Clifton Tutors and Clifton Tuition

Personal Description:
I am friendly outgoing tutor who has a variety of interests. I enjoy travelling and playing a wide variety of sports in my spare time. I am fairly young and this ensures I can always communicate with my students effectively

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring for over 16 years and have had over 400 students in that time from numerous different schools and backgrounds. My success rate is very good.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to break up whichever subject I am tutoring into the various topics that make up the syllabus. I will then go through each lesson the different topics ensuring the student has understood what I am explaining, if not I will explain it again in a different way to ensure they have understood. I will then set regular homeworks and closer to the exam time go through past papers keeping parents up to date with their childs progress. I have a clear vision in how I need to take make each student progress and this structured approach has served me very well. I always ensure my communication with my students is very good and that they enjoy their lessons aswell as learning. This sets me apart from other tutors as I am young yet still very experienced at what I do. I can sometimes be more flexible with rates and do provide group tuition which may be more cost effective for you.

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Personal Description:
I have been a lecturer for the past 20 years at both college and university levels. Educated at the universities of London and Birmingham, I am an experienced tutor, teacher, lecturer and author of articles, reviews and a recent book. An historian by training, I am also interested in literature, politics and cultural studies.

My experience of education was incredible, but it might not have been were it not for the motivation and support that I received from a number of outstanding lecturers. It was their example that led me to start teaching and I have found that helping others to learn and achieve academic success gives enormous job satisfaction.

I believe every student has unrealised potential and that with the right approach, all can succeed. I am flexible and believe in helping my students to find a learning style which suits them and enables them to succeed. I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and besides teaching and writing, my interests include keeping abreast of current affairs, playing cricket and listening to world music.

Teaching Experience:
I tutor a variety of subjects at a range of levels including GCSE, AS, A Level, and Degree in addition to adult learners requiring support. I have experience of teaching students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I have mentored post-graduate students and proof-read theses and dissertations.

I have over 20 years experience teaching and have taught in classrooms and universities in the United Kingdom and abroad. My students come from a wide range of different age groups and backgrounds and I pride myself on helping all of them to succeed. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a faculty member of the Foundation for International Education, London and the New College of the Humanities, London. My previous posts have included Programme Director at Birkbeck, University of London and Director of Academics at the Foundation for International Education, London.

Tutoring Approach:
One of my main aims in tutoring is to stimulate an interest in learning, by making the topic as relevant in contemporary terms as possible. Most of the subjects I tutor, from History to Religious Studies have current and on-going social consequences. I have found that making an otherwise dry topic of relevance to a student awakens an interest and desire to learn more. It is those inspirational moments when students become aware of the linkages between what they have read, and what is going on around them that makes tutoring particularly satisfying. This coupled with a growing ability to think critically, usually translates into enhanced coursework grades.

My approach to teaching is based on two fundamental bases. The first is that it is absolutely essential to find contentment in the learning process. This may not come through the actual material that needs to be learnt and it is up to the tutor to inspire in the student the self-assurance to succeed. As your tutor, I will lay down the learning structure and will cement this through detailed lesson plans. The second basis is that supervised practise testing is very important. This needs to be followed by a thorough assessment of the results, in order to understand where improvements need to be made, in both knowledge and approach.

At the younger end, I create a fun learning environment and aim to enhance originality, conscientiousness and self-assurance in the child's ability. In the longer term, I concentrate on problem areas which may have been skated over in class. For more senior students and adult learners, the same principles apply in terms of tailoring lessons to the individual. I mix core concepts with more general study skills and encourage each student to find their own way of independent learning. I am a patient, hard-working and open individual who strives to get the best out of each student and help them achieve their learning objectives. As your tutor I will be available outside of teaching time to answer questions by email and phone, there will be no extra cost for this service.

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Personal Description:
I currently work as a QA Engineering Lead at Globacap. Before this I received a Double First Class in Mathematics.

I am 33, fully CRB checked, and a member of STEMnet (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics network), as well as being An associate member of the IMA (Institute of Mathematics and its Applications).

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring around the West Midlands for over 5 years, Manchester for 2 years, and currently due to COVID, I've been teaching online for another year. All parents / tutees who I have supplied private tutoring to are happy to recommend / provide references should you wish to seek clarification, on the quality of tutoring I am able to provide.

All students I have tutored have seen an increase in grades over the time I have worked with them, with an average improvement of 1 and a half grades!

