Litherland Tutors & Litherland Tuition

Personal Description:
I am an academic and scholar who holds both a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and a MLitt (Master of Literature) from The University of Glasgow, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) honours degree from The University of Paisley. My first academic book 'Robert Taylor: Male Beauty, Masculinity and Stardom in Hollywood' (University Press of Mississippi, 2019) was shortlisted for the Best Monograph of the Year at BAFTSS Awards 2020 and my second academic book, 'Tyrone Power; Genre, Gender and Image in Classical Hollywood Cinema' (Edinburgh University Press, 2021) was released in February 2021. Among my other publications are chapters in anthologies for Palgrave Macmillan (2016) and Bloomsbury Academic (2021). I have contributed to several academic journals and been requested as a guest lecturer, guest speaker and reader/reviewer on several occasions. I am currently working on my next book, some academic papers for journals and chapters for scholarly edited collections.

I am a personal tutor with over a decade of experience in several subject areas including English, English Language, English Literature, Media Studies, Film Studies, Theatre Studies, and General Writing Skills. I have taught a wide range of students off-line from pre-exam age (11+) to Standard Grade, Higher, and university level, and on-line for pre-exam level (12+), GCSE, AS level, A-Level, university level, postgraduate and the adult learners over this time.

Teaching Experience:
A well as being an experienced on-line and off-line personal tutor, I have also had several other academic jobs including:

Lecturer at Forth Valley College

Seminar tutor at The University of Glasgow

Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of Glasgow

Top-Up Tutor at The University of Glasgow

Step Up to University Lecturer at University of West of Scotland

REACH Tutor at University of Glasgow

Proof Reader at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Note Taker at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Study Support Tutor at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Transcriber at University of the West of Scotland

Support Worker at University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Exam Scribe at University of Glasgow and Scottish Rural University College

Exam Invigilator at Scottish Rural University College

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that learning should be fun and in a relaxed atmosphere but at the same time academic and useful. My approach to teaching is to have the tutor and student both feel that they are getting a lot out of the experience and that the time is being well used. I will break down subjects into easily manageable blocks and make sure that my student understands the unit before moving on. I also like to vary my tutorials by having some in the form of lectures, some in the form of question and answers, some where I will give students feedback on homework they have done and suggestions to improve what they have done, etc.

I also find that on-line tuition is the best method and students can ask questions that they may not ask if they were face-to-face with someone, it is a much more relaxed approach but students get a lot out of it (and can save all the notes from lessons for use later on).

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have worked with some 800+ children and have a pass rate of 91%. I recommend that children start tuition from near the beginning of year 5 and have a 50 mins-one hour lesson per week.

I am a regular contributor on 11+ website forums giving parents the benefit of my experience/knowledge.

In 2003 I produced a guide to 11+ success and have sold over 1500 copies to date.

I have been an adviser to publisher Nelson Thornes on the contents of their VR books which include the Bond range.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 21 years experience as a private tutor preparing children for the grammar school entrance exams (11+) and 11 years as a year 5 class teacher.

Tutoring Approach:
I carry out an initial assessment test which provides me with an accurate guide as to whether the child is a suitable candidate.

My aim is to familiarise my pupils with the different types of verbal reasoning questions they will encounter in the exam and teach them methods to tackle them most effectively.

As we approach the exam we concentrate on 'fine-tuning' i.e. concentrating specifically on any areas that need further attention and ensuring that the child is used to working at the required speed. Appropriate practice tests are done on a regular basis.

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Personal Description:
I'm a full-time professional maths tutor with thousands of hours of experience of providing effective 1-1 maths tuition. I have a Cambridge maths degree, an abiding love for maths and a passion to help students enjoy and master maths for themselves!

I teach A-level mathematics and further mathematics, including IB and Cambridge Pre-U. I also teach mature students, and university students requiring maths to support other degree subjects. I have prepared students for exams from all the major exam boards, including Edexcel, AQA, OCR, OCR-MEI, Cambridge Pre-U and IB. I also prepare students for STEP and MAT and for numeracy or numerical reasoning tests, including the numeracy skills test for prospective teachers.

Two of my three children have been through school and university and one is still at secondary school, so I have been engaged closely with the education system at all levels and understand what both students and parents are looking for to achieve academic success.

My family and I have lived in Cranleigh for over 20 years and I have connections with a number of local schools.

Teaching Experience:
I have thousands of hours of experience of providing 1-1 maths tuition. At peak times in the year I have more than 40 active students on my books.

Tutoring Approach:
More than almost any other subject, maths needs confidence to be built, and a patient, individually tailored approach. Able students may need practice to strengthen problem-solving and eliminate errors, a more joined-up view of maths to deepen their understanding, and challenge to stretch their capabilities. Others find A-level maths harder going, and an imaginative and pictorial approach with plenty of real world examples is needed to achieve that "penny drops" moment!

Depending on the student, tuition may include any or all of: coaching to consolidate (or anticipate) teaching at school; revision for examinations; working through past examination papers; teaching and testing of specific sections of the curriculum; or more free-wheeling exploration of mathematical topics. By agreement with students and parents, homework may be set and marked.

