frankenstein essay questions gcse

How are Female Characters Portrayed in the Opening Chapters of Frankenstein?

‘Frankenstein’ has only a few female characters, however, Shelley makes these female characters part of the plot and uses descriptive vocabulary to make then seem ‘more important’ within the novel.

The female characters that are featured within this gothic novel, never really seem to have any dialogue within the text, however, this reflects the time period it was written in, because women were supposed to be ‘seen and not heard‘.

This idea is also presented upon the pages of this novel, because this was what was socially acceptable at this time, with this idea in mind Shelley used descriptive language to describe the appearance and behaviour of the female characters, from Victor’s and ‘the monster's’ points of view.

The female characters within the novel are… Caroline Beaufort, this is Victor’s mother. Beaufort was her maiden name before she married Victor’s father, then she became Caroline Frankenstein. Caroline Beaufort possessed a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to support her in her adversity. “She procured plain work; she plaited straw; and by various means contrived to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to support life”. This describes how determined Caroline was to earn enough money to support herself and her father during his ill health, when she was child. Victor’s character describes how hard life was for his mother before she married Victor’s father, this is because Victor was inspired by his mother and loved her dearly.

Mary Shelley’s reason for including this part of the character's life must have stemmed from her own personal life, as her mother was a feminist writer, so including statements of women’s independence must have been important and rewarding for her mother and perhaps Victor’s mother's character brought this element of femininity to the novel.

Elizabeth Lavenza became Victor’s adopted cousin after Victor’s mother saw her as a baby being nursed by a ‘peasant woman’ in Italy. ‘The peasant woman, perceiving that my mother fixed eyes of wonder and admiration on this lovely girl, eagerly communicated her history. She was not her child, but the daughter of a Milanese nobleman. Her mother was a German and had died on giving birth. The infant had been placed with these good people to nurse; they were better off then’.

Shelley describes how Victor’s mother and father came to love Elizabeth and soon after adopted her and returned home to introduce her to Victor. ‘Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents’ house - my more than sister - the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures’.

This shows how much Victor loved Elizabeth even from being a young child, and as his love grew he later married her in his adulthood.

Appearance and the description of how the female characters looked within the novel is a frequent characteristic that Shelley uses throughout the novel, this may be because women were judged upon how they looked rather than what they said or did. Shelley regularly describes how the female characters look, i.e as we are introduced to Justine’s character Victor describes her appearance in these exact words… ‘The appearance of Justine was calm. She was dressed in mourning, and her countenance, always engaging, was rendered, by the solemnity of her feelings, exquisitely beautiful’. This is the first description Victor gives on introducing Justine, the maid that they have known for years and that has lived with the Frankenstein family for years.

Further into the novel we discover more of Victor’s love for Elizabeth, which tells the reader women were seen as lustful and loveable and impracticably (in Elizabeth’s case) good friends. Good. ‘Elizabeth, my beloved and only friend; may heaven, in its bounty, bless and preserve you; may this be the last misfortune that you will ever suffer! Live and be happy, and make others so’.

This is an affectionate account of Victor’s feelings towards Elizabeth. Again, this writing style was in keeping with the time it was written and this use of language would be used regularly when describing your love for someone at this time. This is a more romantic gesture and is less commonly used today. Shelley may have got inspiration from her husband when writing these particularly affectionate and romantic verses as her husband Percy Shelley was a poet, she may also have included this because she felt what Victor would be feeling, and as she had taken on the persona of Victor’s character within the novel she wanted to include this.

Victor’s creation ‘the monster’ also commented on the appearance of the female characters that he witnessed, ‘Agatha listened with respect, her eyes sometimes filled with tears, which she endeavored to wipe away unperceived; but I generally found that her countenance and tone were more cheerful after having listened to the exhortations of her father’.

This is how ‘the monster’ describes Agatha, (one of the three inhabitants that live at the cottage, where ‘the monster’ slept near and watched. to learn more about human behaviour).