I am happy to also offer a free first half session in order to gauge a students requirements, as sometimes parents aren't aware of this.

N.E.W Academy - Cover Supervisor and Academic Coach
Years 2009/10 and 2010/11

Self Employed - Private Tutor
2012 till present

Tutoring Approach:
I will provide materials, course guides, and encourage young students to be creative in their methods of tackling problems. I have lots of experience with working with students from the E/U borderline-category all the way up to A/A* candidates.

From the Ages of 14 onwards (Year 9+) I teach all subjects from scratch, with a view to proving why concepts exist and introduce topics from first principles. This I believe will improve retention, help pupils understand concepts better, and also allow them to remember test questions better - It really does work!

Where parents request extra work, I can provide monthly progress sheets, homework tasks, and an extensive list of past papers. Pupils are also encouraged to not just tackle past papers, but to try and understand how papers are conceived, helping them prepare for the unexpected, should it arise in their relevant exams.

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Personal Description:
Hi

I have just finished a PhD in maths at Newcastle University so it goes without saying I'm enthusiastic about both maths and physics. On top of this I have a wide variety of interests, and this allows me to find ways of explaining things that the people I'm tutoring can relate to.

Teaching Experience:
While studying at Newcastle I've taken many tutorials for students taking courses in Maths. For the past 6 years I've also worked in a tutoring drop-in centre where any student at Newcastle University can come to ask maths questions. I've always enjoyed this work as over the course of a day I can be asked how to apply maths to many problems from mechanical engineering to fine arts!

I have also done a lot of private tuition of A-levels for all of the major examining boards. I have often got this work from referral of satisfied customers.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a relaxed and friendly tutoring style.

I usually find students learn best by working through questions or examples, but I am also happy provide teaching of entire subjects from scratch. So if you're having trouble understand the material needed to pass an exam/assignment or wanting to learn about a subject from start to finish I will be able to help.

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Personal Description:
I have 35 years teaching experience both in the UK and overseas. I feel it's important to understand a students learning style and adjust lesson materials to suit that style whilst setting purposeful, realistic and attainable goals.

I enjoy teaching and deem it a privilege to have a share in helping others reach their aspirations.

I have a Trinity CERTTesol and an MA in English Language Teaching.

Teaching Experience:
Between 1992 & 2010 I lived and taught in Hong Kong to a variety of students from Chinese medium of instruction (CMI), English medium of instruction (EMI) and International schools. Assistance was given to help students progress towards their HKCEE (GCSE equivalent) and `A` levels, and in recent years the IB diploma, IGCSE's, and HKDSE.

Topics used in the lessons cover many of disciplines in the school curriculum, including, History, Geography, Economics, Biology, English Literature. Further guidance was given to help students prepare for exams, such as: SAT; and IELTS exams and common apps for HE.

In the past 15 years I have been tutoring students in the UK to prepare them for the 11+ entrance exams; teaching students at KS3, GCSE, A levels & IB. Additionally, I am currently guiding students with their dissertations for their chosen degrees, and proofreading BA, MA, papers prior to submission.

For the past 7 years, I have been involved in intervention teaching, which involves identifying learning styles and other factors that inhibit a student`s progress, and then devise strategies to engage the student in learning, to identify and then support their current learning needs.

Tutoring Approach:
I am committed to providing students with assistance to achieve the grades they need by patiently tutoring each student according to their learning style. I trust that my student-centred approach is effective in this area. My one-to-one tuition produces noticeable improvements in student confidence, attainment and ambition.

Exam Boards I cover:
- AQA
- Edexcel
- Cambridge/ Edexcel IGCSE
- OCR

GCSE English Literature texts
GCSE English Language Paper 1
GCSE English language Paper 2
- Writing to persuade
- Writing to inform
- Imaginative/ Creative writing
- Essay writing / structuring

GCSE Poetry
Love & Relationships
Power & Conflict

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified and experienced native English ESL/EFL teacher, specialised in working with adults in companies and universities.

I help people in a wide range of professions to give presentations, participate in meetings and conference calls, write emails, and to be generally more conversational and confident when speaking and listening.

I also work with university students to improve their academic writing, to pass exams such as the TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS, and to prepare them for entering the work environment after graduation.

I offer a free, 30-minute evaluation without any obligation, and a course book is included in the price if you sign up for 20 hours or more. Classes take place at your home or workplace with no extra charges for travel.