I'm available to teach at almost any time in the week, either on weekdays (daytime or evenings) or on Saturday mornings. Sunday is my day off! I'm happy to teach in my own home, or in students' homes in Cranleigh or up to 10 miles away in the surrounding area in Surrey and West Sussex, including Guildford, Horsham and Godalming. If teaching outside Cranleigh I may agree an additional charge for travel.

I offer effective and engaging A-level mathematics and further mathematics tuition. If you want to succeed in your exams and also to deepen your appreciation of mathematics and have fun, then get in touch!

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Personal Description:
I am very passionate about films, theatre, the media industry. I am currently in my second year of a BA Hons in Film Studies at Edge Hill University, living away from home during the week but always available on weekends. I am hardworking, dedicated to my studies and after my undergraduate degree I am hoping to continue my studies with a Masters degree.

I also love to learn languages, currently able to speak 4 fluently (English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi) and also learning Spanish in my free time.

Teaching Experience:
I have a younger sister who is following my path into Film Studies, not knowing a thing before starting her A Level in it she is now predicted an A*. I have held short after school lessons for her and other family members in this particular field and the outcome has always been satisfying.

I have also started my TEFL course (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which helps me gain a qualification in teaching the English language.

Tutoring Approach:
The lessons will be about the student, and not the teacher. Therefore everything will be tailored to areas you wish to improve (spoken communication, written skills, reading, accent, listening)

I have a calm and relaxed approach to tutoring, understanding the problems and weaknesses in people and using those to bring out the best in them. If I can see passion within the student then I will do my personal best to bring out the potential in my students.

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Personal Description:
I am currently teaching in Japan for one year until September. I have experience with all ages, and am a very approachable and friendly teacher! I enjoy keeping lessons fun and engaging, so you enjoy the lesson as well as learn a lot. I am a very active person and Chester is such a nice place to explore!

Teaching Experience:
I have taught for a total of 4 years. I am currently teaching in Japan at an English Eikaiwa. I teach conversation classes to adults to improve their English greatly. I also teach all levels of younger students. I have taught at international schools in England, to students from all over the world.

Tutoring Approach:
I have experience with many nationalities, and really enjoy conversing and finding out more about different cultures as lessons progress. I hope to teach you a lot about England!!

Subjects

Personal Description:
Many students come to me believing they're 'just not good at science' or carrying anxiety from previous negative experiences. I create a completely judgment-free environment where mistakes are valuable learning tools, and we celebrate every win, no matter how small. Building genuine confidence is as important as mastering content.

I specialise in transforming students who've lost confidence into motivated learners who exceed their own expectations, whether that's a comprehensive school student finally 'getting' science after years of struggle, or a high-achieving independent school candidate securing their place at their dream school. As a former Oxbridge graduate, qualified teacher, and examiner for AQA and Edexcel, I understand precisely what's required at every level, but more importantly, I know how to unlock each student's potential by addressing the emotional barriers that hold them back

Whether you're seeking support for a comprehensive school student who's struggling with science fundamentals and needs confidence-building from the ground up, or an ambitious student targeting top grades for entry into Oxbridge or the Russell Group, I tailor my approach completely to each student's starting point and goals.

Teaching Experience:
Enhanced DBS certified
15 years teaching Science and Business Studies in state and independent schools
15 years delivering one-to-one private tuition across all ability levels
12 years as a senior examiner for AQA and Edexcel (current insider knowledge of marking schemes)
Qualified teacher status with continuous professional development
Former Oxbridge graduate with specialist knowledge of entrance processes

Tutoring Approach:
Every student learns differently, and my first priority is understanding exactly what barriers are holding your child back - whether that's gaps in foundational knowledge, exam anxiety, or simply never having had concepts explained in a way that clicks for them.

I begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify strengths and areas for development, then build a completely personalised learning plan with achievable milestones. Students who work with me consistently report that my explanations finally make complex concepts clear, and that their confidence grows alongside their grades.

As a practising teacher and examiner, I attend regular CPD on the latest GCSE specification changes and marking criteria. This means I'm teaching to the current standards, not outdated approaches - crucial for maximising grades under today's rigorous assessment system.

