they technically qualify — almost always struggle from the first half-term. They look around at peers who feel comfortable and assume they're "not as good at maths." They aren't. They just didn't have the foundations built properly.
The students who thrive at A-Level are the ones whose Year 11 preparation went deeper than the syllabus required. That's what this group is built to do.
If your child is targeting Grade 9 — or capable of it — Year 11 is the moment to lock in the depth that makes everything afterwards easier.
How to Get Started
STEP 1
Send me a message on WhatsApp or book a free 10-minute call. Tell me a bit about your child and where they're at.
STEP 2
Your child joins the next Sunday session. There's no assessment, no application process, and no pressure. They simply turn up and start learning.
STEP 3
Within a few weeks, you'll see the difference — in their understanding, their confidence, and their results.
The Single Biggest Factor in GCSE Maths Success Is Getting the Right Support — Before It's Too Late.
For Year 11 students targeting Grade 9, that time is now.
Message Me on WhatsAppNo obligation. No hard sell. Just an honest conversation about whether this is right for your child.
