The Year 13 head start
that turns B grade work
into A* answers
A 5 day examiner-led summer intensive built exclusively for students moving from Year 12 into Year 13. The difference between a B and an A* is almost never content — it's technique, NEA strategy and exam craft.
Students can either join the summer programme on its own or continue into our September Year 13 Geography A* Blueprint Programme for full academic year support.
Why Year 13 Matters
Year 13 is the most important academic year
Year 13 is where predicted grades are secured, university offers are won, and students separate themselves from the rest of the cohort.
Many students enter Year 13 sitting at B or C grades, but with the right exam strategy, essay technique, and examiner guidance, those grades can move up significantly before final predictions and exams.
For students aiming for competitive Russell Group universities, strong predicted grades matter enormously. Small improvements in Geography can make the difference between securing offers or missing entry requirements altogether.
For some students, September assessments or resits also provide an important opportunity to improve grades early in the year and build momentum before university applications are submitted.
Students leave the programme feeling more confident, more prepared, and academically ahead before the pressure of Year 13 fully begins.
Our programme helps students
- Push predicted grades higher before UCAS applications
- Strengthen A/A* level essay writing and evaluation
- Develop advanced synoptic links across the course
- Improve exam timing, structure, and analytical precision
- Gain confidence with the NEA before deadlines begin
- Prepare for September assessments and potential retake opportunities
The Reality of A Level
The Step Up to A Level Geography is bigger than most students expect
Top grades demand far more than effort. They demand examiner-level technique, analytical depth and disciplined independent study from day one.
GCSE to A Level Transition
A significant leap in academic rigour and expectation.
Depth of Analysis
Critical, multi-layered evaluation replaces description.
Essay Writing
Extended structured arguments with sustained judgement.
Synoptic Links
Connecting human and physical geography fluently.
NEA Coursework
Independent investigation worth 20% of the A Level.
Advanced Judgement
Forming and defending nuanced geographical arguments.
The Olympus Solution
A complete academic programme built around examiner insight
The Real Problem
Why many Geography students stay stuck
Most students don't struggle because they lack knowledge. They struggle because nobody has properly taught them how to convert what they know into marks.
What's missing
Nobody has shown them…
- — How to structure high mark answers
- — How to use command words correctly
- — How examiners actually award marks
- — How to write analytical longer responses under timed conditions
Built around how examiners mark
Inside Olympus, students learn…
- →What examiners reward — and what loses marks
- →How to structure top band 6, 9 and 20 mark responses
- →How to write like an A/A* (or Grade 8/9) student
- →How to maximise marks on every question type
Why We're Different
Your teacher is an active A Level examiner
Most tutoring is delivered by people who have never marked a real A Level paper. We do things differently — every session is led by someone who marks the exams and has led Geography teaching at a senior level.
Taught by Active Examiners
Every session is led by a current A Level Geography examiner — the people who actually mark the papers and know exactly what separates a B from an A*.
Senior Teaching Experience
Our teachers aren't just tutors. They've led Geography teaching in top schools, written schemes of work, and trained other teachers in exam technique.
Tiny Cohorts, Real Feedback
Capped at 10 students per group so every essay is read, every answer is graded, and every student gets direct examiner feedback.
Built on the Mark Scheme
Every lesson is reverse-engineered from what gets credited in the mark scheme — not generic content delivery, but precision exam craft.
Why Group Programmes
Why group programmes often outperform traditional 1:1 tutoring
The students who reach A/A* rarely get there alone. They get there in rooms full of other ambitious geographers, taught strategically by examiners.
Higher academic standards
Students are surrounded by other ambitious geographers aiming for A/A* and competitive universities — raising expectations, motivation and performance.
- Hearing high level ideas and essay approaches from others
- Exposure to stronger geographical thinking
- Academic discussion and debate
- Increased accountability and consistency
More than homework help
Traditional 1:1 tutoring is often reactive. Our programmes are structured strategically around top band performance.
- Examiner expectations and top band essay technique
- Synoptic links and advanced evaluation
- NEA coursework mastery
- University level geographical thinking
Learn from multiple perspectives
In group sessions, students hear different interpretations, alternative case studies and higher level evaluation — developing deeper understanding far faster than isolated learning.
- Different interpretations of questions
- Alternative case study applications
- Higher level evaluation points
- Common mistakes other students make
More teaching time and resources
Unlike a weekly 1:1, students get a complete academic support system that runs across the year.
- Intensive teaching hours
- Year round recordings and resources
- Examiner model answers and structured essay workshops
- Dedicated NEA preparation and ongoing feedback
Builds real exam confidence
A Level Geography rewards students who can think critically, discuss ideas and write under pressure — exactly what group learning develops.