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Personal Description:
I am a very well qualified and very experienced teacher of both German and English as a Foreign Language. I have a Master's of Education, a BA (Hons) in German, a PGCE and an RSA Diploma in TEFL. Having lived and worked in Germany for over seven years, I also have near-native competence in German.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching German and EFL for more than 30 years from beginners to advanced level. I used to teach German to GCSE and A level at what used to be Plymouth College of Further Education as well as EFL from Cambridge KET to Cambridge Proficiency. In addition to that I have prepared many students for the IELTS exam and I have taught Business English and English for Academic Purposes too. I have worked in the UK, Germany, Spain and the United Arab Republic.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that it is essential to establish the needs of each individual student so that a tailor-made course can be designed for that particular student. That does not mean that my approach is inflexible, however - if one approach to teaching does not suit the individual learning needs of the student, I will endeavour to teach the student in a way that they are happy with and which will lead to the best possible results.
As a teacher of foreign languages I very much favour the communicative approach but I am also more than willing to teach grammar as this also plays an important role in language learning. As languages are meant for speaking I place a great deal of importance on oral work - particularly at GCSE and A level - but once again, the needs of each individual learner are paramount. For oral conversation, I am happy to teach using SKYPE.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have taught, supervised and mentored more than 1000 BSc, MSc and PhD students from around the world to deliver individual and team projects. I worked as a trainer, programme leader and module coordinator in the courses on IT Strategy and Management, Global Business and Sustainable Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Public Sector Management and Research Methods (Qualitative & Quantitative), supervising & managing research projects, (re)developing curricula for eLearning, producing course syllabi and designing evaluation methods together with colleagues and support staff in various UK and European universities.

Teaching Experience:
I am competent in most subjects within Management and Economics programmes and have extensive experience in thesis and assignment supervision, research guidance as well as academic writing.

MSc Dissertation in Project Management with A. - I worked with A. to help her with her MSc Dissertation in Project Management. I clarified the key issues and concepts, helped her develop a plan and a reading as well as reference list. Tutored her academic writing skills and coached her throughout the entire process. She was almost sure she would have failed, yet not only she ended up enjoying the time dedicated to her dissertation, but she also achieved a merit.

MSc dissertation in Economics with I. - I. was confused about the literature and the research for his course work and dissertation, he was also worried about his writing style. With regular sessions with me, I. gained the understanding and tools to improve his research and writing and submit his course work dissertation on time.

Research Methods (MBA dissertation) with P. - I helped P. prepare a first class approach for the research methodology of his MBA dissertation and to identify articles in arabic that were relevant for his topic.

BSc, Project Management Essay with J. - J. was under intense time pressure to deliver his project management essay and prepare for his exams at the same time. I worked with him two days in a row so that he could achieve high results in both.

BSc, Management, Accounting & Economic Philosophy assignments tuition with T. - T. is a hard working student from China. Unfortunately, his brilliance and knowledge was not emerging following his first essay results. Working with him 2/4 hours per week for 4 months, T. is now confident again he can truly express his knowledge and get the results he deserves.

BSc, Microeconomics tuition with H. - I worked with H., a native English speaker understand the way to approach and revise for her micro-economics module. She requested one week of intense online tuition, albeit the exam was imminent in one month. H. has now successfully completed the module

BSc, Advanced Economics Subjects, Econometrics (essay based) with V. - I worked 2 and half months giving V. 2-5 hours of tuition every day to prepare for his exams and coursework. V. learning needs had to be tailored to his special needs: being a dyslexic student I had to stimulate his learning ability and memory skills using visual aids and ad hoc examples. Even if the subjects were highly technical he benefited immensely from my dedicated approach, exclusive to him.

MBA dissertation with H. - H. was a full-time working mum of two children with special needs and had very little time to complete her MBA dissertation which was due in two months when we started. Working evenings and weekends with me H. was able to complete and submit her thesis on time and still thanks me for it!

BSc, Economic Development, Regulation, Business & Management with S. - I gave S. tutoring in three final year BSc subjects helping him increase his grades and better plan for his revision in order to use her time well.

PhD Management tutoring with K. - K. is one of my current tutees studying for a PhD in management. We have highly intellectual sessions on his research progress and he consults with me regularly on all aspects of his PhD studies.

Economic Development BSc exam preparation with J. - J. needed to discuss his understanding of the module to better prepare for his exam. He requested me to have regular questions and answers sessions one a week for two weeks with him so that any knowledge gaps could be filled. Our tutorials helped him relieve the stress and anxiety of the exam preparation.

Tutoring Approach:
TESTIMONIALS:

The feedback Diego gave me was a clear view on how to improve my work

Diego has been very helpful and gives clear information. His classes are very interesting and I have chosen his courses because of his approach.

Diego is a wonderful tutor. His teaching approach towards the subject has made me develop my interest in it.

Diego, for my personal opinion, has been really helpful for me to understand the real meaning of the subject.

The tutoring Diego gave me was great and I wouldn't have been able to do my essay to a good standard without his help!

I am happy with tutoring sessions with Diego, as I was trying to establish the research methods and his advice was helpful.

As a dyslexic final year undergraduate, I would not have been able to complete my revision on time without Diego's tutorials.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I welcome children into a positive, stimulating environment, where each child is valued and can learn effectively. I am proactive, ambitious, have a sense of humour, honest, enthusiastic and conscientious of others as well as a valued team member. I believe that effective learning happens when children are inspired, motivated and challenged in a positive environment where they feel happy and praised. I have a desire to promote reading for pleasure and I love to tell stories and listen to children read. I also enjoy teaching mathematics, problem solving and making learning fun. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming and ice skating as well as going for walks and socialising with friends and family.

Teaching Experience:
I have 7 years of qualified teaching experience with whole classes and 1:1. I have experience in both England and wales so have a strong m knowledge of both national curriculums. I have lots of experience working ALN children and differentiate lessons to meet every child's needs!

