Kirkcudbright Tutors and Kirkcudbright Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a native French speaker and I am fluent in Italian. I am an experienced translator and interpreter as well as a highly respected private tutor. I am passionate about languages and foreign cultures and have travelled to a variety of countries. I have been in England for over 15 years and I can confidently say that I am fully bilingual (French-English), which has always facilitated communication with all my clients.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught French & Italian at primary, secondary and university level. I have more than 15 years' experience in this business, I am trustworthy, honest, reliable and knowledgeable. Regardless of age, level and requirements, I will be able to assist you.

Tutoring Approach:
I offer my students the chance to learn at a pace they are most comfortable and give them the opportunity to ask as many questions as they wish to progress further. I offer one to one tuition so all my attention is focussed on them at all times.
I will travel to your home for a reasonable fee and will tailor make your linguistic requirements. I will research and provide you with the teaching material, so you will not need to purchase any additional books. I will recommend free online resources too to assist you with your work. From language teaching to sales, translation, interpreting and customer care, my wide range of experience will help you succeed. I have been vetted for security clearance, similar to a CRB check. My fees are very competitive and negotiable if willing to commit to several lessons. Telephone, Skype, group lessons also considered, please just ask. Please contact me for any questions you may have.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced chemistry teacher and A-level examiner. I have been a private tutor in chemistry and maths since 2002 with excellent results and consistently good feedback. All students are welcome, whether working towards first-time examinations, resits, or needing support and confidence through the course. As well as teaching and supporting all areas of A-level and GCSE chemstry, I spend time with students on study skills, revision technique and exam technique. These are areas which are sometimes given little attention in schools but are central to student's success and the development of their potential.

Teaching Experience:
Both my private tuition and work as a teacher have benefitted from my work as an external examiner for AS chemistry, on-going since 2004. This gives me an invaluable insight not only in terms of subject knowledge but also towards exam preparation and technique. I can therefore assist with a variety of extremely useful tips and pointers towards revision and taking exams, including, for example, key word-pairs guaranteed to improve answers.

I am frequently commended for explaining concepts very clearly with relevant examples.

Private tutor (chemistry, maths) - 16 years
Chemistry and maths lecturer - 12 years
External A-level chemistry examiner - 14 years

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly and approachable, encouraging queries and questions whenever they arise. I adjust my pace to suit each individual learner and design a tuition plan according to each individual's personal strengths and weaknesses. I use questioning techniques as part of my teaching in order to help students express themselves and develop both their thinking and understanding of chemistry. I also help with both revision and exam technique and this is incorporated into my teaching as well as discussed separately.


I am happy to tutor both individuals and groups of 2-4. I recommend 1hr teaching sessions for GCSE and 1 - 1.5 hours for A-level. I provide past papers and other materials as necessary and can do longer or more frequent lessons around exam time, if required.

Subjects

Personal Description:
DO YOU NEED A TUTOR FOR EXAMS/RE-SIT EXAMS THIS YEAR? LOOK NO FURTHER!


GRADE 1 OUTSTANDING - OFSTED (from 2002 to 2024!)
I have been the Head of Accounting since 2006, at a large Catholic Sixth Form College in Hulme, Manchester. I am 46 years old, living in Didsbury, South Manchester. I gained my degree in Economics and Finance in 1998 from Leicester University. I began teaching in 2002 so have many years of experience teaching Accounting.

I mainly offer tuition at my home, or a local library, either at the weekend, or weekday evenings. However, I am usually able to offer tuition during the school/college holidays.

Teaching Experience:
I completed my PGCE at Manchester University in 2002. I only teach Accounting AS and A2 Level, and this is therefore my main specialism. I can also help students in need of tutoring on the Finance elements of the Business Studies A Level, or on Accounting/Finance elements of Business/Accounting/Finance degree courses.

I teach the AQA specification.

Many tutors are not willing to advertise the results they have achieved with students. I recommend you read the section below on the results i have achieved with my A Level Accounting students.

