Canning Tutors & Canning Tuition

Personal Description:
My name is Samantha. I am a qualified and very experienced maths teacher. I have 28 years of teaching experience at all levels of secondary education as well as being a local authority maths advisor. I'm passionate about maths, easy going and relaxed, but get the best out of my students by making the subject easily accessible and interesting. My hobbies include music (playing various instruments and also watching a wide range of bands) and supporting my football team at live games.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in 4 different secondary schools and held a variety of roles including head of department and lead practitioner. I started my teaching career in South Yorkshire in 1992, then moved to Staffordshire in 1994. My experience of teaching maths includes KS3, GCSE ( maths and further maths) and A level. I have taught pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics at A level and also Further maths

Tutoring Approach:
I am patient and understanding. I appreciate that maths is a challenge for some students but I understand how to clarify the subject. Students learn through getting answers wrong and shouldnt worry about making mistakes. I aim to build confidence through increased understanding and enjoyment.
The sessions I run are specifically designed for each individual student. This takes into account the level they are currently working at, target grade, their areas for development and preferred learning style.
At GCSE and A level I build into each session past exam questions, including problem solving questions using the techniques learnt in the lesson.
I am happy to set homework questions to build upon the skills covered and will mark and give feedback on any work completed. In addition, I provide a plan of work to be covered for the term/ year after consulting with students and parents.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Another great year with all my tutees gaining the top grades and the university of their choice. I am very proud that my tutees achieve such excellent grades as I am able to improve essay and short answer grades, often considerably, due to my extensive experience at A level.. I am a friendly, very patient and good humoured tutor who is highly professional in my approach to tutoring whether online or one to one. I work hard for my tutees and am always prepared to go the extra mile. My commitment to my students is not just in the tutoring session as I will assess work and give help whenever my tutees ask for it. I have a very extensive understanding of Economics and Business and I keep up with all the latest developments in my subjects. I believe I have warm and friendly personality with a good sense of humour and that I am also a good listener.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified, teacher with over thirty five years experience teaching and tutoring Economics and Business. I have worked for all the major examination boards as a moderator, examiner and question setter. I have a great deal of understanding of what GCSE and A level examiners are looking for in awarding top grades. As a result I get a huge satisfaction when my students gain really improved grades, year on year, very frequently exceeding their own targets. The feedback from students, parents and carers is always extremely positive and it is this high praise that makes me want to continue teaching and making the difference.

Tutoring Approach:
I firmly believe that the majority of teachers and schools/colleges do their best to help their students. However, many students have weaknesses especially in their written work. To gain high grades students need to be able to analyse, apply and evaluate their knowledge but those skills are often not developed by their school or college. However, my experience and individually focused sessions can remedy this and as a result my students soon are making far better responses to essay questions, data response and case studies than before they started tuition. As confidence grows I work with my students to help them achieve consistent high grades and a very pleasing final grade.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I previously taught full time in both KS1 and KS2 for 5 years, however I now work teaching children who are not in mainstream education on a 1:1 basis-.

Teaching Experience:
I have a wide range of experience of tutoring SEN children, using a range of different strategies and approaches to engage them in various aspects of the primary curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I pride myself in tailoring lessons to the interests of the child to ensure they gain the most out of their sessions. I make learning fun and engaging and ensure the child feels at ease.

I assess children on an individual basis, discussing with them what they would like help with whilst also discussing needs with parents. This will then determine how to best move forward and what style of support is most appropriate.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I specialize in Piano lessons for children and adults, from beginners to advanced level of performance.
I teach piano, music theory and music history both privately and in school. I have a Post Graduate from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Masters Degree in piano and teaching. I am a fully qualified teacher with QTS and DBS.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching piano for 15 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that all pupils - including kids, teens, and adults of any age - can successfully and joyfully learn the piano, regardless of their talent. I can help students achieve a high level of skill, but I also want them to feel joy in their learning journey.

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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
If you are looking for a quality, reliable, professional and a highly successful tutor then look no further! I have not only attained a First Class honours in Bsc Mathematics, however I also have many years of experience, working as a teacher within the Primary sector and currently working in a Private School setting, preparing children for the 11+ exams. Furthermore, I have helped countless children exceed and succeed in the primary sector, ranging from Years 1-6 (Sats and 11+ exams), however I have also helped GCSE students achieve Level 9 in their Maths GCSE's.

