Otterbourne Tutors & Otterbourne Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a recently retired teacher with over 30 years combined experience in further education, independent and maintained secondary schools. I am now based in a beautiful part of Norfolk, where I paint, give private tuition and run an art club.
My own work is based on observations of mans' intervention in the landscape. I work in oils, water colour, digital photography and print.
My interests in art and design are many and varied, and include, in no particular order, sculpture/ceramics (Moore, Gormley, Perry), photography (Cartier-Bresson and LaChapelle), graphic design (Brody, Bauhaus), and painting (Freud, Klimt, Giotto, Picasso).

Teaching Experience:
My first foray into teaching was in further education as a visiting lecturer in graphic design and illustration. Subsequently, I trained as a secondary school teacher and quickly became head of my first department in a boys grammar school. From there I moved into the independent sector, continuing to work successfully as head of department and head of faculty.
I have extensive experience as a senior regional moderator for GCSE examinations in art and design with a leading examinations board, being responsible for supervising the work of a team of visiting moderators in the south east of England, and for resolving disputes with schools. I do voluntary work for the National Trust, giving occasional talks to schools on symbolism in Tudor portraits.

Tutoring Approach:
Having started my career as a graphic designer I had, by necessity, to broaden my experience and skills into other two and three-dimensional media in order to become a successful teacher. My departments had outstanding results at GCSE and A-level, and many of my students went on to study at many of the principal art institutions, including Central St Martins, Chelsea, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
Teaching is about finding the unique personality of the individual and finding ways to encourage its expression. Allied to developing the imaginative and creative abilities is the need to create opportunities to build on existing technical skills and introduce new ones. The combination should be fun.

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Personal Description:
My name is María, I am a Geography, History and Spanish teacher from Argentina. I love my profession, as I enjoy teaching very much. I moved to London in January 2011 and I have been teaching Spanish here since then.

I specialise in teaching those who do not wish to loose their Spanish, or those who require a more advanced level of teaching.

My students have told me, I transmit confidence and they don't feel inhibited to speak when in class with me. This is always good, as I believe the best way to learn is by speaking a lot! :)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Looking forward to your response!

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Geography, History and Spanish for more than 15 years, in schools and universities, as well as privately. I studied at Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. I also worked as a teacher for the Ministry of Education and the World Bank.

On the side, I have a small network of private students, whom I have been teaching for the past 6 years. I have managed to continue teaching them for so long, as they do not want to loose their Spanish, which they mainly use for business negotiations or their travels to Spain/Latin America.

Tutoring Approach:
First, I asses the student´s level and needs, so we can work together to find the appropriate learning approach. I use a wide variety of materials (course books, grammar reference books, movies, newspaper articles, songs, poems, internet articles, etc). The four skills are practised from the very first lesson, always recycling the language and putting into practice what is learnt in each lesson.

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Personal Description:
My name is Toni. I love languages and enjoy teaching them.
I was lucky enough to be born in France from Italian parents, therefore I have travelled in Europe teaching both French and Italian.
I am in Scotland now ready to help you in learning and enjoying these wonderful languages.
A bientot
Ciao

Teaching Experience:
I have started working as a French drama teacher with the French embassy in Rome, 12 years ago.
I then continued to work as a tutor with various language schools and Institutes in Italy, before moving to UK.
Here I have taught languages in primary schools, colleges and privately.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor the course according to the needs of the student.

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Personal Description:
I currently work as an IT Specialist at an Investment Bank.

I am able to provide in person or online tutoring in Economics, Politics, Business and Geography. I have taken A Levels in Economics, Politics and Geography and obtained a First Class Bsc Business Management Degree at King's College London Business School in 2017. I achieved an A* in my A Level Economics with a score in the high nineties.

There is an additional charge if travel is required to the tutee.

Teaching Experience:
Past experience as a Private Tutor in A Level Economics, Business and Geography for 4 students.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a passionate tutor who has clear teaching techniques which help my students consolidate their knowledge and build their confidence in the subject matter so they are prepared for success. I have had tutoring experience with my students which have allowed them to achieve high marks.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified full time science teacher who enjoys teaching and working with young people!

