Holmfirth Tutors and Holmfirth Tuition

Personal Description:
My name is Manuela and I am a native teacher of Spanish language and literature by the University of Córdoba(Spain) where I obtained my teaching qualification (BA in Spanish Studies), I hold QTS and also have a valid DBS.

I enjoy teaching Spanish at various levels, which gives me the opportunity to develop my teaching approach as well as getting to know different people, their views and understanding of the Spanish language.

I consider myself to be a confident and experienced teacher, committed, reliable, punctual and patient.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a private tutor for the past twenty years. I have also worked as a Spanish lecturer and as a freelance interpreter and translator.

Tutoring Approach:
The classes are tailored to the learner's needs. They cover writing, speaking, listening and reading. I provide all the material needed.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced, professional, private tutor, offering tuition in French, German and English (EFL/ESOL). I am experienced at teaching both adults and children online and use a variety of materials and resources to keep lessons interesting. Classes are available during both daytime and evening during the week, and also on Saturday mornings.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring privately for 20 years and have references available from former students as well as an enhanced DBS disclosure. My clients range in age from 8 years to retirement and beyond. I cater for all standards from Beginners to Advanced (A1 to C1 on the Common European Framework).

I have extensive experience of tutoring for GCSE, IGCSE and A Level examinations for several different exam boards. In addition, several of my adult students have taken German exams with the Goethe Institut.

As a former volunteer leader within the Guide Association (now GirlGuiding UK) and now as a volunteer with the Scout Association, I
have considerable experience of teaching a variety of skills to young people aged 10-25. I have extensive experience of adult training, both as a language tutor and in my previous roles in the IT industry.

Tutoring Approach:
After initial assessments to see what support is needed, classes are tailored to a student's particular needs and interests. There is, of course, a vast difference between a school student who requires additional support in preparation for an exam and an adult student who is pursuing a modern foreign language out of personal interest or for business reasons. We would look at verbal and listening practice as well as written exercises.

I have a particular interest in grammar and feel that it is very difficult to have a good grasp of a language without some grammar competency. This is especially important for A Level examinations. However, grammar does not have to be taught in a boring way and I often use games and fun exercises as well as more formal methods. Primary pupils learn mostly through games, puzzles and songs.

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Personal Description:
I am a certified teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language. In May 2012 I finished the Master de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato, FP y Enseñanza de Idiomas in Spain, a program similar to a PGCE. I am also working on the dissertation on another master program that will qualify me as a teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language. I enjoy Qualified Teaching Status since November 2012 and I am familiar with the English curriculum and the programme of study for KS3-4 in all aspects related to teaching Spanish as a MFL. I have taught Spanish to people of all ages and nationalities and also have classroom experience as a Chemistry Teacher (ages 15-16 and 17-18).

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced professional with a strong academic background and I am confident that I can be a valuable asset to your school. To be part of your teaching team will be a fantastic opportunity for me because it will also give me the opportunity to embrace the British culture again.

I have worked very hard to become a good teacher. My grades have been outstanding and I am receiving very good feedback from my instructors. I have carried out the practical phase of the teaching programme (Master in Secondary Education) in the same high school that I attended many years ago. In this school I have been responsible for teaching Chemistry and Physics to over 60 students and I also implemented a social learning environment to support their learning which has received very good feedback from my students and the lead teacher. I have accrued more than 800 teaching hours to date. I have the skills required for a classroom teacher and also the specialised skills required for teaching a second language.

Tutoring Approach:
From my own experience, I believe that learning a new language is similar to opening a door into a world full of possibilities: traveling, getting a new job, meeting new people and, in general, becoming a stronger individual both personally and professionally. In my classes, I like to tap into that part of each of my students that is exited about learning a new language, because that motivation will lead them to succeed in my class.

As a language teacher I firmly believe that in order for the students to succeed, two things must be present in the classroom environment: trust and respect. I have a lot of experience as a language student, Spanish is my native tongue and I have learned English, German and a bit of French and I have struggled with that first phrase I wanted to say out loud thinking that I was going to make a mistake or that it was going to sound funny. I understand that not everyone learns a language at the same rate and speaking in a foreign language takes courage and self-confidence. Courage and self-confidence are supported by an environment of trust and respect. In my classroom there are always ground rules: we are all here to learn, we learn from each other and we must respect each other.