- Explaining ideas aloud
- Defending arguments
- Evaluating alternative viewpoints
- Writing sophisticated analytical responses
A university style environment
Russell Group and Oxbridge don't teach through isolated tutoring. Students are expected to discuss, contribute and think independently — and our programme builds those skills before Year 13 even starts.
- Discuss ideas critically
- Contribute academically
- Think independently
- Learn collaboratively
Who This Is For
This programme is ideal for students who…
Capable students who know more than their grades suggest — and who are ready to convert knowledge into marks.
Understand the content but struggle to apply it under exam conditions
Lose marks on longer questions, essays and 20 mark responses
Need stronger exam technique, structure and command word fluency
Want to rebuild confidence before Year 11 or Year 13
Are aiming for top universities that require A/A* grades
Are currently underperforming compared to their real potential
A Level Programmes
Summer intensive or full year support
Take the summer intensive on its own, or continue straight into our September Year 13 Intensive for examiner-led teaching from September through to results day.
Step 1 · Year 12 → Year 13
5 Day A Level Summer Intensive
27 July – 31 July
- A/A* essay writing and evaluation
- Advanced synoptic links across the specification
- Examiner led essay workshops
- High level case study development and application
- NEA investigation planning and coursework strategy
- Statistical analysis and fieldwork methodologies
- Independent research and wider reading skills for NEA
- Examiner insight into top band answers and common mistakes
Designed for ambitious students targeting top grades and competitive universities — delivered entirely online
Step 2 · Final Year · A2
Year 13 Geography A* Blueprint Programme
September to June · 2 live online classes per week
- 2 weekly live examiner led classes — one human and one physical
- Full A Level content consolidation throughout the year
- Advanced essay workshops and timed exam practice
- Monthly examiner marked assessments with feedback
- Synoptic mastery across physical and human geography
- High level case study banks and updated resources
- A/A* strategy, evaluation and analysis training
- Access to recordings, revision resources and model answers year round
- Small group teaching focused on top grade improvement
Enrol on the summer programme and receive a discount on the Year 13 Geography A* Blueprint Programme
Currently waitlist only — book a call to discuss availability and pricing.
NEA Coursework
Master the A Level Geography NEA before Year 13 begins
The NEA coursework is worth 20% of your final A Level grade and is one of the most difficult parts of the course. Every year, students lose huge numbers of marks because they are never properly taught how to approach it at a high level.
From choosing a strong investigation title to collecting effective fieldwork data, analysing results, applying geographical theory, and writing sophisticated evaluation, the NEA requires completely different skills to normal classroom learning.
That is why our Summer Intensive includes 2 full days focused specifically on NEA success.
By the end of the programme, students will begin Year 13 ahead of their class, with a clear NEA plan, stronger geographical thinking, and the confidence to aim for the top grades.
Continuing NEA support: ongoing examiner guidance on the NEA — from data analysis through to final submission — is offered through our add-on options alongside the September Year 13 Geography A* Blueprint Programme. Just let the team know and we'll talk you through what's available.
Students will learn
- How to choose a high scoring investigation question
- What examiners actually look for in top band coursework
- How to collect stronger fieldwork data
- Statistical techniques and analysis made simple
- How to structure evaluation and reach higher marks
- The most common mistakes that limit grades before the coursework is even submitted
Programme Timetable
A full picture of every session
5 Day Summer Intensive
- 9:30amWelcome and Diagnostic Essay
- 10:00amAnatomy of an A* Essay
- 11:00amExaminer Mark Schemes Decoded
- 12:00pmBuilding Argument and Counter-Argument
- 1:00pmLunch
- 1:30pmLive Essay Construction Workshop
- 2:30pmPeer Review and Examiner Feedback
- 3:30pmPersonal Improvement Roadmap
For Busy Families
Built around real student schedules — and the reassurance parents need
Designed around busy summer schedules
Sport, travel, family commitments — none of it should cost your child their grade.
- →All sessions recorded — catch up any day you miss
- →Summer intensive running 27 July – 31 July
- →Flexible onboarding support before the programme begins
- →Designed for students balancing sport, travel and other commitments
A small group advantage — online
Why our live online classes stay highly engaging — and why students can't quietly disappear in the background.
- →Strict cap of 10 students per live online cohort
- →Students are actively questioned throughout every session
- →Direct, real-time feedback from working examiners
- →Guided exam tasks and discussion — no passive webinars
Parents receive
Certainty, communication and a clear plan
Limited Seats
Cohorts are capped at 10 students.
Reserve your place on a live online summer cohort before spaces fill up.
The Transformation
From knowing the content to actually scoring marks
What changes after a few weeks inside the programme.
Before
- Inconsistent answers
- Weak structure
- Low confidence
- Struggling with essays
- Passive revision
- Unclear exam strategy
After
- ✓Confident longer answers
- ✓Clear essay structures
- ✓Examiner level technique
- ✓Stronger evaluation and judgement
- ✓Organised revision system
- ✓A clear plan for gaining marks
Results
Results that open doors
In Their Own Words
What students and parents say
Real results from real families — from grade jumps to Cambridge offers.