Tutoring Approach:
I like to develop positive relationships with children I teach and therefore I enjoy engaging with children through their personal interests and humour. I find out which areas each child requires improvement before setting a range of activities to develop their learning. I address the VAK (Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic) learning styles of children that I teach and use a creative approach to teaching. I like to assess individuals through games to increase engagement and encourage independent learners, aiming to increase self esteem and confidence.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I am a teacher of Design and Technology- main area is Product Design/ Graphic Technology but I also deliver Resistant Materials and Engineering. I have good (with outstanding features) teaching skills and subject knowledge. I have worked in the education sector for 10 years and have been teaching in schools since 2013.I have an in-depth understanding of my subject specifications and have a history of achieving good results.

Teaching Experience:
Prior to teaching I studied Graphic communication and then Graphic Design and Illustration at university. My journey into education started as a behavior and academic mentor helping those with barriers to their learning. I later developed my passion and skill to become a qualified teacher of Design and Technology at secondary level.

I have also taught KS3 Math (lower ability groups), GCSE Media studies and GCSE Engineering.

I have also worked with Engineering Development Trust and directed many students to apprenticeships post school education. I have strong knowledge and understanding of the forth industrial revolution and skill sets that will benefit the next generation in the working world that they will enter.

I currently work as a Design and Technology Teacher, specialising in Technical drawing. I am very familiar with AQA, Edexcel and OCR syllabuses. I also mark GCSE coursework and exams for the AQA exam board.

Tutoring Approach:
Learning is a personal journey. I am strong at scaffolding and differentiation of work. I like to work with students who want to build on their knowledge through a style which works best for them. Sometimes I could do mock papers, sometimes it could be activity based learning, other times it could be going over and improving what has been done at work (for example, coursework improvements).

Subjects

Personal Description:
PLEASE SEE 'TUTORING EXPERIENCE' BELOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS PAGE, THE RESULTS AND FEEDBACK

I am an Oxford graduate (English language and literature, first class), as well as a qualified English teacher, and have been tutoring since 2013. My specialism is A-level English literature.

Please get in touch for online English tuition, particularly if you are or your child is

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2026/27
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a double first in English language and literature, winning the prize for the best performance in English finals at Mansfield College, and the college essay prize. At school, I was awarded eleven GCSEs at A-star and three A-levels at A.

As well as tutoring, I have worked as a researcher, a copywriter, and a proofreader. I have also completed a PGCE in secondary English at the UCL Institute of Education, the highest-ranking college of education in the world ('QS World University Rankings'), during which I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools, and received A's for my master's-level assignments. I am currently pursuing a PhD in English literature at the University of Buckingham.

As well as English tuition at any level, I can help you or your child with the following:

• Oxbridge entrance (the admissions process, practice interviews, the ELAT, etc.)
• Essay surgery - how to structure and write an essay
• How to revise - note-taking, organisation, making connections, committing to memory
• Grammar, punctuation, and style (a.k.a. 'usage and abusage')
• Speech-writing and public speaking
• Proofreading and redrafting essays
• Suggested reading and resources, including access to my library of 'TES' resources
• Creative writing
• How to annotate, analyse (and enjoy) English literature - sometimes known as 'close reading' or 'practical criticism'
• If you'd specifically like written feedback on your writing - more like a correspondence course - then I can also provide that.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, writing, and photography.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD. And I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in the exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

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A student, June 2025: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June 2025: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June 2025: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May 2025: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May 2025: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February 2025: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January 2025: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

Kate, a parent, December 2024: 'We're so pleased [G.] is enjoying his sessions and seems to be really motivated to read widely in between sessions, is making useful structured notes (which he didn't do before) and his confidence and awareness of what he needs to do when essay writing is really building. Thank you!!!'

Eleni, a parent, December 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that [D.] received an offer […] today! She is super happy! […] I wanted to thank you again as [D.] found your sessions incredibly helpful and inceased her confidence during the exams process.'

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A-level results, August 2024:

'I wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you for all the help, support and inspiration you have given [E.] over the past year. You have not only given her the technical advice and support to help her make the most of her essays and exams, but more importantly you have helped her keep the love of the subject alive. I know a big part of the reason she is so excited to study English at university is because of how much she has enjoyed your conversations, and how you have helped her to consider texts in a way that the rather narrower scope of teaching at school does not allow. I am so very grateful to you and I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into her sessions - thank you so very much. […] You've been so great, and any other student/parent would be lucky to have access to your teaching.'

'I have just opened my results and am happy to confirm that I am off to Bristol this September with an A* in English! I just want to thank you again for making this possible.'

'I got an A in English, and will be going to Exeter, so mission accomplished. I wanted to thank you for all your help, not only for helping me to get what I needed, but for giving me back my confidence and enjoyment of the subject in the process.'

'Just to let you know [I.] got her results this morning and achieved an 'A' in English. We are over the moon […] Thank you again for all your help with the English, it's much appreciated.'

