Ashurst Wood Tutors and Ashurst Wood Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a qualified Industrial Engineer from University College Galway, Ireland (1978)
I qualified as a secondary school teacher from King's College London (2000).
I have worked as an IT developer for many years.
I have worked in Hamburg and speak fluent German.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in inner London state secondary schools for ten years.
I have taught mathematics at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 to pupils over the entire ability range.
I have taught Pure, Statistics and Mechanics to A-Level pupils
I have also tutored extensively over a number of years.

Tutoring Approach:
Most pupils are focused on a particular examination and I never lose sight of this fact.
However, I like to demonstrate how mathematics is applied in the real world.
I am especially interested in using software such as Cabri, Autograph, Microsoft Excel etc to demonstrate mathematical points.
I have considerable knowledge of online both free and subscription mathematical websites.
This helps pupils between lessons to either prepare for a future lesson or build up confidence in topics already covered. I have extensive experience of KS3, KS4 and KS5 examination systems.

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic and dedicated person that values family, and family values above all. I have a first degree in Actuarial science (Math and Economics) from City University, London, and have been involved with figures throughout my whole working career. I expect students to put their "best foot forward" and believe that with the right encouragement, any and all students can achieve.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten (10) years tutoring experience at all levels of secondary education, having dealt with several pupils over that time, on levels right up to A level math. I currently teach at a local secondary and have taught all key stages, including key stage 5, over the last 8 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that with the right environment and approach, students can be supplied with the confidence and skills to both be successful at exams at school and in later choices. This is achieved in a friendly and mutually respectful atmosphere.

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Personal Description:
Professional artist and creative practitioner.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a practising artist for 15 years working with schools and other child led organisations delivering art activtity for children.

Tutoring Approach:
Portfolio / sketchbook advice and private art lessons anywhere in West Yorkshire as well as at the studio in Pudsey leeds. Have a great amount of experience tutoring all ages and skill levels and works with a number of highly reputable education consultancies. These sessions are particularly useful for students working on GCSE and A Level projects, or for students studying for an Art degree. Also provides lessons for anybody who just wants to improve their Art skills!

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Personal Description:
In July 2013, I graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, undertaking a BMus (Hons) Music degree (2.1) with a principle study in singing (1st). I took two gap years before going to university to gain experience in the music and drama fields. I have studied modules at university ranging from Bach to Beethoven and Sibelius to Weill.

Teaching Experience:
In my two gap years I was a gap student at Bedales Schools for a term and then was invited back to cover a member of music staff. Responsibilities included teaching 8-13 year old mixed pupils classroom music as well as supervising music practices. I also tutored pupils through grade 5 theory achieving merit and distinction grades.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a very laid-back attitude to teaching and will teach you in similar ways that I have been taught. I understand totally that some pupils need several ways of explaining things so bring a variety of teaching methods to my lessons. I make teaching interesting and engaging and always try to relate the subject to the pupil. I have been very fortunate to learn under some inspirational teachers and would love to be able to carry on their enthusiasm to other students.

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Personal Description:
I have been working in the Graphic Design industry for the past 18 years as an IPA Practitioner in Advertising and graphic design agencies with many blue chip clients such as Dr. Martens, Barclays Bank, Duetsche Bank, Eidos Interactive game graphics (Tomb Raider) and many more.

I have a thorough knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Muse website software.

I am also qualified to HND level and Award in Education (PTILLS)

Teaching Experience:
Worked with students in graphic design workshops, helping them navigate in Adobe Creative Suite and other design software including websites and design for print.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a helpful relaxed approach in teaching across all areas of Graphic design from layout, typography through to website and print setup.

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Personal Description:
My name is Marese, I'm a CELTA qualified English Language Teacher and I live in Glasgow, Scotland. I'm a friendly and outgoing person who loves meeting people from different cultures and from around the world. I love music, photography, architecture, art, cinema, hiking and cycling. I've worked in Germany, England, Ireland and more recently studied and taught English in Korea and Thailand. I am interested in technology and social media and like to keep these skills up to date, especially my online teaching skills. All of my lessons are tailor made to each individuals needs and learning goals, and are really enjoyable too as I like to build a good relationship with my students.

Teaching Experience:
I am a CELTA qualified English language teacher and have worked as a teacher of English in public schools in South Korea for two years. I've also taught English to adults in Germany and to students online (all levels). In addition, I hold a TEFL Certificate in 'Teaching English Online' (2013).

