Syston Thrussington Tutors & Syston Thrussington Tuition

Personal Description:
I have a passion for the English language and its literature which is reflected in my work. I really enjoy tutoring, because I know the one-to-one learning situation gives students the attention and focus which they need to improve, and which they cannot get in school. I am a parent, a published poet and occasional actor. PLEASE NOTE: Idonot do trial lessons.Please trust my knowledge and experience.

Teaching Experience:
I have 30 years' experience of teaching English to kids of varying backgrounds and abilities (11 to 18 up to A level) so I have built up an extensive bank of resources over the years, which I use to carefully prepare for lessons. I am also an experienced examiner for AQA, which offers valuable insights into exactly how to achieve high GCSE grades .I recently received the JCQ certificate for services to examing. I have been tutoring successfully for seven years now, and my knowledge and expertise would be very useful to students aiming at high marks in GCSE and A level exams. Recently, I have helped a pupil win a scholarship to high-achieving independent QEGS in Wakefield, and others to gain entrance to grammar schools

Tutoring Approach:
I am patient, friendly and easy to get on with. I have always tried to make my lessons interesting, relevant and inter-active. I tailor my teaching to the pupil and know that praise and encouragement are the keys to confidence and progress. A good sense of humour is vital,too.
I have helped to improve the grades of many pupils, some of whom have achieved the highest grade at GCSE, and have coached younger ones through entrance exams to sought-after schools. One student, whom I tutored for three years, progressed from a poor level 4 in year 8 to GCSE grade B, the minimum requirement for A levels in many good schools, while others have achieved the A* grades required for their chosen paths.
I have achieved high ratings from the parents of students I have tutored. A good tutor can make a difference with focused one-to-one attention, and I am a good, committed tutor..NB I offer discounts for online tuition.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am expert mathematician with double degree in mathematics from prestigious UK university and full time tutor for more than 14 years of teaching experience. I am fully experienced in building student confidence to solve challenging maths problem at GCSE, A level and university level. Last year I have achieved above 90% success rate in exams through result-orientated teaching methods.

Teaching Experience:
Key stage 3 and GCSE level- 14+ years
A level - 14+ years
Undergraduates 6+ years

Tutoring Approach:
I am offering online one to one and small group tuition to GCSEs, A-levels and undergraduates. My method of teaching mathematics is based upon rigorous practice on exam style questions.

My in-depth subject knowledge and mentoring experience means I can approach problems multiple ways and select the methods best suited to my student. Above 90% of my students achieved their target grade or better result last year. Biggest gift I can give to student is confidence to solve problems and manage time to relief exam stress so that they can focus on gaining maximum mark in the exam.That is why my focus is on guiding student to the solution by promoting independent learning and research skills.

I am discounting all my fees in order to help students stranded at home by ongoing corona pandemic. Please contact me as soon as possible to take advantage of this discount.

CRB checked: Yes
References will be provided upon request.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I`m Carmen. I am a Cambridge Graduate with a Degree in German language, literature and history. I offer fun and informative lessons in German and History. Whether you are aiming for exams or simply want to brush up your languages skills to make friends on holiday, I can help! I love learning new languages and understand the challenges language learners face using a range of resources and learning techniques, I aim to help you learn to love improving your languages skills too!

I can teach at my home in York or can travel to you, or meet you at a mutually convenient location in York or Leeds.

Teaching Experience:
I have French, Latin, History and German A-levels at A or A* grade and have been tutoring since I was in sixth form. have experience teaching a range of ages and am skilled at tailoring classes to your needs. I recently spent 6 months in German-speaking Namibia teaching English, German, History and Music, in individual and group classes to pupils from 7 to 18. I have also taught English as a Foreign Language to ages 8 to adult at a summer camp in Kazakhstan, and have spent 3 summers teaching at a summer camp in Texas.

Tutoring Approach:
I understand that there is no one-size fits all approach to teaching and listen to my pupils to fit out what works best for them. Learning languages should be fun, so I use a range of resources and topics to engage my pupils in their language learning. I combine this with providing a detailed understanding of the grammatical mechanisms of the language, as these are vital for fluency.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I hold a PhD Degree in Geology, MSc. in Applied Environmental Geology and BSc. Geology (First-Class Honours). I have studied both in in Kenya and in the UK and I have developed great skills as an academic writer and an independent consultant in my field.

I am currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Nairobi that is funded by FCDO, through the University of Oxford.

I enjoy using my free time to helping students online to better understand their Earth Science subjects and obtain excellent grades through my tutoring service.


I am always available day and night!

Teaching Experience:
I have 4 years of online tutoring and 2 years of class-room teaching. I can teach all units in Geology, Business studies and English. My students have always enjoyed my online lessons especially when helping with the assignments, English proofreading, essay structuring and writing etc.

