Neil - Bolton tutor






Information About Neil:


Personal Description:

I am a graduate student with particular affinity for the humanities in the broadest sense. Born and raised in the local area and the first in my family to sit 'A'-levels I have a particular and personal interest in raising the aspirations of sixth form students considering their academic options or doubting their abilities, as well as in the lifelong learning of students from diverse backgrounds.

I am particularly suited to tutoring A-Level students seeking an extra boost in their grades between AS and A2 via an intensive summer course, or those aspiring to Oxbridge, undergraduates seeking the one-to-one tuition offered by vanishingly few UK universities, or adult students of all kinds.



Teaching Experience:

Examiner & Seminar Convenor for Master of Studies in International Relations, Institute for Continuing Education & Department of International Relations, University of Cambridge, Academic Years 2008-2010. Involving small groups of full-time, part-time, professional and amateur students from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.

Undergraduate Supervisor in the history of the United States, c. 1865-, University of Cambridge, Academic Years 2007-2009. Duties involved weekly, hour-long, one-to-one tutorials for students aged 18-19, based upon marked essay submitted 24hr in advance.

Guest Lecturer, Hinchinbrooke High School, Huntingdon, Autumn 2009 - multimedia-led presentations to sixth form students in the political uses of history in the rhetoric of the 2008 presidential elections in the United States.



Tutoring Approach:

My approach to tutoring is highly flexible and adaptive to the particular needs of students, but follows a number of general principles. Firstly, in most cases, tutoring will serve as a compliment to - rather than a substitute for - a primary learning environment that will ultimately accredit any qualifications. The aims are to sharpen skills of critical thinking and appreciation of methodology, but also to develop a deeper and more enthusiastic engagement with subject matter for its own sake, as well as teasing out broader implications than may otherwise be possible.

To this end, the student's own work, submitted in (24 hr) advance and returned with extensive written feedback, will act as the text for discussion, argument and the development of synoptic links to broader subject matter and the requirements of syllabi and, ultimately, examinations. Towards the end of each tailored, ad hoc course, exercises in examination conditions will be offered. Returning to difficult topics - and even the repetition of exercises - will be undertaken with little of the hesitation necessary in more structured environments. The aim is for plenty of disputatious fun in an environment where the student is not afraid to try difficult things, or take the time to do more than just 'get by', or to stop and seek more clarification and detail.



Map showing Neil's location

Qualifications:

  • M.Phil Historical Studies, University of Cambridge
  • Double First, BA History, University of Cambridge
  • AEA Geography, Distinction; 5 'A' levels, A grade: History, Philosophy, Geography, English Literature, General Studies, Bolton Catholic Sixth Form Centre
  • 11 A* GCSEs, 1 B, Thornleigh Salesian College,

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
Types of Tutoring:   Travels to you
References Supplied?   Yes