Thurlston Tutors & Thurlston Tuition

Personal Description:
I have worked with some 800+ children and have a pass rate of 91%. I recommend that children start tuition from near the beginning of year 5 and have a 50 mins-one hour lesson per week.

I am a regular contributor on 11+ website forums giving parents the benefit of my experience/knowledge.

In 2003 I produced a guide to 11+ success and have sold over 1500 copies to date.

I have been an adviser to publisher Nelson Thornes on the contents of their VR books which include the Bond range.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 21 years experience as a private tutor preparing children for the grammar school entrance exams (11+) and 11 years as a year 5 class teacher.

Tutoring Approach:
I carry out an initial assessment test which provides me with an accurate guide as to whether the child is a suitable candidate.

My aim is to familiarise my pupils with the different types of verbal reasoning questions they will encounter in the exam and teach them methods to tackle them most effectively.

As we approach the exam we concentrate on 'fine-tuning' i.e. concentrating specifically on any areas that need further attention and ensuring that the child is used to working at the required speed. Appropriate practice tests are done on a regular basis.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My aim is to help each student reach their potential through individually tailored lessons designed to make learning enjoyable. I have a strong belief that for people of all ages, learning can be fun, and if you relish the process, you are much more likely to learn something!

Every lesson includes the use of several workbooks, learning diagrams, reading books, learning games and rewards (for younger students) ranging from stickers to special prizes for the hardest workers!

I also believe that a hugely understated part of any teachers role is to give a student confidence, as when belief is established, the student's results tend to rapidly improve as well. Therefore my extremely enthusiastic approach to tutoring is vital in building a students confidence and skyrocketing upwards in levels.

There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing a student achieve what they set out to do, be it a particular grade they need to obtain or a skill they need to develop.

Teaching Experience:
For over thirteen years I have been teaching English, Literacy and Reading from my own home. I have an Honours Degree in English Language BA (Hons).

Tutoring Approach:
Exam Results

GCSE English

(Grade on the left is the student's grade before lesson one, grade on the right is the confirmed GCSE result)

GCSE English (2023)

1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 6 (B+/A-)
1 student from a 5 (C+/B-) ----> 9 (A**)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 6 (B+/A-)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 4 (C)

GCSE English (2022)

2 students from a 4 (C) ----> 7 (A)
2 students from a 3 (D) ----> 6 (B+/A-)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 5 (C+/B-)
1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 4 (C)
1 student from a 1 (F) ----> 3 (D)

GCSE English (2021)

1 student from a 4 (C) ----> 6 (B+/A-)
1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 5 (C+/B-)
2 students from a 4 (C) ----> 5 (C+/B-)
1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 4 (C)
1 student from a 1 (F) ----> 3 (D)

GCSE English (2020)
All exams were cancelled due to the pandemic

GCSE English (2019)

2 students from a 2 (E) ----> 6 (B)
1 student from a 4 (C) ----> 7 (A)
1 student from a 1 (F) ----> 5 (C+/B-)
1 student from a 5 (C+/B-) ----> 8 (A+)

GCSE English (2018)

1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 6 (B)
1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 6 (B)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 5 (C+/B-)
1 student from a 2 (E) ----> 4 (C)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 4 (C)

GCSE English (2017)

1 student from a 3 (D) -----> 6 (B+/A-)
1 student from a 4 (C) ----> 7 (A)
1 student from a 3 (D) ----> 4 (C)
1 student from a 1 (F) ----> 3 (D)

GCSE English (2016)

1 student from a U ----> B
1 student from an E -----> B
1 student from a D ----> C
1 student from a C -----> A*

GCSE English (2015)

1 student from a U ----> C
2 students from an E -----> B
1 student from an E ----> C
1 student from a D ----> A*
1 student from a D -----> B
2 students from a D ----> C
1 student from a C ----> A*
1 student from a C ----> A
1 student from a C ----> B

GCSE English (2014)

4 Students from a D ----> C
3 Students from a D ----> B
2 Students from a D ----> A
1 student from a C ----> B

Year 6 SATS

(Grade on the left is the student's grade before lesson one, grade on the right is the confirmed SATS result)

Year 6 SATS (2020 & 2021)
All exams were cancelled due to the pandemic

Year 6 SATS (2019)

2 students from below expectations ----> expected standard
1 student from expected standard ----> above expectations

Year 6 SATS (2018)

1 student from below expectations ----> above expectations
1 student from below expectations ----> expected standard
2 students from expected standard ----> above expectations
1 student from below expectations ----> below expectations

Year 6 SATS (2017)

1 student from below expectations ----> above expectations
2 students from below expectations ----> expected standard
1 student from expected standard ----> above expectations
1 student from expected standard ----> expected standard