Testimonials:

"Florence is a wonderful tutor , I recommend"


"Florence is a friendly tutor. I also thought she was very inspiring"

"She helped me complete my dissertation with ease"


Feel free to test my tutoring skills

Tutoring Approach:
I tutor remotely only since the COVID-19 lockdown.

Once you obtain my contacts here, we hold meetings via Zoom or Google Meet to discuss your learning needs. Then thigns will fow from there.


I enjoy being an online tutor!

Kind regards,
Dr. Florence

Subjects

Personal Description:
Welcome, artist friend! I'm Calina and I have been studying art since 1986. I have created the way in this field for more than 35 years. Currently I live and create in Earley (Reading). I love and I am pleased to expanding the field of Abstract Expressionism. I use simplified shapes with small details in the descriptive scenes.
A big part of my inspiration comes from the natural surroundings and through my travels. The main topic that I approach it is landscape, in all moods and mysteries. Through my art I would like to share with you different states of nature.The composition is balanced by the characters you always find in nature: different species of trees, wild animals and their world. The diversity of materials that I use helps me to create in the smallest details, impressions created about the natural world and our experiences with it.
My works can be found in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. I can't imagine a single day without the colours, brushes and canvases.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring art from 2015 to all different ages and abilities from young kids to adult learners. I have furthered my experience with children after school program. My philosophy in teaching, is to produce lessons that excite and inspire. I have an enthusiastic style and my lessons are delivered using a variety of the latest learning techniques.

Tutoring Approach:
In my studio you will find motivating encouragement, wild enthusiasm, exciting ideas! Both thought provoking and inspiring, and concrete actions to take in service to your dream of creating the art that is true to you.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello and welcome!
My name is Ellie, and I'm an experienced Greek tutor with a strong academic background and a deep passion for teaching. I have been teaching Greek as a second and foreign language for over 10 years, working with students of all ages, language levels, and cultural backgrounds. From complete beginners to advanced learners, I adapt my lessons to each student's needs and learning style, creating a supportive and engaging environment that helps them thrive.
I was born and raised in Greece and hold a BA and MA in Greek Language & Literature from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 2014, I moved to the UK to pursue a Ph.D. in Modern Greek Studies, which I successfully completed in 2020. My academic training has given me a deep understanding of Greek language, literature, and culture-knowledge I love sharing with my students.
I am currently based in Essex, UK, and continue to teach Greek both in-person and online. Whether you`re learning Greek for travel, heritage, academic, or professional reasons, I'm here to help you reach your goals with confidence. Let's make your Greek learning journey rewarding and enjoyable-together!

Teaching Experience:
2014-Present - Private Tutor in Modern Greek
Providing personalised one-to-one and small group lessons to learners of all ages and levels. Specialising in tailored language instruction for adults, heritage speakers, and exam preparation. Developing individual learning plans to help learners build confidence and fluency in Greek.

2014-2018 - Greek Language Teacher, Apostolos Andreas Greek School, Birmingham, UK
Taught Greek as a heritage language to school-aged children in a structured classroom setting. Created engaging lesson materials and supported students in improving reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is personalised and student-centered, focusing on your individual goals and learning style. I combine structured lessons with interactive activities to make learning Greek enjoyable and effective. Whether you prefer conversation practice, grammar drills, or cultural insights, I tailor each session to keep you motivated and confident.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have dedicated over 11 years to teaching students in Maths and Accounts from 8 years old to 60+. I am up-to-date with the ongoing curriculum changes and have covered KS2 up to and including GCSE levels. I have taught students with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours and have gained experience in the need to adjust teaching styles to each individual.

Teaching Experience:
I have dedicated over 11 years to teaching students in Maths and Accounts from 8 years old to 60+. I am up-to-date with the ongoing changes in curriculum and have covered KS2 up to and including GCSE levels. I have taught students with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours and have gained experience in the need to adjust teaching styles to each individual.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is generally tailored to each individual student. Most students are inclined to learning using various visual, auditory, kinaesthetic methods of teaching and I adopt this approach in my lessons as much as possible. My general approach centres around identifying key areas of difficulty, areas of misunderstanding, consolidation through questions and preparation for exams using a holistic approach.

The first session is spent assessing what would be most useful for the individual student.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Experienced, qualified and patient tutor of Spanish in Cambridge.

I offer Spanish tuition to students of all ages and abilities, including preparation for GCSE oral and written examinations.

Whether you are studying Spanish at school, for business fluency or simply for travel and leisure I can provide a structured learning approach which is also fun.


About me:

I am originally from Argentina and have spent 10 years living and working in Spain, Germany and the UK.

