Westoning Tutors & Westoning Tuition

Personal Description:
I am an experienced and well qualified teacher with an enthusiasm for my subject and a real concern for those who struggle with maths. I have helped many get over their fear of maths as well as helping able students to gain Oxbridge places. I have retired to this area where I enjoy living near the sea, and walking. I volunteer at the Regent Centre, sing with the Grange Choral Society and have three grandchildren, two in London and one in USA and spend what time I can with them, using skype to talk to my family in USA. My husband and I both enjoy gardening.

I teach from Junior School to A level, helping pupils to achieve their full potential.

Teaching Experience:
I am an Oxford graduate with more than 20 years of teaching experience in schools including A level maths and further maths (pure, statistics, and with a particular interest in mechanics). I have also given private tutoring for more than 20 years to a large number of pupils studying from SATs to A levels. Many of those I have taught have returned for help with further exams, or have sent their friends to me, so most of my pupils have come through personal recommendation.

If travelling to my home is difficult I am happy to teach over the internet. I am happy to advise how to work with a screen that both teacher and pupil can write on, so that it can work almost Like being in the same room.

Tutoring Approach:
It gives me great pleasure to help those who struggle with maths to gain confidence and even come to enjoy the subject as well as helping the high fliers get their A grades. I think it important to give students work that is within their capability so the pupil can feel the achievement of getting things right, then we can increase the difficulty while maintaining confidence. My pupils have achieved well in public exams.

One to one teaching enables pupils to work at their own pace, and ask all the questions they do not dare ask in school. I can concentrate on each pupil's individual needs.

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Personal Description:
My aim is to help aspiring music producers to take their projects through to completion and gain all the necessary knowledge and skills along the way. After tracks have been completed, i provide guidance in promotion and legal issues. I have solid links with the industry on all levels.

Having worked for SAE International as a course co-ordinator, my teaching material is tried and tested. I have had several success stories from past students and continue to get positive feedback.

I am providing the only valid alternative to full-time Music Production courses: One-on-one, tailor-made, project oriented courses that can be taken in your own time, either in the studio or from the comfort of your own home.

For complete beginners, i have a series of fast-track courses that will give you the basic skills and tools you need to start your journey into the music industry.

I also provide a production, mixing and mastering service whereby clients can participate in the process and gain invaluable knowledge.

Teaching Experience:
* Honours Degree in Recording Arts

* Course coordinator and trainer for SAE (School of Audio Engineering)

* Train the Trainer certified

*Assistant Engineer to Wes Maebe (Sting/Cat Stevens/Chaka Khan)

* 4 years experience as a private tutor

* More than 15 years experience in the industry in the UK and overseas

Tutoring Approach:
I have a humanistic approach when it comes to teaching. Having taught large classes in the past, i much prefer the focus of a one-on-one class. I work at my student's pace, only moving on when he/she is ready.
My classes are hands-on and project oriented with the aim of producing a finished product, be it a full track or simple drum loop.

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Personal Description:
I have recently retired from part time teaching, but intend to continue with my private tuition as this is something that I love doing.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified engineer who took up teaching as a second career. I was a part time teacher of Mathematics in a secondary school. where I have been teaching for 8 years. I have lots of experience teaching one to one to ensure the pupil achieves their maximum potential.
In addition I have had a further 10 years teaching for the County Durham EHN team, mostly one to one, and mainly secondary pupils.

Tutoring Approach:
I have been very successfully providing tuition for a number of years to a whole range of people ranging from 6 to 36 years old. I can provide exam tutoring or just general mathematics coaching or specific topic tutoring, whichever is most appropriate the the tutee.

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Personal Description:
I have lived and worked in Plymouth since I finished me degree in 2001. I started as a full time private tutor in 2009 and have been tutoring ever since. I absolutely love this work and am extremely enthusiastic about helping others enjoy and succeed at learning.

I am married and am a mum of two young boys. My hobbies include sports, walking, art, reading, writing and volunteer work with my church.

I am currently away on further training so can no longer do my usual face-to-face lessons, but I am looking at building up my online students.

Teaching Experience:
I have over a decade of experience of helping children, teenagers and adults with their maths and English learning. Whether it is to salvage a struggling student, to catch-up, to succeed in an exam or to excel beyond their current level, I am passionate about helping and unlocking a student's ability to understand and to enable them to enjoy learning.

I hold a BSc degree, 3 A-levels (grade B, including maths), 9 GCSEs (7 As - 2 Bs) and am a graduate of Study Technology. I have been tutoring since 2009 and specialise in the 11+.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style is to tailor all lessons and communication entirely to each student, as each student is unique in the barriers they encounter, and in their level of understanding of the subject. I direct the lessons at a pace, and with content, that the student can comfortably handle and make progress with. I also aim to ensure learning remains light and not too serious: I am friendly and ensure that my students are at ease in lessons so that they feel free to ask questions or to say if they don't understand something.

