Porchester Tutors and Porchester Tuition

Personal Description:
A Royal Academy of Music graduate, I have taught piano privately for over 20 years. As well as children and adults from the ages of 4 to 84, I have tutored and mentored high profile rock musicians, film composers and producers.

I taught composition in the music technology department at London College of Music (Junior College) for twelve years where I became department head from 2004--2012. I was mentor on the MA course in music production at Leeds College of Music from 2006-2009, and have guest lectured at The Academy of Contemporary Music and West Thames College.

As a composer and producer I have two decades of experience writing for theatre, TV, film and the concert hall. I have written scores for theatre companies including Hampstead Theatre, The National Youth Theatre, EmpathEyes Theatre and Baraka Theatre, and my music has been synced to many television productions and documentaries including BBC Horizon, BBC Natural World, Top Gear, Sky Box Office, Ghost Whisperer and America's Most Wanted. In addition to this I have worked for the music production house 'Soundtree' on various projects most notably as assistant to Peter Raeburn on his score for the 2018 feature film Nancy.

My concert works have been performed at concert platforms including the Huddersfield Festival; The South Bank Centre; De Doelen, Rotterdam and Kunstmuseum, Liechtenstein, with commercial recordings and broadcasts across Europe.

I have written string arrangements for bands and worked as session pianist for several artists including Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash from the ska band, Madness). 

Teaching Experience:
1997 - present: Private tutor (piano, music theory, music technology, composition)
1997 - 2010: London College Of Music (junior college) - composition and music technology teacher.
1999 - West Thames College - guest lecturer
2004 - 2010: London College Of Music (junior college) - music technology department head.
2003 - Academy Of Contemporary Music - guest lecturer
2006 - 2009: Leeds College Of Music - mentor on MA Music Production course.

Tutoring Approach:
Piano (all levels/styles) - I have a 100% pass rate for students entering the ABRSM exams (grades 1-8). Students who do not wish to take the classical route can learn using my method for playing by ear. As well as teaching classical, I specialise in teaching jazz piano and theory.

I also offer tuition in Composition, Orchestration, Theory, Logic, Sibelius.

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Personal Description:
I am an Italian citizen living in London since 1996 ; I came to London as a research student, sent by Rome University, to study and work for Westminster University.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a tutor for 24 years (I still teach Spanish/Italian to private students. I was a teacher in Italy (Spanish/English) and a bilingual assistant from 1996 to present in London (Pimlico School/North Westminster/Churchill Gardens/St. Vincent de Pau); I have a PGCE in MFL (Spanish/Italian/French) KS 3 and 4 and a Master in translation (English vs Italian and vice versa).

Tutoring Approach:
I do see each student/pupil as an individual and while teaching/tutoring I take into account their personality/skills/interests as well as age/sex/religion.

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Personal Description:
A true renaissance man, Alex makes: mini epic films, video installations, games, photographs, sculpture, blogs and books. Using readily available materials and software the work often has a feeling of improvisation, an initial throwaway idea made visible.

Throughout his practice there is a sense of an acceptance of failure or disappointment as important parts of the human condition. He makes light with big issues and is, in turn, haunting and funny. His humorous sculpture typically conveys a sense of the accidental, eternally on the brink of failure or collapse. Recent DIY apocalypses, created from expanding builders' foam, seem to have an unruly, malevolent life of their own and explore the processes of invasion and infection. While his films and writing play with ideas of chance, quotidian struggles, the loss of control and responsibility.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught a range of students of all ages and backgrounds from: National Diploma, Extended Diploma, Art Foundation, Degree to MA level.
I have experience in all fields of art and design but my specialist areas include: Sculpture, Drawing, Video, Art History, Cotextual Studies, Art Theory and installation.
I am expert at preparing students' portfolios for interview at Foundation and Degree level.
I am also able to advise in a number of areas of profesional practice including: Statement writing, CVs, recording work, publicity and basic website construction.
I have also had experience of teaching adults basic IT skills.

