Melling Tutors and Melling Tuition

Personal Description:
I'm an experienced stage and television actor with a degree in English (2.i) from Trinity Hall, Cambridge and a 2-year post-grad qualification from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. I live in central London (Westminster) and enjoy balancing out the right brain activities of acting with the rather more left brain activities of teaching - especially Latin, which I studied through A-Level to degree, taking a Latin translation and literary criticism paper in Part 1 of my Cambridge Tripos.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught both privately and at a range of different schools and colleges for many years. My private client base has principally been in teaching Latin for Common Entrance and GCSE. In terms of classroom experience, I have worked as a supply Latin teacher at Eaton House Schools and as an A-Level English Tutor at Collingham Tutors. The majority of my work is as a private tutor travelling to people's homes and offering additional support to 10-16 year olds who are struggling with their Latin. I have a huge success rate in terms of results, regularly turning C-grade students into A-graders.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is both pragmatic and personal. Every child is different and therefore every child requires a subtly different approach. In terms of teaching English Literature my principle objective is to inspire. In terms of teaching Latin my key concerns are rigour and attention to detail. With the right approach it is often very easy to turn a child who hates Latin at school into one that (even if it is secretly) both loves it and does very well.

Subjects

Personal Description:
⭐ In a nutshell:

· Tutoring for more than 10 years, up to and including GCSE Maths & the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
· MSc in Positive Psychology; tutored and mentored students from all backgrounds including shy/anxious/introverted/neurodiverse (feel free to ask me about this)
· Outside of tutoring I enjoy writing (I'm an author)

I believe in a well-rounded holistic education; I previously piloted an alternative to University called Thriva Programme.

Below you can find more information about my tutoring experience, approach, and what parents have said about my tutoring.

Teaching Experience:
Since 2010, I have been tutoring in the academic subjects Maths and the individual Sciences; Biology, Chemistry & Physics.

I have taught at both primary- and secondary-school levels, with my students ranging between the ages of 6 and 16.

I can also help with entrance examinations for secondary school (including verbal and non-verbal reasoning), and I have provided mentorship and coaching when it comes to UCAS application forms, personal statements and CV writing.

Whilst I enjoyed some of the subjects at school, certain subjects and topics (including Maths!) didn't come naturally to me. I achieved 7A*s and 5A*s at GCSE, and went on to study Biology, Chemistry & Maths at A-Level.

Tutoring Approach:
As I have already mentioned, I have a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and my tutoring approach is a student-centred one. My experiences covers tutoring, mentoring and coaching and I use a combination of the three in my work.

I am yet to come across a student who doesn't possess the potential to improve. More often than not, it is the large class sizes at school, or a teacher whose approach isn't the right fit, which explains why a student doesn't understand a particular subject, or particular topics within that subject.

Through the 1-to-1 work I do with students, not only have I witnessed some remarkable grade improvements but also some amazing transformations in confidence. I strongly feel that the work I do is more than merely improving grades for exams.

⭐ My philosophy is that if you are struggling with a particular subject or topic, it's not your fault and there's nothing wrong with you. It simply means you've not been taught in a way that makes sense to you (or you've not been given the time and attention to be taught properly - in a big class and with the pressures of working through an extensive curriculum).

I'm based near Kingston and offer tutoring in-person and online (though I try to meet in-person first where possible, as this tends to work best for the tutoring relationship).

⭐ Please note: I currently tutor part-time and currently have limited spaces available, so you're encouraged to apply early before spaces fill up before the next academic year

~

Here are some of the references and messages I have received from parents thus far.

