Buckie English Tutors and Buckie English Tuition

Personal Description:
I'm an experienced stage and television actor with a degree in English (2.i) from Trinity Hall, Cambridge and a 2-year post-grad qualification from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. I live in central London (Westminster) and enjoy balancing out the right brain activities of acting with the rather more left brain activities of teaching - especially Latin, which I studied through A-Level to degree, taking a Latin translation and literary criticism paper in Part 1 of my Cambridge Tripos.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught both privately and at a range of different schools and colleges for many years. My private client base has principally been in teaching Latin for Common Entrance and GCSE. In terms of classroom experience, I have worked as a supply Latin teacher at Eaton House Schools and as an A-Level English Tutor at Collingham Tutors. The majority of my work is as a private tutor travelling to people's homes and offering additional support to 10-16 year olds who are struggling with their Latin. I have a huge success rate in terms of results, regularly turning C-grade students into A-graders.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is both pragmatic and personal. Every child is different and therefore every child requires a subtly different approach. In terms of teaching English Literature my principle objective is to inspire. In terms of teaching Latin my key concerns are rigour and attention to detail. With the right approach it is often very easy to turn a child who hates Latin at school into one that (even if it is secretly) both loves it and does very well.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have a passion for creative writing and literature, and have taught ESL, Business, and General English along with English for Academic Purposes, IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation. I also teach focused reading, writing, listening and speaking communication skills classes, as well as pronunciation and creative writing classes. I teach GCSE and A Level English Language and English Literature and can plan focused lessons in particular areas which need closer guidance. I am also an AQA GCSE/A Level English Language/Lit examiner.

I teach all ages, from 3 years old to adult. Over the past 10 years, I am proud to say my students have gained excellent results in their A Levels, GCSEs, IELTS, Cambridge and Trinity examinations.

My passion for teaching and world culture has taken me around the world and so I am experienced in teaching English to children and adults from a multitude of backgrounds and faiths. I have also supported and taught English to refugees from across the globe.

Prior to teaching, I spent 7 years working as a Practice Manager for a well-known town planning consultancy. I have recently acquired a publisher and my first novel will be published in early 2026.

Teaching Experience:
I am a First Class (1:1) BA (HONS) Creative Writing graduate (Birkbeck, University of London). I graduated the MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmith's, University of London with Distinction. My portfolio was longlisted for the Pat Kavanagh Prize, awarded each year for an outstanding piece of work from the Goldsmiths MA in Creative Writing programme.

I am also a Cambridge-qualified English language teacher with a pass 'B' CELTA (on average, only 23.56% of over 10,000 candidates worldwide receive this pass 'B' every year) and have over 10 years' experience. I have taught KS3/KS4 GCSE English for seven years.

I have taught ESL and English Literature all over the world including Ecuador in south America, China, Italy and Holland. My last permanent role was as EAL Lead and Teacher of English to KS3 and KS4 at Harris Invictus, Croydon ("Outstanding" Ofsted rating), and prior to that, I was at an all-boys Catholic school (the 12th best state school in the country) in Purley. I teach all examination boards including OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge. I have worked in many schools London-wide, in East and West Sussex, and have excellent pupil management skills. I am firm and fair but also fun, and my students never seem to forget me (nor I, them!).

In terms of ESL, I have taught in many schools worldwide, and significantly, I designed and coordinated the English programme at The British School in Quito, Ecuador. I also taught Business and Academic English to the executives of multinational companies in China. Between 2012 and 2018, I taught summer classes for the UK's no1 ESL school, Wimbledon School of English.

Tutoring Approach:
It is important to get to know and understand my students' needs, strengths and weaknesses; why they need extra tuition and what their timeline or deadline or objective is, if any; I will then tailor the lessons to suit. I actively encourage my students to immerse themselves in language in all its' forms. Learning doesn't stop when the lesson stops. I set homework relative to each students' needs and set learning objectives accordingly. By working together, we can ensure that learning aims become positive and successful achievements!

