Glenfinnan Tutors & Glenfinnan Tuition

Personal Description:
I'm amazing!!!
And I help other people be amazing too!!!
My aim is to increase everyone's understanding of everything!!!

I've been tutoring Maths, Science and English since 2007, for ages 5 to 50. However, I mostly help teenagers with their SATs, GCSEs and A Levels.

Maths, Science and English are the three main subjects that people tend to want tutoring in. (Actually it's five subjects if you break the Science down into Biology, Chemistry and Physics.)

Anyway, as I tutor all of these subjects, my students find it very useful that I can potentially cover a different subject each week, or I can do two hours a week and cover a different subject in each hour.

This obviously makes it much easier for the parents too, because they don't have to find a separate tutor for each subject, or leave their child without the valuable one-to-one support in any of the core subjects.

I've also helped my students with pretty much every major school subject; from History and Religious Studies, to French and Spanish, and even Psychology and Health and Social Care. In fact, experience has shown me that I can help anyone to better understand anything - even something that I didn't even know myself a minute earlier!

Teaching Experience:
Educational Employment

Private Home Tutor
The Right Line
2007 - present
Tutoring GCSE and AS Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Tutoring GCSE English Language and English Literature.
Tutoring Numeracy and Literacy (including Phonics) for ages 7 and up.

Life Improvement Course Director
COSRECI
2001 - 2012
(A community education and counselling organisation.)
Assisting students on courseroom-based life improvement courses.
Marking and returning lessons for home-study life improvement courses

Tutoring Approach:
Initially:
I find out the student's strengths and weaknesses.
I find out what they want to achieve from the tutoring.
Together we draw up a plan of action to achieve this.

While tutoring:
I ensure the student understands every word of the subject as it comes up.
I aim for a full, conceptual understanding of each point to the best of their ability.
I keep motivation high with reward stickers! (IT WORKS!!!)

Subjects

Personal Description:
Dr Paola Piccardo PhD
Online lessons nationwide and face to face based in Aberdeen.

I am a native Italian speaker with British nationality and fluent in both English and French.

I have a long working knowledge of English, having worked for several years as a librarian in Aberdeen and for the oil & gas industry (GE and NOV) for 8 years. I also worked for RGU prior to start teaching full time.

I offer Italian, French and English tutoring at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced.

I studied English language and literature with French and Italian at La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, where I obtained my PhD.

After graduation I spent a long time working in France in Disneyland Paris. This gave me the opportunity to hone my French language skills.

I have experience teaching students of various age and nationality, both school children and adults who need to pass exams.
I have a PVG check.

Teaching Experience:
University of Aberdeen
Rosemount Community Centre, small groups - Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen language department
Tutoring agencies

Tutoring Approach:
I offer distance learning tuition via Teams for all beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.

I describe myself as enthusiastic, friendly and patient.

I am committed to delivering high quality tuition by offering tailor-made classes to suit different students' needs.

I think that a good tutor should guide the student towards the learner's goal with confidence and be able to explain clearly and in a friendly manner.

I am committed to bridge the gap between the textbooks and the demands of modern learning making the learning process fun and adaptable to each student.

Learning a new language should be fun. I am passionate about creating activities for the learners and make them feel at ease and comfortable during the class.

I have experience teaching school children and adults one-to-one, one-to-two, and small groups for different organisations across the UK such as private schools and community centres.

I offer flexible hours so my students can arrange the classes according to their needs and availability.

Learning a new language is a great opportunity to discover the culture of another country.

Cultural awareness is part of the language experience. Therefore, I love sharing the culture of my country and my knowledge of other cultures with my students.

For my teaching, I use different techniques and media. I love sharing online resources such as videos, articles and podcasts for listening activities and guided speaking exercises.

I can prepare for school and university exams, including GCSE and National 4 and 4 English, French and Italian and EFL exams.

For learners who take regular classes I can correct short written exercises.

During the first class I can assess the student's level in order to plan a suitable course tailor made to the learner's needs.

I am enthusiastic for using new technologies to add to the learning experience.

Subjects

Personal Description:
It is a number of years since I even considered updating my profile. In the last few months I have been asked out by the wife of a very close friend if I would tutor her nephew. I have also been approached by a Russian educational agency to tutor two Russian students.
I must confess I have really enjoyed. So I am updating my profile and offering my services.
I am a retired Deputy Headteacher.Even though I have held senior management roles in schools for 20 years Headteacher's have always wanted me to continue teaching Economics.