‘The monster’ particularly focuses on describing Agatha’s body language rather than her looks, however, he does also comment of how the female characters look further in this chapter. -

‘The lady was dressed in a dark suit and covered with a thick black veil… Felix came up hastily to the lady, who, when she saw him, threw up her veil, and I beheld a countenance of angelic beauty and expression. Her hair of a shiny raven black, and curiously braided; her eyes were dark but gentle, although animated; her features of a regular proportion and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with a lovely pink’. This again links back to beauty and how women were seen as ‘beautiful’ and ‘angelic’. ‘The monster's’ feelings are similar to that of Victor’s and they both see women as ‘beautiful’ and delicate. However, they seem to be judged on their appearance and how they look too much, although this is how women were seen at the time the book was written, so this shows how society has changed and how people are now judged on ‘what they do’ not ‘how they look’.

In conclusion, the female characters that are featured within the novel are portrayed as ‘beautiful’ and are supposed to be seen not heard, although the character of Caroline Beaufort was slightly different to the other female characters within this novel, ‘But Caroline Beaufort possessed a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to support her in her adversity‘. This describes how Caroline’s character contrasts with the other female characters in the novel because she is more ‘independent’ and ‘has a mind of her own’ which is an important characteristic to have in a novel especially if you are a female author like Mary Shelley. 

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'Frankenstein' Revision Booklet for AQA GCSE

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

24 April 2018

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This is a complete guide for pupils preparing for this part of the AQA English Literature GCSE. This includes example questions, a breakdown of the course and assessment objectives, along with model marked answers, a revision checklist, example revision pages and a step-by-step guide to approaching an essay question.

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GCSE Revision Guide: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ is a gothic novel first published in 1818. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a grotesque and intelligent creature in his laboratory. The novel explores various themes, including the dangers of scientific ambition, the nature of humanity, and the consequences of isolation.

The novel was written during a period of great scientific and social change, known as the Romantic era . Shelley’s work reflects the concerns and anxieties of the time, particularly around the impact of industrialization and scientific advancement on society.

Additionally, the novel is heavily influenced by the events of Shelley’s own life, including the death of her mother, the suicide of her half-sister, and her troubled relationship with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In this GCSE revision guide: Frankenstein we will take you through all the key themes, quotes and essay revision you need to ace your upcoming exams. Read on to find out more.

Ambition and its Consequences

One of the main themes of the novel is the danger of unchecked ambition. Victor Frankenstein’s relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge leads him to create a creature that ultimately causes him great harm. The novel serves as a warning against the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, without regard for the potential consequences.

The Nature of Humanity

Another central theme of the novel is the question of what it means to be human. The creature is initially viewed as a monster due to its grotesque appearance, but as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the creature possesses many of the same desires and emotions as humans. This theme raises questions about the nature of humanity and the criteria by which we judge what is “normal” or “monstrous.”

Isolation and Loneliness

The novel explores the devastating effects of isolation and loneliness. Both Victor and the creature experience profound loneliness and isolation, which leads to their eventual downfall. The theme also raises questions about the role of social connections in shaping our identities and how a lack of connection can lead to psychological and emotional distress.

Knowledge and Discovery

Frankenstein highlights the potential benefits and dangers of scientific discovery. The novel questions the limits of scientific knowledge and the ethics of experimentation, particularly when it comes to creating life. The theme also raises concerns about the misuse of scientific advancements and the potential for technology to get out of control.

The theme of revenge is present throughout the novel, with the creature seeking revenge against Victor for abandoning him and denying him companionship. The theme raises questions about the nature of revenge and whether it can ever truly provide satisfaction or closure.

“I have created a monster”

This quote, spoken by Victor Frankenstein, reflects the novel’s central theme of ambition and its consequences. Victor’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and ambition leads him to create a creature that he cannot control, ultimately causing him great harm.

“I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel”

The creature’s comparison of himself to Adam from the Bible highlights the novel’s exploration of the nature of humanity. The creature recognizes his own intelligence and capabilities but is unable to find acceptance in society due to his appearance. His reference to the fallen angel also highlights the theme of isolation and loneliness.