'thanks for your help this past academic year! Got two A*s in English and Philosophy'.

'I got a B and I was accepted into my firm university (Durham) which I am very happy! Thank you for all your help and support.'

'I was really happy to receive […] A in English Literature […] I secured a placed at my firm university. I will be studying English Literature at Durham University this September and I am very excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!'

'i got into Warwick with […] an A* in English!!!!! I am very happy :) Thank you for all your hard work, wisdom and wit over the last year or two'.

'Thank you so much for all your coaching and advice that you shared with [L.], it made such a difference to his confidence leading up to his exams. He is (as are we) delighted with his English result.'

'an A awarded in English […] so she is off to her first choice of Edinburgh University to study History of Art and English Literature.'

'Results day went well and I'm going to the university of Kent. Thank you so much again for all the time spent helping me to prepare for my exams it means a lot I'm very excited to continue my English literature journey.'

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A student, June 2024: 'Thank you so much for being the most amazing English teacher! It has been an immensely rewarding and interesting journey exploring so many books […] I have learnt so much from GCSEs to continuing with more amazing literatures in A-levels'

A student, June 2024: 'I […] wanted to say thank you for the tremendous help you have provided with the English content throughout the A level period. The resources that you provided for me were quite helpful in refining my knowledge in many areas of the syllabus so thank you very much.'

A student, May 2024: 'I've just received the results for my english coursework and wanted to thank you for all the help and feedback!!'

A parent, February 2024: 'your help has kept her love of the subject and her enthusiasm alive and I can't thank you enough for that.'

A parent, February 2024: 'You were such a huge help to [S.], we will always be very grateful to you.'

Kath, a parent, February 2024: 'We would both like to thank you for all your invaluable help, especially all the helpful feedback on the coursework essay. [S.] has definitely learnt a lot and grown in confidence, especially in her knowledge of Twelfth Night.'

A student, January 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that I got an offer from Oxford! Thank you so much for checking over my personal statement and all the help that you have given me since GCSEs. I really enjoy our sessions every week, the discussions keep me constantly creative and thinking.'

A parent, January 2024: 'Thank you as always for all your continued help and support for [E.]. I know she gets a tremendous amount from your sessions and I'm very grateful.'

A student, January 2024: 'Just emailing to let you know I did get an offer from […] Cambridge yesterday so thank you so much for all your help! It is really appreciated and I'm really looking forward to starting my degree in October!'

A student, December 2023: 'So thank you so much again for all your help; your insights have been very useful and I have really enjoyed talking about literature with you.'

Tara, a parent, November 2023: 'you are really helping [R.], he is becoming much more confident. Thank you so much'.

Paula, a parent, November 2023: '[M.] is always delighted with your teaching. You are asking questions no one else does. My husband and I see her grow academically after every session with you.'

Liz, a parent, October 2023: 'Thank you so much for all the work you have done with, and the kindness you have shown, [E.] to date. She really enjoys her sessions with you, and you've helped keep her enthusiasm for English very much alive. I'm so grateful.'

Kim, a parent, August 2023: 'I cannot tell you how happy we all were and your help was clearly instrumental in that. Not sure if he told you but he got 12 points above an A* and it was his best A level result!'

A student, August 2023: 'I really enjoyed our lessons and think it has really helped prepare me for the Oxford style tutorials.'

A student, August 2023: 'wanted to let you know I ended up getting an A* in English, thanks so much for all the help!'

Mark, a parent, June 2023: 'Many thanks josh for your help this year. [E.] has said to me it has really helped, you started assisting her at a time when she felt behind her class mates for the whole of the first year, having switched to English half way through term one.'

Melanie, a parent, June 2023: 'Thank you so much for all your time and effort with [T.]'s English literature. She really enjoyed your sessions together and it really boosted her confidence and inspired her to think more deeply and critically about the texts. It also confirmed that she is happy and excited to study a literature based course at degree level.'

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A-level results, August/September 2022:

'[L.] came home from university yesterday to attend her school prize giving ceremony, and this morning as she was leaving she asked me to let you know that she won a special prize in English […] Until last night, she wasn't aware of any of her awards, apart from her scholarship, so it was all a lovely surprise. Furthermore, the essays she wrote in her A level English exams have somehow found their way into her teachers' hands; they told her, with beams of pride , that the three marks dropped overall were actually in her *non exam* assessment, so 30/30 in all questions across all papers under exam conditions, something she had never achieved before. She had admitted to me in the aftermath of the exams that when she was writing her English papers she had really enjoyed the process, her thoughts flowing pretty effortlessly on to the paper. But she had also worried this stream of ideas might not be fit with the mark schemes. […] she […] wanted you to know about her prize, as she thought you'd be pleased, and she also wanted to say thanks one last time for your inspirational teaching that led to it.'

'I got AAA* for my results much higher than my predicted! particularly for english'.

'[G.] got an A star in English. And is off to Oxford. […] Thanks so much for everything - you were honestly amazing and really helped her get there'.