REFERENCES:

"Hi Jas - Alfie got 3 B's for each of his sciences! He only just missed an A for Chemistry. He is absolutely delighted despite school's wish for A's. Thank you for all your help - there is no doubt it made a huge difference to him. You were a total star to him - and the summer has been good to him - his confidence is finally starting to improve & I think it's a lot down to your encouragement and believing in him. We went away just after getting the results - my biggest apologies for being so slow to get news to you. Very best wishes, Kris"
- Kris (Head of Art Therapies, East London Foundation NHS Trust)

"Jas has tutored our daughter for the last few months in Chemistry, Biology and Physics at GCSE level. Jas was very reliable, committed and enthusiastic in his role and we feel our daughter greatly benefitted from his tutoring. He was always encouraging and recognising her needs were beyond the academic, spent time developing her confidence in the academic subjects he was teaching her as well as also encouraging her self-belief. He appeared sensitive to her needs and adapted the work accordingly. Jas also demonstrated great insight in what motivated our daughter and went out of his way to make every session engaging and enjoyable. Jas also developed a positive, professional relationship with both my husband and I, keeping us well informed about our daughter's progress and what support we could give her. I feel that this wider, more holistic approach, really helped our daughter feel better about herself, as well as develop a positive approach towards her exams which she has now entered with considerably more knowledge and confidence than had she not worked with him. I also recommended Jas to a friend who's son was also doing his GCSE's and she told me how pleased they were with the help he had been able to give to him. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jas to others who are looking for GCSE tutoring."
- Emma & Paul (Emma - Drama Therapist (HCPC Registered), Paul - Head of Maths Department, secondary school)

"Jas has helped Daniel enormously with his maths and science over the past few months in preparation for the upcoming GCSE's. He is a charming and good humored person who Daniel relates to quite well which made the two hours tuition every Saturday morning not such a chore! Both Daniel and I, as a parent, would certainly recommend Jas to any future students."
- Denise

"Jas tutored my son Nathan for his Chemistry and German GCSEs in 2013. I found him to be a reliable and conscientious young man and I was very happy with his services."
- Dame Sally Coates (Director of Academies South for United Learning)

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a higher level TA with ten years of teaching experience. I am 98 years old and I am currently working with young people up to the age of 18 with RMBC and I also work with young people with disabilities.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in primary education for ten years. I have worked as a one to one with children with Special Educational Needs and developed my skills training to be a Higher level Teaching Assistant.
Throughout my time in Primary education, I have worked effectively with teams in Key Stage one and two. Due to my extensive experience and educational background I often cover for teachers. I am able to confidently teach from a given plan, adapting the teaching where required and utilising support staff effectively. I have a solid understanding of the essential skills and learning outcomes and have used this knowledge to support children where necessary.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in a personalised learning approach. The activities I use are dependent on the child and the way they learn. I understand that children can learn visually, kineasthetically or can be auditory learners. Therefore I adapt my teaching and my activities to suit the learner.

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Personal Description:
Originally from London, I've lived here my whole life, which means I have a clear and easy-to-understand accent. I have studied Computer Science at Newcastle University for four years, achieving well above a first and received an award for graduating top of the year in my masters. With over 7 years of experience in the finance industry as a software developer, I bring real-world insights to our sessions, helping you bridge the gap between theory and practical application. I have recently quit in order to start my own business, which also allows me to be flexible with tutoring hours.

I very much enjoy teaching, as well as the satisfaction of helping a student reach their goal. I welcome students of all abilities, especially those who are enthusiastic about succeeding.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring for over 10 years with students from GCSE all the way up to degree level Computer Science. I have also taken part in several mentor schemes where I supported younger students with their academic problems.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a very organised approach to tutoring, with small goals set per session, as well as a long term goal to work towards. However I understand this may be different for those who need help with specific pieces of work.

For younger students, I feel that relaxed but structured sessions are important, with small breaks so that focus is kept. I also ensure that the lessons are as fun as possible. I always work towards building a good relationship with my students, with many keeping in touch long after we finished, and encourage them to ask questions without any hesitation. I adapt my approach depending on my students` learning style as I feel this is the key to successful teaching. I spend a lot of time planning for sessions so that my student gets the very best out of each lesson.

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Personal Description:
> Working as an accountant since 2007

Teaching Experience:
> Used to provide tuition when i was at University and would like to do it again.

Tutoring Approach:
I am quite flexible with time and place. I am ok to go with all age of students and their understanding level. I am a quite friendly and outgoing guy but at the same time would like to deal with professionalism while i provide tuition.

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Personal Description:
I am a figurative oil painter and Children's Book Illustrator (author and illustrator of 'The Painting-In Book'). I teach largely through observational drawing and provide a wide range of media to experiment with.

