ASPIRE Academic Literacy Course 2026
How effectively is your child cultivating the thinking and communication skills that will distinguish them in competitive academic environments beyond exams?
This flagship course is designed to develop students aged 13 to 15 into confident thinkers, articulate speakers and powerful writers, qualities highly sought by leading universities and future employers. Critical thinking, reading, writing and debating are intrinsically linked skills, and our integrated programme ensures students build all-round skills essential for success across all subjects and stages of education. Over 18 immersive sessions, students enhance their ability to analyse complex texts, craft compelling arguments and communicate with clarity and conviction. Whether creating original fiction or mastering formal debate, they engage deeply with language, logic and expression, skills that underpin academic excellence, personal growth and lifelong achievement.
The course also supports students whose first language is not English, providing a strong foundation to meet the demands of core curriculum as well as Oxbridge/G5 universities entrance assessments such as TSA and TARA. Through a structured focus on critical reading, analytical thinking, and effective communication, students learn to write with purpose and precision and to present ideas clearly and persuasively, both in written and spoken form. These transferable skills not only prepare them for GCSE success but also lay the groundwork for future study at IB, A-level, and university level, empowering them to thrive in an increasingly competitive academic and professional landscape.
An Exceptional Foundation for
Lasting Academic Success
Comprehensive and Future-Ready Learning Framework
Students will master a range of writing styles through a structured approach that combines expert instruction, tailored resources, and detailed feedback, building clarity, precision, and lasting confidence in written expression.
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Expert Instruction in Critical Thinking, Reading, Writing and Debating
Students will learn from our Oxbridge educator with strong academic experience who prepares students for GCSEs, A-levels and beyond school, equipping them for university success and helping them navigate common writing challenges.
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Focused Small Group Learning with Personalised Feedback
Each session develops sophisticated writing skills through personalised feedback and individual homework marking, empowering students to refine their technique and cultivate a distinctive academic voice.
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Extensive Practice to Drive Transformative Academic Growth
Structured opportunities to engage in academic discourse with peers allow students to refine their academic skills and cultivate lasting capabilities that will support them through university applications and well into higher education.
From Argument to Expression
Building Versatility in Writing
This 18-lesson course (27 teaching hours) helps students aged 13 to 15 to build versatility in writing by developing a confident, adaptable voice. Through exposure to a wide range of styles and purposes, from analytical essays to reflective and persuasive pieces, students expand their writing toolkit, learning to tailor their expression to different audiences and contexts. The course strengthens the critical thinking and communication skills that underpin success in school, university applications, and beyond.
By the end of this course, students will have:
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​Written a compelling 2,000-word short story
that demonstrates creativity, originality, and narrative control, showcasing their ability to craft engaging fiction with vivid characterisation and emotional depth.
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​Completed a research-based academic essay
that reflects strong argumentation, critical reading, and structured thinking, one that is suitable for school competitions or as a foundation for GCSE, A-level and university-level writing.
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​Prepared for international writing competition
with the opportunity to develop a 1,500 word academic essay for our essay competition. This provides a foundation for writing essays for globally recognised contests such as the John Locke Institute Essay Competition. Further personalised support is available for those wishing to enter.
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Mastered critical analysis of literature and media
by learning to interpret themes, techniques, and contexts with precision, mirroring the approach expected of students at top universities.
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Developed confident public speaking and debating skills
through structured practice and live performance, enabling students to present arguments clearly, respond to challenges effectively, and engage audience.​
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Built a richer vocabulary and greater writing fluency
From creative and academic to persuasive writing, enhancing both written communication and overall academic expression.
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Strengthened your readiness for top university applications
by developing a versatile skill set in logical reasoning, writing, research, and communication that supports academic success and future ambitions.
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Developed a strategic and responsible approach to using AI in writing
through short, targeted segments within lessons that introduce the ethical and effective use of AI tools to support idea development and editing while reinforcing academic integrity.
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​​​​​​18 December 2025, Thursday
12:00nn-12:30pm GMT / 8:00pm-8:30pm HKST
Instructor: Dr Toby Lincoln
Format: Online (Zoom)
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​Experience our unique teaching style live, ask questions in real time, and receive a discount code (non-transferable) revealed only during the session. Limited seats available. Register below to secure your place and we will send you a Zoom meeting link for the trial lesson.
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Skills Students Will Master
Critical Reading, Thinking & Interpretation
Examine literature, media, speeches, and other texts to interpret meaning, identify bias, and assess argumentation, while developing the capacity to integrate these analytical skills into your own written work.
Research &
Media Literacy
Develop the ability to evaluate and synthesise credible sources, critically analyse media messaging, and support arguments across disciplines while building confident research habits.
Academic Writing & Composition
Develop clear and well-structured academic essays by crafting strong thesis statements, organising persuasive arguments, integrating evidence, and applying critical analysis.