The other very important aspect for me is making sure that the level of proficiency is correctly assessed. If the classes are too challenging or too basic, a negative environment not conducive to learning is created. Even if proper evaluation is made before the groups are formed, there will always be differences inside the classroom. I, as a teacher, try to be as aware as possible of this factor and strive to use that for the good of the group. Pairing a strong student with someone not as strong usually helps. Another important issue that I try to be as aware as possible is preventing the strong students from taking over the exercises and leaving behind other students that, because of either lack of confidence or not being at the same level, stop themselves from actively participating in class. In my classes, I make sure that everyone is heard and that I can evaluate progress of all my students.

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Personal Description:
I have been involved in computers and IT for 27 years. I was first of all a professional computer games programmer / designer before moving into my current role as an IT Solutions Architect. Over the last 21 years in IT consultancy, I have developed a breadth and depth of knowledge in IT and computing which is hard to find almost anywhere in the UK having dealt with almost all types of systems and aspects of IT.

I'm not able to teach you all the intricacies of the Microsoft Office products like Excel or Word, but I can train you in system design, system support, software development and pretty much anything in between. I have detailed experience in virtually all Microsoft operating systems and applications. I am also very experienced on VMware products. I am also able to assist your training in application and web development in C, C#, VB, scripting and assembler (68000 & 6502).

Teaching Experience:
21 years of mentoring and training junior staff on systems including Microsoft operating systems and applications.
Delivered a classroom based Lotus Notes course for Computacentre.
Developing syllabi and exam question papers for the British Computer Society (BCS).

Tutoring Approach:
I would first of all need to know what your learning requirements are. What is it you want to know about and to what level? From that point, I would create a training plan for you to reach that goal.

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Personal Description:
I am a Brazilian Translator, teacher and Interpreter with a background in Law and Enviroment Managment (which can bring something extra to the classroom) with a passion for languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 12 years experience teaching to all levels and interests. To groups, one-to-one or via Skype.
Lecturer at Aberystwyth University - Portuguese studies

Tutoring Approach:
I believe learning languages should be fun. I am very motivated and like to make sure my students "get out of their comfort zone", learn and have a good time. I use videos, books, movies, etc.

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Personal Description:
I have been a teacher for many years having received my PGCE in 1992. Since that time I have worked in a variety of schools in the state and private sectors both in London and Oxfordshire. Teaching physics is a great privilege and pleasure having taught A Level physics for both OCR and Edexcel boards as well as GCSE and iGCSE physics and chemistry. I am currently in the process of creating an A-level OCR physics course for an Oxfordshire school which is both challenging and hugely rewarding as I know it will be used for the A-level students for years to come.

Here are a few testimonials of previous tuition:

From Martin 5/5: (A-Level Physics) Excellent!

We cannot praise Kevin enough. He has the rare combination of knowing his subject very thoroughly and able to communicate that knowledge in a way that immediately makes sense to the pupil. Plus he is clearly very enthusiastic about the subject and teaching others. Very inspirational.

Time keeping perfect. General manor, friendly and enthusiastic. You just know your child is going to enjoy the lesson and progress.

I have no doubt that our daughter will have improved her exam grades by at least a grade. Also her general interest and enthusiasm for the subject has improved.

Simon: 5/5 Our son is enjoying the sessions very much, Kevin has reinvigorated our son's enthusiasm for Physics and perfectly meets the mix of needs now; subject knowledge, teaching style, enthusiasm and targetted exam technique… brilliant!

Natasha: 5/5 Kevin tutored my son for maths and physics. He made the lessons interesting and fun and really helped him with the revision process. He was always prompt and cheerful. All in all, an inspiring teacher.

Siyu: 5/5 It's very useful for the exam. Thank you so much！.

Teaching Experience:
See below for my roles in different teaching posts in UK state and private schools:

Head of Physics: Plan, create and teach a new programme of study for the new A level OCR physics course. Management of A -Level practical assessment and teach :A-level (OCR course)

Physics Teacher: A-Level physics (Edexcel), iGCSE physics teaching (Edexcel) . Organise and supervise rowing outings, ergo and running training for rowing crews.

Physics Teacher: Responsible for co-ordination of IT over the three science departments. A-Level physics, GCSE physics and GCSE chemistry teaching. Design and upkeep of the physics department web site. Organise and supervise ergo and running training for J14 octuple crews as well train crews on the tide way twice a week (including Saturdays). Elected member of the staff committee negotiating the new salary scale commencing September 2001. NUT school representative.