Prior to entering the profession I worked as a foreign currency dealer in the City. Whilst it paid very well my second favourite job was the stint I had as milkman. I also spent a summer season employed as a doorman at a disco in a Spanish resort.

My route to becoming a teacher was 'indirect' but I believe the experience I gained outside education proved invaluable in influencing my approach to teaching and the way I relate to students.

I am fanatical Liverpool supporter and since retirement have become a golfer.

Teaching Experience:
I taught Economics at A level and GCSE for 30 years in state comprehensive schools in London and Berkshire.
More recently, and after retirement:
I prepared a 6th form class at Battle Abbey School
for their level A Economics

In all my posts GCSE classes I taught have achieved achieved 70% Level 5 or above.

At A level, classes I taught rarely included any fail results and on average my classes achieved 70% A*-B grades. Even in my last year of teaching a class of 21 A level students secured 86% A*-B grades.

I am very familiar with AQA and Edexcel Syllabi and the IB Economics course. I was an examiner for both Edexcel and AQA.

I also have been involved in preparing students for Oxbridge. In all, I helped successfully prepare 19 students for interviews at Oxford(to read PPE) and Cambridge(to read Economics).

Upon retiring I had thought my days in the classroom had ended. The fact experienced and trained A level Economics teachers are a very rare breed has led to offers, two of which I found difficult to turn down. I was contacted through UK tutors by Battle Abbey School. They wanted an A level economics teacher to prepare a class for 2/3 of the A level course in 18 weeks! We achieved it with most students securing grades above those predicted.

In Sept 2019 I provided additional Learning for an A level student. The parents were Governors at Gildredge House School. After a few months they asked if I would consider becoming Head of Economics at Gildredge House and introduce GCSE Economics as well as teaching the A level. I did not want such a commitment but would be prepared to teach the Yr12 and Yr13 A level groups.

The Yr13 group had received very little grounding in Yr12 and had not developed the disciplined attitude towards learning. It took time for most of them to trust I knew what I was doing and act upon guidance and advice. Then Covid came! Nevertheless, most students secured results at least two grades higher than those I had predicted for them in Nov 19.

I was asked if I would extend my one year contract as no appropriately qualified and experienced replacement could be found. I am currently teaching Yr13 and Yr12 groups three mornings a week and enjoying it!!
The extension lasted 4 years!

And now I am tutoring again and lovint it.

Tutoring Approach:
When first meeting students who have never studied Economics I inform them they do have an understanding of the subject because it affects all aspects of their everyday lives. Wherever possible I will relate economic theories and principles to those real life experiences.

Indeed there are two general approches to teaching the subject:

1. Learn the theories and then apply to real life.
2. Introduce the theories through real life situations.

I adopt the latter approach.

Regarding my approach to student learning in general: wherever possibleI encourage and guide students to think and learn for themselves as it builds self confidence.

My overall approach is to encourage students to enjoy their learning. The subject is difficult requiring a lot of hard work. If students enjoy their learning the studying is easier

Tutoring on a one to one basis requires a flexible approach. The attitude, learning style and ability of a student should influence the style of tutoring.

Finally, I value a learning relationship with honesty on both sides. If a students is unable to complete a task by the agreed deadline I would rather they just tell me rather than devise a convincing excuse. On occasions we all face unexpected circumstances which can derail plans.

This overall approach seemed to receive a positive reaction from students as the subject nearly always attracted largish numbers at A level.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a native Arabic language tutor with over 25 years' experience teaching Arabic from absolute beginners to university level in UK . I teach adults and children online only

I teach Arabic (Modern / Classical) from complete beginners level, all the way to an advanced level, for both adults and children. Students learn all aspects of the language: reading, writing and speaking (general communication). I apply modern teaching techniques, which make the learning process appealing and enjoyable at each lesson. Recently I did different training with British council and Edexcel training online for New GCSE Arabic language.
First lesson is free.

