Rockbourne Tutors and Rockbourne Tuition

Personal Description:
- PhD in English Literature from Durham University
- MA degree in English Philology
- Qualified Teacher Status
- 20 years' experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language
- 13 years' experience in teaching Polish as a foreign language
- online and F2F tuition

Teaching Experience:
- Private tutor of English and Polish since 2005
- 20 years' experience in group and individual teaching
- Tutor in English Literature at Durham University from 2011 to 2020
- experience working for language schools across both the UK and Poland
- experience in working with various nationalities
- experience in working with SEN students
- Enhanced DBS check
- experience in exam preparation, including ISE II and ISE III

Tutoring Approach:
I always try to make my lessons fun and my aim is to always tailor my method to suit the student's individual needs. In my language lessons I tend to focus on the student's oral communication skills. I start each lesson by revising earlier material (usually through a communicative activity or an interactive one) and then I move on to new material. There is always plenty of speaking and while I let the student work out the rules of the language themselves (I am in favour of the inductive method), I am always on hand to help and to explain.

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Personal Description:
I am a native speaker of Mandarin. I am a graduate student who study Radio in University of London. My BA degree is Journalism and I graduated from one of top universities in Mainland China. I am good at Mandarin. I love to talk and communicate.

Teaching Experience:
attend the language exchange group and tech people Mandarin.

Tutoring Approach:
Chinese phonetic alphabet
Chinese characters and pronunciation
useful sentence and dialogue

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Personal Description:
An enthusiastic teacher good at communicating with people on all levels & from different cultural backgrounds, patient & understanding, a superb motivator

Teaching Experience:
I taught English as a Foreign Language in the Czech Republic for three years before returning to England.

In England, I have taught English to students from Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru,Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Uganda.

I also teach Basic Literacy and Numeracy Skills to native and non native speakers of English

Tutoring Approach:
I have the ability to see the unique strengths in each student, and I strive to use various learning methods to tutor students in developing their strengths while working on their challenges.

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Personal Description:
My approach to teaching is friendly, supportive and fun. I can instil confidence in students which allows them to believe in themselves and make good progress. I have experience teaching students who are neurodiverse as well as students from ages 6 to 11.

Teaching Experience:
I have 20 years of teaching experience mainly in primary schools. I have also taught many students who have English as a second language

Tutoring Approach:
To develop genuine, honest relationships with students. Get to know them and their backgrounds and discuss the areas they need to work on. I would like to make tutoring interactive and fun whilst still teaching a particular concept.

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Personal Description:
I obtained BSc and PhD degrees from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and subsequently taught at degree level in the Physics Department of Trinity College Dublin. I have also taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Computer Science Department of the University of Durham.

My previous career in industry has given me experience in digital hardware, software systems maintenance, and systems management, to complement my experience in teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I qualified as a teacher fourteen years ago and have taught in Emmanuel College Gateshead and Barnard Castle School, where I was head of Physics until 2017. I am now semi retired but still teach A-Level Physics for two days a week. My experience includes teaching both domestic GCSE and Cambridge International GCSE. At A-Level I teach the AQA A syllabus and also the Cambridge Pre-U course. As a personal tutor I have I also provided tuition in the other domestic specifications.

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy the one to one teaching aspect of tutoring and aim to build a warm and friendly relationship with my tutees. I have been providing private tuition in A-Level Physics for about ten years. I have experience with all of the domestic specifications plus Cambridge Pre-U. My students are generally successful in following their desired university choices and in one case a student changed his planned study course from IT to Physics as a result of discovering the attractions of the subject.

I have experience with online tutoring using Skype, FaceTime and Google Hangouts.

'I reached out to David to provide me with some background understanding of concepts such as work, electricity, energy as well as an insight into the different power generation technologies. At the time of our first session, I hadnt studied physics for about 8 years! David did a great job in guiding me through and I ended up with a strong, sound knowledge of the field. This was all the more impressive given that it was done over a short six session period. I would thoroughly recommend choosing David as a tutor - his teaching style, friendly approach and willingness to assist outside of the formal sessions is second to none. I look forward to continuing my work with him in the future.' Mr J.R. January 2018

'Thanks to David's expertise and support, our son achieved an A at A-level in physics. David helped him improve his confidence, subject knowledge not to mention exam technique. The Skype sessions worked really well and were time efficient. For these reasons, David's tutoring is invaluable and we highly recommend it.' Mrs D.G. August 2018

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Personal Description:
Qualified teacher. A-level biology specialist. 20 years experience. A-level examiner for AQA.

