Sandown Tutors & Sandown Tuition

Personal Description:
With nearly 15 years of online and in-person tutoring French Common Entrance/13+, Westminster Challenge, Winchester entrance, GCSE, IGCSE, A-level, Pre-U, and SAT, I`m a 50-year old graduate of the excellent University of Sussex languages course with a First Class Honours degree in French and Russian. I lived for four years in Paris where I mastered the language and the accent!

I have also acted in plays in French, taking on the role of Alphonse in a production of The School for Wives, and touring to schools abroad to perform in front of students learning French elsewhere in Europe.

I like to stay abreast of French culture and society, read Le Figaro everyday, and regularly watch French TV news and discussion shows.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored students at all levels, from 13+ entrance exams, including the Westminster Challenge, to most UK exam boards at GCSE, IGCSE and A-level, and I have also helped prepare students for their SAT in French and the DELF exam. I've taught adults who are complete beginners, or have some vague memories of what they learned at school, as well as helping several students gain entry to Westminster School via their Challenge exam

Since the switch to mostly online teaching, I have become an expert in making the most of the resources available, particularly the collaborative tools provided by Google, among others, which are particularly good for working on exercises and explaining grammar in a clear, helpful way.

Successes from the last (2019-20) academic year included: an two As at A-level, and two 9s at IGCSE, as well as entrance to Winchester College via their own exam.

For A-level students, I have already taught Camus's L'Etranger, Françoise Sagan's Bonjour Tristesse, Joseph Joffo's Un Sac de Billes, and Zola's Thérèse Raquin, and am very familiar with all the other set texts. Au Revoir Les Enfants, Intouchables, Entre Les Murs (The Class) and La Haine are the films I am best acquainted with from a teaching point of view.

Here are some comments from a few previous students - originals available on request.

'We could not have asked for a better result - A*s! He got full marks for the reading paper. Thanks so much for all your help, and patience.' - Margaret (parent of home-schooled GCSE student)

'Henry won a scholarship to Westminster. Exactly what he was aiming for." (Leslie, student's mother)

`Thank you so much for all your patient hard work - you taught her exactly the right stuff and there is no way she could have done it without you! I really didn`t think it was possible to teach the whole year 7 curriculum in a week but somehow you managed it. Tiffin Girls is one of the top state schools in the country and rather competitive. Chatting to the other parents outside the exam, most of the competitors went to good independents or had been tutored over a long period of time. You really knew not only what to teach but how to teach it, which shows you have exceptional skills.` - Anoushka (pupil`s mother)

`Just thought I should let you know I got an A! Thanks for all your help` - Helena (A-level student)

'I ended up with an "A"... thanks for all your help, both my spoken papers improved, over my previous efforts.' - Philip, mature student sitting AS and A2 French

Tutoring Approach:
It is important to tailor lessons specifically to a student's needs, but my general method is to engage him or her at a level just above their 'comfort zone'. Learning is about challenging yourself to do better, and it is crucial for a tutor to be supportive and encouraging, and also to keep the bar high.

Lessons can be conducted entirely in French, or in a mixture of English and French. I can work alongside a student's existing course (that is, from a textbook a student is already following), or we can use course books that I recommend.

Where the level allows, I like to draw upon material from contemporary sources such as French news magazines.

For "conversation classes", I find it is useful to base the discussion on an article or a book to help build vocabulary, and also think that incorporating grammar instruction (where appropriate) can be a good idea.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher, teaching GCSE and A level physics at secondary schools in South Wales for the last 11 years.

I did my O levels and A levels at school in Penarth, and went on to gain a Physics degree from Imperial College London, and a Masters degree in engineering from Cornell University in New York State. After many years as an engineer for high technology companies in the UK and the US, I returned to Penarth. I have 3 children, and as they became involved in the education system, I decided to train as a teacher to be able to pass on the passion and enthusiasm I have for science and Physics.

Teaching Experience:
Over the last 11 years I have been successfully preparing pupils to sit their GCSE and A level physics exams. Producing schemes of work and lesson plans for the WJEC (and other exam boards) specifications has given me a thorough knowledge of what needs to be covered. During the last 5 years I have also been contracted to the WJEC as an examiner for Physics exams, which gives me further insight into the techniques and approaches required to do as well as possible in the exams.