Teaching Experience:
I have eighteen years experience of teaching in private schools. I have been a Head of Department/Faculty and have run many revision courses. I have also written a number of revision guides/workbooks for a leading publisher.

Tutoring Approach:
I am calm, patient and have a number of proven techniques and strategies to enable students to 'get chemistry and science' and to optimise performance in exams. I enjoy teaching and will work hard to ensure you are able to do your best. I strongly believe that if you enjoy lessons then you are less likely to find it difficult so enjoyment is important to me.

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified Science Teacher, with a BSc Hons. in Physics and the Post Graduate Certificate in Science Education from York University.
I have more than 8 years experience of teaching pupils 1:1 in Maths and Physics.
I have a patient and enthusiastic style.

I focus on developing pupils' confidence and understanding, modifying the content of each tutorial and my teaching style to suit each student's individual needs, their abilities and progress in the subject.
Covering many examples, practice questions and past papers together, I ensure students consider and understand the examiners requirements and expectations. Using many other revision and exam techniques, I assist candidates to achieve their full potential and improve grades accordingly. To date all of my pupils have passed the exam I was assisting them with, although this cannot be guaranteed for every pupil of course. Many of my tutees achieve the higher 7-9 grades.

For home visits outside of Harrogate town, 40p/mile each way travel charge applies.

I'm semi-retired and have lived in Harrogate for over 15 years. Recent DBS check available.

Teaching Experience:
More than 8 years of tutoring experience, previous teaching in school placement, summer school and church Sunday school settings. Post Graduate Certificate in Science Education (PGCE), the national school teachers qualification, from York University.
Testimonial:
"John is an extremely calm, encouraging and thorough tutor and I have no hesitation in recommending his services. Our daughter's anticipated grade was increased by the school after his tutorials began. She sat her Maths GCSE in a much better frame of mind, and achieved her potential thanks to the sessions with John. " Laura.

Tutoring Approach:
I focus on teaching and improving:
Revision, Study and Exam Techniques and Skills, enhancing the pupil's recall and understanding of core concepts in Maths and Physics. I also teach pupils how to consider and tailor their responses to the examiner's requirements and expectations.

Enhancing motivation and interest in the subject by:
-relating new concepts to children's existing knowledge, interests and experiences;
-thorough revision of each topic;
-covering many practice examples;
-gradually introducing exam type questions;
-analysing the student's answers to exam questions together;
-explaining / inviting candidates to consider what the examiner is looking for.

With adequate practice on past papers, and by developing the student's motivation, desire and reasons to succeed, every candidate can be enabled to achieve their true potential in the exam.
My approach builds self-confidence in the student's own abilities.
These have all been proven to improve grades and self-confidence in exam results.

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Personal Description:
I graduated thirty years ago and have taught many pupils in the UK and Greece. I am still a teacher so I am fully up to date with current ideas and methods. I understand how pupils achieve and more importantly recognise what may cause a negative impact on learning. Because of this I will be able to support, assess, monitor and give swift feedback so that all pupils reach their true potential. I love teaching and tutoring.

DBS enhanced on update service.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a teacher for thirty years. I have worked in both private and state schools. I have taught from Years 1-7 inclusive during the past twenty years. I have taught in England and in Greece. I have taught a wide variety of students from many backgrounds; SEND, (Autism, Down's, ADHD) EAL and Gifted and Talented. I have also been a tutor and have tutored children and adults up to GCSE level in English and Maths.

DBS Enhanced on update service

Tutoring Approach:
I am aver calm and friendly teacher and tutor. I will provide all resources needed.

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Personal Description:
I'm a highly experienced Head of Physics & Science, with over 40 years of dedicated teaching at leading secondary schools. My expertise spans GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, and IB Physics (SL & HL). I've also contributed to the educational landscape by examining and writing exams for these qualifications and by training other physics teachers globally. This diverse experience allows me to understand the curriculum inside out and provide exceptional support to students.