My classes and lessons are interactive and I try to use realia and real life situations to model language and grammar. I use contemporary and classic fiction and a range of non-fiction texts. I also use lots of visual activities and promote literacy and good computer and handwriting skills too. I believe that whilst it is important to pass exams, learning experiences should also have a good dose of fun, at all ages!

Subjects

Personal Description:
I want everyone to enjoy the ability to communicate with each other in English to make friends, do business together and to feel confident wherever English is spoken.
I have been made welcome by so many people from many nationalities all round the world and love the excitement of communicating with people from all walks of life.
I enjoy teaching face to face and online and to tailoring conversation and lessons to the ability and objectives of the student or students.
I am married with a family and am comfortable teaching all ages although I prefer teaching adults and young adults (16 upwards). I teach general English and specialize in IELTS preparation.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in Europe and Asia. For six years I lived in France teaching one to one and small groups. I returned to the United Kingdom in 2012 and live and teach in the Brighton area. The last two years have been spent teaching at Varndean College, Brighton preparing Chinese students for A levels and University entrance as well as normal individual teaching work,

Tutoring Approach:
Learning a language should be both fun and serious. If my students are preparing for examinations then a concentration on course work with homework will be important.
If students prefer to develop their social conversational ability then there may be less emphasis on grammar and more on the use of English in everyday social or business situations. Each potential student is asked to complete a simple questionaire to give me a picture of their ability level and what they want to achieve.
I teach one to one or small groups (normally no more than 8 students). Price reductions for two students or more
Most online teaching is on a one to one basis using Skype.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Whilst, as an English teacher, I do enjoy a good book, my main interest lies in physical activity. I am passionate about physical fitness and everything that comes with it: flexibility, mobility and nutrition.

My main sport growing up was rugby, which has now been replaced with playing for a football team on a Saturday (much easier on the shoulders).

I am an avid traveller and love nothing more than a European city break or an adventure much further afield.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in the education sector for twelve years, with the last seven being as a senior leader in three different schools.

As an English teacher, I have experience of teaching the full range of student ability levels, from working with students in KS3 with low literacy to leading on English Literature A Level. I have extensive experience teaching the IGCSE, AQA, Edexcel and OCR English Language and Literature exam content.

My most recent role is at a large successfully secondary in Surrey where I lead on Teaching & Learning as an Assistant Headteacher. Previously, I have ran a sixth form and led on SEN provision as a senior leader. I have worked in schools judged as Outstanding and supported others that were in Special Measures.

Additionally, I am an SLE (Specialist Leader of Education) and I have been parachuted into struggling schools to help them raise standards.

In my most recent Year 11 group, 22% of students were targeted a grade 7+. However, over 44% of my students achieved a grade 7+ in their actual GCSE exams.

Tutoring Approach:
Through a decade of tutoring experience, I feel that it is vital to first assess the student's current ability and discover their most pressing need. Once this has been discovered, we will work towards tangible targets, whilst still focusing on priorities such as vocabulary, complex punctuation and improving a student's ability to express their ideas on paper.

My sessions are as interactive as possible, to allow the students to approach their learning in a contextual way that they can relate to real-life. I also like to promote a student's ability to articulate their ideas verbally through discussion, in order to develop their written skills.

Each tutee's progress is individually tracked against their personal targets and the overarching aim of the tuition.

I feel my extensive experience at a senior level in a range of school contexts allows me to quickly adapt to the needs of the tutee.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm a certified teacher working as a tutor for students in Norfolk and across the UK. In university I completed a specialist in psychology, while also minoring in English literature. I also completed my teachers' training, specialising in English, as well as excelling in teaching maths and technology. Here is a list of the subjects and levels I tutor:

Psychology for GCSE and A-Level.
English for Key Stages 1-3 and GCSE.
Maths for Key Stages 1-3 and GCSE
Computer Programming for all ages.

I mainly focus on online tuition, delivered using Skype or other platforms. While most of my online students are in KS3, GCSE and A-Level (and degree students for psychology), this option can work for students who are in year 4 and above, so long as they are familiar with the basics of using computers. For maths, I make use of Idroo, an online whiteboard which is useful for practicing questions. For computing, I am able to assist with programs relevant to both Microsoft Windows and Chromebook.