I am a qualified Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language from the Cervantes Institute in Munich and have taught Business Spanish to companies in Germany, as well as a teacher at La Dante and Cactus Language Schools in Cambridge.

I am happy to teach at your home or other suitable locations around Cambridge.

I have a full current DBS check.


Please contact me and I will be happy to provide more information.




Maria

Teaching Experience:
WORK EXPERIENCE
TEACHING SPANISH
11-2018 / currently // Spanish Teacher. Individual and group classes for adults. La Dante European Cultural Centre, Cambridge, UK.
• Grammar, pronunciation, composition, spelling, vocabulary, and dialogue.
• Exercises and correction.
• Creation lesson plans.
• Preparation activities in the classroom.
• Organization of teaching materials.
• Language improvement and reinforcement tasks.
• Student evaluations

09-2017 / 03-2018 // Spanish Teacher for business. Individual and group classes for adults. Kunz & Kunz Haus, Munich, Germany.
• Speaking, listening, reading and writing in a business context.
• Business communication tips for International travel to Latin America.
• Spanish technical language in sales and marketing and customer service.
• Business rules and regulations in Latin America.

01-2017 /06-2017// Spanish Teacher. Individual and group classes. Schülerhilfe, Munich,
Germany.
• Grammar, pronunciation, composition, spelling, vocabulary, and dialogue.
• Exercises and correction.
• Student evaluations.

FINE ARTS
02-2014 / currently // Teacher and Art Assistant. Artist Joaquín Fargas and Maimóides University
• Teaching educational workshops about Art, Science, and Technology in primary and secondary schools and in universities.
• Supporting and solving conceptual research projects to students and artists.
• Art Research for art projects.

Tutoring Approach:
I'm a teacher that's trained in identifying problems specific to the way yours Spanish and adapt the lessons to turn those weaknesses into strengths! I take each of the skills needed in the exam, look at how the skill works, why it's important, start with simpler examples before working up to exam level examples.

Through this step by step approach, we work together to build up your confidence for not only the exam, but also for a life afterwards using Spanish more naturally day to day. I will never rush you through any of the skills and only move onto the next part of the practice. Your pace matters as I'd like you to enjoy the classes, and not just learn from them.

Subjects

Personal Description:
PLEASE SEE 'TUTORING EXPERIENCE' BELOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS PAGE, THE RESULTS AND FEEDBACK

I am an Oxford graduate (English language and literature, first class), as well as a qualified English teacher, and have been tutoring since 2013. My specialism is A-level English literature.

Please get in touch for online English tuition, particularly if you are or your child is

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2026/27
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a double first in English language and literature, winning the prize for the best performance in English finals at Mansfield College, and the college essay prize. At school, I was awarded eleven GCSEs at A-star and three A-levels at A.

As well as tutoring, I have worked as a researcher, a copywriter, and a proofreader. I have also completed a PGCE in secondary English at the UCL Institute of Education, the highest-ranking college of education in the world ('QS World University Rankings'), during which I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools, and received A's for my master's-level assignments. I am currently pursuing a PhD in English literature at the University of Buckingham.

As well as English tuition at any level, I can help you or your child with the following:

• Oxbridge entrance (the admissions process, practice interviews, the ELAT, etc.)
• Essay surgery - how to structure and write an essay
• How to revise - note-taking, organisation, making connections, committing to memory
• Grammar, punctuation, and style (a.k.a. 'usage and abusage')
• Speech-writing and public speaking
• Proofreading and redrafting essays
• Suggested reading and resources, including access to my library of 'TES' resources
• Creative writing
• How to annotate, analyse (and enjoy) English literature - sometimes known as 'close reading' or 'practical criticism'
• If you'd specifically like written feedback on your writing - more like a correspondence course - then I can also provide that.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, writing, and photography.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD. And I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in the exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

*

A student, June 2025: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June 2025: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June 2025: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May 2025: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May 2025: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February 2025: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January 2025: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

Kate, a parent, December 2024: 'We're so pleased [G.] is enjoying his sessions and seems to be really motivated to read widely in between sessions, is making useful structured notes (which he didn't do before) and his confidence and awareness of what he needs to do when essay writing is really building. Thank you!!!'

Eleni, a parent, December 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that [D.] received an offer […] today! She is super happy! […] I wanted to thank you again as [D.] found your sessions incredibly helpful and inceased her confidence during the exams process.'

*

A-level results, August 2024:

'I wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you for all the help, support and inspiration you have given [E.] over the past year. You have not only given her the technical advice and support to help her make the most of her essays and exams, but more importantly you have helped her keep the love of the subject alive. I know a big part of the reason she is so excited to study English at university is because of how much she has enjoyed your conversations, and how you have helped her to consider texts in a way that the rather narrower scope of teaching at school does not allow. I am so very grateful to you and I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into her sessions - thank you so very much. […] You've been so great, and any other student/parent would be lucky to have access to your teaching.'