I've observed a growing trend of students taking Physics without strong mathematical foundations, which can significantly hinder their progress. To address this, I offer specialised 'Maths for Physics' tuition. My experience shows that a solid grasp of the required maths can improve a student's final grade by up to two levels, helping them unlock their full potential in Physics.

Beyond academic achievements, I believe effective teaching nurtures well-rounded individuals. I am deeply passionate about being a positive role model, guiding students to not only excel academically but also to grow into responsible, caring, and confident young people. This holistic approach, built on care and respect, is at the heart of my teaching philosophy and a key reason why I love what I do.

Teaching Experience:
With over 40 years of dedicated teaching experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every tutoring session. My background includes serving as Head of Physics & Science at a large independent school, where I gained invaluable insights into curriculum development and student progression.

Furthermore, I have a global perspective, having worked with teachers and students worldwide as an approved Physics workshop leader, providing online teaching support. This diverse experience ensures I can adapt my methods to suit individual learning styles and needs.

I currently teach or have taught across a wide range of levels:

Physics: Pre-GCSE, GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, Pre-IBDP, IB-SL, IB-HL

Astronomy: IB-SL

Mathematics: GCSE, A-Level (including dedicated 'Maths for Physics' support)

Tutoring Approach:
In today's educational landscape, personalised tutoring has become essential for many students. Parents often seek additional support when they're concerned about their child's progress, understanding that a strong education is vital for future opportunities.

I consider teaching a profound privilege. Playing a pivotal role in a student's educational journey is incredibly special, and it's a responsibility I take very seriously. My goal is to guide students through the complexities of physics, helping them to not only grasp challenging concepts but also to discover a genuine passion for the subject. There's nothing more rewarding than witnessing that "aha!" moment when a student truly understands, and I strive to help every student reach and exceed their potential.

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Personal Description:
I am a postgrad student in applied linguistics as well as an EFL teacher with a TEFL certificate and five years of online tutoring experience. I specialise on teaching general English and pronunciation (Modern RP/SSB) to adults.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching online since 2018.

- taught over 50 students at levels A2-C1
- worked as a pronunciation coach on an online course
- created several curricula from scratch to suit learners' needs
- created an educational blog on Instagram

My students become confident in reading and listening to authentic materials and talking to native speakers in a matter of months.

Tutoring Approach:
My lesson planning is based on communicative and lexical approaches to teaching foreign languages, and I pay particular attention to pronunciation and fluency. You can look forward to learning lots of new idioms and handy expressions that will make you sound more natural. There will be authentic audio, video and reading materials, and a lot of speaking practice.

A language learner myself, I appreciate the difficulties you may encounter on your way to your language goal. To make your journey smoother, we will use a selection of effective language learning techniques.

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Personal Description:
I have a life long passion for art, painting and making.

I have been teaching art privately for over 10 years and established a small art school: Art Now - Banstead Art School which I have been running for 9 years in Surrey near London.

I have taught people of all ages (from 3 to 92!) and all abilities from beginners to assisting students to gain successful scholarship portfolios and coursework.

I have also facilitated many creative workshops such as theatrical life drawing and craft in different settings from schools to offices, public spaces and festivals.

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Karina studied Art and Design at Chelsea Art College and has a BA Honours degree in Graphic Design and Photography from Kingston Univeristy.

After graduating, Karina co-ran creative, interactive public events for adults and children in London and Essex including monthly theatrical life drawing classes.

Karina has experience teaching and mentoring children of all ages including children with Special Educational Needs in school and out of school environments. Karina has an enhanced DBS certificate.

Teaching Experience:
Karina has since also trained in Permaculture design, Catalysing Active Citizenship, Creative Practice Facilitation and completed the Forest School Level 3 training.
She works in schools and runs nature connection workshops for adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an intuitive and relaxed approach to teaching, tailoring the method for each individual.

My classes usually cover:
~ The basic principles of drawing, painting and design and sometimes craft work such as clay, collage, or printing.
~ Setting activities which use the right side of the brain for seeing in new ways.
~ Experimentation with media and ideas to get comfortable with using imagination, making and creating using different tools.
~ Supporting each student to push their limits of what they believe they can achieve.

I encourage exploration of a range of media and topics are primarily lead by the students personal interests.


