Capenhurst Tutors & Capenhurst Tuition

Personal Description:
Salut - Je m'appelle Solène ( pronounced so-len )

I was born and brought up in Paris, although much of my family roots lie in Brittany. I came to England initially to learn the language - but ended up meeting my future husband and starting a family here in Dorking, Surrey.

Teaching Experience:
Apart from the obvious fact that I am a native French speaker - I have been teaching French since 2009 in schools, including Duke Of Kent in Ewhurst and Petite Ecole in Reigate, but mainly privately to exam students or adults wishing to improve their skills. I have also been called upon to help with some translation and making phone calls to France to assist people with such issues as property.

Tutoring Approach:
Having initially gauged a student's abilities in the language - I will prepare each lesson to their specific needs & requirements - whether it be working on grammar or perhaps general conversational skills. My aim is to give people confidence and make learning enjoyable.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Oxford-educated and experienced English tutor, with a fantastic track record of guiding students to phenomenal success. I am an enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging teacher with a sense of humour, bolstered by a true passion for English Literature and Drama.

Students often describe me as friendly, hard-working and reliable and I love to help them to achieve their academic goals. I help with
rigorous academic preparation and a sharp focus on the demands of the exam syllabus, often helping tutees to jump several grades.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a successful private tutor for over ten years, as well as having taught English and Drama in some of the best schools in the country, helping to guide many students to phenomenal exam success. I have taught at Stamford High School and Oakham School - teaching all ages from key stage 3-5 and specifically including GCSE/A Level and IB. I also rigorously prepared students for university entrance at these schools, helping with personal statements, interviews and reading material. I helped many students achieve top grades, founded discussion groups, led the debating society at Stamford, coached the winning house play entry at Oakham and assisted on multiple interview panels. I also led a Shakespeare day, assisted with creative writing, organised multiple theatre trips and led specific workshops on set texts.

I cover a range of specialisms in my tuition, encompassing Shakespeare, poetry, drama texts, novels and essay-writing skills, as well as being highly skilled in exam and coursework technique and 're-teaching' Literature texts in a short space of time to students who feel their tuition has been below par.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe strongly in finding the best approach for each individual student. I don't believe in 'one size fits all' tuition and never have; we are all so gloriously unique and different! I do believe passionately in helping students to feel confident as quickly as possible and, as such, I tend to ensure that for each text, task or question, there is the opportunity for the student to quickly put into practice whatever has been taught. This might be quickly re-writing an introduction, re-ordering a thesis or perhaps simply writing a single line of analysis and quotation. Sometimes little and often is best, as English can be overwhelming for some students and they need continual practice in the art of forming articulate and well-informed sentences at every stage of an essay!

I believe in finding opportunities for the students to enjoy the texts they study, in addition to coaching them rigorously in the necessary set of analytical skills they need to write top notch essays or descriptive/narrative pieces. I enjoy assisting students at all stages of their education and have experience in teaching all key stages. In addition to preparing students thoroughly for public examinations, I have been able to help pupils explore a variety of texts and genres and discover the joy of great writing

I enjoy helping students contemplating Higher Education - having helped students look at different courses, selecting modules and advising them on their personal statements; it has been rewarding to try and help students play to their individual strengths. I have delivered several specialist seminars for University applicants and assisted in delivering intensive mock interviews, both at Stamford and Oundle School, assisted with interviews and entrance examination preparation.

I am also a professional actress and writer and have lots of experience guiding young people in the realms of theatre auditions and Drama GCSE and A Level. In addition, I hold an MA from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and further training at The Drama Studio in London and am also available for individual coaching for scholarships, drama school entrance and professional auditions.

I was Theatre Director-in-Residence at Kings College School in Wimbledon, directing many plays and productions, establishing a new writing group and adapting and creating Brighton Rock from an original adaptation, as well as leading the large scale community production of Macbeth. I have touring experience of my solo show and working in the industry which can be shared with students and especially help those wishing to join the profession.

I am based in Lincolnshire and, as such, I tutor all my tutees online.