Please see the "Subject Taught" section below for rates per subject and level.

Also, don`t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Teaching Experience:
I started working as a tutor in London and Surrey in 2013/2014, mainly for students who had been excluded from school. In 2015 I relocated and began tutoring private clients in East Anglia. In 2016 I started offering online tuition, first using Skype, and now with Zoom. I now tutor virtually all of my students online, though I will occasionally tutor at a student's home when my schedule permits.

Tutoring Approach:
For younger students, I assess them on their first appointment to see where their strengths and weaknesses are. I then focus the lessons on the areas they need improvement in, using an individualized approach that is suitable for that particular student. I also help students prepare for examinations, such as the GCSE; in this case I mostly focus on giving them tasks and questions that resemble what they will face on their tests.

For A-level and degree students, I'm usually asked to provide assistance with a specific task. For example, I've helped my students construct outlines in order to structure their essays, answer typical questions that will come up on their exams, and proof read their essays to check content, clarity and grammar. I can also clarify theories that are difficult to understand and help students generate ideas for their thesis.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Friendly, qualified and experienced TEFL teacher.
CELTA (grade B), English Literature and Language degree (grade 2.1).
British Native speaker with 14 years of TEFL teaching experience in countries like Estonia, Japan and Oman.
One-to-one tuition at your home or a cafe (no extra travel charge within 3 miles of Bath).
General or Business English from Beginner to Proficiency.
Exam preparation lessons (IELTS, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, etc.)
Tailor-made lessons to help with your personal language development.
£22 per one hour lesson.
I look forward to teaching you!
Best wishes,
Nathan

Teaching Experience:
8 years as an English Lecturer at Sohar University, Oman. The university is affiliated with Queensland University. I taught General English and ESP.
2 years as a Senior Teacher at Shane School in Japan, teaching all ages General and Business English.
2 years as a Business English teacher in Estonia, visiting companies and providing tailor-made lessons.
2 years as an English teacher in Greece, teaching General English and exam preparation lessons.

BRIEF REFERENCES (reference letters and qualifications will be shown in first lesson):

'He has a mature, patient, amiable disposition and a good sense of humour'. Charles Hummel, Dean of UNIR, Sohar University (affiliated to Queensland University), Oman.

'The feedback from his students was always positive and he was someone that could be relied upon to help out whenever necessary'. James Knight, Director of Studies, Shane English School, Tokyo, Japan.

'He stood out as a perfectionist requiring from all students their best output, monitoring closely their achievement and adjusting his teaching style to fit their individual needs.' Karl Radlein, Director of Studies, Small Talk Language School, Tallinn, Estonia.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to provide relaxed, friendly but well-prepared lessons that are tailored to your language needs. I will focus on whatever you require (conversation, exam preparation, grammar, listening, reading, writing etc). As the lessons progress, I will modify my approach according to your needs and interests, and ensure that your time is used effectively.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Common Entrance tutor specialising in the 7/8/11/13+ exams in all subjects.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 20 years tutoring experience.

Tutoring Approach:
Patient, firm and thorough.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I graduated twenty years ago and have taught many pupils in the UK and Greece. I am still a teacher so I am fully up to date with current ideas and methods. I understand how pupils achieve and more importantly recognise what may cause a negative impact on learning. Because of this I will be able to support, assess, monitor and give swift feedback so that all pupils reach their true potential. I love teaching and tutoring.

DBS enhanced on update service.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a teacher for twenty years. I have worked in both private and state schools. I have taught from Years 1-7 inclusive during the past twenty years. I have taught in England and in Greece. I have taught a wide variety of students from many backgrounds; SEND, (Autism, Down's, ADHD) EAL and Gifted and Talented. I have also been a tutor and have tutored children and adults up to GCSE level in English and Maths.

DBS Enhanced on update service

Tutoring Approach:
I am aver calm and friendly teacher and tutor. I will provide all resources needed.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Free 30-minute introductory session to ensure we are a good fit.

