Coaching built around the written argument
Faced with a dazzling array of prompts and unsure how to begin? Our mentors give one-on-one guidance on both research and writing — supporting you from a first idea to a finished, competition-ready essay across all ten disciplines.
Mentors who know what wins
Educators from top universities
Mentors hold graduate degrees from leading institutions and teach the humanities at international-school level.
A proven competition record
A track record of guiding students to shortlists and commendations in John Locke and other international competitions.
Truly one-on-one
Every plan is built around your discipline, your question and your draft — never a template.
The craft a winning essay needs
- 01A genuine thesis
Turning an open question into one sharp, defensible claim worth 2,000 words.
- 02Disciplined research
Finding and using credible sources efficiently — and referencing them properly.
- 03Structure & concision
Building an argument that holds together and earns every one of its words.
- 04Original thought & integrity
Developing ideas that are genuinely your own — and ready to defend at interview.
From first idea to final submission
A few of our mentors
You are matched to a specialist in your discipline. A few representative profiles:
Education & psychology
- M.S. in Teaching & Leadership, University of Pennsylvania
- B.A. in Interdisciplinary Education, Wesleyan University
- Former TOEFL & public-speaking instructor, international school (Shenzhen)
3 students shortlisted in the 2023 John Locke competition (Psychology & Junior).
Economics & business
- M.A. in Social Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, Hult International Business School
- Certified teacher: College Board, Cambridge International, IBO
- National Intermediate Economist
Guided 4 of 5 students to the 2023 John Locke Economics shortlist.
History & politics
- B.A., University of Sydney · M.Ed. (Secondary), University of Melbourne
- Registered Humanities teacher, Victoria, Australia
- State-level judge, Australia’s National History Challenge
Since 2020, guided dozens of students to Commendation & Very High Commendation.
Whether it’s your first essay or your next shortlist
First-time entrants
Starting from a blank page — we help you pick a subject and question and build confidence fast.
Returning competitors
Aiming higher after a previous entry — we sharpen argument, originality and interview readiness.
Subject specialists
Strong in one discipline already — we pair you with a mentor in exactly that field.
Inside a coaching programme
- 01A matched specialist mentor
One mentor in your discipline for the whole journey.
- 02One-on-one sessions
Regular live sessions paced around your school calendar.
- 03Written feedback on drafts
Line-by-line comments on your own writing — questions, not rewrites.
- 04Research & interview support
Help finding sources and preparing for the online interview.
Questions we hear a lot
When should I start?
The earlier the better — strong essays are revised many times. Starting months ahead of the May deadline gives room to think, research and rewrite.
Which subject should I choose?
The one where you have something genuine to say. In your first session we help you weigh your interests and the year’s questions to choose well.
Are sessions online?
Yes — we work with students worldwide over video, matched to a mentor in your discipline regardless of where you are.