Head of science: Implement changes post OFSTED inspection. Key Stage 4 co-ordination of the examination
schedule with departments and administration of internal and external examinations. Writing of all internal mock examinations. Implemented changes to KS4 course based on EDEXCEL science syllabus changes. Oversaw science course work moderation based on INSET each year concerning moderation techniques and course work marking. INSET training in the managing of a science department. Responsible for the setting of all year 10 and 11 science groups. Created and hosted IT training courses for science staff. Responsible for implementation of IT themes within the science programme of study from year 7 - 11. Class room and form room management.

First teaching post after P.G.C.E. qualification. Responsible for year 7-11 science groups. Worked with the head of department on GCSE practical work. Created new practical work for assessment. Taught top and bottom GCSE science groups with physics as a specialism. Participated in after school clubs including The America Club ( letter writing to pen pals), and The Music Society ( encouraging pupils to play musical instruments ).

Physics Teacher: During the Easter holidays I taught revision courses in A level physics and instructed candidates on good revision techniques. During the summer I worked for the administration department as a clerical officer as well as overseeing their ' social monitoring ' programme for the foreign language students.

Tutoring Approach:
I would use my experience in teaching to understand the specific problems the tutee has with the subject material and then work with them with appropriate materials and resources to overcome the areas of concern.

My experiences in schools range from organizing trips for science based activities and interests, accompanying pupils skiing as well as the world famous Magdalene College School choir to Europe and coaching rowing in London and Oxford schools for competitive events in London and Henley. I would use my experience with students to help develop a good working relationship.

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Personal Description:
I'm a full-time teacher, an examiner and an education writer, with experience teaching students from every background.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught GCSE and A Level since 2006, in Religious Studies, Philosophy and in Law.

I also have extensive examining experience across a number of exam boards, including for the recently reformed GCSE and A Level examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is patient, structured and meets the student where they are in terms of the level of challenge.

Over time, I aim to instil confidence as well as a deep understanding of the principles studied. Frequent assessment, using low-stakes quizzes enables students to see how well they are progressing.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Johnette and I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a post-graduate teaching qualification in Secondary Education. I have over ten years teaching experience in bilingual, state and international schools.

Teaching Experience:
I've been teaching KS2 - A levels History and Geography, Humanities and English as a Foreign Language in classroom and online settings (majority of my students are from Asia, the Middle East and Europe). I used to work in a secondary school in England and have a full DBS/ police check. I'm also a CIE History Assessment Specialist/ Assistant Examiner.

I'm offering tailored lessons to help you or your child learn History and/or Geography on all specifications (eg. CAIE, IB, Edexcel International, AP) as I have a thorough knowledge of the requirements for all of these. I can help you learn the content, give exam techniques or if you just want someone to chat with/ practice your oral English with! I'm available to mark exam papers for IGCSE- A levels History and Geography.

I have a proven track record including helping my students achieve the highest marks for Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE History in the whole of China (in June 2010 and June 2016 examinations).

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy teaching students of different ability levels and cultural backgrounds and take pleasure in making the subject interesting for my students. When teaching, I aim to provide a stimulating and interactive learning environment. I plan my lessons with care to make sure that I've included appropriate activities and exercises for the students' level by using a variety of teaching strategies and methods to support the engagement of all learners (including making provisions for students with learning difficulties by differentiating activities that are suitable for the different learning styles). I also like to help students achieve their full academic potential and get them inspired about the world around them.

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Personal Description:
I am a 42 year old, dad of 2, who lives on the Wirral.
I am a keen sportsman in my spare time and enjoy spending time with family.
I am originally from Stockport but have lived in the Merseyside area for the last 30 years.
I also have a 2.1 BSc in Biology and Geography (hons) from Liverpool John Moores University.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching in 2007 and during this time have taken on a number of roles related to teaching of humanities and science across KS3, KS4 and KS5 in a number of schools across Liverpool and the Wirral. I have been a department lead for 8 years and have a wealth of experience in delivering the geography curriculum across AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.
I have also been an examiner for Pearson (Edexcel) and AQA for 16 years. I have worked marked and moderated on a range of KS4 and KS5 specifications and papers and have excellent knowledge of exam technique and requirements.
During my career I have tutored numerous students who have a range of different needs, expectations and learning styles.