“I am malicious because I am miserable”

This quote spoken by the creature highlights the novel’s exploration of the consequences of isolation and loneliness. The creature’s inability to find companionship or acceptance leads to his feelings of misery, which ultimately fuel his desire for revenge against Victor.

“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge”

This quote, spoken by the creature, serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition and scientific discovery. The creature has learned this lesson through his own experiences and is warning Victor and the reader not to make the same mistake.

“All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things!”

This quote spoken by the creature highlights the novel’s exploration of the nature of humanity and the criteria by which we judge what is “normal” or “monstrous.” The creature recognizes that his appearance is the primary reason for his rejection by society and despairs at the unfairness of this judgement.

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful”

This quote, spoken by the creature, reflects the novel’s exploration of the power dynamic between Victor and the creature. Although the creature is physically weaker than Victor, he possesses a certain power due to his fearlessness and his ability to inspire fear in others.

“I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”

This quote, spoken by the creature, highlights the novel’s exploration of the theme of revenge. The creature’s desire for revenge is fueled by his feelings of loneliness and rejection, as well as his desire for justice and fairness.

Possible Essay Questions and How to Answer Them

How does Mary Shelley use the theme of nature in Frankenstein?

To answer this question, you should begin by defining what is meant by “nature” and providing examples of how it is present throughout the novel. You should then analyze how Shelley uses the natural world to reflect the emotional and psychological states of the characters, particularly Victor and the creature.

You should also consider the historical context of the Romantic period and its emphasis on nature as a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal. You should support your argument with evidence from the text, including key quotes and events from the plot.

How does Mary Shelley use the character of the creature to explore the dangers of prejudice and discrimination?

To answer this question, you should begin by defining what is meant by “prejudice” and “discrimination” and providing examples of how the creature is subjected to these attitudes throughout the novel. You should then analyze how Shelley uses the creature’s experiences to highlight the destructive effects of these biases, particularly in terms of his inability to find acceptance and belonging in human society.

You should also consider the sociological context of the time period, particularly the issues of class that were prevalent in the 19th century. You should support your argument with evidence from the text, including key quotes and events from the plot.

How does Mary Shelley use the setting of the novel to contribute to its gothic atmosphere?

To answer this question, you should begin by defining what is meant by “gothic atmosphere” and providing examples of how it is present in the novel. You should then analyze how Shelley uses the setting, particularly the isolated and desolate landscapes of the Swiss Alps and the Arctic, to create a sense of foreboding and unease.

You should also consider the historical context of the gothic genre and its emphasis on the supernatural and the macabre. You should support your argument with evidence from the text, including key quotes and descriptions of the setting.

How does Mary Shelley use the theme of knowledge and discovery in Frankenstein?

To answer this question, you should begin by defining what is meant by “knowledge” and “discovery” and providing examples of how they are present throughout the novel. You should then analyze how Shelley uses these themes to explore the ethical and moral implications of scientific advancement, particularly in Victor’s pursuit of creating life.

You should also consider the historical context of the Enlightenment period and its emphasis on reason and rationality.

How does Mary Shelley use the motif of fire in Frankenstein?

To answer this question, you should begin by defining what is meant by “motif” and “fire” and providing examples of how the motif is present throughout the novel. You should then analyze how Shelley uses the image of fire to symbolize both creation and destruction, particularly in Victor’s experiments with electricity and the creature’s destructive actions.

You should also consider the historical context of the Romantic period and its emphasis on the elemental forces of nature. You should support your argument with evidence from the text, including key quotes and descriptions of fire.

Essay Example: ‘To What Extent is the Creature a Victim of Society in ‘Frankenstein’?”

The creature in ‘Frankenstein’ is often seen as a monster, both physically and morally. However, a closer examination of the novel reveals that the creature is a victim of society and the actions of his creator, Victor Frankenstein. The creature’s experiences highlight the dangers of prejudice, rejection, and isolation, and raise important questions about the nature of humanity.