'I have just opened my results and am happy to confirm that I am off to Bristol this September with an A* in English! I just want to thank you again for making this possible.'

'I got an A in English, and will be going to Exeter, so mission accomplished. I wanted to thank you for all your help, not only for helping me to get what I needed, but for giving me back my confidence and enjoyment of the subject in the process.'

'Just to let you know [I.] got her results this morning and achieved an 'A' in English. We are over the moon […] Thank you again for all your help with the English, it's much appreciated.'

'thanks for your help this past academic year! Got two A*s in English and Philosophy'.

'I got a B and I was accepted into my firm university (Durham) which I am very happy! Thank you for all your help and support.'

'I was really happy to receive […] A in English Literature […] I secured a placed at my firm university. I will be studying English Literature at Durham University this September and I am very excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!'

'i got into Warwick with […] an A* in English!!!!! I am very happy :) Thank you for all your hard work, wisdom and wit over the last year or two'.

'Thank you so much for all your coaching and advice that you shared with [L.], it made such a difference to his confidence leading up to his exams. He is (as are we) delighted with his English result.'

'an A awarded in English […] so she is off to her first choice of Edinburgh University to study History of Art and English Literature.'

'Results day went well and I'm going to the university of Kent. Thank you so much again for all the time spent helping me to prepare for my exams it means a lot I'm very excited to continue my English literature journey.'

*

A student, June 2024: 'Thank you so much for being the most amazing English teacher! It has been an immensely rewarding and interesting journey exploring so many books […] I have learnt so much from GCSEs to continuing with more amazing literatures in A-levels'

A student, June 2024: 'I […] wanted to say thank you for the tremendous help you have provided with the English content throughout the A level period. The resources that you provided for me were quite helpful in refining my knowledge in many areas of the syllabus so thank you very much.'

A student, May 2024: 'I've just received the results for my english coursework and wanted to thank you for all the help and feedback!!'

A parent, February 2024: 'your help has kept her love of the subject and her enthusiasm alive and I can't thank you enough for that.'

A parent, February 2024: 'You were such a huge help to [S.], we will always be very grateful to you.'

Kath, a parent, February 2024: 'We would both like to thank you for all your invaluable help, especially all the helpful feedback on the coursework essay. [S.] has definitely learnt a lot and grown in confidence, especially in her knowledge of Twelfth Night.'

A student, January 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that I got an offer from Oxford! Thank you so much for checking over my personal statement and all the help that you have given me since GCSEs. I really enjoy our sessions every week, the discussions keep me constantly creative and thinking.'

A parent, January 2024: 'Thank you as always for all your continued help and support for [E.]. I know she gets a tremendous amount from your sessions and I'm very grateful.'

A student, January 2024: 'Just emailing to let you know I did get an offer from […] Cambridge yesterday so thank you so much for all your help! It is really appreciated and I'm really looking forward to starting my degree in October!'

A student, December 2023: 'So thank you so much again for all your help; your insights have been very useful and I have really enjoyed talking about literature with you.'

Tara, a parent, November 2023: 'you are really helping [R.], he is becoming much more confident. Thank you so much'.

Paula, a parent, November 2023: '[M.] is always delighted with your teaching. You are asking questions no one else does. My husband and I see her grow academically after every session with you.'

Liz, a parent, October 2023: 'Thank you so much for all the work you have done with, and the kindness you have shown, [E.] to date. She really enjoys her sessions with you, and you've helped keep her enthusiasm for English very much alive. I'm so grateful.'

Kim, a parent, August 2023: 'I cannot tell you how happy we all were and your help was clearly instrumental in that. Not sure if he told you but he got 12 points above an A* and it was his best A level result!'

A student, August 2023: 'I really enjoyed our lessons and think it has really helped prepare me for the Oxford style tutorials.'

A student, August 2023: 'wanted to let you know I ended up getting an A* in English, thanks so much for all the help!'

Mark, a parent, June 2023: 'Many thanks josh for your help this year. [E.] has said to me it has really helped, you started assisting her at a time when she felt behind her class mates for the whole of the first year, having switched to English half way through term one.'

Melanie, a parent, June 2023: 'Thank you so much for all your time and effort with [T.]'s English literature. She really enjoyed your sessions together and it really boosted her confidence and inspired her to think more deeply and critically about the texts. It also confirmed that she is happy and excited to study a literature based course at degree level.'