Subjects

Personal Description:
A seasoned Economist, having studied Math, Business and Economics formally for the best part of a decade.

I am also a financial adviser and have gained a substantial amount of experience in applying economic theory to financial markets. Such experience allows me to teach in a way that the subject is not simply abstract theory, as I am able to draw on real world examples whenever necessary.

Having also studied Business Studies and Maths to a high standard, both complementary subjects, I am able to offer context to my lessons whilst aiding with the technical aspects of Economics; Statistics and Econometrics.

Teaching Experience:
I`ve been helping students like you for 4 years and currently supporting the following students:

A Level Business x 1
GCSE Maths x 5
A Level Economics x 4
Uni Economics x 4

Tutoring Approach:
Using simple to understand, real-life examples where possible.

Combining Maths, Economics and Business knowledge to offer clarity and context.

Working through exam questions as we progress through the syllabus to build confidence and identify gaps in understanding.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a qualified Civil Engineer with a 2:1 Bachelor of Technology degree from India.

Previously, I have coached students for a period of 3 years.

Currently, I am doing my Masters in Business Analytics and Big Data from University of Liverpool.

Teaching Experience:
I was involved with teaching Maths and Physics both for-profit as well as for Charity for a period of 3 years or more.

Tutoring Approach:
I usually start with a small assessment test to understand at which level a student is performing.

Once I have assessed that I device a strategy based on the student assessment and the given end goal within a stipulated time period

Subjects

Personal Description:
I hold Associateship from the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) and a performance degree with honours from Trinity College of Music. I am currently Director of Music and organist at a church in Enfield, Freezywater and I enjoy conducting, performing, accompanying, rehearsing and sight-reading. I conducted the Festival Chorus singing the Handel's Messiah in Paris and last year organised three choirs to sing Faure's Requiem Mass. I am a very versatile musician and able to play the piano, harpsichord, voice, violin, viola, guitar and percussion. In recent years I have toured with the Hitchen Concert Band (Spain, Belgium) leading the percussion section. Musical engagements this year include accompanying the Enfield Choral Society at St Luke's Church and a solo piano performance including works by Chopin and Rachmaninoff.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught piano for 18 years and the organ for the last 10 years. As a music teacher within secondary school, for the last 7 years, I am always looking for opportunities to inspire the students and get them involved in making music. As a result of this, I have learnt how to motivate students and inspire them to practice music with great results. I have a 100 percent pass rate for GCSE and ABRSM exams and I have a wide range of skills including, knowledge of audio equipment, PA systems and a firm grasp on subject knowledge to degree level including the history and theory of music. In addition I have a firm understanding of music technology in particular Cubase, Garageband, Audacity and Sibelius.

Tutoring Approach:
Hello, I'm a friendly, experienced piano and theory teacher that will guide all ages to reach their musical ambitions, from beginner to professional. I can take students through all levels of classical study and jazz/pop.

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:
GCSE & A-Level Computer Science Specialist (OCR Examiner)

I am Head of Computing and an official OCR GCSE Paper 2 Examiner (graded Excellent). I help ambitious students unlock the top grades they're truly capable of.

My Results:
The majority of my GCSE students achieve grades 7-9
Last year, my A-level OCR Paper 2 students averaged 99.6 out of 140 - significantly above the typical average

I teach both OCR and Edexcel at GCSE, with a sharp focus on exam technique and practical skills. At A-level I specialise in OCR, particularly algorithms, Big O notation, and the extended questions that separate good students from the very best.

My teaching combines deep subject knowledge with real examiner insight - helping students understand exactly what top marks require and how to deliver them under pressure.

If your child is serious about achieving a 7-9 at GCSE or an A at A-level, I'd love to help them get there.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 2010 and have been Head of Computing since 2012. I launched and have led the Edexcel GCSE Computer Science course since 2013 and have taught OCR A-level Computer Science since its introduction.

Since 2018 I have been an official OCR examiner for GCSE Paper 2, and in the 2025 series I was graded as marking to an 'Excellent' standard.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are structured, focused, and results-driven. I combine clear, engaging teaching with targeted exam practice to help students develop both deep understanding and strong exam technique.