Also, many tutors seem to offer tuition in a wide variety of subjects. Are they really specialists in so many different subjects? I am an Accounting specialist, and only offer tuition in Accounting or the Finance elements of a Business course. If you need a Maths tutor, then hire a Maths specialist. If you need an Accounting tutor, then hire me!

Tutoring Approach:
Many other tutors seem to describe their strategies/relationships etc, without mentioning anything concrete like exam results! Surely the one thing a prospective student wants to know about is exam results!?!? Read on.

I have an incredibly strong track record of results at A Level Accounting. Compare the results of my students against the national benchmarks below. Please compare the difference between my students, and the benchmarks. We are WAY ahead!


My A Level Accounting students in 2022:

Grade A*-B = 79%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2022:

Grade A*-B = 43%


Each department within the college is graded according to the college's own internal validation procedure. I have been graded as 1 'OUTSTANDING' for 17 years on the row, since I became head of the department!!!

The Accounting department was also graded as 1 'OUTSTANDING' in the last OFSTED report in Jan 2023. Key Findings from Ofsted:

"A high proportion of students achieve grades A and B. In A-Level Accounting more than two thirds of students gained a high grade (A-B). In AS Accounting, almost four times the national average achieved a high grade (A-B)."


I have been awarded grade 1 on the ALPS measure for value added on 3 separate occasions in recent years. This means i add more value to my students than any other college in the country. Value added measures the difference between what the Government predicts a student should achieve at A Level based on their GCSE performance and what they actually achieve.

Here are the previous years results, so you can see that the performance is ALWAYS impressive, and WAY ABOVE benchmark.


My A Level Accounting students in 2021:

Grade A*-B = 63%


Benchmark A Level Accounting 2021:

Grade A*-B = 47%


My A Level Accounting students in 2020:

Grade A*-B = 61%

Benchmark A Level Accounting 2020:

Grade A*-B = 44%


My A Level Accounting students in 2019:

Grade A*-B = 47%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2019:

Grade A*-B = 33%


My A2 Accounting students in 2018:

Grade A*-B = 47%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2018:

Grade A*-B = 37%


My A2 Accounting students in 2017:

Grade A*-B = 63%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2017:

Grade A*-B = 40%


My A2 Accounting students in 2016:

Grade A*-B = 51%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2016:

Grade A*-B = 35%


My A2 Accounting students in 2015:

Grade A*-B = 48%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2015:

Grade A*-B = 34%


My A2 Accounting students in 2014:

Grade A*-B = 56%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2014:

Grade A*-B = 36%


My A2 Accounting students in 2013:

Grade A*-B = 68%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2013:

Grade A*-B = 38%


My A2 Accounting students in 2012:

Grade A*-B = 68%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2012:

Grade A*-B = 36%


My A2 Accounting students in 2011:

Grade A*-B = 54.54%

Benchmark A2 Accounting 2011:

Grade A*-B = 35.12%



My A2 Accounting students in 2010:

Grade A*-B = 67.35%


Benchmark A2 Accounting 2010:

Grade A*-B = 37.36%


My A2 Accounting students in 2009:

Grade A*-B = 66.67%


Benchmark A2 Accounting 2009:

Grade A*-B = 35.83%


My A2 Accounting students in 2008:

Grade A*-B = 77.27%


Benchmark A2 Accounting 2008:

Grade A*-B = 33.93%

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an intelligent, responsible and empathic person with an extensive background in teaching. With excellent communication skills and a tremendous enthusiasm for teaching my aim is always to allow my students to grow and learn for themselves.
My principal goal is to constantly improve as a teacher and for this reason I am undertaking both Spanish and French courses with prestigious institutions like Cervantes.

Teaching Experience:
2009 - 2014
- Substitute phylosophy for the regional government of Catalunya (Spain) and the regional government of Valencia (Spain).
- Private classes in philosophy with High School students and teachers.
2006 - 2009
- Private classes with children with emotional and learning difficultes.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that a teacher should have a good knowledge I awareness of psychology and personal development. With this in mind, many of my additional and special skills have been obtained in this area.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Depute Head Teacher based in the Motherwell area. I have fourteen years teaching experience with ten of those based in the classroom. I have taught in a variety of primary and SEBN schools in North Lanarkshire. I use a wide of range of innovative, inspiring techniques and strategies to engage the young people in my care.