*

A-level results, August/September 2022:

'[L.] came home from university yesterday to attend her school prize giving ceremony, and this morning as she was leaving she asked me to let you know that she won a special prize in English […] Until last night, she wasn't aware of any of her awards, apart from her scholarship, so it was all a lovely surprise. Furthermore, the essays she wrote in her A level English exams have somehow found their way into her teachers' hands; they told her, with beams of pride , that the three marks dropped overall were actually in her *non exam* assessment, so 30/30 in all questions across all papers under exam conditions, something she had never achieved before. She had admitted to me in the aftermath of the exams that when she was writing her English papers she had really enjoyed the process, her thoughts flowing pretty effortlessly on to the paper. But she had also worried this stream of ideas might not be fit with the mark schemes. […] she […] wanted you to know about her prize, as she thought you'd be pleased, and she also wanted to say thanks one last time for your inspirational teaching that led to it.'

'I got AAA* for my results much higher than my predicted! particularly for english'.

'[G.] got an A star in English. And is off to Oxford. […] Thanks so much for everything - you were honestly amazing and really helped her get there'.

'[L.] got 3 a stars and an A star as well in her EPQ. Her highest marks were in English Literature ( 197/200)'.

'I achieved 4A*s in my Alevels - one being in English Literature. My teachers also let me know that I got full marks in both the exam papers'.

'[T.] smashed English Literature, A* […] she is absolutely over the moon . Thank you so much for all the work you put in with her !'

'I got a D[distinction]2!!! […] I got full marks on my PI!'

'I got an A* in English!!! Thank you so much for all of your help I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!'

*

A student, January 2023: 'Just wanted to let you know I got an offer from Cambridge, thank you so so much for all your help.' And Kathryn: 'You were such a great help to [E.] in her preparation for the Cambridge application and interview and we were all delighted when she was offered a place this week. Thank you for all the support you gave her.'

Shaun, a parent, January 2023: '[E.] has found the sessions really very helpful (and has enjoyed them!)'

Guifang, a parent, December 2022: 'From what I hear from [S.], she really enjoys her discussions with you, it's really one of the highlights of her week.'

A student, November 2022: 'I'm extremely happy to tell you that I received an 8.3 for the literary review […] Thank you for explaining to me what a literary review is […] I remember whilst working on it I was so worried about my grade, but it appears I've survived.'

Deborah, a parent, September 2022: 'a huge thanks again to you for all your work with [S.]. I know he has been in touch to let you know that he got 9s in both English Language and Literature. He was over the moon - well beyond his best hopes, so thank you again for being instrumental in helping him attain those grades.'

Karen, a parent, August 2022: 'Both my girls really like your way of teaching and talking to them, they feel really listened to and respected for their opinions (as well as respecting yours obviously), so thank you :)'

Helen, a parent, July 2022: 'Thanks so much for all the help you gave [J.], he really benefitted from the sessions he had with you.'

Tara, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all your help and patience - I think you have been brilliant for her confidence. She found English exams really very difficult before she started talking to you and it's amazing to see how much calmer (relatively speaking!) she has been going in to her A level English papers. Whatever the result, her sessions with you have definitely helped her to enjoy English again and I'm really grateful.'

A student, June 2022: 'This is incredibly insightful and thought provoking feedback. Thank you so much.'

Mei, a parent, June 2022: 'She found your lessons very helpful and always remarked to me how much you went the extra mile for her ; looking up and sending on links to whatever you'd been discussing. Much appreciated!'

Marguerite, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all you've done for [T.] in the past year . […] you are a very talented teacher.'

Monica, a parent, June 2022: 'You have been an absolutely wonderful tutor to [L.], and how time has flown since she first met you! […] Many a time she has needed someone to talk to, not so much about AO1-5, but rather about the beauty and burden of literature and life. You have always been willing to do that, and she is richer for it.'

A student, June 2022: 'Thank you for teaching me for the last year; I have enjoyed our lessons and I feel I have grown as an English student, with thanks to your teaching.'

A student, April 2022: 'I received an 8 for my essay!! I want to thank you for your tutoring on Keats and Wordsworth- I wouldn't have gotten such a grade without it!! […] I learned tons because of you.'

Ngozi, a parent, March 2022: 'Thanks for everything that you're doing for [G.] - it has been very helpful.'

A student, February 2022: 'Really, thanks so much. Was such a good and efficient service. Your feedback looks really good and I'm going to implement it today. […] Thanks again for doing this on such short notice'.

Deborah, a parent, October 2021: '[S.] said you make it really fun - he said at school his energy goes down in English lessons and with you it goes up! So that is praise indeed from a teenage boy!'

A student, August 2021: 'I got the A grade ! I'm so pleased, thank you for all the help and the essays really paid off :).'