I aim to always make the lessons visual and interactive and set homework to reinforce what we cover in our lessons. I can post worksheets for the lesson/homework if needed.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have and I look forward to hearing from you.

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Personal Description:
I currently work for Derbyshire County Council as an 'out of school' tutor in the core subjects and also as a private maths tutor. During 2012/13 I worked at Levenshulme High school, an 11-16 girls school in Manchester, where I taught maths. Prior to this I worked at Burnage Media Arts College as a maths teacher and Astley Sports College as a maths teacher with extra responsibilities as the ICT coordinator and the gifted and talented coordinator for the whole school. From completing my degree to pursuing a career in teaching I raced as a semi-professional on the Great Britain National Cycling Squad. I have represented Great Britain at several World Championship events and also the 1998 Commonwealth Games. I have also gained gold medals at both World and National level over the last several years. I am also a member of Glossop mountain Rescue Team.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level maths for 13 years. I have taught in secondary schools in both Tameside and Manchester and also delivered one to one maths tuition throughout this period. I have extensive experience of teaching Edexcel and AQA syllabuses. I have specific experience of one to one tuition to convert grade D students at GCSE to a grade C. I have a Secondary teaching qualification and also an FE teaching qualification. I have a B.Sc honours degree in mathematics.

Tutoring Approach:
All programmes of study are tailored towards the specific needs of each student. It may be exam preparation, exam practise, exam revision or maths 'booster' sessions. I offer a friendly, supportive and affordable service. I use an extensive selection of resources to make learning fun and accessible to all students, whatever their needs. I also offer a 15 minute free consultation prior to any tutoring sessions. I have the flexibility of tutoring both at my own home, at the students' home or ONLINE LESSONS via Skype.

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Personal Description:
I am a french native speaker, teaching french. I am a very enthusiastic person who love contact with people and I enjoy teaching my language to others. I also speak Spanish.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for 21 years in an independent school and I am also a Team Leader and examiner for Edexcel Pearson and AQA exam boards. I am checking , marking and assessing exams at GCSE level and I teach at all levels. As well as teaching my classes on site, I do teach my lessons via video conferencing using zoom, Skype or Teams, the delivery of the lessons online are as good as being in a classroom. Virtual classes are fun and are an easy way to learn from home.

Tutoring Approach:
Very calm and smooth approach with lots of speaking, listening, writing and reading activities to enable students to develop their skills. I also work on the grammar and the verbs which are a huge part of the learning, all students can learn according to their own abilities and develop at their own pace. Grade guaranty.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have a BA Hons (2.1) in English Literature, a PGCE in Primary Education, and a Masters (Distinction) in Creative Writing. I have a current DBS.

I have some availability during the week both after school and evenings. I am also able to tutor home educated children during the day.

I am also be available during the day for home-schooled children.

I can travel to you, or tutor in my home - you are welcome to sit in on the session, sit in my living room, or pop to the shops while I work with your child.

Teaching Experience:
I have over twenty years experience teaching children in primary schools, as well as experience delivering one to one tuition.

I have been tutoring for a number of years now, and really enjoy working one to one with children; I am able to offer exactly what each child needs to make sure they make progress and feel proud and confident in their learning. In some instances I have tutored the same child over several years. I have also begun by tutoring one child in a family, and then been asked to tutor siblings as well.

I am currently teaching part time which means I can keep in touch with changes in the primary curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I offer English and maths tuition for children in the Foundation Stage (4-5 years old), Key Stage One (5-7 years old) and Key Stage Two (7-11 years old).

There are lots of reasons parents may want their child to have one to one tuition. Perhaps your child needs a bit of extra help with a few key concepts, or is lacking confidence in a class situation, or is falling behind their peers. If your child is worried about the Year 6 SATs some extra tuition can make all the difference.I also offer 11 plus preparation.

I offer calm, patient and fun sessions, tailored to address your child`s individual needs. I use a range of techniques, with plenty of practical explanations to ensure your child grasps what they are learning. I have lots of experience working with young children, which means I understand the small steps each child needs to take to ensure their learning is embedded. I aim to make each child feel confident and proud of the progress they are making. Each session also includes ways you can support your child at home, as well as some short feedback so you know what we have been working on.

Contact me and we can discuss your child`s needs further.

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.

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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.'

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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.'

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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.'

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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!'

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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.'

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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.

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Personal Description:
Qualified secondary school teacher. I have been working as a Data Analyst for the last 4 years. Before that, six years' experience - both as a teacher and as a home tutor - teaching the following subjects: Maths, Computing & Spanish, across all key sages. Available to Data Analysis with Microsoft Power BI, evenings, and weekends. I tutor most of my students at home (HP11), or online, and I am also available for in-home tutoring within 5 miles of High Wycombe.