Tutoring Approach:
- Assess what has been covered for a particular exam, and the level of the pupil's understanding.
- Focus on any gaps or misunderstandings.
- Use past paper questions to reinforce the application of what they have learned.
- Practice, practice practice!

Sessions are 1 hour, Monday to Thursday: 4:00pm, 5:15pm and 6:30pm.

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Personal Description:
I provide private oil painting and drawing lessons for beginners to advanced students at my Solihull studio. I will teach you everything you need to know, from stretching canvases, applying grounds to applying paint and building up layers. One-to-one and small groups welcome. Also available for workshops, demonstrations and lectures.

Teaching Experience:
Solihull College - Fine Art Adult Education course 2012-2013

STPW (Shepherdson Day Centre, 4 weeks) 2012

Pegasus Day Centre (weekly class) 2012 - 2013

Drawing Classes and monthly workshops at Centre of England Arts 2012-2015

Private classes 2012 -ongoing

Life classes (Solihull / Stratford and Birmingham) 2015 - ongoing

Painting and Drawing classes (Solihull / Stratford and Birmingham) 2015-ongoing

Midland Arts Centre - Painting and Drawing classes 2023 - ongoing.

Tutoring Approach:
Relaxed environment for learning at your own pace.

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Personal Description:
I have a BA Honours Degree in English Studies from Aleppo University in Syria in 2000. I embarked on two Postgraduate Diplomas at Aleppo University one in Linguistics (2002); the other in Education and Qualification in 2003. In both of these Diplomas I was awarded a Distinction. In 2002, I was fortunate in gaining a scholarship to study in the UK and was nominated to study in the department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex. I found this course to be immensely useful to me as a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) professional as I was able to observe a range of different EAP (English for Academic Purposes)classrooms; make academic presentations and really developed my love of scholarship which fired me with the enthusiasm to read for a PhD degree. I finished my doctorate in TESOL at the University of Ulster entitled "EAP Teachers Approaches to Giving Written Feedback on Academic Writing in British and Syrian ELT Centres". . I am extremely interested in teaching the language skills (as my recent doctorate shows). I am extremely hard working and sociable. I have good comparative knowledge of Western and Islamic societies which I could share with students where pertinent. I also have two qualifications from Ulster University in Peer Mentoring and Counselling.

I have strong interpersonal, communication, and classroom management skills and self-motivator. Apart from being an interesting experience in itself, tutoring is an ideal opportunity for me at this stage of my career as the area of this job is interesting to me and I have got the enthusiasm and motivation and energy to do it well and to develop things.I would like consider offering online tutorials (email writing tutorials for students who can not attend some classes).

Teaching Experience:
In the Diploma of Education and Qualification, I have been trained how to teach and how to deliver lectures in Arabic and English and also how to prepare lesson plan. I have experience of teaching university students in Syria as I was a lecturer at Aleppo University from 2002 to 2013. I enjoy teaching and lecturing and love my profession as I am particularly interested in communicating with individuals and groups. My colleagues and supervisors all say that I am a natural communicator and this, coupled with my knowledge of the field, leads me to think that I would make a good teacher. My mother tongue language is Arabic, yet my knowledge of written and spoken English is very good as well. I am also interested in materials design and curriculum development in ELT and could make useful contributions in these areas. I have also specialized in ESP, Materials and Methods in ELT, Language Teachers in Classrooms and Vocabulary and would be interested in teaching international students. My job in Syria was delivering pre-sessional programmes in academic English language to Syrian postgraduate students. Those students have to attend some EAP and ESP courses and pass the final exam which will enable them to pursue their high studies in Syria or in some English speaking countries like UK, USA and Canada. My teaching experience gives me a deeper insight and understanding of actual teaching/learning contexts. When I did my MA degree at Essex University, I taught some international students as part of the "Teaching Practice" module. I have been trained how to write a lesson plan for international students and how to use the PowerPoint for delivering lectures. Furthermore, I am very au fait with technology in the classroom.