Tutoring Approach:
I am happy to tutor online and in person either in my own studio or by home visits (by bicycle)
I am an easy going and responsive tutor, happy to discuss individual student's needs and to guide them through all stages of their art and design career.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher, head of the department, and a senior examiner with more than 17 years of exam marking experience in all three subjects that I tutor.

I work with a range of students (students looking to improve their grades and others who are making sure they achieve their high grades). I work with students from the United Kingdom and overseas that are either preparing for exams or are going to study the subject for the first time or are being home tutored etc. I have my own study material - workbooks, quizzes, videos (youtube channel), etc.

I have tutored students from all top schools - Eton, Westminister, St Pauls, Notting Hill, Whitgift, Oxford High, Northampton High (I used to work there and they had their best ever results), Oundle, etc

As an individual, I have a jovial personality and I make good use of it during my sessions; it ignites the sessions and adds joy to learning; take my word for it! Also, I have bundles of patience because sometimes a theoretical concept may take more than once to be explained to a student for them to understand it. I do not get frustrated easily.

I follow a tutoring model that I have developed with my partner and it is to assess the need of my students, as all of them are unique and start at different times of the year and at different stages; as time is of great essence, especially if a target grade is to be achieved.

Read my testimonials and you will get a fair idea. I believe that learning is to understand the theory and then apply it to the real world. I use case studies written by me and exam questions from past papers to make the tutorial session more relevant; I assess students' work during my sessions and then provide constructive feedback to allow them to improve.

If you have any questions, please message me.

Good Luck!

Teaching Experience:
I have more than 17 years of teaching and examining experience.

Tutoring Approach:
Relaxed and exam focused to meet the need of your child.

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Personal Description:
Hello there! My name is Tanyel and I am an undergraduate student at King's College London. I study BA French and Management and will be entering my second year in September.

I am available to tutor over the summer 2013 starting immediately, with a possibility of continuing this for when I am back at university.

Teaching Experience:
I have a wide range of tutoring experience. This originated from when I was in Sixth Form and developed a knack for explaining things to my classmates and friends. Since then, my enjoyment in tutoring has led me to be involved in two tutoring projects. This is both privately in my local area and also voluntarily, the latter being with my university and an organisation called Team Up ().

Tutoring Approach:
We would work through a main textbook (CGP range seems to work best) and I provide explanations in a clearer, more interactive manner to clarify understanding. I then set homework tasks based on what we have learnt. I can connect with all my students on a friendly level in this way, pausing to answer any questions, whilst ensuring progression and focus at all times. I have seen this approach work countless times in my experience. In some cases, students enjoy it so much they ask me to set them even more homework!

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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 have been playing guitar from the age of 14, firstly teaching myself and then learning from teachers such as Gypie Mayo (Dr Feelgood). I formed my first band at 15 and have been teaching, playing and song-writing in bands ever since, playing in venues such as Ronnie Scott's, Dingwalls, The Marquee, Chinnery's, 100 club, playing alongside artists such as Finley Quaye, Boy George and the Brand New Heavies. My band Sentivo was on Long Lost Brother Records (Jamiroquai, SIA) making recordings for producers such as Mickey Most, Joey Negro and Mark Knight. I studied Music/Guitar Theory at a college in London where I gained my Music Diploma. I am now currently teaching guitar part time at a college in Southend and teaching private and one to one guitar lessons whilst playing, singing and writing music & lyrics for my new band

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced and qualified Guitar tutor having achieved a Diploma in Music/Music Technology and have also completed a level 4 PTLLS teaching qualification. I am currently working at a college as a Guitar Tutor which I thoroughly enjoy and has given me great teaching experience and teacher training especially in teaching in groups and also one to one. In the last 17 years I have been tutoring and teaching privately which has given me great confidence and experience in teaching on a one to one basis. I also hold a current DBS certificate. I teach a number of different styles ranging from blues, rock'n'roll to rock, funk, jazz and soul Please give me a call or email to book a lesson whether you are an absolute beginner or want to improve or build on the level you already are.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to keep teaching relaxed and fun and like to get the student up and playing straight away, especially if you're a beginner as it's important to come away with something gained to boost the confidence and enthusiasm so you feel like you have achieved something solid and want to carry on playing. If you're already playing then I like to build on your skills and strengths and also focus on any weak areas to make you the best player you can possibly be. It is your lesson so you choose what you want to learn whether it is chords/progressions, melodies, scales/modes or songs or maybe tools to improve your own compositions and song writing. I can teach from my home and have a dedicated music room which is specially set up in a relaxed and musical environment to inspire the creative musician.