One of the key moments in the novel that highlights the creature’s victimization is his interaction with the De Lacey family. The creature observes the family from a distance and becomes fascinated with their domestic harmony and compassion for one another. However, when he reveals himself to the family, he is violently rejected by them, with Felix attacking him and Agatha fainting in terror. This rejection is particularly painful for the creature, who has sought out the family as a means of finding acceptance and companionship.

The creature’s experiences with the De Lacey family demonstrate the dangers of prejudice and fear, and raise important questions about the nature of humanity. The creature is not inherently evil, but is rejected by society because of his physical appearance. This raises important questions about the criteria by which we judge what is “normal” or “monstrous,” and suggests that our judgments are often based on superficial qualities rather than true morality.

Another key moment that highlights the creature’s victimization is his interaction with Victor Frankenstein. When the creature confronts his creator, he expresses his feelings of loneliness and rejection, stating that “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.” This quote highlights the isolation and loneliness that the creature experiences, and underscores the importance of companionship and social acceptance.

The creature’s experiences with Victor Frankenstein also highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of pursuing knowledge without considering the ethical implications of such pursuits. Victor’s scientific ambitions ultimately lead to the creation of the creature, who is abandoned by his creator and left to fend for himself in a world that rejects him.

Overall, the creature in ‘Frankenstein’ is a victim of society, prejudice, and the unchecked ambition of his creator. The novel raises important questions about the nature of humanity and the criteria by which we judge what is “normal” or “monstrous.” Through the experiences of the creature, Shelley highlights the dangers of isolation, rejection, and unchecked ambition, and underscores the importance of compassion, acceptance, and ethical considerations in scientific progress. As such, ‘Frankenstein’ remains a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, with lessons that are as relevant today as they were when the novel was first published over 200 years ago.

Summary of Frankstein

Frankenstein is a gothic novel written by Mary Shelley that explores the dangers of scientific advancement. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who becomes obsessed with creating life. He succeeds in creating a monster, but when he realizes the monstrous nature of his creation, he rejects it, leaving it to fend for itself.

The creature is tormented by society and its own existence and seeks revenge against its creator. The novel highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing God, while also incorporating elements of the gothic genre, including dark themes, supernatural events, and mysterious settings. Through its exploration of scientific advancement and the macabre, Frankenstein remains a classic work of literature with enduring relevance.

GCSE Revision Guide: Frankenstein by Sandeman Tutoring

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Frankenstein: Characters ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

English Senior Content Creator

Frankenstein: Characters

In works of literature, authors often use characters to symbolise ideas in order to express views and communicate these to the reader. Shelley uses her presentation of characters and the interaction between them to explore and comment on society.

Below you will find character profiles of:

Main characters

Victor Frankenstein  

The Creature  

Other characters

Henry Clerval  

The De Lacey family  

The Frankenstein family

Victor frankenstein.

Frankenstein Is the protagonist of the novel:

His actions drive the narrative

He can also be perceived as an anti-hero :

He is the central character but lacks heroic traits

The creature he makes destroys everything he loves

Frankenstein symbolises the upper classes :

This can be evidenced when he says his family is “one of the most distinguished” in Geneva (Chapter 1)

He represents the romantic genius :

From his childhood, he says that “It was the secrets of heaven and earth that (he) desired to learn” (Chapter 2):

The biblical imagery  emphasises his desire for otherworldly achievements

Frankenstein is a motif of the calamity of defying nature:

He desires to penetrate the secrets of nature

This is shown to lead to the creation of a monster whose ugly appearance symbolises the grotesqueness of his pursuit

He is self-centred: 

Elizabeth writes a letter beseeching him to “write, dearest Victor, — one line—one word will be a blessing to us” (Chapter 6)

Through his lack of correspondence, Victor causes distress to others

Frankenstein lacks sympathy and empathy:

He remarks that Justine was “exquisitely beautiful” at her trial (Chapter 8):