Tutoring Approach:
It is the application of an integrating approach for the development of communicative skills in the lesson, in which the four skills in the acquisition of knowledge of a foreign language can be taught in a coherent way, and practiced together, with a distinction of the importance of one upon the other. One image for teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) is that of a tapestry. The tapestry is woven from many strands, such as the characteristics of the teacher, the learner, the setting, and the relevant languages (i.e., English and the native languages of the learners and the teacher). For the instructional loom to produce a large, strong, beautiful, colorful tapestry, all of these strands must be interwoven in positive ways. For example, the instructor's teaching style must address the learning style of the learner, the learner must be motivated, and the setting must provide resources and values that strongly support the teaching of the language. However, if the strands are not woven together effectively, the instructional loom is likely to produce something small, weak, ragged, and pale--not recognizable as a tapestry at all.

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Personal Description:
I have 10 years experience of teaching and tutoring at all levels up to university (lecturer for 5 years) and have all 5 star feedback. My tutees get great results (93% As and A*s this year) and most importantly, show outstanding improvements in both understanding and confidence.

I am really passionate about science and teaching: during my academic career, I have been fortunate enough to have plenty of opportunities to combine the two at a variety of levels. I come from a very large family and have been involved in work with children from a young age - from riding instructor to homework 'buddy' and in the last 10 years tutoring and teaching. I love the moment that you see the light of understanding come on in the person that you are working with - I got into science for these moments myself and to be honest, it's almost as rewarding to see them in someone else! It is particularly exciting when you see someone go from frustration to 'getting it'.

I'm extremely patient, calm and focused. I work best with individuals or small groups of 2-3 students.

Teaching Experience:
All exam boards plus IB
GSCE: This year's students achieved cracking results in biology, chemistry, maths, physics and geography. Almost all As and A*s - I was very proud of them!
A-level:
Again, almost all As in biology and chemistry. Most came to me with predicted Ds so we were all delighted with the results.
Primary level:
My own children were partially home-schooled so I have copious experience there!
11-14:
I currently tutor in maths and science, I used to run a weekend biology group for adolescents and have taught English as a secondary language at this level
University level:
Range of subjects including biology, biochemistry, nutrition, aquaculture, fisheries economics, thermodynamic engineering

Tutoring Approach:
The foundation of my approach is to building confidence and enthusiasm in my pupils. I use a combination of exam questions and structured sessions. This allows the student to become familiar and comfortable with the format of questions, and to more easily identify what the examiner is asking. It also allows me to focus the effort on where there are gaps in the knowledge or understanding.
I am extremely patient & able to come up with new and innovative ways to help my students overcome whatever problems they experience in the subjects I teach. I like to see the students put in some effort because I think the best results are achieved that way but I am always supportive.

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Personal Description:
I am bilingual, cross-cultural understanding Chinese Mandarin teacher. Being a native Chinese Mandarin speaker and having about ten years teaching experience on private and classroom Chinese Mandarin and helping vast numbers of children and adults to achieve their goals, I offer Chinese Mandarin classes for all age-children to adults, individually and in group, for all levels, all goals.

Teaching Experience:
I have about ten years teaching experience on private and classroom Chinese Mandarin and helping vast numbers of children and adults to achieve their goals.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor lessons for different clients on their level, age and goals. I can bring you a fresh, enjoyable Chinese learning experience. I believe that learning a language is not only about class time - it is about being immersed into a culture and experiencing everything it has to offer. It will be a fun and interactive way along your learning.

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Personal Description:
Born in Scotland grew up in New Zealand where I went to Otago University, the oldest in NZ and gained a 1st Class BSc (hons) and a PhD in Physiology.

I then had a research career here in the UK mainly working on muscle development. I can be found in Nature doing that.

I now have time to tutor and a deep knowledge and understanding to impart to students.

Teaching Experience:
I did a lot of Tutoring and Demonstrating during my Honours and PhD and afterwards both in the lab and with undergraduates at my institutions.

I held a Teaching Fellowship at the end of my PhD and gained much insight into how to be a better teacher.

I am good at exam technique and combined mine with my wife's when we taught our daughters.

I can cover Biology in all its school forms; Junior General Science; Physiology; Anatomy and Developmental Biology

Tutoring Approach:
I adjust my teaching to the student, in accordance with how they think and remember and the other subjects they are doing. I will always check that I am not leaving the student behind and they fully understand before moving on. I am good at finding suitable analogies.