Year 6 SATS (2016)

1 student from below expectations ----> above expectations
2 students from below expectations ----> expected standard
3 students from expected standard ----> above expectations
1 student from expected standard ----> expected standard

Heckmondwike Grammar Entrance Tests

10 students passed
3 students failed
76.9% pass rate

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

8 students passed on their first attempt
1 students passed on their second attempt
0 students failed
100% pass rate

Recent Testimonials:

Ellen (10)
Year 6 SATS

Ellen was described as just below the expected level for English. We also felt her spelling was often poor and she struggled with extended writing. The main thing we have noticed is Ellen's confidence, attitude to learning and overall happiness: the improvement is immense. Ellen has now adapted a 'can do' attitude and revels in articulating what she has learnt with David. David is incredibly enthusiastic and positive, an approach that has really worked with Ellen. Speaking as a teacher, it is also clear that he understands the amendment procedures for Key Stage 2 and therefore every minute of every lesson is preparing Ellen for success. Ultimately my daughter loves to attend David's lesson and loves learning now!

Score: 10/10

Jack (16)
GCSE's

Jack's mock results were an E in English Language as well as a D in literature and he wanted to do Economics A level which required a B grade in his final GCSE. Jack had two hours of tuition per week from January to May. He enjoyed going (this surprised me as he hated English before the sessions) and had a new found likeness for literacy. He received a B in both language and literature and can now do A level economics. Jack related very well to David- this made learning easier for Jack and he obtained the grades he needed. His teachers at school noticed a marked improvement in his work when he was having tuition.

Score: 10/10

Oliver (6)
Year 2

Oliver was falling behind in Math's and English. I am very happy to say that his confidence and his ability to retain what David teaches him has improved greatly. His teachers at school have also commented on his marked improvement and he now feels a sense of achievement in everything he does- he also speaks of making David proud. David was/is exactly what I was looking for. Oliver doesn't seem to think about his lesson as lesson, he genuinely enjoys spending Saturday mornings at David's as he now really wants to improve himself! Wow!!!

Score: 10/10

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have been involved in computers and IT for 27 years. I was first of all a professional computer games programmer / designer before moving into my current role as an IT Solutions Architect. Over the last 21 years in IT consultancy, I have developed a breadth and depth of knowledge in IT and computing which is hard to find almost anywhere in the UK having dealt with almost all types of systems and aspects of IT.

I'm not able to teach you all the intricacies of the Microsoft Office products like Excel or Word, but I can train you in system design, system support, software development and pretty much anything in between. I have detailed experience in virtually all Microsoft operating systems and applications. I am also very experienced on VMware products. I am also able to assist your training in application and web development in C, C#, VB, scripting and assembler (68000 & 6502).

Teaching Experience:
21 years of mentoring and training junior staff on systems including Microsoft operating systems and applications.
Delivered a classroom based Lotus Notes course for Computacentre.
Developing syllabi and exam question papers for the British Computer Society (BCS).

Tutoring Approach:
I would first of all need to know what your learning requirements are. What is it you want to know about and to what level? From that point, I would create a training plan for you to reach that goal.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Chemistry teacher also an approved examiner for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. I have over 7 years of teaching experience in two of the best schools in the country over the private and state sector and also an experienced tutor over the past 15 years.

I do teaching and mentoring because I enjoy it the most. With an enthusiastic and energetic approach and by creating an interactive atmosphere, I encourage the students to work through the problems and understand the underlying scientific and mathematical principles. I believe it is important to push students and encourage them to do the best they can it evidently has worked in my experience with tutoring.

Teaching Experience:
I am a teacher of Chemistry and have had teaching experience over 15 years.

I have had a significant amount of tutoring experience during my time whilst studying. I found these sessions very useful in honing my teaching abilities and it gave me a good idea in regards to dealing with students who are at different academic levels and of varying personalities.

Tutoring Approach:
I promote a highly interactive paradigm to my teaching such that our sessions are more of an educated conversation as opposed to a lecture. In my opinion this promotes greater understanding within the pupil and allows for their interest to be maintained for a longer period of time through the session.

The way I teach will primarily depend on the student that I am with and the pace will of course vary accordingly. At the start of our teaching arrangement I will first of all attempt to gauge exactly what my student wants from our sessions and at what academic level they wish to ascend to, once that is understood I will plan our sessions appropriately to suit their needs. Furthermore at the start of each session I, with input from the student, will form a list of learning objectives for the session and will aim to achieve all of them effectively. This provides us with a list of topics covered and a good way to appraise what we have learnt.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an established Business and Economics examiner and lecturer with a track record helping students gain clarity and confidence in subject structuring and presenting arguments. I help review and demonstrate practical techniques in planning, structuring and writing long essays for excellent results.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 15 years experience examining and prepping students across most exam boards especially, AQA, Edexcel & OCR. I do this through structured and targeted exam practice routines taking each student's ability and desired goals into consideration.