I specialise in KS2 and KS3 English and creative writing with a particular focus on 11+ exam prep. To date, my students have a 100% pass rate for their intended independent schools.

I was not a great student as a child. Rigid and rote teaching sucked all the appreciation I might have had from learning. That is, until I returned to education in my late 20s and, over the course of two bachelor's and master's degrees, discovered just how rewarding it can be. Partly because of this reason (and partly because I simply love sharing knowledge!), I began a new career in teaching and for the past 9 years - with over 600 hours of teaching logged - I have made a point of injecting colour into a learning world that, for many students, has become drab and monochrome.

Outside of teaching, I love my arts and crafts - from drawing and painting to cross-stitching and model-building. I love being creative! And that feeds into my teaching. I'm fairly laidback and relaxed and try to instil that in my students as well and give them the confidence to ask questions without the fear of being rebuked or ridiculed.

Teaching Experience:
My experience as a tutor ranges from lecturing screenwriting at Anglia Ruskin University, where I am an associate lecturer, to almost ten years of tutoring at an advanced studies summer school at one of Cambridge's prestigious colleges, and over 600 hours of private 1-to-1 tuition. In addition to these regular teaching commitments, I am often asked to give lectures on the art of creative writing to visiting international students at Cambridge University.

After some less than pleasant experiences at school, I returned to education in my late 20s. I attended an Access to HE course specialising in creative writing, English literature and journalism, from which I graduated top of my class with a distinction.
I then achieved a BA (with honours) degree in Writing and Film Studies, graduating again top of my class with a first. In addition, I was awarded the McLeod Prize for highest average mark for any student within the entire faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences and the award for Best Major Writing Project, which were the opening chapters of a novel which went on to win numerous literary prizes.

I followed this up with a master's degree in creative writing on one of the top master's programmes in the world (at the University of East Anglia), from which I graduated with a distinction.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that confidence is a big part of success, and confident students make emboldened decisions in their learning, so I will be your child's biggest supporter. Every child is a unique individual who has their own way of learning so every lesson is tailored to their needs with no comparisons or judgements.

The following topics are covered in both KS2 and KS3:
Comprehension; reading; inference skills/verbal reasoning
Grammar; spelling; vocabulary expansion
Creative writing; sentence and story structure; description and characterisation.

Monthly reports will be issued to parents of students to keep you up to date with your child`s progress.

I also provide creative writing for all ages and novel-writing mentoring; and for older students: essay writing skills and editing of university papers. I am the author of eight published novels, which have won numerous awards, and one screenplay/film. I am so passionate about writing that I am constantly reading about it and keeping on top of new techniques. As a result, I have a wealth of knowledge that is wasted on just me alone and I wish to share it with equally motivated people who want to learn more about English and/or creative writing.

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.'

*

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:
I am a qualified primary school teacher with 18 years teaching experience and over 5 years tutoring experience. I offer after school and during the day teaching sessions for primary aged children (including families who have chosen to home educate and may seek extra support).

I have a friendly, patient, yet thorough approach, as well as enthusiasm to support children overcome any learning challenges they may face.

Sessions can be one-to-one or small group, depending on the families requests or the child's needs. I can offer face-to-face from my home or online lessons.

Teaching Experience:
As well as my teaching and tutoring experience. I am an expert in early reading intervention. During my teaching career, I trained as a 'Reading Recovery' Teacher which involved one-to-one tailored sessions aimed to provide accelerated reading progress.

I have a thorough knowledge of teaching the curriculum within early years through to year 6, and wherever possible, will tailor lessons according to the children's loves and interests to increase motivation.

My teaching style can be adapted to support children who are home educated and perhaps may seek a more informal or holistic approach to teaching. Similarly, with children attending school, I have experience and knowledge in closely following the national curriculum. I can target 'known' gaps in learning that may have been noted by parents or teachers, as well as provide assessment sessions which will give me clear targets in order to achieve progress.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to devise tailor-made, fun and interactive learning activities that will challenge but engage your child to achieve their next steps in learning. I am flexible to offering half hour sessions, particularly for younger children (aged 4 or 5 years old) that may struggle with a 45 minute or one hour session.