"I first came for tutoring because I wanted to break into the top band of grades and go to a top university for geography. After starting tutoring with Freya I was thinking about questions in a different way and learning how to filter and memorise the important information. I achieved 10 Grade 9s and one 8 at GCSE, A*A*A at A-Level and earned a place at the University of Cambridge for Geography. I definitely would not have been able to achieve this without Freya's help."
Kariesh
GCSE → A-Level → Cambridge Geography"Freya helped my son go from a grade E to a grade B in his final A-Level exam. She supported him with lessons, syllabus advice, exam technique and revision practice. Nearer to the exam, she focused on exam technique which made all the difference. He went into each exam confident in his knowledge and technique."
Parent of Leah
A-Level · E → B"Freya is an amazing Geographer and teacher. She helped me improve my grade from a C to an A as my final A-Level result. Her thorough knowledge and exam tips were really helpful and I would highly recommend."
Leah
A-Level · C → A"Thank you so much for your support throughout the past few months — it has really helped me in the run up to my exams. Today's exam went pretty well, smashed the 33 markers! I got into Cardiff! Thank you so much for all the help you provided me with during my exams."
James
A-Level → Cardiff"Thank you so much for all your support. James really benefitted from your sessions — your calm, knowledgeable approach and the way you challenged him made a real difference. We're very grateful."
Rhian (James' mother)
A-Level Parent"Freya has been an outstanding tutor for my son. Highly educated and extremely knowledgeable, she brought real depth to each session and wasn't afraid to challenge him in a supportive and thoughtful way. Her calm, patient manner and clear explanations really helped build his confidence."
R.
A-Level Parent"Freya has been my tutor for three years, supporting me from GCSE through to A-Level. Her feedback on past paper questions has been invaluable in improving my exam technique and boosting my confidence. Her constructive and insightful feedback played a key role in helping me achieve an A grade in my EPQ."
Anson
GCSE, A-Level & EPQ
Meet the Founder
Freya Ruparel
Cambridge Geography
Cambridge graduate and founder of Olympus Geography. Freya has worked with hundreds of GCSE and A Level students, helping them secure top grades and competitive university offers through examiner-focused teaching, academic mentorship and high level strategy.
Meet the Examiner
Meet Hannah
Hannah is a highly experienced A Level Geography tutor and examiner with over 13 years of teaching expertise. She specialises in helping students rapidly improve confidence, exam structure, and top band written responses through examiner-led teaching and clear step-by-step frameworks.
Known for simplifying difficult concepts and building strong independent learners, Hannah has helped students improve by multiple grades and develop genuine confidence in Geography.
Student & Parent Feedback
What Hannah's students say
“Miss Hannah helped me during my GCSEs when I was struggling the most. Just in a few months she helped me cover every GCSE Geography topic. Before I had my lessons with her my grade was a 1 but with her guidance my next result was a grade 7. Without her help I couldn't have achieved it.”
Zarin C.
GCSE · Grade 1 → Grade 7“My learning experience with Hannah has been fabulous! My confidence level with Geography has risen exponentially and I felt so well prepared for the exam. Hannah is a fun and engaging tutor who brings the subject to life and creates an encouraging learning environment.”
Beverly P.
GCSE & A-Level“Hannah literally turned my son around in the space of 5 months and where he thought he was going to get a Grade D, my son ended up getting a B. He was 8 marks away from an A.”
Devina A.
A-Level Parent · D → B“Hannah understands the student in the first session and builds the plan and adapts around the student's needs. My son found Hannah's teaching very clear, simple and engaging.”
Devina A.
A-Level Parent“Hannah really helped me grow my confidence for my Geography A Level by supporting me with exam technique and practice questions. She also had lots of valuable and in depth information that she shared with me for my case studies.”
Juliette B.
A-Level“She was very patient and made me feel comfortable asking questions, which helped build my confidence. She explained the content clearly and in a way that was easy for me to understand.”
Manal A.
A-Level“My son is really enjoying working with Hannah. Sessions are always well planned with good resources and he's finding her support really helpful as he works towards his final A Level Geography exams.”
Rebecca R.
A-Level Parent“My confidence is growing with each lesson; I would 100% recommend Hannah. She's helped me in my coursework as well as getting to grips with exam technique and understanding the content.”
Juana J.
A-LevelSee if we're a fit
Could your child be next?
A short call to talk through targets, weak areas and the route to A/A*.
Frequently Asked
Your questions, answered
Final Step
Prepare for your strongest A Level
Geography year yet
Join a small online cohort of ambitious students building the skills, confidence and strategy needed for A/A* success.
Spaces close once cohorts reach capacity.