Language Precision &
Style
Expand vocabulary, sharpen grammar, and polish writing style to improve clarity and impact across all forms of academic writing, while developing precision in expressing complex ideas.
Creative Thinking & Expression
​Develop original ideas and experiment with style by applying imaginative and innovative approaches, enhancing engagement in creative and academic writing, and learning to express complex concepts effectively.
Argumentation &
Debate
​Build the ability to argue logically, challenge counterpositions effectively, and convey ideas with clarity and persuasion across written and spoken forms.
ASPIRE Academic Literacy Course 2026
18 Lessons for aged 13-15 between January 2026 & July 2026
18 Sessions
1.5 h per session​
Online & Live
in multiple time zones
Small Class Size​
4 to 8 students​
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Designed for​
13-15 years old​
​​​Demo Video by Dr Toby Lincoln​​​​
Part 1:
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January 2026 to March 2026 ​
9 weekly lessons (13.5 hours) with a 1-week half term break
Starting in the week commencing 5 January 2026
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Structure of course commencing in January 2026
Part 2:
​​​​​​March 2026 to July 2026​
​9 weekly lessons (13.5 hours) with an 8-week exam break in May-June (maybe shifted upon request)
Starting in the week commencing 23 March 2026
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Lesson Times for Part 1 and Part 2 (2026)*
Cohort A:
(Asia)
Part 1 (9 lessons) - 5 January to 16 March 2026, every Monday except 16 February 2026​
Part 2 (9 lessons) - 23 March to 13 July 2026, every Monday except Easter and between 4 May-15 June 2026
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18:00 to 19:30 China Standard Time for China, Hong Kong and Macau
Cohort B:
(Europe)
Part 1 (9 lessons) - 7 January to 18 March 2026, every Wednesday except 18 February 2026
Part 2 (9 lessons) - 25 March to 15 July, every Wednesday except Easter and between 6 May-17 June 2026
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19:00 to 20:30 United Kingdom local time
* The lesson times stated above represent the standard schedule for this course. Alternative time slots may only be considered where there is sufficient interest from a group of four or more students, and are subject to the Company’s discretion and availability.
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​​Course Pricings (January 2026):
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Part 1 only standard fee (9 lessons x 1.5h/lesson):
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Part 2 only standard fee (9 lessons x 1.5h/lesson): ​
​Money-back rebate for successful submission to an approved essay competition in 2026:
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​​​​£1000 per student
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£1000 per student *
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£200 rebate per student **
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* Only students who enrolled in Part 1 are eligible to enrol in Part 2.
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** £200 rebate will be issued upon proof of submission to the 2026 John Locke Institute Essay Competition or another external essay competition (subject to our approval). One rebate per student who is enrolled in both Part 1 and Part 2. The rebate will be processed within 28 days of submission confirmation.​​​​​​​​
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To secure a place, a £50 non-refundable deposit is required by 22 December 2025. The balance payment will be required by 2 January 2026 to confirm your enrolment in Part 1. ​Places are limited - register now to secure your place!
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Deadline for registration and deposit payment for Part 1: 27 December 2025
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For inquiries or registration, please contact us at writing@oxbridgegateway.com
Our Oxbridge Academic
Literacy Course Instructor
Dr Toby Lincoln DPhil (Oxon) FRHistS
Chief Humanities Consultant (Oxford) &
Writing Course Instructor
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Dr Lincoln is a distinguished historian and educator with over 15 years of international teaching experience across the UK, USA, and China. He holds a DPhil in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford and has held academic appointments at Yale University and the University of Leicester, where he rose to the position of Associate Professor in Chinese Urban History.​
A dedicated and inspiring teacher, Dr Lincoln has delivered courses in modern Chinese history, historical methods, and urban studies to undergraduate and postgraduate students around the world. He has also supervised PhD candidates and led curriculum innovation and teacher training programmes for over 700 doctoral students. His past visiting professorships at Hangzhou Normal University and Shanghai Normal University further reflect his global academic reach.​
Today, Dr Lincoln brings his deep subject knowledge and academic insight to his work as an educational consultant. He offers one-to-one support in A-level and International Baccalaureate History and Politics, and provides expert guidance on all aspects of university admissions—from crafting standout personal statements and research proposals to interview preparation and mentoring. He also teaches AI literacy to help students and professionals navigate the future of knowledge and technology with confidence.
Dr Lincoln is an active researcher and the author of An Urban History of China (Cambridge, 2021) and “Out of the Rubble of the Second World War: Postwar Reconstruction in China”, recently published in Past and Present, the UK’s leading historical journal. He is currently working on a major project examining China's recovery after WWII. He also writes science fiction short stories.
Dr Lincoln has been recognised with numerous scholarships and awards, including an Arts and Humanities Research Council Early Career Fellowship and the prestigious Yungtai Hsu Scholarship at Oxford. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of The Tutors’ Association.
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