I am equally comfortable guiding young adults, older and graduate students through course works, essays, term papers and dissertation projects.

Tutoring Approach:
I draw often on real-life scenarios and bespoke classroom resources to provide learner-centered tuition that motivates and reinforce knowledge, sharpen subject applications, and develop analytical skills.

Through patience and in-depth understanding of students' capabilities, I take pleasure in challenging those limitations and helping students reach their potentials.

Subjects

Personal Description:
SQA marker available for Modern Studies and Politics private tuition in and around the East Kilbride area. Teach all levels: National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Teaching Experience:
Permanent Teacher of Modern Studies and Politics for East Renfrewshire Council.

Tutoring Approach:
Tailored to meet individual needs for pupils studying: Democracy (Scotland & UK), Social Issues (Crime & Inequality), International Issues (USA, Terrorism & Africa). Support for both Knowledge and Skills questions as well as Assignments for Modern Studies and Politics.

Advanced Higher tuition also available for those studying Political Issues, including Dissertation Projects.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have dedicated over 11 years to teaching students in Maths and Accounts from 8 years old to 60+. I am up-to-date with the ongoing curriculum changes and have covered KS2 up to and including GCSE levels. I have taught students with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours and have gained experience in the need to adjust teaching styles to each individual.

Teaching Experience:
I have dedicated over 11 years to teaching students in Maths and Accounts from 8 years old to 60+. I am up-to-date with the ongoing changes in curriculum and have covered KS2 up to and including GCSE levels. I have taught students with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours and have gained experience in the need to adjust teaching styles to each individual.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is generally tailored to each individual student. Most students are inclined to learning using various visual, auditory, kinaesthetic methods of teaching and I adopt this approach in my lessons as much as possible. My general approach centres around identifying key areas of difficulty, areas of misunderstanding, consolidation through questions and preparation for exams using a holistic approach.

The first session is spent assessing what would be most useful for the individual student.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor who has been tutoring for the last 25 years. I teach from KS3 to A levels, Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
I started my career as a Chemical Engineer and completed my PhD in that subject.
In Industry I have worked on Polymers, Pharmaceuticals and ceramics. I have designed towers using principles of Maths and Science and have been able to work out, how long it will take a ceramic to reach a temperature inside a furnace.
I have also worked on Pharmaceuticals and in particular enzymatic reactors and their Mathematical modelling. I also carried out calculation on diffusion through membranes.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for some 25 years on a one to one basis and to groups. All my students end up in getting admission to a University of their choice and a course to their liking. At the moment I am doing online tutoring. Online tutoring has many benefits which includes cost and the comfort of learning in familiar surroundings. . Online teaching has many positive aspects as compared to a traditional classroom.

Tutoring Approach:
I start by assessing the student in terms of present standard and academic potential. Once I have found out the level, I then collaborate with the parent or guardian to set targets.
My approach is a question and answer one, where the topic is discussed and any misconceptions are rectified and corrected.
Once the student has worked on their topic vocabulary, it is generally found that the student becomes a quick learner.
I also find motivation is an important factor in learning. If the student is keen on the subject they then begin to show creativity.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Dual-Qualfied Lawyer (New York, England and Wales), with a Double First Class degree in Law from the University of Cambridge and an LLM from Harvard Law School, which I attended through a Fulbright Scholarship. I have a real passion for teaching and am eager to help students succeed in their study of Law. I offer the following services:

LAW TUITION

Regular tuition for those looking for additional support throughout their course for students at all levels. Whether you are struggling to obtain the all-important 2.1, or are striving for a First, I can assist. I teach all core undergraduate modules and a wide range of optional modules at undergraduate and graduate level. I also offer more targeted exam-focussed revision sessions with a greater emphasis on practice questions and how best to prepare for assessments.

In addition, I provide a coursework review and feedback service whereby I provide detailed written comments on how to improve your work. This includes dissertations and longer-form assessments.

SQE TUITION

Tuition for the SQE1 professional qualification exams (FLK1 and FLK2). Having taken the exams myself (passing first time in the first quintile) I understand how demanding the revision process is, and how intellectually and physically taxing the exams can be, especially for those unfamiliar with closed-book multiple choice exams, all the more so for non-native English speakers. As well as teaching the substantive content you will need to pass, I can share useful hints and tips to facilitate your preparation, and to learn the art of mastering the unusual nature of the questions.

ADMISSIONS

General university admissions advice and assistance in the UK and the US, which includes the following: guidance on course and university selection; personal statement workshops; and LNAT preparation.