I have experience at tutoring people from a number of different countries and cultures. Please do not think I just teach white Europeans.

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Personal Description:
I have a bachelors and masters in psychology, a PGCE and am currently a trainee psychologist.

Teaching Experience:
I have 8 years of teaching and tutoring experience.

Tutoring Approach:
A student centred approach, adaptive teaching, guided learning, discovery learning.

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Personal Description:
I'm 26 and recently discovered my love for tutoring after volunteering to take responsibility for my nephew's home schooling during lockdown. I currently study at The Open University towards a BSci Hons Natural Sciences degree. I have first hand experience of being the student and the tutor and found this invaluable when working with my nephew towards his learning aims.

Teaching Experience:
One year zoom tutoring, KS2 and KS3, all subjects.

Tutoring Approach:
I work with a high level of emotional intelligence and feel the child is happiest and most open to learning without the pressure of feeling responsible for their learning. I will only use positive reinforcement to encourage learning and find having set prizes to earn to be very effective for motivation. What I take the most joy in is tailoring lesson content to the interest of the child, enabling the child to fully engage and enjoy my lessons rather than view them as a chore.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Meg and I'm currently a student at York St John University studying English Language, Linguistics and TESOL in my second year. I'm 20 years old and have a love for languages and I'm in the process of self studying Korean and Japanese!

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored a number of my close friends in Korean as I've been learning via self study for close to 7 years and I have always had great feedback from them. But, I would love to expand my experience to of teaching to English to people, as I love sharing my own language with people. I'm currently studying TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at university and am eager to put my studies into practise.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a calm and relaxed approach to tutoring, I love teaching younger people as it's so refreshing to see younger people learning and understanding new things. I believe myself to be very encouraging and motivational when it comes to tutoring.

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Personal Description:
My classes will focus on drawing and painting, and the use of sketchbooks that will provide you with the fundamentals of a portfolio for application to college or art school. I graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2000 and have taught there as well as at other colleges, schools and museums. The sketchbook should be a journal of your ideas and thoughts. It's not something for finished works. It's your space to experiment, to discover, but also to fail and make mistakes.

I also offer general drawing and painting classes that can be adapted to suit your passions and interests. Any questions, please get in touch. Overall, I believe that art should be challenging but fun and deeply rewarding.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a visiting lecturer at Glasgow School of Art and at various schools and colleges across Scotland on a freelance basis. I have taught art in secondary and primary education and even had the best day making portraits with kids in a local nursery.

Tutoring Approach:
To me, art is about discovery. It is about challenging yourself to try new things and see where it leads. It is a discipline that requires skill, but it can also be about complete freedom. It is important to find a balance between them.

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Personal Description:
Hi! My name is Jessica, and I hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology from the University of Kent. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience working within the education and healthcare sectors, primarily focusing on supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). My professional journey has been dedicated to enhancing the educational experiences and overall wellbeing of children and adolescents, and I hope to continue doing this through my work tutoring children and young people here.

Teaching Experience:
As a former Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, I supported therapists in running language groups and worked directly with children 1-1 to improve their communication, comprehension, verbal and written skills.

I have also helped to support a number of family members with their Maths skills, working 1-1 to tutor their children and give dedicated space and time to work on their understanding and to help them achieve improvements.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring approach is deeply rooted in empathy, patience, and a personalised understanding of each student's unique needs. Here are the core principles that guide my tutoring methodology:

1. Individualised Learning Plans: Recognising that every student learns differently, I create tailored learning plans that cater to their specific strengths and areas for improvement. This personalised approach ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically.

2. Building Strong Relationships: My background in relationship management and communication with key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and educational institutions, has equipped me with the skills to build strong, trusting relationships with my students and their families. I believe that a supportive and collaborative environment is essential for effective learning.

3. Interactive and Engaging Lessons: I strive to make my lessons as engaging and interactive as possible. Using a variety of teaching tools and techniques, I aim to keep students motivated and excited about learning. Whether it's through hands-on activities, visual aids, or real-world examples, I ensure that my lessons are both educational and enjoyable.

4. Focus on Wellbeing: Understanding the importance of mental health and wellbeing, I incorporate strategies that promote a positive mindset and emotional resilience. My experience working with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) allows me to support students not just academically, but holistically.

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