I've previously worked as a tutor with Spanish people on work placements in Scotland. I've organised successful Glasgow based English Language 'Meet Up' Groups. When studying in Thailand, I tutored adults as part of my CELTA teacher training and when I was at Napier University, Scotland, I tutored part time supporting lecturers to teach computer technology and animation.

Tutoring Approach:
I'm enthusiastic and passionate in my approach to teaching, which is reflected in my relationships with students and colleagues, and in the positive feedback I've received from both. I encourage student centred learning and coach and facilitate students to reach their language goals with lessons that are interesting and well planned.

I have a variety of experience working in national and international public and private sector organisations, and this experience would especially benefit teaching teenagers and adults, especially people who are interested in business English, academic English or in professional development. However, I'm delighted to teach students of all levels, backgrounds and age, as I can relate and engage well in online teaching sessions.

During my professional and academic life, I have always followed a rather simple rule: We all have different needs, abilities and aspirations, but they are not necessarily the same shape, size and colour. This way of looking at the world is crucial and is the approach I take when teaching English - students have different language needs and my aim is to meet those needs in a fun and engaging way.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Qualified Engineer (D.Phil, Oxon, MSc, BSc Imperial College), Qualified University Educator (PG Dip) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) with over 20 years' experience teaching university engineering, including 13 years as an Oxbridge lecturer, 7 years as a Senior Lecturer at an elite Russel Group university and a year as a Professor at a highly-ranked US university. I also have over 10 years' experience in aerospace and defence research with Rolls-Royce PLC, Qinetiq, Volvo Aeropsace in Sweden, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

My work has given me the privilege of working with many hundreds of student-engineers across all branches of engineering. I know how difficult and challenging university engineering can be. My approach is warm, open and professional.

Teaching Experience:
In my 20 years of professional and private practice I have taught all branches of university engineering and engineering science including Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Chemical, Bioengineering, Materials, Design, Motorsport, etc. and even related subjects such as Physics, Architecture etc. Whilst most of my work is with undergraduates I regularly teach Masters/MSc students and doctoral/PhD students, as well as professional engineers.

I hold a PhD in Engineering Science from Oxford University (where they call it a D.Phil), an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and a BSc in Physics, both from Imperial College London, as well as a PGdip in University Learning and Teaching.

I also have over a decade of experience in experimental aerospace and defence research, as part of which I conducted ground-shaking jet engine tests at military and civilian test sites in the UK and Europe, working with companies including Rolls-Royce aero engines, Qinetiq, Volvo Aeropspace, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

As well as having designed numerous large-scale experiments, my practical hobbies include classic car restoration and designing and building the places where I live. This hands on engineering experience means that I don't just teach the theory, I teach the reality and how the theoretical concepts you are learning in class relate to the real world around you. This is the beauty of Engineering.

Outside engineering, I enjoy freeride skiing, ice and inline hockey, and downhill mountain biking. I travel extensively with sport and have played hockey in almost every country in continental Europe and skied in virtually every country in the alps.

I am comfortable teaching in French as well as English.

Tutoring Approach:
Engineering is one of the hardest subjects you can study, and it doesn't help when module content is disorganised, learning materials are messy and hard to follow, and when lecturers are too busy to respond to your questions. If you are not getting the support you need, I know how this feels and I can help.

My overall aim is to teach you to become an independent learner, to teach you how to learn, so that you can learn regardless of the support from your university, and so you can continue learning when you leave university into whatever career path you take.

If you have a set budget for lessons then we won't go over this, even if we overrun the hour.

I offer an initial meeting free of charge to discuss your learning requirements, so you can show me what you need help with, what your learning aims and objectives are, and to plan our sessions together.

I am flexible in terms of scheduling, I'm happy to reschedule with sensible notice etc.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I initially qualified as a barrister in 1986. I decided to re-qualify as a solicitor in 1990 and have worked as a solicitor ever since, covering many areas of civil and criminal law. More recently, I have specialised in criminal law. After obtaining a 2:1 Llb degree in 1985, I finished in the top 10th percentile in the Bar Exams in 1986. I retired in 2021.

Teaching Experience:
I have now been tutoring degree and A level students since February 2021 in Criminal Law, Public Law, Tort, Land Law, Equity and Trusts and Contract Law.