For those applying to Oxbridge, I can support you throughout the admissions process. This includes: guidance on college selection; assisting with supplementary requirements and portfolio preparation; and preparation for entrance exams and interviews, including full mock interview practice and feedback sessions.

If you are unsure if Law is right for you, I also offer taster sessions for younger students considering studying Law at university to give them some insight as to what to expect from the course to help you make the best decision for your future.

Unlike many tutors, this is my full-time profession and as such I can dedicate my full attention to my students throughout the academic year. I am a committed tutor, wholly invested in my students' progression and as such I am always willing to go the extra mile to help them succeed. I am very flexible with timings and will do my best to fit around your schedule.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 6 years' experience working as a Law Tutor and Admissions Consultant.

Beyond teaching, I spent 4 years practising English law at a top US law firm in London. Prior to that, I spent several years working across Africa for various international human rights NGOs including the Equal Education Law Centre and the Legal Resources Centre, both in South Africa, and Avocats Sans Frontieres, the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights and Human Rights Network, all in Uganda.

I previously worked for Oxbridge Applications as a Law Tutor, to assist Oxbridge candidates with their applications and interview preparation, and as a Mock Interviewer and Admissions Advisor on studying Law, particularly at Oxbridge.

I also worked as a Law teacher for students aged between 14 and 18 to prepare them to study Law at university, as well as having previous teaching experience in the Sciences.

Tutoring Approach:
The two core values that shape my teaching style are that classes are student-led and enjoyable. My students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, nationalities, and abilities, and I am well-aware that every student learns differently. I therefore make every effort to develop an approach to suit the individual student's needs after discussing your goals and learning style with you. I also do my best to keep things fun and interesting to keep students engaged, as in my experience students tend to learn a lot more when they are enjoying the sessions.

I am a big believer in getting started on practice questions as soon as possible as I know that these can often be daunting for students. I find that talking through questions together early on helps to overcome these initial fears, and I have also devised additional resources and structures to share with you to help answer those tricky problem questions, which my students find invaluable.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I currently work as a Senior Global Project Manager for a clinical research company. Since graduating in 2015, I have worked in clinical research, progressing my career in Project Management.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2021 years from ages 6-16

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is flexible depending on the students needs. I would initially want to understand what areas the focus would be, where I would then plan lessons and ensure there is mutual understanding. I believe it is important to encourage the student with the belief that they can overcome what they feel like they dont understand and be successful

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Alan. I offer Mathematics lessons online and in person in the Newport (South Wales) and surrounding areas.
I am extremely patient, especially with the pupils requiring extra support. I aim to provide all my tutees with the confidence and the understanding which is necessary for success in the subject. I also undertake examination work which I have done for many years. This gives me a greater understanding of the possible areas of weakness by students in the subject and therefore I can guide them accordingly during the lessons. I travel to the homes of my students and am flexible about evening/weekend lessons according to parent requirements. I also offer online lessons via Skype if that is preferred.

Teaching Experience:
I have some 30 years experience as a Mathematics teacher in both the state and private sectors teaching children from 7 to 18 years of age.
I have also tutored Mathematics for many years to children and adults and achieved very good results.
I have also been involved with examination work for GCSE Mathematics over the years.

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy teaching on a one-to-one basis and expect pupils to maintain a high standard during the lessons but yet aim to make the lessons as enjoyable and relaxed as possible.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello potential students!

My name is David. I was an actor for 20 years, both as a hobbyist and a professional until becoming a writer. I still am both of those things (as well as a voice-over artist), but now would like to pass on my knowledge to other people and see if it helps them.

Until very recently, I worked in customer service for a myriad of companies--all to allow me the space and time to enjoy a career that was never fully stable. I enjoyed them, but only for the opportunity to meet new people and learn from them. True, I may be a tutor, but I will never stop being a student.

I also class as neurodivergent. For decades I lived with undiagnosed ADHD. Learning this was a surprise to many others around me, but not to me directly. The signs were not as well known back then, and somehow I had adapted to learn. These days, we adapt the teaching; so know that whatever background you have, we will find a way to learn together!

Teaching Experience:
Over one year as a private Tutor. Most of my students have been GCSE level (all exam boards) and a few have been adult learners wanting to know more, or Primary School pupils working to better their grammar. I hold a Master's Degree in Creative Writing and a Bachelor's in Drama--both of which give me a unique but well rounded approach to English Literature and Language, as well as essay writing.

Tutoring Approach:
Easy; good conversation, plenty of debates and a whole heap of laughs! For most texts involved in the English Language and Literature courses, it's hard to really analyse what lies beneath the words on the page; especially in a school-style setting. I like to find out what how the student works, and what works for the student. Then, I tailor our sessions around them, their pace, and see if there's more excitement underneath those words!

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