Teaching Experience:
January 2013 - August 2016
Director of Studies and Principal Teacher at LE Maison, France

February 2012 - December 2012
Pedagogical Manager and English Language Training Consultant at Mahoney Training Consultants, Paris, France

August 2010 - December 2012
Freelance Business English Teacher in Paris, France

October 2009 - February 2012
Business English Teacher at Business and Technical Languages, Paris, France

Tutoring Approach:
Adult learners are often juggling several professional and personal commitments which makes finding the time to learn a struggle. Therefore, I make the process as fun and efficient as possible.

For this reason, I begin with an in-depth evaluation of the student's needs and objectives as well as their strengths and weaknesses. From there, I build a course using a wide range of materials that meets these requirements.

My classes are always engaging and never the same two weeks in a row. During each lesson, I discover something new about my student which allows me to continually adapt the course to help them stay motivated, interested, and improve as quickly as possible while making learning a pleasure rather than work.

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Personal Description:
I am 50 years old female, a native Arabic speaker who's trying to help children learn Arabic in a simple and easy way. I am very patient and professional, and my objective is to improve your child's skills in the Arabic language and in reading Quran which can change in a few weeks. I usually focus on writing and conversation practice. I use great and effective materials to help your child develop his reading/writing skills.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored children with ADHD, primary and secondary levels for more than 10 years. I have also tutored candidates for Edexcel GCSE Arabic, IGCSE Classical Arabic and AS/A Level Arabic for the last 5 years.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is quite simple. First, I get to know the student and find what level he/she is in and then work on what he/she is missing.

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Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

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Personal Description:
I have been teaching French and German for the past 30 years.
I retired from classroom teaching in July 2022, in order to focus on offering private tuition.
The bulk of my private tuition is French and German GCSE. However, I am also delivering German IB (diploma) and A level, as well as English as a second language.
I also have some adult learners as well as children from age 6-10.

Teaching Experience:
I have many years of teaching French and German at all levels but mainly secondary school.
I have worked for 27 years in two London comprehensives.
My results have always been excellent.
I have outstanding subject knowledge and am familiar with the main exam boards.
I also have access to all relevant materials.
I am currently working part time in a local secondary school teaching French and German A level.
My current tuition timetable includes:
French GCSE (AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE)
German GCSE (AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge IGCSE)
German A level (AQA and Edexcel)
German adult learners - beginners.
English as a second language - IGCSE, IELTS
Beginner's German to adult learners as well as children aged 6-11

I have students attending UK top grammar and independent schools, as well as state comprehensives. I have experience in stretching and challenging the most able as well as helping students gain an acceptable pass in what is sometimes their weakest subject.
In the last two years, those of my tutees taking higher GCSE, have all gained grades 7-9 and those taking foundation, a grade 5.
All of this information can be verified on request.
I also have a number of adult learners for beginner's German. This has been very successful. Current students can provide testimonials if required.

Tutoring Approach:
I have done a lot of private tutoring, mainly GCSE but also some A level and adult learners.
I am a calm and patient teacher and know how to get the best out of my students.
Each lesson is tailor made to suit the needs of the individual.
I pride myself on being flexible and as a parent myself, understand that unforeseen circumstances can crop up. Therefore, I do not charge for late cancellations.

Recent, verifiable testimonials (updated August 2023, following GCSE results)

Alison was a great tutor. She is very easy to understand and made french as a subject a lot more simple for my son to understand. My son was originally getting 3s and 2s in his mocks, but she was able to assist him in getting a good result in the GCSE. I can't thank her enough for the help. She's a great tutor.
I would like to recommend her to everyone.

Allison has tutored my son for the past 2 years and I was delighted that he got a 9 for his GCSE German exam this year. My son took his GCSE exam early at the end of year 9 and his grade is a true reflection of what an exceptional tutor Allison is. Allison has been a truly amazing tutor and my son has thoroughly enjoyed his lessons with her. He will continue his tutoring with Allison as he has now opted to take A/S Level German next year. I highly recommend Allison if your child needs tuition for German.


