Coulsdon Tutors and Coulsdon Tuition

Personal Description:
I am 45 years old and hold a Masters degree from Oxford University. I work full time as a tutor, now offering lessons online and face-to-face.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring on a one-to-one basis for over 20 years. I also sometimes teach small classes. I am happy teaching children, teenagers, university students and adult learners.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching uses traditional methods and lively interaction. I expect the student to complete tasks between lessons. Without repetition and revision no-one can be expected to remember. Therefore, I am not afraid to go over the most basic elements until they are well known. Solid foundations are the basis for confidence.

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Personal Description:
I qualified as a Spanish teacher in 2010 after completing my PGCE in Spanish with French at Newcastle University. On qualification, I taught Spanish up to GCSE and A level in several state schools in the North East including Durham Johnston and St Joseph's Catholic Academy in Hebburn. After having my own children, I focused on teaching Primary Spanish to fit around my own young family and worked for 7 years at West Jesmond Primary School teaching Spanish across all of Key Stage 2 . Most recently I have taught at Bellingham Middle School where I delivered Spanish to Key Stages 2 and 3.
In terms of current GCSE experience, I am teaching my own daughter the entirety of the Spanish AQA GCSE course at home as she has elected to do French GCSE in school in order to self-study Spanish at home with me as an extra GCSE. Therefore I am completely familiar with the new Spanish AQA GCSE including all exam requirements. Moreover, in the past I have conducted GCSE Spanish speaking exams under the Edexcel specification for external candidates at Whitley Bay High School so I am also familiar with that specification.
In terms of A level, I have previously taught Spanish A level in state secondary schools and have also tutored several A level students including one student who I tutored through the whole of the Spanish A level course as he was unable to study it in his own school.
Finally, I am completely fluent in Spanish and have the DELE Nivel Superior certificate issued by the Instituto de Cervantes in Spain which certifies fluency in the language. I have also enjoyed travelling extensively to Spanish speaking countries such as Peru, Argentina, Bolivia , Honduras and Spain so also have a wide cultural knowledge of Spanish speaking countries. Currently I attend a Spanish speaking group with native speakers once a week to maintain my fluency in the language.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked as a Spanish teacher in a number of schools in the North East. My responsibilities have included:
- Teaching Spanish across KS2 in Primary
- Teaching Spanish at Key Stage 3 and at GCSE and A level
- Writing my own Schemes of Work
- Conducting and marking GCSE written and speaking controlled assessments
- Teaching all aspects of Spanish grammar at AS and A2 level
- Teaching Cultural topics for A2 AQA syllabus

Private Tuition:

Main highlights include:

- Tutoring a student who needed to re-sit her A2 Spanish paper to attend the University of her choice. This student was successful in her re-sit and has since gone on to study Spanish at University.

- Tutoring an English speaking student who had lived in Tenerife and was unable to study Spanish at his school on relocation to the North East. I solely tutored him through the AQA AS course in which he gained a grade A at the age of 13.
I subsequently tutored him throughout the whole of the A2 course, including both cultural topics.

Tutoring Approach:
I am extremely patient and considerate and always strive to get the best from my students. In my approach to exam preparation, I believe in the importance of consolidating learning through self study, homework and past exam papers.

(Please note, the below rates are based on the student travelling to my home. I am also happy to travel to the student and a reasonable rate for travel will be negotiated for travel time and expenses).

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Personal Description:
My name is Laura and I am a native French teacher from Harrow, North London. I relished learning languages at school because I was taught by inspiring teachers and that is why I decided to make it my profession. I am very hard working, never afraid of a challenge and always happy to be teaching. Moreover I am organised, punctual and reliable and very enthusiastic with a fun and approachable manner. As a result, I feel that I have an ability to push my students to reach beyond their boundaries as studying no longer becomes a chore.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching French for over 25 years to all ages and all academic levels. Throughout my time as a teacher, I have worked and still do for several nurseries schools, set up my own business offering after school clubs, had a great deal of private lessons from primary school children to GCSE and A Level students and most recently have started conversation lessons for adults.

Tutoring Approach:
From my years of experience, I can see how general teaching in schools doesn't always work, as every child is different. This is why I offer a bespoke service to cater to the child's needs. This includes adapting what they enjoy to the learning process, which allows them a greater comprehension of the language. Students only learn if they are engaged in what they are doing. I have a positive attitude to teaching and give a great deal of encouragement.

I find it a real joy watching my students improve and eventually flourish in a subject they were struggling with at the beginning.