'[L.] got 3 a stars and an A star as well in her EPQ. Her highest marks were in English Literature ( 197/200)'.

'I achieved 4A*s in my Alevels - one being in English Literature. My teachers also let me know that I got full marks in both the exam papers'.

'[T.] smashed English Literature, A* […] she is absolutely over the moon . Thank you so much for all the work you put in with her !'

'I got a D[distinction]2!!! […] I got full marks on my PI!'

'I got an A* in English!!! Thank you so much for all of your help I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!'

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A student, January 2023: 'Just wanted to let you know I got an offer from Cambridge, thank you so so much for all your help.' And Kathryn: 'You were such a great help to [E.] in her preparation for the Cambridge application and interview and we were all delighted when she was offered a place this week. Thank you for all the support you gave her.'

Shaun, a parent, January 2023: '[E.] has found the sessions really very helpful (and has enjoyed them!)'

Guifang, a parent, December 2022: 'From what I hear from [S.], she really enjoys her discussions with you, it's really one of the highlights of her week.'

A student, November 2022: 'I'm extremely happy to tell you that I received an 8.3 for the literary review […] Thank you for explaining to me what a literary review is […] I remember whilst working on it I was so worried about my grade, but it appears I've survived.'

Deborah, a parent, September 2022: 'a huge thanks again to you for all your work with [S.]. I know he has been in touch to let you know that he got 9s in both English Language and Literature. He was over the moon - well beyond his best hopes, so thank you again for being instrumental in helping him attain those grades.'

Karen, a parent, August 2022: 'Both my girls really like your way of teaching and talking to them, they feel really listened to and respected for their opinions (as well as respecting yours obviously), so thank you :)'

Helen, a parent, July 2022: 'Thanks so much for all the help you gave [J.], he really benefitted from the sessions he had with you.'

Tara, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all your help and patience - I think you have been brilliant for her confidence. She found English exams really very difficult before she started talking to you and it's amazing to see how much calmer (relatively speaking!) she has been going in to her A level English papers. Whatever the result, her sessions with you have definitely helped her to enjoy English again and I'm really grateful.'

A student, June 2022: 'This is incredibly insightful and thought provoking feedback. Thank you so much.'

Mei, a parent, June 2022: 'She found your lessons very helpful and always remarked to me how much you went the extra mile for her ; looking up and sending on links to whatever you'd been discussing. Much appreciated!'

Marguerite, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all you've done for [T.] in the past year . […] you are a very talented teacher.'

Monica, a parent, June 2022: 'You have been an absolutely wonderful tutor to [L.], and how time has flown since she first met you! […] Many a time she has needed someone to talk to, not so much about AO1-5, but rather about the beauty and burden of literature and life. You have always been willing to do that, and she is richer for it.'

A student, June 2022: 'Thank you for teaching me for the last year; I have enjoyed our lessons and I feel I have grown as an English student, with thanks to your teaching.'

A student, April 2022: 'I received an 8 for my essay!! I want to thank you for your tutoring on Keats and Wordsworth- I wouldn't have gotten such a grade without it!! […] I learned tons because of you.'

Ngozi, a parent, March 2022: 'Thanks for everything that you're doing for [G.] - it has been very helpful.'

A student, February 2022: 'Really, thanks so much. Was such a good and efficient service. Your feedback looks really good and I'm going to implement it today. […] Thanks again for doing this on such short notice'.

Deborah, a parent, October 2021: '[S.] said you make it really fun - he said at school his energy goes down in English lessons and with you it goes up! So that is praise indeed from a teenage boy!'

A student, August 2021: 'I got the A grade ! I'm so pleased, thank you for all the help and the essays really paid off :).'

Monica, a parent, July 2021: 'As would be expected from his first class qualifications, Josh is extremely intelligent. However, in my opinion, he has a a very particular advantage over others of a similar academic background, namely his ability to exhibit an authentic interest in the ideas his students express. He is always kind and encouraging, but without sacrificing rigour; this approach has had a hugely positive impact on my daughter when speaking, writing and reading. Furthermore, Josh has introduced her to a range of authors, poets , films and philosophical thought, thus enriching her far beyond the school curriculum. In the future, my daughter will undoubtedly look back on her time with Josh with both fondness and gratitude. I have no hesitation in recommending Josh as a tutor'.

Guifang, a parent, July 2021: 'I have know Joshua for 2 months and He has been supporting my daughter excellently through her GCSE courses, helping her to achieve a 9 in predicted grades. From this, Joshua has always been very serious with the work, needless to say, always punctual and gives detailed homework feedback. I know him to be a wonderful tutor to my daughter.'

Susan, a parent, May 2021: '[T]hank you so much for all your help with [N.] […] [N.] found your lessons extremely helpful which enabled her to enjoy and understand English in a greater depth […] it was excellent tuition . Thank you'.

Jamal, a parent, May 2021: 'Thank you Josh for all your efforts, you have greatly assisted [S.] in better understanding English Literature as whole.'

Zahed, a parent, May 2021: 'We are grateful for all your help and support. We are in no doubt that [A.] has improved a lot in English Literature under your guidance.'