Tutoring Approach:
I prefer to tailor my methods according to the needs of the individual student. Some students require more leadership than others. It is important that the student feels engaged in the learning process since it is the student who will have to go on in between tutorials to study the subject. It is important to encourage the student toward better work and methods of working.
I encourage students to discuss with me their difficulties in grasping a particular area of law. It is very satisfying to see a student begin to thrive in an area of law which initially seemed intimidatingly difficult.
It is always important to apply the law one has learnt to a variety of potential situations in order fully to understand how the law works in practice. Equally, such exercises are the biggest mark-earners in the exams. Learning to present an argument in a logical, easy-to-follow fashion is very important.

Subjects

Personal Description:
PLEASE SEE 'TUTORING EXPERIENCE' BELOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS PAGE, THE RESULTS AND FEEDBACK

I am an Oxford graduate (English language and literature, first class), as well as a qualified English teacher, and have been tutoring since 2013. My specialism is A-level English literature.

Please get in touch for online English tuition, particularly if you are or your child is

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2026/27
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a double first in English language and literature, winning the prize for the best performance in English finals at Mansfield College, and the college essay prize. At school, I was awarded eleven GCSEs at A-star and three A-levels at A.

As well as tutoring, I have worked as a researcher, a copywriter, and a proofreader. I have also completed a PGCE in secondary English at the UCL Institute of Education, the highest-ranking college of education in the world ('QS World University Rankings'), during which I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools, and received A's for my master's-level assignments. I am currently pursuing a PhD in English literature at the University of Buckingham.

As well as English tuition at any level, I can help you or your child with the following:

• Oxbridge entrance (the admissions process, practice interviews, the ELAT, etc.)
• Essay surgery - how to structure and write an essay
• How to revise - note-taking, organisation, making connections, committing to memory
• Grammar, punctuation, and style (a.k.a. 'usage and abusage')
• Speech-writing and public speaking
• Proofreading and redrafting essays
• Suggested reading and resources, including access to my library of 'TES' resources
• Creative writing
• How to annotate, analyse (and enjoy) English literature - sometimes known as 'close reading' or 'practical criticism'
• If you'd specifically like written feedback on your writing - more like a correspondence course - then I can also provide that.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, writing, and photography.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD. And I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in the exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

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A student, June 2025: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June 2025: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June 2025: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May 2025: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May 2025: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February 2025: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January 2025: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

Kate, a parent, December 2024: 'We're so pleased [G.] is enjoying his sessions and seems to be really motivated to read widely in between sessions, is making useful structured notes (which he didn't do before) and his confidence and awareness of what he needs to do when essay writing is really building. Thank you!!!'

Eleni, a parent, December 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that [D.] received an offer […] today! She is super happy! […] I wanted to thank you again as [D.] found your sessions incredibly helpful and inceased her confidence during the exams process.'

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A-level results, August 2024:

'I wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you for all the help, support and inspiration you have given [E.] over the past year. You have not only given her the technical advice and support to help her make the most of her essays and exams, but more importantly you have helped her keep the love of the subject alive. I know a big part of the reason she is so excited to study English at university is because of how much she has enjoyed your conversations, and how you have helped her to consider texts in a way that the rather narrower scope of teaching at school does not allow. I am so very grateful to you and I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into her sessions - thank you so very much. […] You've been so great, and any other student/parent would be lucky to have access to your teaching.'

'I have just opened my results and am happy to confirm that I am off to Bristol this September with an A* in English! I just want to thank you again for making this possible.'

'I got an A in English, and will be going to Exeter, so mission accomplished. I wanted to thank you for all your help, not only for helping me to get what I needed, but for giving me back my confidence and enjoyment of the subject in the process.'

'Just to let you know [I.] got her results this morning and achieved an 'A' in English. We are over the moon […] Thank you again for all your help with the English, it's much appreciated.'

'thanks for your help this past academic year! Got two A*s in English and Philosophy'.

'I got a B and I was accepted into my firm university (Durham) which I am very happy! Thank you for all your help and support.'

'I was really happy to receive […] A in English Literature […] I secured a placed at my firm university. I will be studying English Literature at Durham University this September and I am very excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!'

'i got into Warwick with […] an A* in English!!!!! I am very happy :) Thank you for all your hard work, wisdom and wit over the last year or two'.

'Thank you so much for all your coaching and advice that you shared with [L.], it made such a difference to his confidence leading up to his exams. He is (as are we) delighted with his English result.'