Allison has been tutoring our daughter in French for the last few weeks, to help her prepare for GCSE's.
I cannot recommend Allison highly enough. She is easy to contact and on time to every lesson. My daughter was initially sceptical about having a tutor, but from the first lesson she soon saw the benefits. Allison is very personable and gave me feedback on what our daughter should be focusing on and how she has improved. Allison has great knowledge of the school syllabus and gave my daughter key areas to focus on outside of the lessons. I would like to thank Allison for giving our daughter more confidence in what used to be one of her weaker subjects

Allison provided tutoring for our daughter ahead of her GCSE in German. She knows the syllabus extremely well and identified the main areas on which to focus. She was very flexible on when she could come to our house and helped our daughter get the most out of each hour of tutoring. The overall impact was very positive with our daughter getting a 9 in her GCSE. I can thoroughly recommend Allison to anyone looking for help in either German or French.

We had Allison for about a year, and my son continues enjoying the lessons. Allison is very reliable, personable and flexible. She understands the help and support that is required for my son and applies her skills and knowledge to help. Her calm manner and being very accommodating are helpful add-ons to the help we get from her.

I was so busy to let you know how impressed my boys are of both of you. Because of you and his German teacher now, D. studies German with pleasure.

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Personal Description:
Hi I am a qualified primary school teacher. Teaching is my passion and I am here to help students thrive in their learning journeys. I am a mother to a little girl and we love the outdoors, exploring new places. I like travelling to different countries and experiencing the culture, food and history.

Teaching Experience:
I have 8 years of teaching experience in both key stage 1 and 2. Most of my years spent teaching and preparing students for the 11 + and SATS. I use a nurturing and engaging style to my teaching and incorporate the constructivist approach, allowing students to take a more active role in the learning process, encouraging them to use their prior knowledge as a foundation for understanding new concepts.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is child-centred and I tailor my learning and style to the needs of each child. I create a calm and nurturing environment so that my students feel at ease and have a love for learning. I help children over come their learning hurdles by providing one-on-one teaching in a given subject, assessing a child's level of education and supporting the gaps. I teach a variety of students, from those who are particularly struggling with areas of learning, to those who are looking for a challenge.

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Personal Description:
I have graduated in the field of Biological science (B.Sc.) and successfully completed my masters degree in Chemistry in UK.

Teaching Experience:
I gained 5 years of experience in teaching and taught in 5 different schools and in 3 different countries which provided me an opportunity to mingle with students with different backgrounds and culture.

Tutoring Approach:
Classes will be conducted via zoom and the lessons will be uploaded through online portal. Adding to this, I have experience in teaching online portal for school students at the time of COVID. Further, I focus more on past papers and train the students

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Personal Description:
Hello, I'm an Award-winning artist, filmmaker and interdisciplinary tutor, based in London.I've an open, listening, fluid and tailored approach to you. Art, Design & Film tutor. Former lecturer at Central Saint Martins and Camberwell Schools of Art (UAL, 25 years) and Head of MA Screendance at London Contemporary Dance School. Recent Fellow at New York University. Selected awards and commissions include Arts Council England, BFI, British Council, Wellcome, Jerwood, Sadler's Wells, BBC and Mayor of London. Graduate of École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris (Fine Art, scholarship prize); Birkbeck, University of London (Philosophy); Middlesex University, London (Fashion & Textiles).

Teaching Experience:
Over 25 years lecturing across Arts: Fine Art, Film & Moving Image, Sound, Digital Media, Illustration, Animation, Graphics, Fashion & Textiles and Dance Film at UAL (CSM & CCA) and LCDS. Experience spans Foundation through to MA & Phd, including joint honours and cross-discipline students. Founder of KAS (Kennington Kinaesthetic Arts & Science), a Mayor of London Culture Seeds award-winning community arts and education project, bringing arts education to lower-income families on a voluntary basis since 2011.

Tutoring Approach:
Open, relaxed and tailored to you. I begin by listening and disciussing where you are now and where you'd like to get to - not a fixed syllabus. I'm equally at home working through a sketchbook, preparing a portfolio, discussing degree options, or walking a gallery together with a specific brief in mind. Particularly well suited to students who don't fit neatly into one box: A-level and Foundation students uncertain which direction to take or which degree to apply for; those considering cross-discipline or joint honours study; degree students thinking ahead to an MA; and adults at any stage. If you're unsure what you want to make or where you want to study, I can help you work that out. Nothing is set in stone on the first step - and that's often where the most interesting work begins. Available in-person, online, or on location (gallery and cinema visits tailored to your level and interests). Group sessions at reduced rates. Full DBS & French speaker.

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