Biology Chemistry and Physics up to GCSE

Mathematics to Key-stage 3.

Online lessons via all the popular platforms including Teams, Zoom and Skype including virtual whiteboard technology. Extensive online resources are available to all tutees.

Teaching Experience:
20 years Qualified Secondary Science teacher, KS3, GCSE and A-level.

Having also taught at university I am able to assist life-science undergraduates with dissertations or projects.

Experienced teacher of Key Stage 3 mathematics

20 years experience as a one-to-one tutor including online work.

A-level Biology examiner for AQA.

Extensive experience as the college co-ordinator for both medicine and biology HE+ programmes and well as vast experience preparing students for interview for competitive courses such as medicine and dentistry at Russell Group Universities.

Tutoring Approach:
I am results-focused and will approach session with the goal of achieving the best possible exam result in mind.

Concentrating on exam technique, application and other common areas of weakness in order to maximise grades.

Online sessions are available via all the popular portals including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Skype.

Discount rates for pairs or small groups negotiable.

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Personal Description:
I am a professional Mathematics tutor. I have Master's degree in telecommunications. I also have professional Finance and IT experience

Teaching Experience:
I have done tutoring in different subjects, mainly maths and physics in different countries and to students from different backgrounds, nationalities and languages.

Tutoring Approach:
I understand students' areas of weakness and am able to find the potential problems in their way of learning and start from basics if required. While I make a friendly atmosphere with the student, I maintain a level of discipline in the work.

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Personal Description:
Hi guys, to start off with my academic background: I studied at Winchester College and Cambridge University.

I was generally a straight A* student at Winchester, and in my final exams I received some of the highest Cambridge Pre-U grades in the UK for my subjects of Philosophy & Theology, Russian and French (these were D1, D1, D2 - which translates in A-Level terms to A**, A**, A*). At Cambridge I studied a mix of Theology and Philosophy, with a focus on philosophy (ethics and metaphysics), history and literature papers.

In terms of my personal background: I was born in London and have lived in Islington most of my life. I've travelled a great deal, and in my gap year I spent stretches of time living in and travelling around America, Italy, Malta, Russia, Jordan and Pakistan.

In my free time I like classic cinema (Hitchcock especially) and novels (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Dickens are my favourites) but I'm curious about everything really, and I read books of any kind whenever I have the time - especially those relating to History (classical and modern), Philosophy, Theology, Politics, and Literary Analysis.

For most of my professional life so far I've worked as a salesman, lawyer and corporate strategist. I like theatre and stand-up and sketch comedy - Dylan Moran and John Cleese are my favourite comedians - and at Cambridge I performed in a couple of sketch comedy shows alongside members of the Footlights.

I'm friendly, good-humoured, energetic and I love teaching more than anything else!

Teaching Experience:
I've received excellent feedback on my tutoring so far. Here are some quotes I've received from former students who've been kind enough to supply written references for me (I can provide these and their contact details to you on request) :

- "the best teacher I have ever had the pleasure of learning from"

- [different student] "I can say without any doubt that he is the best tutor I have ever had."

- "thanks to Jasper, my school results became much better."

- "I can talk endlessly about how much I loved having meetings with Jasper"

- "His ability to convey complex historical concepts with clarity and engagement is a superpower."

- "Jasper's professionalism is also worth highlighting. He is highly organised, punctual, and dependable. He never came to a session unprepared, his teaching materials were always well-structured and insightful."

- "I must give a massive word of praise"

- " I truly hope he will have more students to teach, as he is very talented and truly deserves to be recognised. I wish everyone had a chance to have such a wonderful and supportive tutor."

Please note: The website format unfortunately limits the numbers of subjects I can list; I shall therefore add three more here. In addition to Philosophy, Theology, English, History, Russian and French I am also capable of tutoring up to and including GCSE Latin, basic (ab initio) German, and Debating.