Lessons are often pacey, varied and interactive in order to achieve maximum motivation for your child.

I am also willing to incorporate time to discuss next steps with parents/carers in order to support your children's progress outside of the tutoring session. I can provide extra learning materials on request to allow your child further practise in a skill during the week if necessary.

Due to the age of the children I tutor, face- to-face sessions tend to work best, although some upper junior children cope well with zoom lessons.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi! My name is Kathryn and I am a primary school teacher and mummy to two young children. I have been teaching for 9 years and my specialism is Early Years, although I have plenty of experience across the primary age range. I am hoping to do some online tutoring on the side of my day job. I am able to work evenings, weekends and occasional weekday hours. Looking forward to hearing from you and your little ones!

Teaching Experience:
I achieved a BEd in Primary Teaching with specialism of Early Years at Chester University in 2011 and achieved Qualified Teacher Status in 2012. I have always been in a permanent job role and worked my way up to become and Early Years Leader. I am currently teaching in Year 3 and have experience across Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to build up positive working relationships with children and their families and get to know the learning styles of individual children. I then deliver my tutoring in a way that meets the needs, abilities and interests of the children. This ensures we get the most out of the time we spend together in a session and enables children to work towards their full potential.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I also enjoy teaching KS3 and GCSE English as I love Creative Writing and am an author myself so I hope to instil the love of writing in my students. I want all my students to feel confident with their writing and develop a way of expressing themselves. I am an experienced head of department and examiner for AQA and Edexcel exam boards.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in a range of secondary schools for the past 14 years. I have tutored for the past 5 years.

I am an experienced teacher of GCSE English Language and offer lessons for the AQA/Edexcel exam boards. I will be able to go through practice exam questions and model answers each lesson and will help my students to feel more confident in their writing. I have all the latest textbooks and use a range of engaging resources.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an inclusive approach to my lessons and have a particular experience in students who have struggled with their mental health and confidence.
I will tailor the lessons to meet my student's needs and listen to feedback about their preferred learning style and interests.
I will be able to prepare them for GCSE content if requested.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a current A-Level student, studying Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Business at sixth form. I want to help students achieve their academic goals, and I believe I can work well with students at a variety of levels. I believe I am friendly and approachable and I want to motivate and empower students to help them become the best that they can be.

Teaching Experience:
I currently work as a teaching assistant at a primary school, and I have taught and worked with children up to the age of 15, having experience in teaching at GCSE level and below. I have mentored younger students at my school for several years, and have also worked with family friends and relatives. This has mainly been in English, Maths and Sciences.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is tailored to each individual student depending on their particular strengths and weaknesses. I set clear and simple tasks with steady progression and try to always make it fun and interesting, as I believe learning can be a process of enjoyment and a source of satisfaction. I find out what they struggle with, and help them iron out any issues they have in the subject. I ensure I cater and adapt towards their needs specifically, as I believe it is important that they are gaining a full personalised experience from tutoring.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My aim as a tutor in an educational organization would be to utilize my knowledge, skills and experience in molding the students into powerful global citizens and emerge as a leader.

Teaching Experience:
I am an innovative and skillful primary & high school teacher who has been working in this field for more than 10 years.

Tutoring Approach:
First and foremost to set clear boundaries and make a plan that meets both tutor and the student's. Communicate openly and Often. To focus on the student and aim to support them to identify their own goals and issues and develop strategies and solutions.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a dedicated and passionate teacher currently working with primary 1/2 students, and I have had experience working with children of all ages. I am GTC registered and have an PVG to work with children. Outside of the classroom, I have been involved in Girl Guiding and have had various opportunities to engage with children in different school settings. This has allowed me to develop a well-rounded understanding of how children learn and grow in different environments.