Monica, a parent, July 2021: 'As would be expected from his first class qualifications, Josh is extremely intelligent. However, in my opinion, he has a a very particular advantage over others of a similar academic background, namely his ability to exhibit an authentic interest in the ideas his students express. He is always kind and encouraging, but without sacrificing rigour; this approach has had a hugely positive impact on my daughter when speaking, writing and reading. Furthermore, Josh has introduced her to a range of authors, poets , films and philosophical thought, thus enriching her far beyond the school curriculum. In the future, my daughter will undoubtedly look back on her time with Josh with both fondness and gratitude. I have no hesitation in recommending Josh as a tutor'.

Guifang, a parent, July 2021: 'I have know Joshua for 2 months and He has been supporting my daughter excellently through her GCSE courses, helping her to achieve a 9 in predicted grades. From this, Joshua has always been very serious with the work, needless to say, always punctual and gives detailed homework feedback. I know him to be a wonderful tutor to my daughter.'

Susan, a parent, May 2021: '[T]hank you so much for all your help with [N.] […] [N.] found your lessons extremely helpful which enabled her to enjoy and understand English in a greater depth […] it was excellent tuition . Thank you'.

Jamal, a parent, May 2021: 'Thank you Josh for all your efforts, you have greatly assisted [S.] in better understanding English Literature as whole.'

Zahed, a parent, May 2021: 'We are grateful for all your help and support. We are in no doubt that [A.] has improved a lot in English Literature under your guidance.'

A student, May 2021: 'I just got my coursework back and got an A in it. Just thought i should let you know thanks you!'

Margaret, a parent, March 2021: 'Thanks for helping [M.] to improve her English understanding. She really enjoys her lessons and chats!'

Chris, a parent, March 2021: '[R.] is benefiting immensely from your lessons and is definitely getting more confident in expressing his thoughts in writing! Thank you.'

Amanda, a parent, December 2020: 'Josh has really helped join the dots, encouraged a depth of questioning and ways to interpret and compare ideas, extracting and bringing fresh meaning to narrative styles and creative use of language. Josh has been a great support and steered [R.]'s confidence to look more thoroughly and develop a greater understanding all round. Josh has a kind, approachable style and encouraged [R.] with debating aloud and suggestions for further reading which all continue to be an invaluable help and inspire greater confidence in approaching exams and further reading in future!'

A student, December 2020: 'He helps focus my understanding and makes sure i understand the topic we are learning before moving on. Josh will make sure to ask you questions throughout the process and is always ready for your ideas even if you think it's wrong. He will set homework but makes sure to switch it up each week to make it more interesting and gives his feedback to help me understand what i need to do to improve.'

Diana, a parent, September 2020: 'Josh worked with my daughter for her A Level in English Literature. He was outstanding with his ideas and expanding her critical thinking. He went above and beyond to develop her analytical skills and as a result helped her obtain an A*. He is an absolutely lovely, gentle but dynamic and reliable tutor who has a rare ability combine his academic achievement with a natural talent for teaching. A real gem and we cannot thank him enough.'

A parent, September 2020: 'Joshua is an excellent tutor with great communication skills . He is very patient , helpful , approachable and takes time to explain everything clearly to my daughter . Joshua has been able to breakdown and explain in full detail all aspects of the A Level content.'

A student, June 2020: 'it's been great being taught by you, I've learned so many critical thinking skills in such a short space of time.'

A parent, March 2020: 'I can't thank you enough for everything that you've done for her - you've been the best English teacher she's ever had and she has loved her time with you.'

*

During my teacher training, I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools.

While at Oxford, I was part of an 'e-mentoring' scheme to help candidates from schools without a history of Oxbridge applications.

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature. In English we covered 'The Tempest', Gothic literature, Pat Barker's 'Regeneration', 'Jane Eyre', Wilfred Owen, and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Tutoring Approach:
I try to combine three things that I want my students to do, which are three forms of thinking: speak about complex ideas, read high-quality material, and write essays for which they will receive detailed feedback. For obvious reasons, lessons are weighted to speaking, and homework to reading and writing.

Speaking

Pedagogy's holy grail is measuring progress, which is difficult in a classroom and impossible in a lecture. Happily, the tutorial system allows this to occur continuously and efficiently via dialogue. Can a student re-express an idea they have heard or read in their own words? If the answer is yes, they have probably understood the idea. Hence the constant questions!

As well as understanding the ideas of others, speaking is essential for students to develop their own. I love the quotation from the novelist E. M. Forster, 'How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?' We improve the quality of our ideas through the process of articulating them.

For my part, quite a lot of what I say is explaining what texts mean. This might sound obvious, but great works of literature are complex, so, to understand their meaning, one's own interpretation probably needs the support of others' prior interpretations.