Teaching Experience:
I have currently been involved and work in the Primary Sector for the past 6-7 years. I have also tutored for just as much, with a 100% success rate in improving my pupil/students knowledge and confidence within the given area of focus!

Tutoring Approach:
The approach I take is a very calm, rational and easy to learn from approach. Breaking down any given topic into easy to understand and manageable ways. This in turn builds confidence in the child and progression follows.

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Personal Description:
I am a well travelled 50 year old who spent most of his teaching career teaching in Asia, I am TEFL qualified and experienced in teaching at Elementary level and adult Business skills level. I have written a travel book and am currently writing children's books along with a Motorcycle racing biography . I am free during the day and some evenings. I work from home and home can be our quiet little place in the hills in the nature which I love. I have 4 children and am very patient with them as they are my main students. I am very happy in my work, kind and willing to help and answer any questions.

Teaching Experience:
I have teaching experience in Thailand,Vietnam, India, Hungary, Eastern Europe and the UK, working in large schools and 1 - 2 - 1

Tutoring Approach:
In large classes I make use of working through art dance and drama giving the children opportunities to express themselves in their own personal way, when tutoring 1-2-1 I like to use flash cards with words, pictures and a white board and also make use of every child's ability to express themselves with their own words and pictures.

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Personal Description:
Experienced and creative piano teacher. Every day as a tutor I learn from my students how to teach them best and to maximise their own potential.
I am passionate about teaching and learning. I also value traditional methods and welcome new strategies for learning in our current days.

Teaching Experience:
- 20 years as a piano teacher working in conservatoires, academies and colleges in London and in South America.
- 5 years of teaching experience in the FE sector as a Music Technology Lecturer
- 12 year on going career as a self-employed music teacher (Piano, Music Theory, GCSE Music)

Tutoring Approach:
Piano lessons aim to build up confidence at the piano.
With 25 year of teaching experience, I use creative methods based on your personal abilities and potential. You will learn something new every session no matter what.
Of course, practice is required depending on your own long-terms goals.

Some of the most popular areas I cover in my lessons are:
- Classical technique
- Exam requirements (for ABRSM, Trinity College, GCSE Music)
- Performance skills
- Improvisation
- Modern styles and techniques
- Composition

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Personal Description:
I have been playing the drums for over twenty years, and teaching them for over ten. I have been regularly performing live, recording, and touring since 2001. I am comfortable and experienced in many genres: rock, pop, hip-hop, metal, blues, and jazz.
My career highlights include:
- playing sold-out shows in Paris, Madrid, and Krakow
- writing and performing backing music for a theatre production in London
- writing and performing a library record of drum beats and original compositions for the King Underground record label.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching the drums since 2011, from children as young as 4 to adults as old as 64. I have received consistently positive feedback from students and students' parents, and teaching is something that I find tremendously rewarding. I have taught theory, sight reading, and have helped students prepare for the Trinity graded exams.

Tutoring Approach:
I learned very early on in my teaching career that there is no 'one size fits all' formula for helping people to learn an instrument. Some people benefit from the structure provided by working towards music exams, while others simply want to jam and play their favourite songs. I tailor my approach based on the needs and goals of each student, so that their sessions with me are both fun and challenging.

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Personal Description:
Harrison
University of Bath studying BSc (Hons) Economics
Hertfordshire/London
A Levels: A*AA (History/Maths/Economics)
GCSE's: All 8s/9s
Hobbies: Football/Gym/Cars
Tutoring for GCSE or A-Level History/Maths/Economics

Teaching Experience:
Below are 5 attributes that I hold that are essential for tutoring:

1) Expertise in the Subject: Strong knowledge and understanding of the subject you're tutoring is essential. My mastery of subject material allows me to explain concepts clearly and answer questions accurately. Thousand of hours of study for both GCSE's and A-Levels has lead me to create excellent A* level notes for students.

2) Effective Communication: Being able to explain complex ideas in simple terms is a key skill for a tutor. My ability to convey information clearly and adapt my communication style to the student's learning preferences is crucial.

3) Patience and Empathy: Not all students grasp concepts at the same pace. Patience and empathy are vital qualities that allow me to work through difficulties with students and create a comfortable learning environment.