Teaching Experience:
Tutor for The Royal Drawing School young Artist Clubs
Facilitating workshops for Art Galleries
Private tuition for children and adults
GCSE Art / A Level Art

Tutoring Approach:
Looking both to artists of the past and present as a springboard into lessons I believe every artist should find their own unique path. As a tutor I aim to help and support this individual process, building on natural strengths whilst providing fun and informative lessons.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I am Wahid and I am currently a third year medical student and a graduate of University College London (UCL) in BSc Biomedical Sciences (Hons). I have experience of teaching GCSE and A level Biology, Chemistry, Physics (GCSE) and Maths across the exam boards. I have more than 500+ hours of teaching experience of these subjects.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience of teaching for the past couple of years. Seeing improvement in my students' knowledge, skills, and ultimately boosting their grades is at the core of my teaching. My students have moved from D prior to teaching to A and Bs. I focus both on the core knowledge and skills as well as past exam questions- providing tips and techniques as we go along.

Tutoring Approach:
I take a holistic approach in my teaching; providing high quality of teaching which is result-driven, systematic and student-centred- with focus on exam and revision strategies. My teaching is active and engaging.

I am responsive to the needs of my students; ensuring they are making significant progress. In addition to conveying knowledge in an understandable way, I am aiming to boost my student's confidence and transferrable skills. All of which will ultimately lead to boosting grades significantly.

What you will be looking forward to:

1. Acquiring in-depth and concise knowledge of the contents of the specification
2. Exam tips and proven studying techniques
3. Past paper practise
4. Marking and providing feedback on mock exams
5. Enhancing confidence and analytical skills
6. Pattern of topics that always come up
7. Being available to answer my students' queries round the clock

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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.

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Personal Description:
Graduated from HKAPA with Dip. and Advanced Dip. Worked with professional orchestras like HK Philharmonic, HK Sinfonietta, City Chamber of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Strings and HK Chinese Orchestra.

Teaching Experience:
Been teaching cello/bass for more than 20 years privately and in different famous schools in Hong Kong like Diocesan Boys' School, La Salle College, Belilios Public School, Wah Yan Primary School, Help Yunn Primary School and CCC Keiwan Primary School.

Tutoring Approach:
Humorous, experienced, patience, flexible to use different methods. face to face or online coaching.

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Personal Description:
Experienced and fully qualified school teacher and university lecturer, teaching in schools and universities for nearly 10 years. Fully trained A Level examiner for Pearson, and private tutor to students from Primary to Postgraduate research - and every stage in between!

I have published my research in International Academic Journals, but also in the E-Magazine for A Level pupils.

Teaching Experience:
Private tutor to students ranging from primary to Postgraduate, and every stage in between!

5 years at Oakham School teaching: IGCSE English Language, and English Literature; A Level English Literature; IB Diploma Programme English Literature; IB Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge.
Oxbridge Mentor, UCAS references. Marking and setting Entrance Exams.

1 year in Uppingham Community College teaching GCSE English Language and English Literature.

2 Years Tutor, Seminar Leader and Lecturer at King's College London.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor my lessons for each individual, drawing on my broad range of experience to meet my tutee's needs. My experience as an examiner means I can offer the feedback necessary to enable a student to meet their potential. Approachable and entertaining, I enjoy keeping my students engaged and productive.

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Personal Description:
Greetings! My name is Alexander, and I am glad to present you my short biography and academic qualifications:

I have a degree of master in mathematics from Moscow State University (Moscow State University), which gave me strong fundamental knowledge in the field of mathematics. After that, I was a researcher in the project of Marie Curie in Sweden, where I was engaged in research in the field of information search. This allowed me to develop data analysis skills, the application of statistical methods and immersion in urgent problems of information technology.

Then I trained at the Part III program on mathematical statistics at the University of Cambridge, where I expanded my knowledge and skills in the field of statistics. During my studies, I also received a certificate from Judge Business School in entrepreneurship, which emphasizes my ability to apply mathematical and statistical knowledge in practical situations.