'an A awarded in English […] so she is off to her first choice of Edinburgh University to study History of Art and English Literature.'

'Results day went well and I'm going to the university of Kent. Thank you so much again for all the time spent helping me to prepare for my exams it means a lot I'm very excited to continue my English literature journey.'

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A student, June 2024: 'Thank you so much for being the most amazing English teacher! It has been an immensely rewarding and interesting journey exploring so many books […] I have learnt so much from GCSEs to continuing with more amazing literatures in A-levels'

A student, June 2024: 'I […] wanted to say thank you for the tremendous help you have provided with the English content throughout the A level period. The resources that you provided for me were quite helpful in refining my knowledge in many areas of the syllabus so thank you very much.'

A student, May 2024: 'I've just received the results for my english coursework and wanted to thank you for all the help and feedback!!'

A parent, February 2024: 'your help has kept her love of the subject and her enthusiasm alive and I can't thank you enough for that.'

A parent, February 2024: 'You were such a huge help to [S.], we will always be very grateful to you.'

Kath, a parent, February 2024: 'We would both like to thank you for all your invaluable help, especially all the helpful feedback on the coursework essay. [S.] has definitely learnt a lot and grown in confidence, especially in her knowledge of Twelfth Night.'

A student, January 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that I got an offer from Oxford! Thank you so much for checking over my personal statement and all the help that you have given me since GCSEs. I really enjoy our sessions every week, the discussions keep me constantly creative and thinking.'

A parent, January 2024: 'Thank you as always for all your continued help and support for [E.]. I know she gets a tremendous amount from your sessions and I'm very grateful.'

A student, January 2024: 'Just emailing to let you know I did get an offer from […] Cambridge yesterday so thank you so much for all your help! It is really appreciated and I'm really looking forward to starting my degree in October!'

A student, December 2023: 'So thank you so much again for all your help; your insights have been very useful and I have really enjoyed talking about literature with you.'

Tara, a parent, November 2023: 'you are really helping [R.], he is becoming much more confident. Thank you so much'.

Paula, a parent, November 2023: '[M.] is always delighted with your teaching. You are asking questions no one else does. My husband and I see her grow academically after every session with you.'

Liz, a parent, October 2023: 'Thank you so much for all the work you have done with, and the kindness you have shown, [E.] to date. She really enjoys her sessions with you, and you've helped keep her enthusiasm for English very much alive. I'm so grateful.'

Kim, a parent, August 2023: 'I cannot tell you how happy we all were and your help was clearly instrumental in that. Not sure if he told you but he got 12 points above an A* and it was his best A level result!'

A student, August 2023: 'I really enjoyed our lessons and think it has really helped prepare me for the Oxford style tutorials.'

A student, August 2023: 'wanted to let you know I ended up getting an A* in English, thanks so much for all the help!'

Mark, a parent, June 2023: 'Many thanks josh for your help this year. [E.] has said to me it has really helped, you started assisting her at a time when she felt behind her class mates for the whole of the first year, having switched to English half way through term one.'

Melanie, a parent, June 2023: 'Thank you so much for all your time and effort with [T.]'s English literature. She really enjoyed your sessions together and it really boosted her confidence and inspired her to think more deeply and critically about the texts. It also confirmed that she is happy and excited to study a literature based course at degree level.'

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A-level results, August/September 2022:

'[L.] came home from university yesterday to attend her school prize giving ceremony, and this morning as she was leaving she asked me to let you know that she won a special prize in English […] Until last night, she wasn't aware of any of her awards, apart from her scholarship, so it was all a lovely surprise. Furthermore, the essays she wrote in her A level English exams have somehow found their way into her teachers' hands; they told her, with beams of pride , that the three marks dropped overall were actually in her *non exam* assessment, so 30/30 in all questions across all papers under exam conditions, something she had never achieved before. She had admitted to me in the aftermath of the exams that when she was writing her English papers she had really enjoyed the process, her thoughts flowing pretty effortlessly on to the paper. But she had also worried this stream of ideas might not be fit with the mark schemes. […] she […] wanted you to know about her prize, as she thought you'd be pleased, and she also wanted to say thanks one last time for your inspirational teaching that led to it.'

'I got AAA* for my results much higher than my predicted! particularly for english'.

'[G.] got an A star in English. And is off to Oxford. […] Thanks so much for everything - you were honestly amazing and really helped her get there'.

'[L.] got 3 a stars and an A star as well in her EPQ. Her highest marks were in English Literature ( 197/200)'.

