English Grinds

6th Year

Weekly Grind

In-Person

Online Live-Stream

Our Leaving Cert English grinds will help you improve your grade by teaching you how to effectively approach and answer English exam questions. A common mistake in English is to focus solely on Paper 2 and neglect the 50% of your mark that comes from Paper 1. Our teachers will ensure you don't fall into this trap. As a Grinds student, you will also have access to the archive of class recordings, meaning you will never miss a class.

Teachers:

Gavin Cowzer Kate Fahey

Let's chat Enrol Now

Free Study Guide

Your Investment Includes:

75 min Weekly Grind + 10 min Q&A

Attend In-Person or Online via Live-Stream

Supervised Study Lounge Access

Effective Study Guidance & Support

Access to Recordings of All Grinds

Gavin’s Renowned Exam Notes

Specialised Seminar for Parents

Flexible Payment Options with Instalment Plans

Trial a Class with Gavin Cowzer & Kate Fahey

10% off Easter Revision Courses

How the English Grinds Work:

✔ 75-Minute Weekly Grinds class: You’ll be taught by some of the very best educators in Ireland. Select your preferred day and time, and choose to attend In-Person or Online.

✔ Gavin’s Specialised Grinds Notes: Exclusively available to our grinds students, these notes contain Gavin’s unique approach to learning english, designed to cut through the jargon and help students easily understand the complex concepts.

✔ Access To Our Supervised Study Lounge: As a grinds student with us, you’ll get Free access to our Supervised Study Lounge, located in Blackrock and open 5 days per week.

✔ Study Guidance: We help students study smarter with expert guidance, H1 notes, and class recordings, providing everything they need to boost their exam performance.

✔ Recordings of Every Grind: Never miss a class again! These recordings are also a great study resource.

✔ Seminars for Parents: We invite parents to attend several talks throughout the year on how to support their child throughout the State Examinations journey.

✔ Exclusive Discounts to Our Revision Courses: As a grinds student with us, you’ll receive discounts on our Christmas and Easter Revision courses.

How the 6th Year English Grinds Work

1 X Weekly In-Person Exam-Focused Classes (75 mins + 10 min Q&A)

A weekly exam focused English Grind that helps grow students’ confidence and exam performance. After all english grinds, there are 10-minute Q&A sessions with our teachers, allowing time to tackle specific student challenges. Students can also choose to attend this grind online. A monthly note to parents will be sent out which will outline what topics are being covered and the schedule for the month ahead.

Supervised Study Lounge Access

Mon-Wed: 5pm-7:45pm | Thur: 4pm-6:45pm | Sat: 10am-1pm
Students attending Weekly Grinds have access to a quiet, structured space for focused study at our new State-of-the-art Campus in Blackrock Co. Dublin.

English Mock Exams with Detailed Solutions

Our English teachers will produce their own mock exams based on their predictions for the upcoming Leaving Cert English exams, and provide full solutions for students. There will be four Mock English Exams held a year, Paper 1 &2 in March and again in early May there’ll be another Paper 1 & 2 exam.

All English Grinds come with Gavin Cowzer’s renowned English Notes

A comprehensive, expertly designed revision tool — ideal for continuous learning.

The English Grinds unique teaching Methodology & Interactive style

52 Skills / IMED (Identify, Method, Execute & Marking)

CAO & Guidance Webinar Series for parents

Led by expert career advisor Kay, giving families clarity and direction.

Flexible Payment Options

Spread the price of grinds over 3 easy instalments.

Exclusive Discount on our Christmas & Easter Revision Courses

Perfect for revision, catch-up, and reinforcing key concepts.

English Grinds Schedule

Attend one of our 75 min Weekly Grinds + 10 min Q&A In-Person or Online;
Tuesdays	6:45pm - 8:00pm
Wednesdays	6:20pm - 7:35pm
Wednesdays	7:45pm - 9:00pm
Saturdays	10:30am - 11:45am
Saturdays	12:00pm - 1:15pm

The Benefits of our Grinds Programme

Expertly Guided Exam Strategy & Skills Development

Master the structure, technique, and mindset required to excel in high-stake examinations, led by motivating experienced teachers.

Time Management Mastery & Proven Study Techniques

Gain access to advanced study frameworks and time management strategies tailored for peak academic performance.

Confidence Through Consistency

Minimise exam-day anxiety with frequent, structured in-class assessments that build familiarity and confidence over time.

The Power of In-Person Learning

Benefit from the richness of face-to-face instruction, immediate feedback, and real-time academic engagement, unmatched by virtual alternatives.

A Culture of Excellence & Belonging

Thrive in a nurturing, inclusive environment where passionate teachers and motivated peers create a dynamic, success-driven community.

Surrounded by Support

Study alongside like-minded students who inspire and challenge you to reach your full potential.

Meet Your English Teachers

Gavin Cowzer

Gavin’s integration of language-learning skills based on the acquisition of language, such as phonics, provides all students with a strong foundation ensuring that they achieve the best possible grades in exams.

Gavin Cowzer is considered to be one of the leading English teachers in Ireland. Having a strong passion for the subjects, including obtaining a Master’s degree, Gavin’s style of teaching covers the syllabus in a clear and concise way, giving students the tools they need to successfully manage the likely exam questions. He has experience correcting exams, which gives his students an edge in a subject which is often assumed to be an art. Over the years, Gavin has developed a strict method to doing well in the English exam, which consistently helps his students reach great results. He has also been an expert contributor on Leaving Cert English for RTÉ Radio.