Combining my academic qualifications, research experience and teaching skills, I strive to help students deepen my understanding of mathematics and statistics, develop analytical thinking and achieve success for their educational purposes.

Teaching Experience:
With over a decade in the educational field, I've had the privilege of teaching students from distinguished universities such as MIT, UCL, Stanford, Oxford, and UCLA, amongst others.

My teaching experience includes work with various age groups and levels of students. I conducted individual classes and led group classes, where I tried to adapt my approach to the educational needs of each student. My teaching style is based on understanding the unique needs of each student, building a trusting relationship and creating a stimulating and supporting educational environment. I strive to apply various methods, including active educational methods, examples from real life and practical tasks, to help students better learn the material and develop their skills.

Tutoring Approach:
In my work as a tutor, I strive to create an individual and personalized approach to each student. I pay special attention to understanding the educational needs and goals of each student. My teaching style includes the construction of a trusting relationship with the student, the creation of a supporting and comfortable atmosphere, as well as taking into account his unique learning style. I try to apply a variety of teaching methods, including the explanation of the material, examples, practical exercises and tasks, as well as the use of interactive tools and technologies to make the learning process more interesting and effective. The main goal of my teaching style is to help the student to develop the skills of independent thinking, solving problems and achieving success in study.

My teaching methodology is rooted in engagement and interactivity. The lessons I design are not only informative but also highly engaging, ensuring that students are not just passive listeners but active participants. I utilize the Miro board, a versatile collaborative platform that allows for real-time interaction and feedback. My approach is problem-based, which means I present problems adjusted to a student's level of expertise, challenging them to think critically and apply their knowledge. What sets my method apart is the real-time correction of student mistakes, which ensures instant feedback and accelerated learning.
To maximize the interactivity and effectiveness of our sessions, students are expected to have a device similar to an iPad and a stylus like the Apple Pencil (though not necessarily Apple-branded). This setup allows students to engage with the material fully and benefit from the interactive elements of the lessons.

My certification and continuous professional development ensure that I stay abreast of the latest pedagogical techniques, ensuring my students receive a world-class education.

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Personal Description:
I am a self-taught guitarist of over 20 years and am technically proficient to an advanced level, there are very few guitar techniques that I'm unfamiliar with and I am continually learning more. I've performed in a variety of venues/situations, whether as a solo performer, in a band or as part of the accompaniment for musicals, each of which require different approaches and disciplines. I've also done plenty of recorded performances which also requires a host of different skills.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching guitar for over 10 years on an ad hoc basis with private students. I also currently work at Coleg Y Cymoedd, teaching live performance and music rehearsal skills for the last 2 years. I have helped students of all ages over the years go from complete beginners to accomplished players, as well as taking intermediate players and help them to learn more advanced techniques.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching method involves the same method by which I teach myself - focused practice and repetition. A lot of people try to run before they can walk, spending a couple of days learning chords then trying to play complicated lead parts. What you will work on with me, is having a solid foundation on which to build. We will work together to make sure that when you learn techniques, you learn them the right way first time. We'll do things slowly and smoothly, because slow and smooth equals fast in the long run.
Fundamentally though, we will go at your pace. Everyone learns different skills at different speeds, so there is no pressure to learn anything in a particular time frame, the key is for there to be progress little by little. Equally we will tailor lessons to your wants/needs as much as possible and so you're learning the type of guitar playing that most appeals to you.
A lot of tutors take an approach of getting you to go through guitar grades and whilst that is something we can look into if it appeals to you, I personally have never found grades to be worth anything and certainly not an accurate measurement of someone's ability/talent, so with that in mind, going through grades is not something I will be pushing you to do.
I advise for the first lesson (which is free) to be 1 hour so we can get to know each other and put together a bit of a plan for you. After that I recommend lessons be 30 minutes per lesson per week, as the main goal of lessons is for you to show me what you've practiced in the previous week and for me to then advise you on what can be improved etc., or if it's time for you to start working on something else. In my experience 30 minutes is more than sufficient to achieve this but if you feel you'd like more tuition then of course we can explore that.

Please note the rate shown is an hourly rate. 30 minute lessons will be £15 in person or £12.50 online.

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