I sometimes like to break the question of a text's meaning into two: What's it about? And what's it really about? Answering the first question is comprehension, a necessary first step. To answer the second question is to understand. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', for example, Blanche goes to live with her sister in New Orleans. She expresses a strong dislike of her surroundings and is frequently associated with images of water. She declines mentally and is eventually taken away. So what's the play really about? Blanche is a Romantic idealist who is disappointed with her life but still tends to imagine things in their perfect form. The play is about the human soul conceiving of things being as good as they could be (as if cleansed by water), reaching for the conception, and failing to grasp it - shuttling back and forth, in other words, on the streetcar named desire.

One thing I frequently encourage is making the link between those oft-cited elements of a good essay, themes and quotations. These are not unrelated ingredients, they are the text itself viewed from different distances. A theme (the desire to be cleansed) is a wide shot, and a quotation ('the land of the sky blue water') is a close-up. So the student of English has to practise their ability to zoom in and out.

Another way I try to support my students' studies is by making connections between the texts they are reading, which in my experience doesn't happen that much at school. Particularly at A-level, there are often many fruitful connections between the half-dozen or so texts being studied: the Romantics were devoted to Shakespeare and Milton, the Gothic is an aspect of the Romantic, the Aesthetic Movement drew on particular strains of Romanticism, etc. When these connections get made with reference to particular writers, they are no longer just isms. They make the material deeper and easier to understand at the same time. Towards the end of their school careers, students of the humanities should be able to get the sense of taking part in 'the Great Conversation that began in the dawn of history and that continues to the present day' (Robert M. Hutchins).

Reading

I regularly give my students PDFs of high-quality secondary material pitched at their level or just above it. Explanatory notes, commentaries, and essays can help with understanding, particularly when it comes to context. (And all exam boards have assessment objectives relating to historical context.) To know that a text was written during a particular period and what characterised that period is to have a mental scaffold that does not limit movement but frees it. In studying the humanities we are studying human culture, and no one can do that without a bit of structure. It also helps when thinking about texts in relation to each other - when writing a comparative essay, for example. I like to think of honing in from context to text, e.g. Romanticism (late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) > William Blake (1757-1827) > 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' (1794) > 'The Tyger'. (What's 'The Tyger' about? There's a question!)

In my experience, knowledge acquisition operates according to the Matthew principle, named after a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: 'unto every one that hath shall be given'. In other words, the more you've got, the more you'll get. Every time you learn something about Romanticism, the greater will be your understanding of the poetry of William Blake. Your internal bookshelves expand - more connections, greater understanding. Reading secondary material is obviously 'extra', but it works to enhance students' understanding of set texts rather than crowd them out. Homer Simpson said, 'every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain', and we laugh because it's not true. You can't fill up a brain, so the cliché about people's (particularly young people's) limitless potential is true. Every time you learn something new, you enrich your contextual understanding of everything else you have ever learnt. '[E]very moment is a new and shocking / Valuation of all we have been', as T. S. Eliot put it in 'East Coker'.

Writing

Speaking and reading are in a concrete way preparation for writing. If you think and make notes while speaking and reading, by the time it comes to writing an essay, the question should not be about what to say, but how to arrange the things you want to say. So annotation is an important skill. It's a bit like getting 'in the zone' for a sportsperson - students must practise getting there and staying there. I model the annotation process something like this:

Read with a pencil in your hand. What makes you underline? Something fires in your brain, so that you have a response - you spot a developing theme, you're reminded of another book, you agree or disagree, there's a word you don't know and need to look up, you like the way a sentence sounds. It could be anything. Read until you've underlined twenty words or sentences. Work out the three or four connections between the things you have to say, and you've got a paragraph plan. Work out the main thing you have to say, and you have a thesis for your essay, which, as you aim your paragraphs at it, will accumulate force.

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.

When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Robert is a Film/TV Composer, Music Producer and Songwriter from Hertfordshire England.

Robert is a graduate of the prestigious (SMPTV) Screen Scoring Masters program at USC (Thornton school of music). He was mentored by renowned film composers including; Bruce Broughton, Christopher Young & Patrick Kirst. At USC he was awarded the 'Nordstrom Family Scholarship'. At this time Robert was also welcomed into the British Academy of Film and Television Arts family after becoming the recipient of the 'BAFTA LA Access for all Scholarship'.
In 2019 his ongoing relationship with BAFTA continued as he was invited onto the BAFTA LA Newcomers program.

In 2015 Robert Graduated from Leeds Conservatoire of Music with a 2:1 in Music Production and Music Composition. During his time there he studied under the tutorship of Brian Morrell, Alex Halliday and Jiannis Pavlidis.

Over the years, Robert has worked as a private tutor for GCSE, BTEC and A-level students and as a guitar instructor.
He has worked with a U.K. based classical choir as their music producer and arranger, and also as an artist in residence in various schools in England, where he offered advice to young musicians. Robert is also currently working in the music industry as a Songwriter and Producer alongside several British artists and has previously worked in studios across London and Los Angeles such as Abbey Road and Capitol Records.