'I achieved 4A*s in my Alevels - one being in English Literature. My teachers also let me know that I got full marks in both the exam papers'.

'[T.] smashed English Literature, A* […] she is absolutely over the moon . Thank you so much for all the work you put in with her !'

'I got a D[distinction]2!!! […] I got full marks on my PI!'

'I got an A* in English!!! Thank you so much for all of your help I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!'

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A student, January 2023: 'Just wanted to let you know I got an offer from Cambridge, thank you so so much for all your help.' And Kathryn: 'You were such a great help to [E.] in her preparation for the Cambridge application and interview and we were all delighted when she was offered a place this week. Thank you for all the support you gave her.'

Shaun, a parent, January 2023: '[E.] has found the sessions really very helpful (and has enjoyed them!)'

Guifang, a parent, December 2022: 'From what I hear from [S.], she really enjoys her discussions with you, it's really one of the highlights of her week.'

A student, November 2022: 'I'm extremely happy to tell you that I received an 8.3 for the literary review […] Thank you for explaining to me what a literary review is […] I remember whilst working on it I was so worried about my grade, but it appears I've survived.'

Deborah, a parent, September 2022: 'a huge thanks again to you for all your work with [S.]. I know he has been in touch to let you know that he got 9s in both English Language and Literature. He was over the moon - well beyond his best hopes, so thank you again for being instrumental in helping him attain those grades.'

Karen, a parent, August 2022: 'Both my girls really like your way of teaching and talking to them, they feel really listened to and respected for their opinions (as well as respecting yours obviously), so thank you :)'

Helen, a parent, July 2022: 'Thanks so much for all the help you gave [J.], he really benefitted from the sessions he had with you.'

Tara, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all your help and patience - I think you have been brilliant for her confidence. She found English exams really very difficult before she started talking to you and it's amazing to see how much calmer (relatively speaking!) she has been going in to her A level English papers. Whatever the result, her sessions with you have definitely helped her to enjoy English again and I'm really grateful.'

A student, June 2022: 'This is incredibly insightful and thought provoking feedback. Thank you so much.'

Mei, a parent, June 2022: 'She found your lessons very helpful and always remarked to me how much you went the extra mile for her ; looking up and sending on links to whatever you'd been discussing. Much appreciated!'

Marguerite, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all you've done for [T.] in the past year . […] you are a very talented teacher.'

Monica, a parent, June 2022: 'You have been an absolutely wonderful tutor to [L.], and how time has flown since she first met you! […] Many a time she has needed someone to talk to, not so much about AO1-5, but rather about the beauty and burden of literature and life. You have always been willing to do that, and she is richer for it.'

A student, June 2022: 'Thank you for teaching me for the last year; I have enjoyed our lessons and I feel I have grown as an English student, with thanks to your teaching.'

A student, April 2022: 'I received an 8 for my essay!! I want to thank you for your tutoring on Keats and Wordsworth- I wouldn't have gotten such a grade without it!! […] I learned tons because of you.'

Ngozi, a parent, March 2022: 'Thanks for everything that you're doing for [G.] - it has been very helpful.'

A student, February 2022: 'Really, thanks so much. Was such a good and efficient service. Your feedback looks really good and I'm going to implement it today. […] Thanks again for doing this on such short notice'.

Deborah, a parent, October 2021: '[S.] said you make it really fun - he said at school his energy goes down in English lessons and with you it goes up! So that is praise indeed from a teenage boy!'

A student, August 2021: 'I got the A grade ! I'm so pleased, thank you for all the help and the essays really paid off :).'

Monica, a parent, July 2021: 'As would be expected from his first class qualifications, Josh is extremely intelligent. However, in my opinion, he has a a very particular advantage over others of a similar academic background, namely his ability to exhibit an authentic interest in the ideas his students express. He is always kind and encouraging, but without sacrificing rigour; this approach has had a hugely positive impact on my daughter when speaking, writing and reading. Furthermore, Josh has introduced her to a range of authors, poets , films and philosophical thought, thus enriching her far beyond the school curriculum. In the future, my daughter will undoubtedly look back on her time with Josh with both fondness and gratitude. I have no hesitation in recommending Josh as a tutor'.

Guifang, a parent, July 2021: 'I have know Joshua for 2 months and He has been supporting my daughter excellently through her GCSE courses, helping her to achieve a 9 in predicted grades. From this, Joshua has always been very serious with the work, needless to say, always punctual and gives detailed homework feedback. I know him to be a wonderful tutor to my daughter.'