Teaching Experience:
I have a huge wealth of experience in teaching Arabic to Adults and Children in the UK over a period of nearly 25 years. I started teaching Arabic to children privately (individually and in small groups) in the UK since 1992. I then extended my offering, by teaching adults in one of the Adult Community Colleges in the North of England. I then moved to London, and taught two courses of Arabic at Brent Adult Education Services from 1999 to 2001. During that period, I also completed my basic teaching training at Stanmore College in1999.
I then moved to Sussex and restarted in 2008 my Arabic teaching at Sussex Adult Education Services. I continue to teach there until March 2017 as I was the only Arabic Language Tutor at college. Besides that, I kept my private teaching to adults and children, either in person or through Skype, Zoom and Team.
My wealth of experience in teaching Arabic is manifested by the following:
1) I use a wide range and varied teaching materials: books; dialogues; MP3 sound files; card games; CDs; computer games; videos; and worksheets. All of these are at different levels - from absolute beginners to advanced learners. I have created and developed some of these materials, while I have carefully selected the others to suit my teaching at different levels.
2) I plan and develop suitable materials to teach individual students, according to their abilities and understanding. I don't just follow one or two text books, or a computer program to teach the language. I create a session plan for each individual lesson, and when I teach a small group of students, I use suitable differentiation methods to cover the different needs of the students. For example, I currently teach two young children (brothers) at different ages and one of them has a disability, so my teaching materials are different to suit each of them, in order to keep both of them enjoy and benefit from the lessons.
3) Teaching students with different abilities and backgrounds, as well as disabled students. For example, I taught a partially blind adult student, as part of a large group, and then individually. She enjoyed the lessons and continued learning Arabic. My students are at different ages; different professions; different backgrounds; and with different objectives to learn Arabic. I currently teach teenagers at GCSE level; several male and female adults (different professions); and a retired people.
4) I also teach at different levels. For beginners, I teach them the Arabic letters (pronunciation and writing) and communication skills in different day-to-day topics such as buying food and asking for directions. For the more advanced adult learners, I prepare them to be able to read, listen and understand the news in Arabic as well as reading stories, and debating topics. This gives them a good foundation if they want to work in Arabic speaking countries; work with NGOs where Arabic is required; and conducting business in the Arab world.
5) As a College Tutor, I have gone through several inspections / observations of my teaching. I used the feedback from these inspections to improve my teaching methods, style and materials. The feedback from my last observation session (in October 2016) was excellent, and I got the highest grade for a teaching session. The inspection report was full of positive feedback statements, such as:

"The tutor has a very high level of subject knowledge and communicated this in a calm and reassuring manner throughout. There was good rapport between the tutor and students which created a very supportive environment";

"Delivery methods were varied and included tutor presentation, use of sound files, handouts, speaking practice with the tutor, pair-work and some students using ICT resources. Tutor spoke clearly and utilised facial expression to good effect to demonstrate subtle differences in long and short vowel sounds. The pace appeared to be appropriate to all and differentiated learning activities enabled students to progress at their own pace. There were frequent opportunities for repetition. Handouts were either dual language (English / Arabic) .

"A range of assessment methods were in evidence including Q&A, quiz sheets and individual conversation between student and tutor in target language. Positive verbal feedback was given by the tutor throughout the session.
The tutor was well aware of the differing starting points of the students and the tutor had devised an excellent range of individual activities concerning Arabic to meet the needs of each learner. (One had matching cards, 2 played snakes and ladders, one had activity on iPad and one an activity on the computer.)";

"All learners were confident to speak in target language during Q and A sessions";

"Very clear differentiation was evident as the range of students was quite wide including absolute beginners alongside at least one student who had some previous knowledge to the extent that he could read/recognise written Arabic".

Tutoring Approach:
I teach online only, and have a good experience with this method (I taught last year an IGCSE student in the Middle East, and currently teach GCSE to 5 young persons, all online). I usually offer a free trial lesson for assessment purposes and to make sure the student is happy with teaching online.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I provide private Watercolour, Acrylic, oil painting and drawing lessons for beginners to advanced students at my Kings Heath studio. I will teach you everything you need to know, landscape, Flowers painting, life painting still life, technique of painting to technicalities of drawing. I am happy with one to one session and small groups are welcome as well. Also available for workshops, demonstrations and lectures.

Teaching Experience:
I have more than 20 years teaching experience as a fine art lecturer. Many of my students are now working on senior positions. Now I am working as an art tutor independently and also working with Independent Art School Birmingham. I also have experience working with adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy working with others in their projects and I like engaging them in mine. Good team work is essential for me. I have great experience in communicating with people of different cultures and backgrounds.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My passion for Art, Crafts and Design has been of paramount importance to me and sharing my knowledge and skills to all learners in these subjects.I have been drawing, painting and designing for over 40 years. I qualified as a Printed Textile Designer from Polytechnic of East London, on the BA Hons in Combined Studies Course.