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Personal Description:
Bonjour!
I am a fully qualified, native French teacher (PGCE from the University of Portsmouth, Summer 1994).
I am married with two older children, themselves going through examinations at the moment. I also have four cats.

Teaching Experience:
I came to the UK in 1993, started teaching in a school in Sept. 1994 and teaching privately in 1998.
I no longer teach at a school but instead, teach privately to individuals or small groups.

I have been an examiner since 1998 so I am very aware of the skills and knowledge required by examination boards. I am currently a team leader for French GCSE and an examiner for A2.

I have taught a wide range of students over the years: KS3, GCSE and A Level, adult learners, younger children and adults in a business environment.

Tutoring Approach:
What I enjoy the most is to see people make big improvements and become confident with their French, from the moment they start to understand how the language works.
I am a good communicator and feel that I can understand people`s difficulties quickly so we can work on those aspects and start to make progress, once the foundations have been put (back) in place.

I am a dedicated, hard working and well organised person who enjoys seeing her pupils do well and (re)gain confidence.
I plan all my lessons very methodically and provide all papers / worksheets to my pupils. I also set homework and, more importantly, mark it! Very often, pupils will email me to ask me to check a piece of writing / homework that they are working on, and I am happy to help them with this too.

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Personal Description:
Hello, my name is Solenne. I am a French native from Paris and I have been teaching French in the UK since 2014. Holder of a Master's degree (Universities of Paris La Sorbonne and René Descartes), my education also includes the DAEFLE of the Alliance Française de Paris (Teaching French as a Foreign Language Advanced Diploma) awarded with honours in 2014.
I offer tailor-made French courses as a reliable, qualified and patient tutor to students of different ages, levels and nationalities.

Whether you are:
- a 16+ student taking a degree in French (A-Level and University degrees ; DELF-DALF or NATO exams) and needing confidence for your exam,
- a professional willing to have a proper conversation with your French colleagues or clients,
- or just an adult learner with a passion for languages and wishing to brush up your French,
I will pay close attention to your learning project and I will help you to achieve your language goals.

I have an updated French Police Check and DBS Check.

*Update - 17/06/2024*
JUNE 2024: SUMMER SESSIONS (Adult learners - A-level students - University students).
I have had new slots become available for tuition cycles, revision sessions and preparation for the academic year 2024-2025.
Please contact me for further information. A bientôt !

Cancellation Policy:
There are times when advance notification is not possible and I am willing to adapt myself as much as possible to students who face circumstances beyond their control.
However, I require a minimum cancellation period prior to a lesson.
- If I am not notified (by phone or by email) of a cancellation 48 hours prior to the session, I will fully charge the amount of the session.
- In case my student(s) and I can find another convenient time slot within the week, the lesson will be postponed and will not be charged.
If you contact me prior to this window, thank you for your courtesy!

Teaching Experience:
This is my tenth year as a French as a Second/Foreign Language (FLE) full-time Tutor. I feel equally comfortable with beginners, intermediate or advanced students. I am also a French language Instructor and Assessor for the british Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a Tutor for the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring is not just guiding students through their learning but also giving them confidence and enabling them to experience lessons in a relaxed, friendly and yet result-oriented way.
That is why I tailor my lessons to the students` needs and pace (one-to-one or small group tutoring on request), in order to teach the French language effectively as well as to raise awareness to the French culture.
My approach is action-oriented, based on the ability of students to communicate (speaking ; listening ; reading ; writing) in authentic situations, according to the Common European Framework of references for Languages (CEFR).