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Personal Description:
My name is Krysie, I have a degree in Biomedical sciences and have worked in the medical communications and education industry since 2016. I am passionate about biology and enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with others. I am a reliable, approachable and open person.

Teaching Experience:
I do not have professional teaching qualifications but have tutored GCSE and AS biology in 2014/2015 and again in 2018. Over the course of my career I have developed the ability to adapt my communication style for the relevant audience, from Clients and suppliers to senior and junior colleagues.

Tutoring Approach:
Breaking down complex information into relevant and memorable bite-sized chunks. We all learn differently and I enjoy adapting my sessions for the student so they remain engaged and find their own confidence and understanding with the subject.

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Personal Description:
I have been speaking Spanish for over 30 years and have a passion for the language, for Spain and the Spanish culture.

I have visited Spain every year since I was eight and regularly visit friends across the country and members of my family who live near Valencia.  I spent a year of my degree studying, living and working in Northern Spain, at the University of Salamanca.  I regularly update and improve my own language and teaching skills and most recently attended an intensive week's teaching and learning course in Málaga . 

I have a passion for watching people develop as foreign language speakers and have been privileged to share my enthusiasm for the language and culture across a range of ages and abilities -  from 5 years old to 70+ covering all levels from tourist, conversational, GCSE, A-Level and International Baccalaureate.  

Teaching Experience:
I have a degree in both Spanish and Teaching and have been teaching the language in colleges, primary and secondary schools for almost 10 years.  I am a co-author for the new CGP GCSE Study Guides and workbooks. I am also an examiner for the International Baccalaureate Course. 

Tutoring Approach:
I offer 1-2-1 Spanish tuition online.  I teach all ages from beginners to A-Level students; whether you are a total beginner, did Spanish at school and are looking at getting back into the language or are an advanced speaker wanting to hone your language skills. My strength is in working with you to create a tailored, relaxed and fun session. I will design a course with only you in mind.  I ensure your lessons have a balance between the four skills of speaking, reading, writing and listening. We will work at your pace.  Whatever your personal goal, we will achieve it.

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Personal Description:
I am a secondary school Science and Maths teacher. Experience with low ability pupils and high achievers. I tutor in Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Experience with AQA and Edexcel exam boards

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in several challenging schools with a range of pupils including those with SEN and behavioural difficulties. I have a wide range of experience with pupils struggling with engagement and motivation, and I aim to make learning accessible and relevant. I also teach pupils who are striving for that extra bit more to move up a grade and really excel as they move on to the next stage in their education, whether that is GCSES, A-Levels or University/College.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to keep it casual and relaxed and use lots of real world examples to apply the principles being taught. This makes the material more accessible and easier to remember come exam time.

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Personal Description:
** Available after 5pm on weekdays**
I`ve completed a PhD in Mathematics at the University of York, UK, and I'm a native Italian speaker with a strong passion for teaching.
I have 15 years of experience with one-to-one Maths tutoring to students from any level of education, and I worked for 4 years as a seminar leader in modules taught in my university department.

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in Mathematics, and I teach GCSE, A-levels, IB, and university students; I have experience with Edexcel and AQA exam boards.
As to university teaching, I specialise in probability, calculus, and mathematical analysis.
I also have experience with teaching Physics to GCSE and A-level students and Italian to adult learners.

I started teaching in 2009 as a Maths a Physics tutor for secondary school students in Italy. I started tutoring in the UK in 2017, both online and in-person, and in 2018 and 2019, I also volunteered at the City of York council as a maths teaching assistant. I've been teaching secondary school and university students for 15 years now.
Between 2017 and 2021, I worked as a seminar leader in the Maths department of the University of York for probability, calculus, and mathematical analysis modules.
In 2019, I started teaching Italian to adult learners who need support with conversation skills and grammar.

Tutoring Approach:
My aim is to make my students confident and independent in their studies.

During the introduction, I meet the student and their guardian so that we can get to know each other. I learn about their needs and aims, and we start planning the lessons.

The plan typically consists of weekly or fortnightly lessons depending on the content the student needs to cover; some students need to focus only on specific topics, while others need support throughout the year.

During the lessons, I focus both on supporting the students with the new material they have to learn and on filling the gaps they might have in order to build a solid foundation. To do that, I use worksheets that are focused on a specific topic and past exam papers that can help students prepare for tests and exams.

I organise my lessons so that the students can think of how to solve exercises while I guide them to the solution, rather than tell them what to do step by step. That way, they develop their own method to understand and study Maths and boost their confidence.