A student, May 2021: 'I just got my coursework back and got an A in it. Just thought i should let you know thanks you!'

Margaret, a parent, March 2021: 'Thanks for helping [M.] to improve her English understanding. She really enjoys her lessons and chats!'

Chris, a parent, March 2021: '[R.] is benefiting immensely from your lessons and is definitely getting more confident in expressing his thoughts in writing! Thank you.'

Amanda, a parent, December 2020: 'Josh has really helped join the dots, encouraged a depth of questioning and ways to interpret and compare ideas, extracting and bringing fresh meaning to narrative styles and creative use of language. Josh has been a great support and steered [R.]'s confidence to look more thoroughly and develop a greater understanding all round. Josh has a kind, approachable style and encouraged [R.] with debating aloud and suggestions for further reading which all continue to be an invaluable help and inspire greater confidence in approaching exams and further reading in future!'

A student, December 2020: 'He helps focus my understanding and makes sure i understand the topic we are learning before moving on. Josh will make sure to ask you questions throughout the process and is always ready for your ideas even if you think it's wrong. He will set homework but makes sure to switch it up each week to make it more interesting and gives his feedback to help me understand what i need to do to improve.'

Diana, a parent, September 2020: 'Josh worked with my daughter for her A Level in English Literature. He was outstanding with his ideas and expanding her critical thinking. He went above and beyond to develop her analytical skills and as a result helped her obtain an A*. He is an absolutely lovely, gentle but dynamic and reliable tutor who has a rare ability combine his academic achievement with a natural talent for teaching. A real gem and we cannot thank him enough.'

A parent, September 2020: 'Joshua is an excellent tutor with great communication skills . He is very patient , helpful , approachable and takes time to explain everything clearly to my daughter . Joshua has been able to breakdown and explain in full detail all aspects of the A Level content.'

A student, June 2020: 'it's been great being taught by you, I've learned so many critical thinking skills in such a short space of time.'

A parent, March 2020: 'I can't thank you enough for everything that you've done for her - you've been the best English teacher she's ever had and she has loved her time with you.'

*

During my teacher training, I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools.

While at Oxford, I was part of an 'e-mentoring' scheme to help candidates from schools without a history of Oxbridge applications.

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature. In English we covered 'The Tempest', Gothic literature, Pat Barker's 'Regeneration', 'Jane Eyre', Wilfred Owen, and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Tutoring Approach:
I try to combine three things that I want my students to do, which are three forms of thinking: speak about complex ideas, read high-quality material, and write essays for which they will receive detailed feedback. For obvious reasons, lessons are weighted to speaking, and homework to reading and writing.

Speaking

Pedagogy's holy grail is measuring progress, which is difficult in a classroom and impossible in a lecture. Happily, the tutorial system allows this to occur continuously and efficiently via dialogue. Can a student re-express an idea they have heard or read in their own words? If the answer is yes, they have probably understood the idea. Hence the constant questions!

As well as understanding the ideas of others, speaking is essential for students to develop their own. I love the quotation from the novelist E. M. Forster, 'How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?' We improve the quality of our ideas through the process of articulating them.

For my part, quite a lot of what I say is explaining what texts mean. This might sound obvious, but great works of literature are complex, so, to understand their meaning, one's own interpretation probably needs the support of others' prior interpretations.

I sometimes like to break the question of a text's meaning into two: What's it about? And what's it really about? Answering the first question is comprehension, a necessary first step. To answer the second question is to understand. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', for example, Blanche goes to live with her sister in New Orleans. She expresses a strong dislike of her surroundings and is frequently associated with images of water. She declines mentally and is eventually taken away. So what's the play really about? Blanche is a Romantic idealist who is disappointed with her life but still tends to imagine things in their perfect form. The play is about the human soul conceiving of things being as good as they could be (as if cleansed by water), reaching for the conception, and failing to grasp it - shuttling back and forth, in other words, on the streetcar named desire.

One thing I frequently encourage is making the link between those oft-cited elements of a good essay, themes and quotations. These are not unrelated ingredients, they are the text itself viewed from different distances. A theme (the desire to be cleansed) is a wide shot, and a quotation ('the land of the sky blue water') is a close-up. So the student of English has to practise their ability to zoom in and out.

Another way I try to support my students' studies is by making connections between the texts they are reading, which in my experience doesn't happen that much at school. Particularly at A-level, there are often many fruitful connections between the half-dozen or so texts being studied: the Romantics were devoted to Shakespeare and Milton, the Gothic is an aspect of the Romantic, the Aesthetic Movement drew on particular strains of Romanticism, etc. When these connections get made with reference to particular writers, they are no longer just isms. They make the material deeper and easier to understand at the same time. Towards the end of their school careers, students of the humanities should be able to get the sense of taking part in 'the Great Conversation that began in the dawn of history and that continues to the present day' (Robert M. Hutchins).

