Crossword Tutors​

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​​Our Ethos and Experience

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Solving Cryptic Crosswords is about much more than knowing lots of words. The mechanics of solving a clue require an analytic mind, logic and reasoning. To finish a hard cryptic crossword requires a flexible problem-solving approach. At Crossword Tutors we recognise that Crossword Solving improves these higher cognitive skills, and that's why we believe in teaching this valuable brain-training method.
 

Teaching you can trust

Before setting up Crossword Tutors, founder and Director Kaz Lyon (BSc, MSc, ACA) studied undergraduate Neuroscience for 4 years, postgraduate Neuropsychology for a further year, and postgraduate Complexity Science for 6 months. He was a researcher in the Memory Group at Bristol University's Psychology Department for 2 years. 

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His studies and research into how the brain and mind work, with particular focus on memory, gave him a deeper fascination with cryptic crosswords and the application and development of vocabulary networks, memory access and analytic thinking.​​​

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Many medical professionals agree that doing some form of regular mental activity is great for keeping brains healthier in later life - at Crossword Tutors we also believe that cryptic crossword solving develops one's ability to tackle problems from several different directions. By training your mind to take a flexible, 'think outside the box' approach, problem-solving - for any project, be it at work, home or elsewhere - becomes far easier and much more fun!

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We've taught hundreds of people how to solve cryptic crosswords, and also received dozens of commissions to create personalised cryptic crosswords as gifts.

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We have also branched out into puzzle game experiences and have developed products for a range of different audiences, most recently including the University of Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Napier University (2022-2023).