Every lesson includes:

Focused teaching on key topics and exam skills
Practice questions with detailed, constructive feedback

Lesson notes and resources sent after every session

I also provide exam marking and personal statement support. All lessons are delivered via Zoom with flexible scheduling to fit around busy student timetables.

Here are some recent comments from parents of students I teach with names changed:

"You are an excellent teacher - thorough, efficient, and explain things very clearly."
- Rachel (parent of GCSE student)

"Thank you for your patience and guidance. James really likes your class and has made great progress."
- Parent of A-level student

"Sam got a 5 in Computer Science - we are so pleased. I wish we had found you sooner."
- Parent of GCSE student

"Alex scored 41 out of 50 in his end-of-year test - a huge improvement. We are over the moon with his progress and can't thank you enough for driving his passion for the subject."
- Parent of Year 10 student

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Personal Description:
I am a hardworking, enthusiastic mother of a 3 year old boy. I am a Primary School Teacher and have worked with many children in variety of settings and roles. I am versatile and good at adapting to new situations. I am reliable and punctual and fair. I enjoy being with my family, caravan holidays, reading, watching a good film or series, swimming and going to Church. I am always keen to learn more and develop my knowledge of how children learn and develop through keeping myself updated with new initiatives and taking part in CPD training on various subjects. I also have a keen interest in History and read many books around the subject.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with children since leaving school, it was always something I was passionate about. I became a Nursery Nurse and worked in a Nursery settings for a time and worked my way up to Base Room Manager. I worked for a long time in a Private Preparatory school as a Teaching Assistant where I completed my Degree in Early Years Education.
I then took a year out of work to undertake my PGCE to become a Qualified Primary School Teacher. I worked in a school in Ashford for my NQT year and then worked in a school in Stanwell for the next 4 years until I had my son, who is now nearly 3 years old. Since my son was born, I have worked as a nanny for families who allow a nanny with own child. My last role was for nearly 2 years but unfortunately my role was made redundant because the parents are now working from home and they no longer needed the level of support they needed before COVID. They will happily give me a reference if you would like to ask for details.
I am currently working with a family of 5 for 3 afternoons a week providing wrap around care. I also tutor their son who is 9 years old. He has made significant progress with his reading and writing.
In the last 4 years I have been tutoring primary aged children at the weekends, in school holidays, through lockdown and after school two days a week. I can provide references. I have taught both face to face and over zoom.
I am currently tutoring a child over zoom who is 5 years old. I make my lessons fun and engaging and she has made significant progress in phonics and maths. I have an extensive knowledge of Teaching Phonics.
I am interested in Tutoring internationally. I have had some experience of working with a child from China. I supported him with his learning from age 5-7 years. I also supported him with learning English.
My availability is mainly limited to daytime so my services may suit a child who is Home Educated.

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy tutoring children because it means I can give them my undivided attention which means I can understand that particular child's knowledge and skills on a far deeper level. This is where my Early Years background really helps as I can identify different learning styles and adapt the way I teach to suit each child. This is very much a part of the Early Years Curriculum so I am used to being reflective and using different strategies to help children learn to the best of their ability. I enjoy tutoring because it allows me to see how children grow and learn and most of all gain in confidence so they are able to learn more effectively in all their subjects.
Throughout the session I will assess the child's progress and use this information to plan for the next session. As the spiral curriculum dictates I will also revisit past learning to ensure the child has a firm grasp of the concepts that have been taught previously. This is very important because often or not learning is lost in school because schools do not have time to go over lessons which results in children developing gaps in their learning.
I am confident with both face to face and on-line lessons.

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Personal Description:
I am a Brazilian Portuguese teacher from Sao Paulo, with over 20 years experience and dynamic visual resources for a more fun approach.
As a professional, I like to find out more about my students because I understand that everyone learns in a different way. My thesis in university was based on Different Methods and Approaches in Language Learning and Teaching. For this reason, I use my authentic visual communicative resources to guide people in achieving their language goals, always considering what needs to be updated to their needs.