Tutoring Approach:
I am available online or face to face. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of the individual so that time and learning can be maximised.
Resources are prepared in advance and feedback given in between sessions if appropriate.

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Personal Description:
I am a tutor specialising in SQL Server, Databases, Computer Science, Mathematics and English, with experience teaching teenagers, college students and university learners in the UK and India. I hold a Master's in Management Information Systems (Merit) from Coventry University and a Bachelor of Engineering in IT, supported by 15+ years of professional IT experience working with SQL Server, databases and technical problem‑solving. I focus on clear, structured teaching that helps students genuinely understand concepts

Teaching Experience:
I have taught SQL Server and database concepts to 10-15 postgraduate students at Coventry University, covering SQL queries, joins, grouping, database design, normalisation, stored procedures, views and indexes.
I have also provided one‑to‑one Maths and English tutoring to UK teenagers aged 14-16, and taught Mathematics, English and Computer Science to ICSE and college students in India. My experience spans structured lessons, practical exercises and adapting explanations to different ability levels

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is centred on concept understanding rather than memorisation. I break topics into simple steps, use practical real‑world examples and tailor explanations to each student's level. For technical subjects like SQL Server and Databases, I combine academic knowledge with 15+ years of industry experience to make learning clear, practical and confidence‑building

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Personal Description:
I have always been someone that likes to help people, and this is the major motivator when it comes to teaching. The 1 to 1 dynamic of tutoring provides a great opportunity for real connection with the student, which then facilitates much better progress through mutual understanding and communication. I`ve found the more casual approach you get from teaching one student in their own home gives them so much more confidence and security than they have at school which makes it so much easier to understand their problems and work through things together.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience teaching Maths and Science in several schools in Derbyshire and south Yorkshire, and have been tutoring privately for the last two years. I attained a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Nottingham and A*A*AA is Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Further Maths at A-level.

I have a broad range of experience tutoring in different settings and scenarios: online and in-person, KS3, GCSE and A-Level, Foundation and Higher Tiers, relaxed weekly or Bi-weekly sessions, intensive exam prep and even teaching in a home-school environment.

Tutoring Approach:
I opt for a more relaxed approach as I find student comfortability to be the most important factor for learning. Sessions are very interactive with the idea of helping the student understand where they are going wrong and what gaps they have. I am very analytical behind the scenes, building a bespoke portfolio that will inform the direction of future sessions.

I think students find the casual conversational learning to be a breath of fresh air. Many feel cramped and uncomfortable in a classroom so being able to just discuss things freely with no fear of judgement is a huge help. In my experience students always undersell themselves, so I make a point out of showing them how much they already know, which helps them feel more confident from the offset

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Personal Description:
I am a Mathematics tutor with a PhD in Mathematics and many years of experience teaching students at different levels. I enjoy helping students become more confident with Maths and making difficult topics feel much more manageable.

I tutor Mathematics and Further Mathematics from National 5/GCSE through Higher, Advanced Higher, A-Level and university level. I am happy to work with students who are aiming for top grades as well as those who need help rebuilding their confidence or understanding the basics.

Teaching Experience:
I have around 30 years of teaching experience, including approximately 16 years of private tutoring both online and in person.

Over the years I have taught students of a wide range of ages and abilities, including school pupils preparing for National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher, GCSE and A-Level examinations, as well as university students studying Mathematics.

A large part of my work has involved exam preparation, past-paper practice, identifying gaps in knowledge and helping students improve their grades. I have also supported students working towards university entry requirements and conditional offers.

My academic qualifications include a PhD in Mathematics, an MSci in Mathematics, a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, and a Bachelor of Education.

Tutoring Approach:
Every student learns differently, so I adapt my lessons to suit the individual rather than using the same approach for everyone.

I normally begin by identifying the areas the student is finding difficult and then work through these step by step using clear explanations and worked examples. Once the student understands the method, I introduce practice questions and exam-style problems to help them apply it independently.

For students preparing for exams, I use past papers regularly to improve technique, identify common mistakes and help students become comfortable with the style and timing of exam questions.

I am patient and supportive, and I encourage students to ask questions whenever something is unclear. My aim is to help students understand why a method works, rather than simply memorising steps. This helps them become more confident and independent in Mathematics.

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