From this I gained a valuable insight into the fashion and textiles industry, working with design studios. My love for creating designs continued on to the Masters Degree course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where I worked for Terence Conan Design Studios.

I developed an excellent rapport with artists and designers in the industry and decide, after several years of working for top high Street retailers as a fashion and textile designer, to build my own company up whilst teaching in Further Education. I became Head of the Fashion and Textiles Course in a top London college. Here all my students on the BTEC Diploma Level 3 and Level 4 courses gained work placements with Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes and many more. Many entered into their first choice Universities with my knowledge of putting their portfolios together and teaching life drawings to accompany their portfolios.

After having taught Fashion, Textiles and Art and Design for many years, I decided to challenge my other passion in Fitness. With my qualifications as Tutor and Assessor, I began delivering gym and personsal training courses to 16 to 18 year olds and 19 plus learners.

Currently, I am delivering mixed-media techniques to all age groups and organisations. I love what I do and love seeing my participants flourish.

Teaching Experience:
Art
Adults/Sixth Form/FE Colleges/Universities - one to one tutoring, group workshops.Portfolio preparation, drawing, painting, photography, sketchbook work

Design
Textiles, fashion design, illustration, visual communications, printmaking, art therapy with the use of colours

Crafts
3D construction with mixed media, tile design, ceramics, mosaics, jewellery design

Tutoring Approach:
Art,Design, Crafts...

All lessons will involve practical sessions, to include drawing techniques, perspective and visual skills, along with demonstrations handouts with overviews of the lesson and some homework for the next class (eg. Recording visual drawings, research and ideas in a sketchbook with specific tasks. Annotations will also be encouraged in sketchbook work.

Depending on age groups and examining boards, we will focus on how to achieve best results to prepare for exam situations, as well as for portfolio preparations and interviews.

Materials will be provided by the learner, however, I will be able to suggest what to purchase, and bring materials to experiement with if they are not readily available.

Most importantly, lessons will be tailored to your child's or your personal needs. Suggested visits to certain museums, events will be beneficial and discussed during the lessons, when appropriate. Contextual Studies will be looked at initially to have a better understanding of the subject or project devised.

Tutorial sessions will involve realistic scenarios, workbooks and guidance to achieve the level required to pass any exam or tests.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced science teacher available to tutor during evenings/weekends.

Teaching Experience:
I am in my eighth year of teaching Science up to GCSE level and I have a strong subject knowledge across all areas of Biology, Chemistry & Physics. I am very familiar with the new science specification (currently teaching AQA Trilogy) and the levels of knowledge required for KS3 and KS4.

Tutoring Approach:
My sessions can be adapted to specific needs and are planned to focus on areas of weakness identified. With KS3 (Years 7-8) I focus on working scientifically and key ideas in science, while I structure KS4 (Years 9-11) sessions around knowledge retrieval practice, linking scientific ideas and exam technique.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I hold a first class degree from the University of Oxford in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. I am currently doing a Master's in Economic Research at Cambridge University and want to be a researcher in economics. Past students in Politics, Economics and Maths A-Level have achieved A/A* in public examinations I taught them for. I have four years tutoring experience. I can help students excel in 7+,11+,13+ and University entrance exams. I can help students achieve top grades in maths, science and English GCSE. I also can help students excel in economics, maths and politics A-Level, as I was a top graduate (in the top 8%) form the University of Oxford in those subjects. I achieved A*AAA at A-Level in Further Maths, History and Politics. I took five AS levels and averaged 94% in them. I scored 10A*s plus an A in additional maths at GCSE at RGS Guildford. I greatly enjoy mentoring and inspiring students to excel in their education. I derived an enormous amount of joy and excitement from my education. It is a wonderful thing to inspire my students to succeed and thrive in their studies. My ambition is to return to the University of Oxford to do a masters and doctorate in economics.