More generally, I am also happy to advise on academic interview performance for elite boarding school or Oxbridge admissions.

Tutoring Approach:
1. So first of all we'll have an introductory session to determine what your interests, strengths/weaknesses and ultimate aims are. If you like me then we can have another session!

At the end of this I'll set an assignment for you to work on before our next session. The assignment may be easy, it may be tricky, it may be normal, it may be quite unusual! It will depend on what your aims and interests are and what I can come up with etcetera.

I'll also try to recommend some valuable learning resources and techniques for you to work with as you prepare that assignment.


2. In our second session we'll go through and discuss the assignment and your answers to it, focusing on different ways of looking at the issue and thinking around it, or effective ways to internalise that knowledge. This will take the form of a dialogue and a conversation that I hope you'll find stimulating and rewarding.

Note: You are welcome to stop sessions with me at anytime; it's entirely up to you and I won't be offended at all. But if you let me, I truly hope to teach you as much as I can.


- In summary the fundamental idea is to make the ideas as fun as possible, to assist you in learning them effortlessly and wanting to learn more. Education is always self-motored; the trick is helping you to fall in love with it. It is also to expose you to a wide array of alternative perspectives to broaden your bank of wisdom. Finally, I can recommend books and podcasts and resources to you that can have enduring value for you far beyond our own sessions, perhaps even for your entire lifetime.

I believe in sparking creativity and helping students make the ideas their own. My aim is to ignite imagination and enthusiasm as I put your intellect to the test, because only then will you really enjoy learning, and only then will you truly do well. Therefore I'll do my very best to generate an enthusiastic but rigorous atmosphere.

My enthusiasm can be pretty infectious... I promise you our conversations will be the opposite of boring!

At the same time, many of you will have real goals : to get better grades on your essays, to pass a crucial academic interview, or to smash your final exams. I believe utterly in studying carefully how to do that, and devising a strategy, so you can work "smart", not just "hard", and achieve your goals. I did this with great success for my own exams, and for many former students. I'm a former corporate strategist at an industry-dominating company! This is a real passion of mine.

Finally I also promise you that I'll also prepare carefully in advance of every session you have with me, to ensure you get the most out of me that you can. I have immense respect for my responsibility to you and your development.

Feel free to try a preliminary session with me!

I so look forward to talking with you,

All the very best,

Jasp

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Personal Description:
I am currently an Academic Foundation Doctor at University Hospital Southampton. I studied at Westminster School as a Queen's Scholar and secured 14 A* at GCSE and 4 A* at A-level. In 2020 I received first class honours in Natural Sciences and was awarded a scholarship by Jesus College in 2020. I graduated Cambridge University in 2023 (MBBChir)

I am also a keen musician and played the clarinet with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain between 2014-2017. On holidays you might see me climbing and camping around Scotland or catching up with close friends in London.

What do I offer?:
• 13+ entry scholarship examination to Westminster School; 'The Challenge'
• Oxbridge interview preparation for medical applications
• BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)
• UCAS personal statement
• Other; please reach out to discuss

Teaching Experience:
Between 2020-2022 I have taught the neuroscience course (NHB) for 2nd year undergraduates at Jesus College Cambridge. Supervisions comprise of weekly small group teaching. I have also taught the NHB course privately 1:1. I regularly teach younger students (10-14).

Tutoring Approach:
I am a kind and supportive tutor looking to work with my tutees to identify and consolidate areas of weakness. In addition, I hope to provide insight into the skills required to tackle competitive application processes, including scholarship exams and medical interviews.

I prioritise improving exam performance and I encourage the development of critical thinking skills at all levels of learning. In undergraduate supervisions, I aim to tackle difficult concepts from first principles and question underlying assumptions, as well as help undergraduates develop their written communication. I believe these skills are highly valuable for writing personal statements and for success at interview.