Susan, a parent, May 2021: '[T]hank you so much for all your help with [N.] […] [N.] found your lessons extremely helpful which enabled her to enjoy and understand English in a greater depth […] it was excellent tuition . Thank you'.

Jamal, a parent, May 2021: 'Thank you Josh for all your efforts, you have greatly assisted [S.] in better understanding English Literature as whole.'

Zahed, a parent, May 2021: 'We are grateful for all your help and support. We are in no doubt that [A.] has improved a lot in English Literature under your guidance.'

A student, May 2021: 'I just got my coursework back and got an A in it. Just thought i should let you know thanks you!'

Margaret, a parent, March 2021: 'Thanks for helping [M.] to improve her English understanding. She really enjoys her lessons and chats!'

Chris, a parent, March 2021: '[R.] is benefiting immensely from your lessons and is definitely getting more confident in expressing his thoughts in writing! Thank you.'

Amanda, a parent, December 2020: 'Josh has really helped join the dots, encouraged a depth of questioning and ways to interpret and compare ideas, extracting and bringing fresh meaning to narrative styles and creative use of language. Josh has been a great support and steered [R.]'s confidence to look more thoroughly and develop a greater understanding all round. Josh has a kind, approachable style and encouraged [R.] with debating aloud and suggestions for further reading which all continue to be an invaluable help and inspire greater confidence in approaching exams and further reading in future!'

A student, December 2020: 'He helps focus my understanding and makes sure i understand the topic we are learning before moving on. Josh will make sure to ask you questions throughout the process and is always ready for your ideas even if you think it's wrong. He will set homework but makes sure to switch it up each week to make it more interesting and gives his feedback to help me understand what i need to do to improve.'

Diana, a parent, September 2020: 'Josh worked with my daughter for her A Level in English Literature. He was outstanding with his ideas and expanding her critical thinking. He went above and beyond to develop her analytical skills and as a result helped her obtain an A*. He is an absolutely lovely, gentle but dynamic and reliable tutor who has a rare ability combine his academic achievement with a natural talent for teaching. A real gem and we cannot thank him enough.'

A parent, September 2020: 'Joshua is an excellent tutor with great communication skills . He is very patient , helpful , approachable and takes time to explain everything clearly to my daughter . Joshua has been able to breakdown and explain in full detail all aspects of the A Level content.'

A student, June 2020: 'it's been great being taught by you, I've learned so many critical thinking skills in such a short space of time.'

A parent, March 2020: 'I can't thank you enough for everything that you've done for her - you've been the best English teacher she's ever had and she has loved her time with you.'

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During my teacher training, I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools.

While at Oxford, I was part of an 'e-mentoring' scheme to help candidates from schools without a history of Oxbridge applications.

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature. In English we covered 'The Tempest', Gothic literature, Pat Barker's 'Regeneration', 'Jane Eyre', Wilfred Owen, and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Tutoring Approach:
I try to combine three things that I want my students to do, which are three forms of thinking: speak about complex ideas, read high-quality material, and write essays for which they will receive detailed feedback. For obvious reasons, lessons are weighted to speaking, and homework to reading and writing.

Speaking

Pedagogy's holy grail is measuring progress, which is difficult in a classroom and impossible in a lecture. Happily, the tutorial system allows this to occur continuously and efficiently via dialogue. Can a student re-express an idea they have heard or read in their own words? If the answer is yes, they have probably understood the idea. Hence the constant questions!

As well as understanding the ideas of others, speaking is essential for students to develop their own. I love the quotation from the novelist E. M. Forster, 'How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?' We improve the quality of our ideas through the process of articulating them.

For my part, quite a lot of what I say is explaining what texts mean. This might sound obvious, but great works of literature are complex, so, to understand their meaning, one's own interpretation probably needs the support of others' prior interpretations.

I sometimes like to break the question of a text's meaning into two: What's it about? And what's it really about? Answering the first question is comprehension, a necessary first step. To answer the second question is to understand. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', for example, Blanche goes to live with her sister in New Orleans. She expresses a strong dislike of her surroundings and is frequently associated with images of water. She declines mentally and is eventually taken away. So what's the play really about? Blanche is a Romantic idealist who is disappointed with her life but still tends to imagine things in their perfect form. The play is about the human soul conceiving of things being as good as they could be (as if cleansed by water), reaching for the conception, and failing to grasp it - shuttling back and forth, in other words, on the streetcar named desire.