I am a bit of peacock when it refers to the resources I create for my Portuguese lessons. I have to say, I am quite proud of the work I do and of how much my students say they enjoy it. My students and I run sporadic direct and indirect course review and feedback to guarantee they are in the right path, with the right approach, advancing and enjoying the lessons.

I offer Free 45-min Trials meetings for you to get to know me, my resources and my approaches.

Let me know if you have any special request for our sessions and I will try my best to help you. Get in contact with me! :)

Teaching Experience:
I am a certified Portuguese teacher from Brazil. I have a Bachelor Degree in Teaching Portuguese and English from Universidade Metodista de Sāo Paulo and a Teaching Knowledge Test Certificate by the University of Cambridge. And my students have given me 5 stars on Google.

I have been teaching for over 20 years and I have worked with students all ages, from China, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Panama, among others. I teach Brazilian Portuguese on-line. I am fluent in English and have a very good understanding of the Spanish language, so I can help if you get confused with both languages during communication.

Work Experience:
- Portuguese and English Teacher
2013 - present
Bristol United Kingdom
English and Brazilian Portuguese language tuition

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - Private Language School Inc.
2011 - 2011
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as Business professionals. Assisting pupils with English related work or graduation activities Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach.

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - CNA
2009 - 2011
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons Keeping every student's learning progress database updated Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - Fisk
2004 - 2009
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach Providing Conversation and Multimedia Classes for students of all levels

Tutoring Approach:
I offer online private and group lessons between 9am and 8.30 pm.
My lessons are extremely visual, communicative, fun and student focused.

We work with resources I prepare in advance, including a PowerPoint presentations with a variety of exercises (images, videos, music, anything that can help you advance in the language).

My students get the chance to meet other learners on WhatsApp and we have weekly conversation meetings.

Lesson Packages include:
> Warm-up activity
> Speaking, listening, reading and writing exercises during and after sessions
> Dynamic Visual-Communicative resources copy sent to students
> Online games, flashcards and quizzes
> Teacher notes and homework at the end of every lesson with a copy of the material used during the lesson
> Google Classroom access to over 100+ videos, exercises, games and activities
> WhatsApp Language Exchange Group and Community (optional)
> Virtual meetings may be offered with other students who want to chat and practice the language. It will depend on teacher's and students' availability. These meeting are optional, for those students who wish to meet other people who are also learning the language and want to pracitce it.

If you are worried about it being online, we make it feel as it would be in-person: during our sessions, you would:
- be able to follow everything we are studying on your screen, just like if we were in person with a book.
- write your answer and read my notes on Google Docs, just like you would if we were in person with your notebook and a whiteboard.
- if you prefer to do your homework on your notebook (paper and pen), you can still do it. All you will have to do is to take a picture and add to your Google Docs. This way I can read everything you have written, add commas, accent marks, check spelling and everything.
- If you wish to meet other people who are also learning the language, have a chat, practice the language, you will be have the choice to meet my other students every Friday evening for our Conversation Meet Ups or Game Nights, and you will be able to join our WhatsApp group to keep in touch with them.
if you worry you need to have listening exercises during your sessions, you will also have it with the resources I will have prepared for you.
As you can see, you will be able to practice all language skills with my sessions. I give you my word.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have over 20 years of teaching experience and have achieved a fellowship from the Victoria College of music in London for classical guitar playing and is a graduate Open university with a BA(Hons) first in humanities with music and history. Lessons are very supportive, friendly and interactive, using teaching files and mp3 examples to hear and perform the music. I aim to extend my lifelong passion and enthusiasm for music to everyone I teach. My instruments include guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo and bass guitar

Teaching Experience:
∙ Diploma in Classical Guitar Playing (AVCM) - Victoria College of Music
∙ BA (Hons) Humanities with Music - Open University
∙ Grades 5-8 (distinction) in classical guitar - Victoria College of Music
∙ Grade 3 (merit) grade 4-5 (distinction) - music theory Victoria College of Music
∙ Over 15 years of teaching experience on a wide range of instruments

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to provide a fun, friendly and relaxed environment for teaching that will both support and motivate the student in their musical journey. To achieve this utilise a wide range of teaching materials and multimedia outlets, such as apps, CDs, books, etc to maximise the learning potential of the student. This also includes MP3's provided after the lesson to aid practice and reinforce timing, rhythm and phrasing. I have a 100% pass rate for pupils taking practical and music theory exams.