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Karina currently offers:

- Home tutoring

- Portfolio preparation and coursework support

- One to one and small groups classes

- Online tuition

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Private one to one classes or small group classes are offered with different prices for each. Please contact to find out the latest prices available and arrange a suitable time for your classes.

In our classes, students are free to explore their imagination, to play with and develop ideas.
Students are taught to master a broad range of quality art materials.
Students are encouraged to paint and draw the subjects that interest them in the media that that they enjoy using.

Group classes are mixed age and mixed ability and each student pursues an individual path of learning tailored to their own needs and interests.

These classes work as a wonderful basis for future exam success and/or a lifelong interest and knowledge of the art that surrounds us all.

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Personal Description:
I am a goal oriented mature family man focused on results.
I am conversant with the educational curriculum.
I do have good communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to motivate children to achieve their highest potential.
I always seek to organise lessons around the student's areas of interest.
I have a Bachelor of Engineering honours degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
I can offer both online and physical lessons to students close by.
I am also willing to travel distances not more than 6 miles at an agreed cost.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching in 2018 specialising in Maths and Physics from gcse up-to A level. I taught full time at two different schools in South Africa before i relocated to the UK 2 months ago and during that time i also had an opportunity to offer private tutoring sessions both physical and online to some students across the globe.
4 years at Taal-net St Johns High school South Africa : age range 11 -18
1 year at Sagan academy International South Africa : age range 11 - 18

Tutoring Approach:
I provide tuition to students using a friendly and relaxed approach to tutoring. My tutoring sessions are customised to meet the specific requirement of each student. Generally, I find pleasure in teaching and I use a combination of computer and 'white board' based approach, for creating informal interactive / discussion type sessions, with some form of regular tests and re-cap sessions.

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Personal Description:
I'm Kirsty, I love teaching as I believe my passion for my subject helps ignite curiosity in young people of where we see maths in everyday life and how it affects their lives. Spotting patterns and being able to problem solve in every job and career path comes from great mathematical analytic skills!

I love when students get the 'lightbulb' moment; the understanding kicks in and we get the solution to the problem we are working on. Endorphins rushing when we feel a sense of achievement. I want to help break the barriers of 'I'm not good at maths' and change mindsets to 'I'm not good at maths, yet'. Optimism and a positive mindset can really change outcomes, both with maths questions and life in general.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teacher for the past 10 years in a secondary school in Billingham. I have taught throughout key stage 3 and 4, from year 7 through to year 11. I have designed schemes of learning and the resources to go along with that to enable students to have interactive but thoughtful, ordered maths lessons with key concepts covered and checking for understanding throughout.

Recently I completed the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) which has enabled me to break down components of learning - for people of all ages and abilities - and ensure the best progress is made through the correct understanding and structuring of learning modules.

Since 2018 I have worked for exam boards Edexcel and OCR marking a mixture of higher and foundation papers, so I have a good understanding of how examiners apply the mark scheme and the experience to teach tips and techniques to ensure exam success. Not that exams are everything, but they are a necessity to further your academic career, so understanding how to do them well is key to showcasing your knowledge!

I have tutored privately 1:1 for the past 7 years, working with a mixture of ks3 students, as well as ks4 in examination prep at both higher and foundation level. Everyone I worked with got the required confidence or grade that they needed to move onto the next stage of their learning journey - excellent!

Tutoring Approach:
I love a mixture of tasks to break up the monotony of 'a worksheet of questions' which might be some peoples' experience of maths lessons. Maths is not boring; I want to share my love of it with people!

I like interactivity - be it using mini whiteboards, card sorts, tarsias etc. - as well as ensuring key concepts are covered with GCSE style questions so our skills match up and link to what examiners might ask.

Using physical manipulatives to introduce concepts which leads to understanding at an abstract level helps solidify knowledge and fluency of skill.

If one strategy does not work, I have a range of other ways to aid understanding - one size does not fit all with maths and there are often more ways than one to find a solution. Let's explore our reasoning together and develop a solid mathematical understanding and hopefully build your confidence at the same time!

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