One thing I frequently encourage is making the link between those oft-cited elements of a good essay, themes and quotations. These are not unrelated ingredients, they are the text itself viewed from different distances. A theme (the desire to be cleansed) is a wide shot, and a quotation ('the land of the sky blue water') is a close-up. So the student of English has to practise their ability to zoom in and out.

Another way I try to support my students' studies is by making connections between the texts they are reading, which in my experience doesn't happen that much at school. Particularly at A-level, there are often many fruitful connections between the half-dozen or so texts being studied: the Romantics were devoted to Shakespeare and Milton, the Gothic is an aspect of the Romantic, the Aesthetic Movement drew on particular strains of Romanticism, etc. When these connections get made with reference to particular writers, they are no longer just isms. They make the material deeper and easier to understand at the same time. Towards the end of their school careers, students of the humanities should be able to get the sense of taking part in 'the Great Conversation that began in the dawn of history and that continues to the present day' (Robert M. Hutchins).

Reading

I regularly give my students PDFs of high-quality secondary material pitched at their level or just above it. Explanatory notes, commentaries, and essays can help with understanding, particularly when it comes to context. (And all exam boards have assessment objectives relating to historical context.) To know that a text was written during a particular period and what characterised that period is to have a mental scaffold that does not limit movement but frees it. In studying the humanities we are studying human culture, and no one can do that without a bit of structure. It also helps when thinking about texts in relation to each other - when writing a comparative essay, for example. I like to think of honing in from context to text, e.g. Romanticism (late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) > William Blake (1757-1827) > 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' (1794) > 'The Tyger'. (What's 'The Tyger' about? There's a question!)

In my experience, knowledge acquisition operates according to the Matthew principle, named after a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: 'unto every one that hath shall be given'. In other words, the more you've got, the more you'll get. Every time you learn something about Romanticism, the greater will be your understanding of the poetry of William Blake. Your internal bookshelves expand - more connections, greater understanding. Reading secondary material is obviously 'extra', but it works to enhance students' understanding of set texts rather than crowd them out. Homer Simpson said, 'every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain', and we laugh because it's not true. You can't fill up a brain, so the cliché about people's (particularly young people's) limitless potential is true. Every time you learn something new, you enrich your contextual understanding of everything else you have ever learnt. '[E]very moment is a new and shocking / Valuation of all we have been', as T. S. Eliot put it in 'East Coker'.

Writing

Speaking and reading are in a concrete way preparation for writing. If you think and make notes while speaking and reading, by the time it comes to writing an essay, the question should not be about what to say, but how to arrange the things you want to say. So annotation is an important skill. It's a bit like getting 'in the zone' for a sportsperson - students must practise getting there and staying there. I model the annotation process something like this:

Read with a pencil in your hand. What makes you underline? Something fires in your brain, so that you have a response - you spot a developing theme, you're reminded of another book, you agree or disagree, there's a word you don't know and need to look up, you like the way a sentence sounds. It could be anything. Read until you've underlined twenty words or sentences. Work out the three or four connections between the things you have to say, and you've got a paragraph plan. Work out the main thing you have to say, and you have a thesis for your essay, which, as you aim your paragraphs at it, will accumulate force.

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.

When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better.

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Personal Description:
Hello & Welcome!

I am Fatima, an Award-Winning British *English teacher to high-calibre clients ; helping them make an impact on their careers. (C.E.L.T.A. qualified, Cambridge University endorsed certficate)

With over 12 years in the English Language Teaching industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, helping high-calibre clients in the Science, Engineering and IT industries, to overcome their pain points, in order to communicate more confidently, speak English effectively, and thus make an impact on their careers.

As a former British Council instructor, I am passionate about teaching, and I have successfully trained and prepared over 1000 high-achievers to speak the Queen´s English, pass Cambridge & IELTS English Exams, and help them succeed in their professions - my students are all living and working in English.

Would you like the same SUCCESS? So, read the testimonials on my website, have a good look around the site and get in contact!

I would love to HELP you obtain your *DREAM*.

Look forward to working with you.

Fatima

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in English for Academic Purposes (IELTS, Cambridge Exams), Business English and Conversational classes. Using the communicative method, I ensure that my students are fully immersed in the language.