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Personal Description:
Hello, My name is Lincoln, I graduated from Heriot-Watt University with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. I am presently a master's student at Newcastle University, pursuing a master's in Applied Mathematics. I worked as a teacher assistant during my school days in Math classes and supported students who had difficulties with the subject. I think Mathematics is accessible to all; we only need to discover the best methods of presenting the concepts as educators. I assist my students in boosting their confidence when tackling new questions and encourage them to utilize their creativity alongside their knowledge when confronting a challenging problem. Remember that studying Mathematics revolves around making errors and gaining knowledge from those errors.

I have participated in numerous Mathematics Olympiads as well. I've studied Mathematics thoroughly from the start, which means I also instruct my students in a way that encourages understanding Mathematics, NOT rote memorization

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in tutoring Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology from KS1 up to A-Levels. My teaching experience includes both one-to-one sessions and group classes in tuition centres, which has given me a deep understanding of how personalised support can significantly enhance a student's grasp of challenging subjects. My lessons are structured to ensure clarity, engagement, and complete understanding of each topic covered.

I strive to create a positive and motivating learning environment where students feel confident to ask questions, challenge themselves, and develop a resilient approach to their studies. Drawing from my own academic journey, I aim to instil not only subject knowledge but also the habits and mindset necessary for long-term academic success

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are carefully tailored to suit your individual learning style and the subject you're working on. Whether it's tackling tricky equations in Maths, breaking down complex processes in Biology, or making sense of chemical reactions in Chemistry-I'll adapt the lesson to what you need. We might walk through exam-style questions together or go through past papers-whatever helps you learn best.

Every session starts with checking your understanding of the topic so we can focus on the areas where you need the most support. I don't believe in rushing through the syllabus just to get it done. Instead, I take the time to break difficult concepts into simple, manageable chunks that actually stick.

I also aim to make learning enjoyable and meaningful. I'll show you how these subjects connect to real life, explain things clearly and simply, and keep you motivated every step of the way. With over three years of tutoring experience, I know how to build your confidence and help you improve-fast.

If you're ready to boost your GCSE grades in Maths, Biology, or Chemistry, book a lesson with me and let's get started. One session could be the turning point!

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Personal Description:
I am a third-year medical student at Medical University Pleven with a strong academic record and a deep understanding of the competitive medical school admissions process. I achieved a high UCAT score of 2920, and received offers from all three universities where I was interviewed-success that reflects not only academic ability but also strong communication, preparation, and critical thinking skills.

What sets me apart from many other tutors is that I've recently gone through the exact same process, giving me unique insight into what current applicants truly need to succeed. I combine this up-to-date experience with a patient, structured, and supportive approach that helps students build confidence as well as competence.

Teaching Experience:
While I may not have formal tutoring experience, I treat every student with the care and attention I would give a younger sibling. Parents can trust that I'm committed, organised, and fully invested in helping their child succeed-not just academically, but also personally, as they take on the challenges of applying to medicine.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is personalized, goal-oriented, and focused on building true understanding rather than just providing answers. I begin by identifying the student's current level, goals, and specific challenges to tailor the learning experience to their needs. I break down complex concepts into clear, manageable steps, often using analogies, examples, or visuals to make the material more relatable. I encourage active learning by asking guiding questions and prompting students to explain ideas in their own words, which helps reinforce their understanding. Practice and immediate feedback are key parts of my process, allowing students to apply what they've learned and quickly correct any misunderstandings. I continually adjust my approach based on the student's progress, moving at a pace that supports both comprehension and confidence. Ultimately, my goal is to help students become independent, critical thinkers who feel confident in their abilities.

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