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Personal Description:
I grew up in Northern Italy (Piedmont), and did my University Degree in Italian Humanities, and my MA in Film Studies in Turin (Torino). In 2005 I moved to the UK, because of my fascination with the culture, music and landscape. I was an indie music nerd as a teenager and young man, with a huge passion for obscure bands. I also loved to write and sing, and got a lot of inspiration for my writing from movies and literature. I am still enthusiastic about going to the cinema, or discovering a new novel or a new (or old) band. On top of these interests, I'm passionate about language, poetry, psychology, personal development, nutrition and beautiful coastal landscapes.

Teaching Experience:
Since my arrival in Bristol in 2005, I first worked as an Italian Linguist for an international corporation. After three years, I dedicated some time to focus on my music and writing, but soon I also pursued a career in Adult and Community Education, developing my teaching practice and experience and creating courses, programmes and tailored lessons for groups and individuals. I gained a certificate to teach adults (PTLLS), and have worked both with a great number of private clients, with a college (Redmaids School for Girls, where I have been Italian Teaching Assistant), with adult education organisations (City of Bristol College, Bristol City Council, The Bristol Folk House) and with Language Schools (International House, The Language Experience, Bristol Language School).

Tutoring Approach:
I am happy to teach at all levels, from complete beginner to advanced conversation. I have gained a solid experience due to the diversity of my clients and of the environments where I have taught and I currently teach. I will tailor my lessons exactly to your current needs, and will use and recommend varied strategies for learning according to your preferred learning style, covering Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing. I also value a focus on Pronunciation: when you study a new language you literally enter a new cultural world of sounds, and it's better to familiarise with it as soon as possible. My lessons are playful and interactive, and my aim is for you to feel at ease, so that you can make mistakes without fear, and therefore enjoy the process of learning.

At intermediate and advanced levels, when students have a basis for an exploration of cultural topics, I'm very passionate about using original cultural texts, from literature to newspapers, from video interviews to films or documentaries. I find it very rewarding to share with my students the excitement of exploration, discovery, beauty and reflection that comes from engaging with culture.

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Personal Description:
I am PhD in Microbiology and have 9+ years of experience in research and teaching in the higher education system. I am lecturer at a prestigious university in the UK. I am passionate about science and love to orchestrate the projects at hand with coherence, clarity, and focus. I did my Post Doctoral Research from Imperial College, London and established research area in the area of biofilm. My PhD was about plant-microbe-soil tripartite associations and underlying molecular aspects. My expertise is Microbial Biotechnology with varied applications in industries.

Teaching Experience:
I teach subjects from wider Life Sciences spectrum.
These are mainly Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Antimicrobial resistance, Applied Biosciences from level 4-7.
I am also involved in teaching necessary research skills including literature search, referencing,
paraphrasing, using credible sources and writing the literature review.
Specific focus is made on how students critically appraise the literature and practice critical analysis.
I also teach literature survey course, as well as scientific writing.

Tutoring Approach:
I am passionate at applying innovative strategies to develop my teaching methods. I teach through various methods including Problem Based Learning, Design Thinking, Flipped Learning and Active Learning.
I am flexible, transparent and foster inclusivity in my teaching practices. I believe in developing strong, respectful relationships with students to create a sense of trust and safety. I promote the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
I tend to use SMART goals for each session to enable students understand the learning outcome of the session. I tailor teaching methods to address the varied learning styles, interests, and abilities of students. I regularly reflect on what worked well and what didn't, and adjust my strategies accordingly. I integrate various technological tools to ensure student is understanding the concepts appropriately.

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Personal Description:
As well as being a full-time private tutor for nearly 15 years, I have a background in comedy, writing and performance. I've published three humour books and continue to write for theatre companies and private events. I also love art and illustration, and try incorporate this into my teaching where possible - for all ages! I currently live in South-West London with my husband and two young children.

Teaching Experience:
Since 2010 I have taught hundreds of students aged 3 to adult, including high-profile clients, international placements, EFL pupils & students with complex learning needs. I have also worked as an Assistant Course Director at Pilgrims Language School and a Shakespeare Expert at ICES University in France.

Tutoring Approach:
At the heart of my teaching is the firm belief that students should truly enjoy whatever they are learning. With this in mind, my chief aim is to create a comfortable and fun environment that inspires genuine engagement. My degree also involved the study of the psychology of education, which has given me a keen understanding of the unique requirements of each pupil. I have found my approach to consistently generate outstanding results!

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