Not only do I help my students to make an impact on their careers, but I also provide extra-curricular activities, that enable them to enhance their soft skills, as they become more tolerant and are open to working and living in an inclusive environment.

As a result, my teaching methodologies have been featured in the press and media for their unique effective approach to language learning.

Tutoring Approach:
I empower my students, so that they are able to interact in English proficiently and make an impact: live and work in the language with greater ease, pass official Cambridge Exams and gain entrance into higher education programmes - whilst optimising their confidence to understand and be understood.

I help my students in the following ways:

-To learn how to SPEAK English in order to maintain a conversation, present a Business case and/or pass a job interview; whilst learning how to apply phrasal verbs, the correct vocabulary, in addition to the appropriate tense.

-To apply the correct reading, writing, listening and speaking techniques required, in order to pass their exams with flying colours!

-To build their confidence whilst maintaining an English Conversation.
Perfect their English pronunciation and fluency.

I HAVE HELPED MY STUDENTS TO BECOME BETTER SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH, TO FEEL CONFIDENT WHEN ENGAGING IN THE LANGUAGE, IN ANY GIVEN SCENARIO - PROFICIENTLY.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Pedro. I was born in Portugal but have lived in England since I was 9. I'm currently studying BSc in Psychology at Bournemouth University and I really enjoy my degree. I am particularly interested in clinical psychology and as a result since April 2022 I've been volunteering at 'Hammersley Homes', a charity which focuses on helping adults with mental illness. A few hours a week I visit someone who finds himself adjusting back into society, he has autism and bipolar. We speak, go on walks, cycle or listen to music together. I have learnt a lot about how difficult certain people find life. This experience has really helped me to be more empathetic, caring and positive.
I also really enjoy surfing, jogging and cooking.

Teaching Experience:
I took up a role as 'PAL' leader at my university where I was given a classroom of 20 first year psychology students. Although the role involved me 'facilitating' instead of 'teaching'. I spoke to my 'students' every week on what content they were struggling with, since I had done the same content the year prior, I compiled and summarised content which I had been taught and created power point slides to give them direction and a better understanding on the content. I also emphasised taking care of mental health and getting involved with the community.

I was nervous at first, worried about speaking too fast or having awkward silences but after a few sessions I found myself loving it. I received really good feedback from students and supervisor who suggested I should be a teacher because I made the sessions really engaging.

Tutoring Approach:
I see tutoring as an amazing opportunity to help motivate students and help them engage in their learning, so that they gain confidence, a better understanding, and better results. I understand every student is different so finding the best way the student engages with the work, is vital so that they enjoy the process of learning and succeeding. I like spreading positivity and joy, since I believe it's the best learning environment.

I know a lot of hard work goes into studying each exam board to make sure I'm giving accurate support and working hard to find questions which fit the skill of student.

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Personal Description:
I come from a very multilingual and multicultural background. Having grown up in Tanzania and now Kenya I have had the opportunity to go to a French School for 8 years, learning every subject in French. Additionally, my fluency for Italian has come from my parents who are both Italian, which this level of Italian increased during my time at Boarding school (GCSE and A level), similarly with French.

Furthermore, having gone to an International Boarding School I have profoundly learnt Spanish from the ages of 10-18.

Teaching Experience:
This past summer, I have been able to participte in Language Summer School at Stonyhurst College and I have been priveleged to be able to teach the kids developed and more intermediate levels of English along with native languages, which I am fluent in. This enabled me to communicate with children when they haven't understood words etc...

Similarly, when I was at school I used to help the younger kids with their revision for upcoming exams, and used to help them learn relevant content along with grammar and conjucations, which is extremelly important when it comes to understanding and pronouncing foreign words.

Tutoring Approach:
As a tutor, I will be patient as I know that languages are very hard to learn and therefore having patient is important to fostering an important positive mentality, which is also a key factor to being able to achieve the grades an individual is aiming for.
Additionally, pronounciation will be worked on as this is very important when taking speaking exams, and I feel like this is very overlooked amongst tutors and not taken seriously; when someone knows how to pronounce it will be easier to spell and remember key vocabulary.
Furthermore, one thing i learned at school was that doing past papers is the most important thing to get yourself used to examination strcutures and get you to really understand syllabus and contents of the subject you are studying.
However, even though these are all contributing factors to learning a subject, knowing how to revise is just as important, which is something I will also be teaching and helping them find what revision tactic is best for them.

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