4) Adaptability: Each student has a unique learning style. Being able to adapt teaching methods to suit the individual needs of each student can greatly enhance their understanding and engagement.

5) Active Listening: Understanding a student's challenges and questions requires active listening. By carefully listening, I can address their specific needs and tailor your tutoring accordingly.

Tutoring Approach:
Online based tutor using Zoom or Google Meet.

1) Assessment and Goal Setting: I begin by assessing the student's current knowledge and understanding of the subject, whilst discussing the student's goals and expectations for the tutoring sessions.

2) Individualised learning plan: Based on the assessment, I create a personalised learning plan that outlines the topics to cover and the order in which to address them. I consider the student's learning style, strengths, and areas needing improvement.

3) Clear Explanation: Presenting concepts in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner whilst using real-life examples and analogies to illustrate complex ideas.

4)Interactive Learning: I encourage active participation and engagement from all students. Asking questions to check for understanding and encourage critical thinking is the best way to improve.

5) Practice and Application: I will provide practice exercises, problems, or activities that reinforce the concepts being taught. I will then gradually increase the complexity of exercises as the student's understanding improves.

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Personal Description:
**Unleash Your Potential with Expert Tutoring - FIRST LESSON FREE**

Struggling with GCSE Math's? I'm here to provide personalized and effective tutoring that caters specifically to your needs.

With years of experience and a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, I am committed to guiding students to mathematical excellence. Whether you're tackling basic concepts or aiming for advanced levels, I'm here to help.

I'm offering your first lesson absolutely free to ensure your complete satisfaction!

Contact me today to schedule your first session - and it's on the house! Don't let Math's be a roadblock - turn it into a stepping stone toward success.

Teaching Experience:
Experienced tutor with 2+ years teaching and 6+ years of industry experience.

Tutoring Approach:
We're all unique learners. That's why my tutoring sessions are tailored to your individual learning style and pace, ensuring a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, while catering for all Northern Ireland Examination Boards.

I employ engaging and interactive teaching methods, integrating real-world examples to make Math's relatable and enjoyable. This approach helps to simplify complex concepts and keeps my students actively involved in the learning process.

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Personal Description:
I'm a professional guitarist and experienced guitar & music tutor with over 20 years' teaching experience, offering one-to-one guitar lessons and full-spectrum music tuition for all ages and abilities. I've taught hundreds of students over the years, from complete beginners and adult returners, to GCSE/A-Level students, Grade learners, gig artists and advanced learners preparing for performances or music grades.

As a session-trained musician and long-time performer, I've played to audiences of over 40,000, but my real passion lies in one-to-one teaching: helping people fall in love with music, build their confidence, and develop solid skills they can carry for life.

I teach from my dedicated home studio in Kings Langley (Hertfordshire), or online via Zoom / other platforms. I also offer in-person visits depending on location and availability - please note this is quoted on a bespoke basis, depending on travel.

Teaching Experience:
I've run my own private guitar tuition practice for over two decades, having taught 300+ pupils across all ages (4+), styles and learning needs. I've also taught many pupils remotely, for example one being in The Bahamas! Many of my students stay with me for years, and I've supported people through all stages of their musical development - including school performances, first gigs, grade exams, worship songs for their church attendance, and even songwriting and composition.

Alongside children and teens, I regularly work with adult learners, professionals, and those looking for a creative outlet or confidence boost. I also have extensive experience working with SEN children, neurodivergent adults, stroke survivors, and elderly learners, with an emotionally intelligent, calm and encouraging approach.

I'm DBS-checked, insured, and trained in both practical and theoretical music education.

Tutoring Approach:
I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all method. Every student is different, so I tailor each lesson to the individual, blending technical skill-building with musicality, theory, rhythm, and creative expression.

Whether you want to learn acoustic or electric guitar, improve your rhythm, read sheet music, play your favourite songs, or work on improvisation and confidence, we can shape a path that fits your goals and learning style.

I'm friendly, supportive, and committed to helping you enjoy the process as much as the progress. My job is to make learning music feel exciting, achievable, and something you look forward to each week.

For online lessons, the rate listed applies. If you'd like me to travel to your home for lessons, I'm happy to do so depending on your location - in this case, a bespoke rate will apply. You're also very welcome to come to my home studio in Kings Langley, where I teach most of my in-person sessions.

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