Reading

I regularly give my students PDFs of high-quality secondary material pitched at their level or just above it. Explanatory notes, commentaries, and essays can help with understanding, particularly when it comes to context. (And all exam boards have assessment objectives relating to historical context.) To know that a text was written during a particular period and what characterised that period is to have a mental scaffold that does not limit movement but frees it. In studying the humanities we are studying human culture, and no one can do that without a bit of structure. It also helps when thinking about texts in relation to each other - when writing a comparative essay, for example. I like to think of honing in from context to text, e.g. Romanticism (late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) > William Blake (1757-1827) > 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' (1794) > 'The Tyger'. (What's 'The Tyger' about? There's a question!)

In my experience, knowledge acquisition operates according to the Matthew principle, named after a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: 'unto every one that hath shall be given'. In other words, the more you've got, the more you'll get. Every time you learn something about Romanticism, the greater will be your understanding of the poetry of William Blake. Your internal bookshelves expand - more connections, greater understanding. Reading secondary material is obviously 'extra', but it works to enhance students' understanding of set texts rather than crowd them out. Homer Simpson said, 'every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain', and we laugh because it's not true. You can't fill up a brain, so the cliché about people's (particularly young people's) limitless potential is true. Every time you learn something new, you enrich your contextual understanding of everything else you have ever learnt. '[E]very moment is a new and shocking / Valuation of all we have been', as T. S. Eliot put it in 'East Coker'.

Writing

Speaking and reading are in a concrete way preparation for writing. If you think and make notes while speaking and reading, by the time it comes to writing an essay, the question should not be about what to say, but how to arrange the things you want to say. So annotation is an important skill. It's a bit like getting 'in the zone' for a sportsperson - students must practise getting there and staying there. I model the annotation process something like this:

Read with a pencil in your hand. What makes you underline? Something fires in your brain, so that you have a response - you spot a developing theme, you're reminded of another book, you agree or disagree, there's a word you don't know and need to look up, you like the way a sentence sounds. It could be anything. Read until you've underlined twenty words or sentences. Work out the three or four connections between the things you have to say, and you've got a paragraph plan. Work out the main thing you have to say, and you have a thesis for your essay, which, as you aim your paragraphs at it, will accumulate force.

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.

When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better.

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Personal Description:
My name is Josephine and I'm 32 years old. I'm Danish but have lived in London since 2014 when I did my BA in Fine Art.
I have a Master's Degree in Animation Film from The Royal College of Art.
The past 8 months I've lived in Hebden Bridge between Manchester and Leeds to open our first Studio in FedUP Studio Lab, the production company where I work part time. My role is producer and assistant creative director. I'm a freelancer director in the company as well.
I'm currently living in London where I also arrange workshops in art and animation with galleries, UAL and FedUP Studio Lab. I'm enthusiastic, and I have a great love for knowledge and teaching as much as making films and art.

I enjoy tutoring because the process between student and tutor is wonderful. I learn just as much as my students and when you have worked hard for a while and start to see a shift in their behaviour when studying - understanding or producing - and they end up challenging you or teaching you instead, that is absolutely fantastic. It is the curiosity, development, hard work and shared knowledge.

Teaching Experience:
For the past 3 years I have done several workshops at Chelsea College of Art and Design in Fine Art for their 1st and 2nd year students.
I'm currently managing and teaching workshops for adults in animation as part of FedUP Studio Lab.

I have many years of experience teaching and tutoring. I always follow through and I have happily seen my students come out with high scores, diplomas or perfect portfolios, getting into their dream college.

I have taught art and creative writing at the Baytree Centre in Brixton, a women's centre. I taught 11-15 year old girls.
In Denmark I was a substitute teacher at a public school for 2 years. I taught primary and secondary students in Danish, History, English, French, Music, Art and Crafts.
Over the years I have assisted a Danish artist in teaching art, craft and design to adults in short master classes and longer courses around Denmark.
For 2 years I have taught jewellery making in Copenhagen as part of my job in a big jewellery shop.
For 4 years I was head of a regional department of Red Cross Youth in Denmark where I taught my 20 volunteers charity work, management, activity and project management. Besides managing all of our services and activities, collaborating with all the public schools and libraries and running the department in close communication with our headquarter, I also participated in some of our school clubs and activities as a volunteer, tutoring kids and youngsters with dyslexia and kids from challenging homes.

Tutoring Approach:
Not one child, teenager or adult is the same. I believe in one-to-one tutoring so students get the special attention they require and get the best out of my lessons. My lessons are tailored to whatever the student require.

Depending on subject, the lesson-plan varies and the workload too. I make sure I know what the purpose of the lesson is so to understand what goal we want to achieve. Is it long-term learning, is it a portfolio with a specific deadline, or preparations for an interview. Is it more about giving a child the time and need to understand and enjoy learning or are we working from a school designed curriculum with specific topics, scores and exams. All of this needs to be taken into account to give the best tutoring and lesson plans with the best output.
I have helped school children, high school students and college students before, looking at past papers or portfolios they have completed, finding weaknesses or difficulties we have then targeted to improve their work and seen some remarkable results.
I understand how to take complex material and textbooks and turn it into digestible information.

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