As to my Italian lessons, I base them on practice so that the students can gain more confidence, especially with listening and speaking, while strengthening their basic grammar knowledge. During the lesson, I like to create conversations aimed at practising oral comprehension and production.

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Personal Description:
I am fully qualified teacher and have been tutoring online for over two years. I now work part-time tutoring online, usually from my home, but occasionally from elsewhere. I have two adult children, one just finishing university and the other working in an apprenticeship. I originally tutored in person, but made the transition to online tutoring after the first lock-down. My existing pupils did extremely well at the transition and have continued to grow in confidence, to learn just as much as they did before and to also improve their ICT skills, using the keyboard to write, by using the classroom tools and sometimes sharing their screen.

The other advantages of online tutoring are that I am never held up in the rush hour traffic, there is no need to wear masks and I have even tutored pupils that have travelled abroad or have been living elsewhere, like Norway or even Nigeria, so continuity of tutoring is easier. Children seem just as able to build a relationship with a tutor online as in person, so this has never been a problem and I have had really good relationships with all of my pupils and their families. I really enjoy working with young people and their families. Sometimes I start working with one sibling and then with a brother or sister, or swap around depending on which child needs the most help.

I can be flexible and will try to work around parents' work and home responsibilities and commitments, but I will need to charge if lessons are cancelled within 24 hours.

I charge £35 per hour and that includes lesson preparation, providing homework (including marking if/when required), and providing feedback to parents/carers.

Teaching Experience:
I have been involved in Primary education for seventeen years, mainly in Key Stage 2. I have experience working one-to-one with children with Special Educational Needs, those needing just a little extra support to move them on and to boost their confidence, as well as working with highly academic children that need stretching, to ensure that they are never bored with schooling.

As well as being a fully qualified classroom teacher, I have been a School Safeguarding Governor for more than eight years and have worked with the Local Safeguarding Board, as well as with other Children in Care providers and have personal experience of caring for Looked After Children, so whatever your child's educational needs are, I'm here to help. I believe in teaching children to ensure that every child maximises their potential and I try to find ways to engage them in learning by using activities that they will enjoy. To do this I employ various teaching styles to suit the individual needs of each pupil. Whenever possible, I try to help children to understand how and why they are learning new things, how it relates to the wider world and why it is important for them to try to grasp new or difficult concepts and to take responsibility for their own learning.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to get to know the pupil I'm working with to find out the best way that they learn. Sometimes this can be encouraging them to engage in practical activities, such as cooking/baking, because it engages a child in a way that takes them away from the 'classroom' style of learning and puts them more at ease, as they are no longer feeling under any pressure to 'learn'. I have found that some children learn much more quickly when faced with a practical problem, such as reading a recipe and halving/doubling ingredients etc, with the added incentive and reward of eventually making something that they can eat. In addition, this may also help by giving them a visual and sensory memory of what they have learned. When tutoring I like to find out about each child's learning preference and tailor their tutorial accordingly. I believe in making learning fun and enjoyable, setting achievable goals that will help your child gain confidence and boost their self-esteem, as well as progress them academically.

Most children love ICT, but some are less confident and so involving them in online tutoring can be the best way to help them overcome any fears and concerns they may have, building their confidence as they learn to manage the whiteboard tools and communicate successfully with their tutor. They can also easily and quickly see their own progression. There are many fun and interesting games available for all the different subjects and working through some of these together often leads to children taking more responsibility for their own learning and becoming more eager and more confident to take on greater challenges. Once they become fully competent at a particular activity, they are usually keen to find another one. ICT can also provide a means of recording the subjects that they need to revise and they can then go over these and practise them in their own time.

The thought of taking the 11 Plus test is challenging and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and upset, for both parents and children. Having taught in a junior school where about fifty percent of the children move on to a grammar school, I am well aware of the pressure that some children are under to 'pass' the 11 Plus. There are many things that can be done to support your child and to help them to reach their maximum potential. Identifying the areas of learning that they find most difficult and overcoming this, is key to their gaining confidence and enabling them to make their best effort whilst taking this test. As well as teaching whole classes of children preparing for the 11 Plus, in recent years I have been working one-to-one with children preparing to take this test. I assist them in the aspects of English and maths that they have found most challenging, including using questions from past 11 Plus test papers so that they have become familiar with the test format. Pupils gain confidence in themselves and then they know that they will do their very best when they take the test.