Teaching Experience:
I have four years experience as a private tutor, teaching: GCSE maths, oxbridge applications (interviews, personal statements, general preparation and guidance and the PPE entrance exam), GCSE science (chemistry, biology and physics), english GCSE, politics A-Level, economics A-Level and 11+ and 13+ entrance exams for private schools. I have helped students win places at RGS Guildford, Churcher's College, KCS Wimbledon, Wellington College and places at Oxford University (A student came in the top 1% of Oxford University PPE applicants after private lessons, but was on the 30th percentile in practice exams beforehand). I tutored maths for the 11+ entrance exam and they achieved a commendation for their performance in the exam. I have taught students aged 7-13 at the Kumon maths centre in Haslemere. I have structured revision and school work for students who dropped out of school for their GCSEs, providing home schooling. I inspired many students in maths by accelerating them quickly through the GCSE course.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a surface pro with a pen for online lessons. In economics and maths, I use an online whiteboard which students have permanent access to, to write notes and solutions to exam questions. My approach is to accelerate students as fast as possible through their given course using exam material to deepen and develop their knowledge. I find I can accelerate students rapidly in maths (at GCSE and A-level), whilst they greatly enjoy the subject and the sessions. Students quickly improve at school too, which gives them extra confidence in their talents and capabilities. I set students past papers questions and we resolve any difficulties they had in the session. Iterating through past paper questions in this manner leads to exceptional results: a student of mine came in the top 1% in the entrance exam against Oxford University applicants and gained a place. Similarly, students excel at 11+, 13+, GCSE and A-Level in this manner. Practicing exam material and constantly pushing myself is how I achieved first class hons at the University of Oxford (as well as how I exceled at school), coming top in Game Theory in the exam, so I believe in this approach.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I moved to the UK in 2004 from my home country of Latvia, and just like my students, I was a non-native speaker in a new country, trying to learn a foreign language and adapt to a new culture and way of life. I really do know how it feels to be the person who needs that extra bit of support. I genuinely understand how confusing it is to try and learn all the grammar, all the punctuation, the spelling, how to write essays, how to understand all the idioms that are such a big part of the English language, but make absolutely no sense!

My interests include crochet, art, travelling, socialising, keeping fit, playing games with my little boy, and eating pizza.

Teaching Experience:
With an outstanding background as a fully qualified, professional English Language teacher with over eight years of teaching experience, I bring enthusiasm and expertise to help each student build their skills, grow their confidence and achieve their goals.
I hold an MA in English Language Teaching. I have successfully taught both children and adults at a variety of different ages, levels and abilities, and I have worked in China, Spain and the UK.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is friendly, communicative and professional. I adapt my methods to suit the age, ability, aims and needs of each individual student. I understand that every student is a wonderful, unique person with their own interests, personality and learning style. I use a variety of resources to support my students in their learning, including games, flashcards, actions, sounds, music, conversation, videos and whatever else I can do to help make learning more fun for us all!

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Personal Description:
Hello,
My name is Nuray. I worked as an art teacher in secondary,primary and adult schools in Turkey for 25 years. I have worked with all age groups, from kindergarten to university level. I am an experienced artist and art teacher. I have been professionally drawing,painting every years old.

Teaching Experience:
I worked as an art teacher in secondary,primary and adult schools in Turkey for 25 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I am confidence that my skills and experience will make me a good candidate for tutoring.

Subjects

Personal Description:
¡Hola! Bonjour! I'm Carla, a passionate language teacher who loves helping students gain confidence and joy in speaking Spanish and French. With 30 years of teaching experience, I focus on making lessons engaging, practical, and tailored to each learner's needs-whether you're preparing for exams, traveling abroad, or just exploring a new language for fun.

I believe language learning should feel natural and enjoyable, so we'll mix conversation, culture, and a bit of humor along the way. My goal is to create a friendly space where mistakes are part of the journey and every step forward is worth celebrating.

Let's unlock your potential together-à bientôt and ¡hasta pronto!

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience teaching Spanish up to A Level and French up to GCSE in the UK, supporting students in achieving strong exam results while building real-world communication skills.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons balance solid grammar foundations with interactive speaking and listening practice, helping learners feel confident and prepared.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced Chemistry teacher working in London. I am Head of Faculty of a large science department and teach Chemistry to A level, and Biology and Physics to GCSE. I hold a first class honours degree in chemistry and completed my teacher training (chemistry) and my MA in Science Education with King's College London. In addition I am an examiner for one of the larger exam boards.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching and tutoring for over a decade now.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an innate feature of make learning energetic and bringing about enthusiasm within students so that they continue to harness their learning naturally, without my presence. One main aim of my tutoring position is to employ students with key skills needed to efficiently revise, especially independently. Thus during crucial tuition periods, more time is spent approaching exam content, such as examination questions and reports and picking upon more complex revision content. However, all content is still taught from basic to the most highest of levels, to ensure full understanding of all topics as a whole. My students excel beyond teaching content in class and expected grades. I am a very efficient, yet calm and tutor and have a large amount of teaching experience which I would like to emanate.

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