Kate Fahey

Kate has over eight years of experience in teaching Higher Level Leaving Certificate English. She graduated from UCD with a BA Honours degree in English and Music, followed by a two-year Professional Master's in Education with UCD. Kate has worked with the SEC as a written examiner of Higher Level Leaving Certificate English, as well as an Appeals examiner, for over four years, giving her in-depth insight into the marking process and evolving trends. This experience allows her to impart knowledge and demonstrate to students how to maximise their marks and overall exam performance. Kate employs a structured and engaging teaching style that makes the curriculum accessible to all students, so that they can reach their full potential in their exams

What Our English Grinds Cover

Our Leaving Cert English teachers will cover all aspects of the syllabus that you need to be aware of to achieve your full potential.

The skills and knowledge required for Paper 1 are explained in our English grinds in a way that minimizes anxiety surrounding the subject. The vocabulary required to achieve the H1 grade is taught in a way that makes you a comfortable user of language. As well as preparing you to answer the probable questions in the comprehension section, the composition (worth 25% of the entire grade) is extensively prepared for.

By providing notes on all the poets on the course, all students are catered for. However, in the grinds, we focus on the poets that we expect to see on the paper. Shakespeare is prepared for by concentrating on question types and looking at what the syllabus and marking scheme requires of you.

The comparative study is covered in depth with classes taught on all of the modes of comparison. Leaving Cert English Notes are also provided on all the primary texts, and you will receive notes on how to differentiate your answers from other students.

The following topics will be covered:

Comprehending

Composing

Unseen Poetry

Studied Poetry

Single Text

Comparative

Full English Schedule with Topics

Grinds Fees

Buy One Grind & Unlock 50% Off All Additional Grinds. (This Offer Extends to Siblings too! )

When Paid in Full

1st Subject

€699

Total: €699

2nd Subject

€350

Total: €1,049

3rd Subject

€350

Total: €1,399

4th Subject

€350

Total: €1,749

5th Subject

€350

Total: €2,099

6th Subject

€350

Total: €2,449

Where can you attend these grinds?

Our live, interactive grinds are available in two formats, both designed to offer you full engagement and access to top-quality instruction

In-Person: Join us in person at our Blackrock location for classroom-based grinds.

Online: Attend our grinds online, from anywhere in Ireland, with fully interactive live-streamed classes.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to ask questions and interact with our teachers throughout each session. All classes come with our renowned Dublin Academy study notes. If you attend via live-stream, we’ll post the notes to your home at no extra charge. As a Grinds student, you will also have access to the archive of class recordings, meaning you will never miss a class.

Our Leaving Cert grinds focus on what's essential for the exams. Our teachers cut through the unnecessary material to concentrate solely on the core content, helping you maximize your exam performance.

What is the schedule for grinds?

Start Date:
Classes commence week beginning Monday 1st September 2025.

Please note, classes will NOT be held on the following dates:

Mid-Term Breaks:
Monday 27th October- classes resume Monday 3rd November 2025
Monday 16th February – classes resume Monday 23rd February 2026

Christmas Holidays:
Monday 8th December 2025 – classes resume on Monday 5th January 2026

Easter Holidays:
Monday 30th March - Sunday 12th April 2026

Final Classes:
Saturday 16th May 2026

Please note that on bank holidays, our classes will not run in person or online live-stream. Instead, we’ll provide a high-quality recorded session that you can watch at your convenience. Thank you for your understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the schedule for grinds?

Start Date:
Classes commence week beginning Monday 1st September 2025.

Please note, classes will NOT be held on the following dates:

Mid-Term Breaks:
Monday 27th October- classes resume Monday 3rd November 2025
Monday 16th February – classes resume Monday 23rd February 2026

Christmas Holidays:
Monday 8th December 2025 – classes resume on Monday 5th January 2026

Easter Holidays:
Monday 30th March - Sunday 12th April 2026

Final Classes:
Saturday 16th May 2026

Can students ask questions in grinds?

Yes. Regardless of whether students are attending grinds in person or online via live-stream they will be free to ask our teachers questions.

How long are the grinds?

Leaving Cert weekly grinds are 75 minutes in duration. Junior Cert grinds are 60 minutes in duration.

Can I get recordings of the grinds?

As a Grinds student, you will have full access to the archive of class recordings, meaning you will never miss a class.

Can I change my choice of subject for my grind during the year?

Yes, however, please note that an administration charge of €25 will apply if a student decides to change their choice of subject during the year.

How do I access my live-streamed grinds and recordings?

You will access your live-streamed grinds and recrodings via our online learning management system, DASH (Dublin Academy School Hub). We will send you login details for this platform in advance of your grind.

If I opt for live-streamed grinds, how do I get my study notes?

Your study notes will be posted to your house free of charge in advance of your live-streamed grinds commencing. Please note, study notes will take up to 3 working days to arrive from the time of booking.

Can I try out the weekly grinds for free before signing up?

Yes, all students can attend a free trial of our weekly grinds to ensure they are happy with the service.

Do Weekly Grinds take place on bank holiday Mondays?

Hear from our English Students

“Gavin was the best teacher I've ever had, it was a really enjoyable year of grinds that definitely helped me achieve a higher grade than I would have received had I not signed up to the grinds.”

Attended Gavin's English Grinds

“Gavin took the content from the texts we were learning and put it in conversational and understandable form which was great for learning English, I got a H1 in English and I know myself this would not have been close to possible without these grinds.”

Attended Gavin's English Grinds