As a film composer, Robert has worked with composers such as Kevin Kiner (Lucasfilm 'Star Wars: the Clone Wars' | Warner Brothers/DC 'Doom Patrol') & Layla Minoui (ABC 'Castle' | Disney 'Vampirina'). As well as continuing to work on a wide variety of film & visual media projects as a freelance composer.
He has scored the music to a number of short and independent films which have been nominated & screened at various European & U.S film festivals. Robert has also written music for a variety of other visual media projects. Including commercials, video games and more recently for programs airing on National Geographic.

Teaching Experience:
7+ Years of Private tuition.
(Guitar, Music performance skills, composition, GCSE BTEC & A-Level)

Tutoring Approach:
I am very personable and have an easy going personality. I often like to let my students direct the flow of sessions, in line with their academic needs.
Every student learns in a different way and at a different pace. I always make sure I cater for my students preferred way of learning by employing a wide range of teaching methods.
I'm able to relate to the younger generation when teaching and I can often use modern examples to explain older musical techniques and rules. This helps my students engage with the curriculum on a personal level and deepen their understanding of music. I also have experience working with people who have learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a passionate and dedicated professional. I have taught in Secondary and A Level teaching for over 10 years. I am based in Worthing, West Sussex, and happy to come to you if within a close distance. However, I am eager to support engaged and aspiring students from anywhere thanks to online tutoring. I have a young family just starting their educational journey, whilst I support the oldest ones edging towards the end of theirs!
I love walking, water sports, reading and politics. I am a big fan of educational science and research!

I AM AVAILABLE TO BEGIN TUTORING FROM JANUARY 2023, AND CAN CONTINUE THROUGH HOLIDAYS AS YOU NEED. I HAVE LIMITED SPACES, SO PLEASE BOOK UP QUICK! SMALL GROUP/SIBLING SESSIONS CAN BE DISCUSSED.

Teaching Experience:
I am a highly successful GCSE and A Level teacher of over 10 years. As well as QTS status, I am a T&L specialist with additional qualifications of Cteach and Advanced Teacher Status, as well as qualified and highly successful SENDCo. I am a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. I lead in inclusion and diversity - supporting schools to break the barriers of inequality. Previously I have been Head of Departments for History and Social Sciences before moving further in my career. I have a passion for engaging and challenging T&L, and focus on nurturing skills as well as context and narrative. I can adapt my teaching to suit any age range or ability and have great success in top grade outcomes (A Level A/A*, and GCSE 7+) as well as supporting children achieve their aspirations.

In short, as a tutor I offer you:

- EXPERIENCED teacher of over 12 years
- EXPERIENCED HoD: Psychology and Sociology for 7 years - ALPS 1/2 outcome
- EXPERIENCED History A Level teacher contributing toward History Alps 2
- excellent GCSE outcomes consistently
- essay writing specialist - can offer live marking, feedback, support and extended writing
- experienced EPQ mentor and marker
- University referee
- FULL enhanced DBS (dated Oct 2022) available on request

WHAT I OFFER AS A TUTOR:
- AQA PSYCHOLOGY AS/A LEVEL: specialist tutoring for Paper 1 and 3 AQA board

- AQA SOCIOLOGY AS/A LEVEL: specialist tutoring for paper 1 and 3, able to support paper 2 Family, Media AQA board

- EDEXCEL HISTORY AS/A LEVEL: specialist tutoring for: Italian Fascism, 20th Century America, able to support South Africa, Weimar/Nazi Germany, Suffragettes - Edexcel/Pearson exam board

- EDEXCEL HISTORY GCSE: specialist tutoring for Weimar and Nazi Germany, Crime and Punishment (inc. Whitechapel environment), Cold War, Elizabeth 1558-1588. Abilty to support countless other courses inc. American Civil Rights, American West. Edexcel/Pearson exam board

ONLINE LESSONS MAINLY, HOWEVER WITHIN THE WORTHING AREA I CAN COME TO YOU.
INTERACTIVE, BESPOKE LESSONS TO CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT PROGRESS REGARDLESS OF THE MODE OF DELIVERY!

Tutoring Approach:
I am an inclusive practitioner who prioritises T&L innovation, inclusion and engagement in the classroom. All my lessons are bespoke; created and resourced to the highest level.

I offer live feedback, feeding forward to ensure students can apply the feedback to future tasks, as well as imroving upon work done.

I use a wide range of resources and approaches to build up a trusted and effective student/teacher relationship.

I will ensure my guidance supports existing learning, as well as nurturing student confidence and resilience. I am able to deliver set lessons or schemes, as well as support in a more ad hoc way as the student needs change over time ie revsion for exams, hwk support etc.

Subjects

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.

Subjects