This highlights that he is unable to see the tragic nature of the situation

He fails to take responsibility for the creature and his actions leading up to its creation:

He claims his ambition was beyond his control when he says, it “ruled” his “destiny” (Chapter 4)

Frankenstein is presented as isolated because of his ambitious personality: 

The place in which he makes the creature is like a “solitary cell” (Chapter 4)

The connotations of criminality foreshadow the destructive nature of unchecked science

He is presented as controlling the narrative: 

Victor “corrected and augmented ” Walton’s notes (Chapter 3): 

Here Shelley insinuates that the most powerful in society are those who succeed in getting their points of view across

The Creature

The creature is the antagonist of the novel:

 His appearance is horrifying and disgusting:

“unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes” (Chapter 5)

His behaviour is abhorrent :

He kills William, Henry and Elizabeth

He is isolated and experiences intense loneliness:

He tells Frankenstein, “You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being” (Chapter 17)

He symbolises the marginalised :

He is left alone after his creation: 

Victor “sought to avoid the wretch” (Chapter 5) 

The creature is intelligent and articulate: 

He is described as having read books such as Paradise Lost :

The Romantics valued art, reading and imagination, so this would have had a great effect on Shelley’s reader

The creature commits suicide at the end of the text:

This highlights the way in which society destroys the marginalised by isolating them and discriminating against them

The creature is a tragic figure rather than just a malevolent force :

 He “abstains” from stealing from the De Laceys due to their poverty

 Once “benevolent and good”, he explains that “misery made me a fiend ” (Chapter 24):

Shelley seems to be suggesting that people are shaped by their experiences, rather than being born bad

Walton is presented as biased :

He is shown to agree with Victor’s narrative, as he calls the creature a “Hypocritical fiend!” (Chapter 24): 

This enables Shelley to highlight how the powerful can control the narrative, as the story we hear is told through Walton

He is ambitious:

Walton is depicted as trying to reach the North Pole, desiring “glory” over ease and comfort (Letter 1):

This implies that the expedition is for his own personal benefit and prestige

Like Frankenstein, Walton is used to highlight the corrupting nature of ambition and its human toll:

He says, “one man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge” (Chapter 4): 

 Again, Shelley presents the cost of unchecked ambition 

Unlike Frankenstein, Walton is shown to have a conscience:

He admits that he “cannot lead his crew unwillingly into danger”: 

Here, Shelley seems to suggest that that people should remember the lesson of Frankenstein and unrestrained ambition

He is portrayed as lonely:

In a letter to his sister Margaret, he writes, "I bitterly feel the want of a friend” (Chapter 20): 

This highlights the pain of being secluded and foreshadows the importance of this theme

Henry Clerval

Clerval is Victor’s “closest friendship” and is presented as a caring person:

 His kindness is apparent when his visits Frankenstein when he is unwell:

Victor says to Clerval, “this whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, (you have) been consumed in my sick room” 

In contrast to Frankenstein, Clerval selflessly cares for Victor during his illness:

He "devoted himself to unselfish ministrations ” (Chapter 19)

It could be argued that Henry is a foil for Frankenstein, as he is shown to personify true friendship and a love of nature:

Victor says that Clerval “called forth the better feelings of my heart; he again taught me to love the aspect of nature, and the cheerful faces of children”:

The pleasure derived here suggests that Romantic values are able to bring forth happiness

He has good morals:

Clerval is portrayed as highly respectful of the privacy of Frankenstein as he “never attempted to draw [Victor’s] secret from” him

Shelley could be suggesting that through relationships and companionship the tragedy of the novel could have been averted

The De Lacey family

The De Lacey family are shown to be benevolent and cheerful:

The creature says that nothing could “exceed the love and respect” shown by them (Chapter 19): 

This demonstrates how they are kind and good-natured

Their goodness is apparent inwardly and outwardly:

The creature describes how “their angelic countenances breathed smiles of consolation” (Chapter 15): 

 This contrasts with the creature’s own ugliness

They are depicted as happy, despite their situation:

The creature says, “the setting of the sun did not put an end to the pleasure I experienced in watching my human neighbours” (Chapter 15): 

This suggests that companionship, not ambition, is the route towards happiness and fulfilment

Felix is shown to be altruistic , helping Safie’s father get out of prison for a crime he did not commit and asking for nothing in return:

As a result of his actions, the De Laceys are banished from France and lose all their wealth: 

Shelley seem to be highlighting the unfairness of society here

The creature is presented as looking for protection and help from the De Laceys:

The creature is presented as becoming a “fiend” when they reject him, and he goes on to burn down their house: 

Fire (a symbol of hell) is a metaphor for the creature’s own tragic demise

Despite their benevolence, the De Laceys are unable to look past the creature’s appearance:

When Felix and the others return, they attack the creature: 

Shelley may present the De Laceys in this way to highlight that prejudicial ideas leave the marginalised isolated 

Elizabeth is an idealised character:

She stays with the Frankensteins after being adopted and is killed on the night that she is supposed to marry Victor: 

She is used to highlight what Victor could have had without his profound ambition and is used to challenge patriarchal views

She is presented as an almost transcendent , heavenly figure:

This can be seen as Victor says, “The saintly soul of Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home” (Chapter 1): 

The divine and light imagery creates a sense that Elizabeth is sublime and suggests that she has a profound and warm presence in the house

Elizabeth is shown to provide unconditional and profound love to Victor:

She says to Frankenstein, “one smile on your lips when we meet... I shall need no other happiness” (Chapter 22): 

This could also be used to highlight how patriarchal views are internalised

She is dehumanised and objectified:

The Frankenstein family consider Elizabeth a “pretty present” (Chapter 1): 

This implies that the Frankenstein family fail to see Elizabeth as anything other than an object for male gratification 

Elizabeth is presented as a character without agency :

Frankenstein says that he viewed “Elizabeth as mine — mine to protect, love, and cherish” (Chapter 1): 

This indicates that Elizabeth is given no agency, as she is simply Victor’s possession

She is intelligent and brave:

She speaks at Justine’s trial in Chapter 8 with “simple and powerful appeal”: 

This suggests that her speech was persuasive, indicating that she is highly intelligent

She is shown to challenge Frankenstein:

 In Chapter 22, she asks Victor, “Do you not love another?” 

Overall, however, Elizabeth is accepting of the patriarchy:

She is shown to accept that she must take over the caring roles of the house after Caroline dies: 

“Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to my younger children” (Chapter 3) 

Justine is a servant who the Frankenstein family take in at age 12

She is falsely condemned to death for the murder of William:

 Her death helps to highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition

She is presented as benevolent and kind: 

Elizabeth notes that she is the “most grateful little creature in the world” (Chapter 6) for the Frankenstein family's help 

She is shown to be intelligent and speaks eloquently at her trial:

This helps to convey the idea that Justine is profoundly logical: 

  Shelley is depicting women as intelligent beings, equal to men

Frankenstein’s parents are presented as traditional in their gender roles:

Victor suggests that his father “strove to shelter [Caroline] as a fair exotic is sheltered by the gardener”

This simile creates the impression that Caroline is weak and fragile, as she is compared to a plant

Caroline asks Elizabeth to care for her children:

This reveals that Caroline believes that a woman's place is in the domestic sphere

They are shown to be extremely caring and compassionate:

Alphonso helps Victor when he is put on trial and after the death of Clerval:

 He tries to “awaken in [Victor] the feelings of affection”

They are shown to be affectionate towards Victor: 

This can be seen when Victor notes that they had a “deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they had given life”:

It could be suggested that this portrayal is intended to contrast with Victor’s treatment of the creature, emphasising his maltreatment   of him

It could also be suggested that their deep care for Victor has created a superiority complex:

They are shown to overindulge Victor, gifting him Elizabeth as a “present”:

Shelley may be trying to show that many upper-class parents raised their children to have a sense of entitlement, perhaps leading to negative consequences 

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Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.