Teaching Experience:
I am a Depute Head Teacher in North Lanarkshire with seventeen years teaching experience. I was classroom based for ten years and have had the pleasure of teaching a variety of young people ranging in age from 7-16 years old.

I look to build positive and lasting relationships with all young people in my care and use relationships to develop an in-depth understanding of what the needs of each individual child is. I use this information to derive a detailed individualised plan to meet the needs of your child. In addition to this I strive to use an assortment of teaching tools and approaches to ensure all learners are confident in understanding what is being taught.

Tutoring Approach:
As a private tutor I strive to give your child a positive and enjoyable learning experience, in turn enhancing their self-belief and self-confidence in a classroom environment. I use both practical and interactive teaching tools to help make all areas of the curriculum clearer and easier for a child to understand.

I use current and up to date materials to help give your child a better understanding and grasp of the curriculum as taught in his/her own classroom.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a friendly, qualified and experienced teacher. I am a native German. I moved to the UK in 1991 just after meeting my future husband. We have three grown-up sons. My hobbies are walking, gardening, piano and music, cooking and I am a member of the WI. I hold a current DBS certificate and I am also registered with the Education Workforce Council.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in Grammar schools and colleges in the UK for over 15 years, as a German teacher and Head of German. I have conducted GCSE and A-level oral exams for the WJEC examination board and written syllabuses for German GCSE and A-level groups. The school where I worked, received an "Outstanding" by Ofsted. At present, I am working online and in-person with students who are eager to improve their confidence and skills at Key stage 3, GCSE, A-level or Degree level, and also with adults who want to learn German to converse with family and friends or are taking up professional positions in Germany and Switzerland.

The feedback I have received from students has been consistently positive. All students have improved their skills and confidence and many have been able to get top marks in their exams and have been able to secure places at Cambridge, Imperial College, York, Nottingham, Cardiff and Kings College London.

Tutoring Approach:
I currently teach all lessons in person or online on Zoom or Skype. Online tutoring is very effective, as students can choose the best tutor regardless of where they live and save on travelling time. As with in person lessons, I prepare lesson plans and materials and send them to the student before the lesson. I also set homework assignments, mark the work and give constructive feedback.

Language tuition has been my passion for a long time and allows me to be supportive and creative, motivating pupils and believing in their abilities. One-to-one tuition is very productive, because it adapts to the individual learner's needs easily. My experience in schools and with exams has given me the knowledge of standards required for GCSE and A-level exams, and many pupils have commented on how much improvement they have seen in their school work, and in their confidence, as a result of our lessons. My aim is to make language learning enjoyable, and therefore I always encourage a warm and relaxed atmosphere for lessons. My lessons are structured, integrating all four language skills speaking, listening, reading and writing, and also include grammar, pronunciation, games, video clips, and lots of authentic material and cultural knowledge.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am currently a graduate student in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. As a curious and driven learner, I am eager to teach what I have learned, as well as learn from those I teach.
I specialise in teaching Biology, Math and English until GCSE level, and as a fluent speaker of Mandarin I am also able to teach the language to younger students. I am able to teach both GCSE and those working towards the International Baccalaureate (IB). Scored 42 points doing the IB in Singapore myself, having done Higher Level Maths, Chemistry and my favourite- Biology. I was a Triple Science (I)GCSE student, scoring above 90 in all subjects, and tutored 2 IGCSE students myself as a Senior in high school. As a university newspaper editor and columnist, I love to write and communicate science, therefore am inclined towards teaching the sciences and English, but am also open to teach Maths, Chemistry and Mandarin.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with Oxford Tutors since October 2019, until the pandemic took its stride. I tutored briefly while studying in London for my undergraduate studies (Imperial College London). I tutored math and chinese (mandarin) to younger students during my last two years of high school in Singapore.