The 11 Plus test can vary, depending on the school and catchment area. Most grammar schools prefer pupils not to be tutored, otherwise pupils may struggle if they are successful in the test, but do not possess the natural speed of learning required at many of these schools, so my preferred method of tutoring is to help pupils to understand any concepts they struggle with and to help them to become more advanced in these areas. Pupils should work through the appropriate 11 Plus practice materials on their own and identify the areas where they need the most help. This helps them to gain confidence in their own ability and to take responsibility for their own learning. This is very important for them if they are to progress well and if they are successful in gaining entry to a grammar school.

I provide lessons for KS1 and KS2 pupils to help them with any areas of the curriculum that they find difficult. I provide homework if required.

I occasionally tutor pupils in KS3, mainly Years 7 and 8, often helping them with their homework.

I can be flexible and will try to work around parents' work and home responsibilities and commitments, but I will need to charge if lessons are cancelled within 24 hours.

Whatever year a child is in at school, it is important for them to know that every step forward is a step towards greater achievement and understanding. Whatever your child's academic needs, please be assured that I am here to ensure that your child grows in confidence and achieves their maximum potential and will do my very best for them and for you.I look forward to working with your child.

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified Health and Social Care teacher who loves teaching. I am currently taking a couple of years away from teaching full time to home educate one of my children so I now have the opportunity to tutor more. I have industry experience having worked in A and E, Maternity, acute care and elderly care wards. I have studied both Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Brighton University and also have level 4 in careers advice and guidance. I have 2 children, 2 cats a dog and a house rabbit.

Teaching Experience:
I first started working in a school setting as a cover teacher 8 years ago and then qualified a couple years after joining. I knew I had found the career for me when I had previous students coming back to visit and telling me all about University and the dream jobs they have been able to get into. My main aim is to help students find that spark of excitement and aspiration in their studies. I strongly believe that a students success is not only getting that grade at the end but finding that passion for the future.

Tutoring Approach:
I offer bespoke tutoring to meet individual needs of the learner. I will work very closely with the learner to see how best to assist them in reaching their learning goals. I am friendly with a great sense of humor whilst very professional and driven.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Meg and I'm currently a student at York St John University studying English Language, Linguistics and TESOL in my second year. I'm 20 years old and have a love for languages and I'm in the process of self studying Korean and Japanese!

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored a number of my close friends in Korean as I've been learning via self study for close to 7 years and I have always had great feedback from them. But, I would love to expand my experience to of teaching to English to people, as I love sharing my own language with people. I'm currently studying TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at university and am eager to put my studies into practise.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a calm and relaxed approach to tutoring, I love teaching younger people as it's so refreshing to see younger people learning and understanding new things. I believe myself to be very encouraging and motivational when it comes to tutoring.

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Personal Description:
I am certified and freelance Interpreter, I have worked extensively with the English and Greek language professionally, translating for publishers, editing and everything encompassed within the publishing industry.
I have studied Int'l Business, BA 1994, I am a certified interpreter and I love to teach, and I do so with methods that entertain and provide experiential learning for all levels. I value receiving feedback from my students to understand each person's individual and specific needs and I personalize the teaching accordingly. I do freelance Interpreting and have language experience professionally translating for publishers, editing and creative writing, publishing and advertising, lecturing and giving seminars

Teaching Experience:
I have taught English and Greek in a private school setting for three and 5 years respectively. I teach by different creative ways for interactive experience. I value receiving feedback from my students to understand each person's individual and specific needs and I personalize the teaching accordingly.

Tutoring Approach:
I love to teach, and I do so with methods that entertain and provide experiential learning for all levels. I value receiving feedback and proceed.

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Personal Description:
I hold a BA in Philology with a major in English Studies, specialising in teaching English as a foreign language, an MA in International Studies with a major in Cultural Studies, a C2 Proficiency Certificate, an MLF Teacher Subject Specialisation Training Certificate from the University of Portsmouth and a Qualified Teacher Status.

Teaching Experience:
I have over a decade of experience working with diverse learners of various ages in language and mainstream schools in Poland and England.

As a bilingual individual with a decade of experience living in the United Kingdom, I possess a deep understanding of both the Polish and English language, literature, and culture.

Tutoring Approach:
I can help with:
*Polish GCSE and A-level exam preparation
*Polish literacy and language support for students and adults
*English literacy and language support for students and adults whose first language is not English
*Conversations and improving spoken English for students and adults whose first language is not English
*Conversations in Polish
*Creative Writing
*Story Writing for Children

I am a patient and creative tutor. My teaching approach is student-centred and tailored to your needs. I offer language guidance and support in a relaxed and mindful environment where you can learn at your own pace. We will discuss your goals and expectations and set the path to confident language usage together!

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