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Personal Description:
Marhaba! My name is Ali and I have been teaching Arabic for many years. I moved to Bristol a few years ago and I absolutely love the city and its free-spirited culture. When I came to the UK twenty five years ago, I didn't speak a single word of English. This personal experience allows me to empathise and understand what it feels like to learn a new language from scratch.

I hold two master's degrees: an MA in Linguistics-Based Translation and an MA in International Education, both of which inform my approach to language teaching. Additionally, I have a Celta from the University of Bristol.

Teaching Experience:
I am a native speaker and I have been teaching Arabic for many years. I have taught university students, GCSE and A Level students as well as adult learners.

Currently, I work as an Arabic Assessment Specialist at the International Baccalaureate (IB). In this role, I'm responsible for Arabic assessments in the Diploma Programme (DP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), covering both Language Acquisition and Language and Literature. I'm also involved in curriculum review for these subjects. This position keeps me at the forefront of Arabic language education standards and practices.

Tutoring Approach:
As a teacher, I always strive to get the most out of my students. I firmly believe that, given enough practice and persistence, anyone can become fluent in Arabic. I use a lot of authentic material in my teaching, which allows students to develop communicative competence and exposes them to the language in many different contexts.

Learning Arabic will take you on a fun and fascinating journey across new cultures. It's not just about mastering a language, but also about broadening your horizons and gaining insights into rich and diverse Arabic-speaking cultures.

I invite you to join me on this exciting language learning journey. Whether you're a beginner just starting out, an advanced learner looking to refine your skills, or anywhere in between, I'm here to guide you. Let's work together to achieve your Arabic language goals!

I look forward to meeting you and helping you unlock the wonders of the Arabic language and culture!

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Personal Description:
My name is Adenike. I am a graduate of University of South Wales, with a PGCE in Numeracy /Mathematics. I also had a first degree in Computer Forensics. I have the ability to develop good relationships with students, am patient, caring and kind. I have good oral and written communication skills, l am organise and very detailed.

Teaching Experience:
My acquired skills in the university gave me the opportunity to teach learners mathematics and ICT according to the curriculum requirements, at different settings namely: elementary, high schools and post - compulsory education. I have worked as a supply teacher in various schools in Newport, Cardiff and Barry. I also have had the opportunity to support learners with special education
needs to achieve learning.

Tutoring Approach:
I used various teaching strategies to achieve effective teaching and learning. I prepared learning resources according to the learners need, so they can achieve learning. I also used additional learning resources such as: online maths games, quizzes and cards to achieve effective teaching and learning.
I regularly assess my learners to ensure learners are acquiring all the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare them for the external GCSE examination. All the years, learners have come out in flying colours in their GCSE results at the end of their programmes and they proceed either to the College or University for further studies. Teaching has been very rewarding for me, because l have supported learners that are now fully qualified in various fields and it does make me fulfil in life.

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Personal Description:
I'm Rebecca, 31 years old and living in the Liverpool area. Originally I am from Dublin but took the plunge and moved to the UK nearly 8 years ago! I have a BA Honours Level 8 in Humanities specialising in English, Theology and Philosophy. I'm an enthusiastic teacher and still a keen learner. I love to impart knowledge and promote a love of learning among my students whilst having some fun along the way!

Teaching Experience:
I have been a qualified teacher for 7 years now teaching Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics across all year groups including A-Level. Christianity, Islam and Judaism would be my specialist religions at GCSE level. I have taught AQA and Eduqas exam boards at both GCSE and A-Level and I have tutored for OCR A-Level. Pupils who I have tutored have gained up to two grades above their target. I am the current subject lead in my department, achieving above national average with my students. I have been also a facilitator for Best Practice, this means I have facilitated the CPD training for Early Career Teachers in their first year of teaching.

Tutoring Approach:
We work as a team- team work makes the dream work as they say! I believe everyone can be taught something once they are inspired and enjoy the learning experience. Firstly, I wish to see what my tutee struggles with and/or lacks confidence in and then aim to build up their confidence in those areas. I tailor my tutoring to suit my students and ensure they succeed.

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