Tutoring Approach:
It is both fulfilling and enjoyable to help others realise their potential. During class, I typically first unravel important concepts to ensure the student grasps the topic well, avoiding rote memorisation, before assessments are provided. People describe me as friendly, encouraging and approachable, and I hope this demeanour makes my student feel at ease whilst bringing out his/her own enthusiasm and excitement for the subject. My patience is endless, especially with experience teaching my three younger sisters in Maths and Biology.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a friendly and easy going person from St. Petersburg. I live in a small town in England with my family and two cats. We enjoy going on long walks In the countryside, cooking pies and watching movies. I am a highly enthusiastic and committed teacher and get the best out of my students. I am a creative and inspiring person. I have a positive attitude and this motivates students and builds their confidence.

Teaching Experience:
I have lived and worked in UK since 2000. I have substantial teaching experience working with children of all ages and their families. My working experience ranges from working in the children centres and pre-schools to working in a primary school. I enjoy teaching Russian and English to bilingual/ multilingual children at a weekend school.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that communicative method is the best way forward. I use a variety of activities and tasks to make lessons engaging but challenging and productive. The lessons are tailored to you and your needs. Developing all language skills is important, however I am happy to be flexible and focus on what you need most- whether it is speaking or listening, reading or writing, improving vocabulary or pronunciation.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Γεια σας! I'm Sofia, a passionate and experienced language teacher originally from Greece. I have been teaching Greek and English as a Second Language for over five years, working with learners of all ages and backgrounds. With a CELTA qualification and an MSc in Education Policy and International Development, I focus on making lessons interactive, engaging, and tailored to each student's needs. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your fluency, I'm here to support you on your language-learning journey!

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified teacher with over 6 years of experience teaching Greek and English as a Second Language to children, teenagers, and adults. I hold a CELTA qualification and an MSc in Education Policy and International Development. I have worked in both face-to-face and online settings, supporting learners of diverse backgrounds, including refugees and migrants. My lessons are engaging, student-centered, and tailored to individual needs, helping learners build confidence and fluency in Greek and English.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a strong advocate of creating an inclusive environment where the students feels safe to share their thoughts and feel that they belong. All the students are being respected for who they are and i always try to be there to support them through their learning journey.

Subjects

Personal Description:
About Me:

Professional cellist with over 10 years of experience.
Specialized in both chamber music and solo cello performances.
Extensive experience preparing students for ABRSM exams and conservatory auditions.

Teaching Experience:
Professional Cello and Piano Lessons Available!

Are you looking to elevate your cello or piano skills? Whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician, I am here to help you achieve your musical goals!

About Me:

Professional cellist with over 10 years of experience.
Specialized in both chamber music and solo cello performances.
Extensive experience preparing students for ABRSM exams and conservatory auditions.
What I Offer:

Cello Lessons: From beginners to advanced levels.
Piano Lessons: All skill levels welcome.
Personalized lesson plans tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Both online and in-person lessons available.
Location: Based in the UK, offering online lessons globally and face-to-face lessons locally.

My Approach:

Focused on building strong technical foundations.
Encouraging musical expression and creativity.
Comprehensive preparation for exams and auditions.
Supportive and inspiring learning environment.
If you're passionate about music and eager to improve your skills, don't hesitate to reach out! Let's make beautiful music together.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a professional cellist and educator based in London, with over ten years of experience preparing students for ABRSM exams and conservatory auditions. I offer personalized cello and piano lessons for students of all levels, both online and in person.

I believe in a tailored approach to teaching, understanding that each student has unique strengths and areas for improvement. My goal is to foster a deep appreciation for music while developing technical proficiency and expressive playing.

I would be delighted to discuss how we can work together to achieve your musical goals. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to schedule a lesson or to discuss any specific requirements you may have.

Thank you once again for considering my services. I look forward to the possibility of working with you.

Subjects

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 GCSE and A-level exam preparation for students whose first language is not English
*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!

Subjects