Teaching Experience:
Throughout my teaching career, I have had the privilege of working with children from ages 4 to 16, and I am now offering tutoring in subjects such as maths, literacy, and social studies subjects including sociology, criminology, and modern studies for National 5 students. I take pride in tailoring my lessons to suit the individual needs of my students, helping them not only meet but exceed their learning goals. My experience with a range of age groups and subjects has provided me with the tools to create engaging and effective lessons.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in creating an engaging and interactive learning environment where students are actively involved in their learning process. I focus on active learning techniques and repetition, ensuring that key concepts are fully understood and retained. I always strive to align my lessons with the Curriculum for Excellence, ensuring they are both relevant and challenging. By incorporating various strategies such as hands-on activities, real-life applications, and positive reinforcement, I aim to help students build confidence in their abilities while achieving academic success.

I will be offering opportunities from now until August to get your child ready to begin Primary 1 in regards to literacy and maths. This can be in the form of 1-1 sessions or group sessions that will help develop social skills too! In addition to this, I will be offering sessions for current school children to both revise and learn maths and literacy knowledge and skills to ensure they have the best start in their next academic year.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Sophie - a fully qualified primary school teacher with over 10 years of classroom and leadership experience, specialising in Key Stage 1. I'm passionate about creating positive, confidence-building learning experiences for young children through patient, engaging and carefully tailored tutoring.

Teaching Experience:
I am a fully qualified primary teacher with over 10 years of classroom and leadership experience, specialising in Key Stage 1. I offer warm, engaging and confidence-boosting tutoring that's carefully tailored to your child's individual needs and learning style.

I'm a phonics expert with a proven track record helping children build strong foundations in reading, writing, spelling and maths. Whether your child needs a gentle boost, phonics intervention, or stretch towards greater depth, I create fun, focused sessions that truly make a difference.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is child-centred, nurturing and positive - helping every learner feel seen, supported and empowered. I use creative resources, active games and visual tools to keep children motivated and proud of their progress.

A typical lesson is lively, purposeful and personalised. We'll begin with a quick warm-up to spark focus and confidence, then move into tailored activities based on your child's goals - from phonics games to hands-on maths tasks. I use a mix of visual, verbal and practical methods to suit different learning styles, and always end with a short reflection to celebrate progress and build self-belief.

Having worked closely with families, SEND learners and children with a range of needs, I understand the importance of adapting my teaching to suit different personalities. Every child learns at their own pace - and I'll be right there encouraging each small step along the way.

Subjects

Personal Description:
As a current A-level student, I aim to offer targeted tutoring for students currently doing their GCSE's, using my recent experience and knowledge of the curriculum to my advantage. All the subjects I offer I've achieved grades 7 and above in, with 9s in both English language and literature, and 8s in history and religious education. My main priority as a tutor is to help students understand exactly what the examiners are looking for, whilst providing insights and strategies from a student's perspective in the following subjects:
-English literature (AQA)
-English language (AQA)
-History (Edexcel)
-R.E (Eduquas/ wjec)
-Maths (Edexcel)
-Biology (AQA)
-Drama (AQA)

Teaching Experience:
Whilst I haven't held an official teaching role, I've spent the last couple of years helping to mentor those around me when they needed it. I find it incredibly rewarding to break down harder concepts that people often find 'scary' into more manageable steps. For example, I previously tutored a friend in GCSE Maths who was consistently stuck on a grade 4-5. By focusing on consistently appearing topics that could also appear in larger mark questions, like SURDs and completing the square, I helped her build the confidence to tackle the higher-tier papers. I'm proud to say she went on to achieve a Grade 7 in her final exams. Additionally, I regularly help my younger sister with her primary school work, helping me to develop the patience and adaptability skills needed to explain the same concept in multiple different ways and examples until it clicks and sticks to the student being taught.

Tutoring Approach:
Growing up, I've always been a visual learner; I understand that textbooks aren't always enough. I've used this to my advantage to turn it into my greatest teaching strength: I use my iPad to make every session interactive.I do this by breaking down complex topics with live diagrams, graphs, and real-life examples to break down exactly how a concept works. I also use the 'I do, we do, you do' approach to help build a genuine understanding of the topic. First, I model exactly how to tackle a high-mark exam question. Next, we collaborate on a second question and work through the steps required together. Finally, I let the student take the lead on their own, allowing them to apply their new skills with their own knowledge.

Subjects