Teaching Experience:
Tutor based in Loudwater (High Wycombe). PGCE qualified. I have been working as a Data Analyst for the last 4 years. Before that, 6 years' experience - both as a teacher and as a home tutor - teaching the following subjects: Maths, Computing & Spanish, across all key stages. Available to tutor Microsoft Power BI mornings, evenings, and weekends. I tutor most of my students at home (HP11), or online, and I am also available for in-home tutoring within 5 miles of High Wycombe.

Tutoring Approach:
I strive for a proactive, practical, and creative approach, a 'can do' attitude, and I'm very much driven to instil confidence in learners.

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Personal Description:
I was born and raised in Greece where I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Greek Language & Literature at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens.I recently moved to the UK (2020) to earn my Master's Degree in Language Sciences with specialization in Neuroscience of Language(University of Reading).

I am fluent in both Greek and English. I also speak Spanish and French (proficiency level).

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching the Greek Language (Modern & Ancient Greek ) since 2012, preparing high school students for the country-wide university entrance exams. In parellel, I was delivering in-home classes to assist students of various age groups with their curricular activities in humanitarian subjects such as History, Modern Greek Language & Literature, Ancient Greek, Philosophy & Religious Studies.I have also worked as a volunteer for the non-profit organization ''METAdrasi'', where I taught young refugees Greek as a second or foreign language.In 2020, I started working for the Greek School of Oxford, preparing students for their GCSE exams in Modern Greek and teaching Year 5 and Year 7 the Greek Language as a Second/Foreign Language.

Tutoring Approach:
Basically I use constructivist teaching approaches and strategies to help my students. I encourage them to actively participate in the learning process and help them develop critical thinking and communication skills in the target language. The material I share with my students is accumulated through all the years of my teaching work and there is a variety of types of exercises I offer to them. I also use a lot of interactive online material like live worksheets, language games such as Wordwall etc. and different kind of resources; newspapers articles, songs, poems, movie dialogues, inscriptions, texts published on social media ,recorded day-to-day conversations between native speakers etc.This helps them not only reinforce their academic knowledge (grammar and syntax) but it also broadens their experience on the cultural and contextual aspects of the language.

Subjects

Personal Description:
British with 3 children (daughters) with mixed nationalities (British, French, Canadian).

I am an experienced teacher, trainer and coach who designs, develops and delivers holistic group and individual courses and prgrammes for individuals, professional organisations and Universities

Throughout my career I have been passionate about delivering dynamic, effective and student-focused courses, training sessions and workshops. All my lessons and courses are well researched, planned and delivered as I am acutely aware of the skills that students need and the expectations they have. I am focused on their wishes to achieve their goals as swiftly and successfully as possible while stimulating their curiosity and having fun during the learning process.

Teaching Experience:
40 years teaching and living in a variety of countries including: Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Egypt, Finland Sweden, Japan, China, New Zealand , Vietnam.

Teaching and examining English (TEFL), teaching EAP (English for Academic Purposes to post-graduates and PhD students), ESP (English for special purposes) courses.

Teaching business personnel in Japan and the EU soft skills (presentations, meetings and negotiations) and business issues (e.g. business plans, manufacturing, logistics, marketing practices, etc.),

Lecturing at universities in Hanoi and Kuwait on International business and e-commerce/e-business.

Teaching GSCE and A level English literature, Sociology and History

Tutoring Approach:
I use Kolbs learning cycle as a benchmark for my training/teaching. It is focused on learning through; observation, abstraction & reflection, experimentation (do & feel) and recycling (concepts, ideas, etc.). It is very practical and puts the learner at the heart of the learning experience. It also involves the motivation, interest and the curiosity of the learner, who may need stimulation, encouragement and to find leaning is fun and fascinating.

My lessons are both guided by the specific requirements of each course and personalized to meet the needs of each individual student. These two factors are fundamental to ensuring individual students utilize resources, build general, academic and practical competence to fulfil their requirements and exam grades. I believe having a clear 'road map', ensures students can reach their goals.

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Personal Description:
I am an RCA MA Painting graduate, and I have a BA(Hons) degree in Fine Art from Westminster University, and a Foundation diploma in Art & Design from the University for the Creative Arts. I am a practicing artist based in London, specializing in painting, and I have been showing my work nationally and internationally. My recent solo show was at Class Reiss London, and I also had a solo presentation at Art Athina. My fascination with tutoring derives from my sensitivity around learning disabilities, something which is a recurring theme in my practice as I grew up as a dyslexic learner, as well as my educational experience of being part of leading academic UK institutions.

Teaching Experience:
Through my work as an art tutor I strive to inspire and support my students, offering insight to my experience as a RCA alumnus and to the professional life of an artist. I teach students of all ages, as I strongly believe that involvement with the arts is always eye opening and revealing, especially when this leads to a career in the arts through higher education.

Tutoring Approach:
I can offer art lessons for younger children, involving introduction to creative techniques and idea development, mentoring and support with portfolio preparation to apply for art schools internationally  as well as tutoring on contextualizing your work through constructive and generative feedback. 

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