Lydbrook English Tutors and Lydbrook English Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher having been awarded a PGCE from the University of Cambridge. I also have a First Class Bachelors degree. I previously taught at Queen's College Preparatory School, London and now teach online for Eton College. I am a member of the professional body for tutors.

I have four young children of my own and enjoy working with children and helping them to become interested in and succeed in school work. All of my children attend UK independent schools and I have extensive experience in this sector.

I have helped students prepare for and succeed in gaining entry to top UK selective schools at 4+, 7+, 11+ and 13+. I have also successfully helped students obtain full academic scholarships to several independent schools as well as helping those secure a place who find exams difficult. All lessons are online via Zoom.

Teaching Experience:
Qualified from the University of Cambridge with a PGCE. I taught for two years at Queen's College Preparatory School, London before starting private tuition. I have been tutoring for 15 years in English, Maths, Science, Reasoning and Interview Skills. Further private tutoring for 4+, 7+, 11+ and 13+ School Entrance Exams, Scholarship Exams, Common Entrance Exams and the ISEB pre-test. I also provide guidance on school selection and have written a guide to the top independent schools in the UK and their admissions processes. It is never too early to start preparation for competitive school entrance exams and many students prepare for several years.

Tutoring Approach:
Tailor made approach for each individual suited to help students get the best grade possible in exams. Homework is given after each lesson and feedback is provided to parents. My students have several online learning tools that they can use. One is very similar to the ISEB pre-test and another is an online reading platform where thousands of books can be read along with comprehension, spelling and vocabulary questions.

I teach online using Zoom and have helped UK and international students prepare for entrance exams to selective schools such as Eton, Harrow, Radley, Wycombe Abbey, Westminster, King's College School, Magdalen, Guildford High School, St Paul's, Downe House, Winchester, Brighton College, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, City of London, Hampton, Concord College, North London Collegiate, The Perse, St Edward's, Charterhouse, Marlborough and Cheltenham Ladies' College. I regularly use WeChat and WhatsApp to communicate with parents that are overseas so I can be easily contacted. I have extensive experience teaching children from all over the world who do not have English as a first language. I have taught children in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, The USA, The UK, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Dubai, The Seychelles and The Maldives.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher and former Headteacher of a successful school with significant teaching expertise at KS1 and KS2. I am also a qualified SENCO and have vast experience in SEN. I set high standards for all my pupils and help them to achieve academic success. I am able to offer tuition in English, Maths and Science at both key stages and tuition for 11+ and common entrance examinations. I travel to you by negotiation. I can provide excellent references on request from past and present clients who have achieved and continue to achieve success in their studies at all levels. I enjoy seeing my pupils make rapid progress and achieving a high level of academic success.

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in English, Maths, SEN, Entrance Examinations at 7+ and 11+ and tuition for pupils who need to catch up, lack confidence and skills and need support to improve. I have vast experience teaching within excellent local schools and I am currently a Headteacher in a large local primary school. I teach children on a 1-2-1 basis to ensure that they receive the additional input that they need in order to achieve. I specialise in assisting children who lack confidence in specific areas and I am able to assist these children in improving their skill levels within their own school. I can provide excellent references on request from many happy pupils and parents.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a patient and understanding tutor with the ability to communicate effectively with both adults and children. My aim is to ensure that pupils develop additional skills and increased confidence in their studies. I make my lessons fun and enjoyable for pupils so that they are able to enjoy learning and are keen to attend my tutoring sessions. I keep parents updated on their children's progress on a regular basis and encourage children to share worries about specific subject areas so that we can explore them together.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am mum to two boys, both who have flown the nest. I miss them greatly now that they are based in London but try to visit as much as I can. I love to shop and also exercise, especially pilates. Oh and I do love to cook!

Teaching Experience:
I studied at Dundee College of Education where I gained a Diploma in Primary Education. This was a three year course. I then took another Certificate in Early Years. After leaving College, I taught in both the state and private primary sector. I left teaching to have my children and then to nurse my youngest child who was quite sick for a few years. Once his health was better, I started working as a tutor from home or going to the client's house to tutor. I now tutor seven days a week. I have experience in Maths, Language, Phonics and Grammar. I also tutor children in preparation for entrance exams in to the independent sector, which includes Verbal, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, Language and Spelling. The children I have tutored have all had great success, many going forward for a scholarship.
I have an online Dyslexia touch type programme which has had tremendous success. Many children, with the school's permission , come to be tutored within school hours.

Tutoring Approach:
I always believe that the child should feel comfortable with the person they are being tutored by and build up a good relationship. Tutoring is not only about helping the child to succeed but also for them to gain confidence and self belief. I have various methods of tutoring from written work, reading and oral work. I also have a computer available where we can work from. eg online games After each lesson, I give the child homework to be completed for the next lesson.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello. I am a fully qualified teacher with experience across the whole of the primary curriculum, including special needs and teaching for SATS tests . I continually update my teaching, mainly through the National Education Union online training sessions. I have had great results tutoring children extensively on a 1-2-1 basis for SATS and the 11+ entrance exam, plus have experience teaching adult literacy and English as a Foreign Language. I aim to motivate both children and adults who find reading and writing challenging, building both confidence and skills. Practical strategies and numeracy games are used to assist children to gain improved competence in mathematics. Assessment is used to inform my teaching in order to make efficient use of the tutoring time.
I enjoy running, Pilates, reading and volunteer for charity, including as a volunteer youth-worker with children and young people.

Teaching Experience:
Currently. I teach English to and host visiting international teenage students. Recently I volunteered as a tutor for the Catch Up Programme, Year 5 and 6 Literacy SATs, online with the charity Action Tutoring.
I am experienced in administering and marking voluntary SATs papers.
I have over twenty years of experience teaching in UK primary schools as a full time classroom teacher and as a supply teacher.
I was a special needs teacher in a public school for one year with individuals and small groups.
I have volunteered as an adult literacy tutor and taught Pilates to adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a patient, understanding approach to tutoring. Tasks are broken into small, achievable steps. Praise and encouragement are used to build self esteem and motivate learners. Your child will be encouraged to enjoy learning and to gain independent learning strategies.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Oxford graduate with more than fifteen years' experience as a private tutor and consistently excellent results in Latin, Greek, Classics and English.

Studied Classics at Oxford University and awarded an academic scholarship.

Earned a Master's Degree with Distinction in Latin literature at UCL. Awarded the Dean's Prize.

Since then, I have been working as an award-winning arts journalist alongside my work as a private tutor.

Teaching Experience:
Private tutor for fifteen years, with significant experience in private tuition of Latin, Greek and English at all levels, and excellent exam results achieved by my students.

*LATIN/GREEK*

Classroom experience as teacher of Latin at a prep school and teaching assistant for primary school Latin classes.

In-depth, up-to-date knowledge of the current syllabuses for Common Entrance, GCSE and A-level, as well as all major textbooks, including Oxford and Cambridge Latin Courses, Athenaze, Greek to GCSE, Shelmerdine, ISEB Common Entrance publications and other frequently used courses. I also have a wide range of my own resources.

*ENGLISH*

English tutor for ten years, complemented by working as an award-winning arts journalist. Through this work
I've personally interviewed several of the authors on the English syllabuses, including Margaret Atwood and Arundhati Roy. I have a particular love of bringing Shakespeare alive, and I have also extensively interviewed many actors and practitioners about Shakespeare's work, including Sir Ian McKellen; I love to feed this real-world experience into lessons, to show that learning English is not just about words on a page.

Tutoring Approach:
CONFIDENCE: I love seeing students gain confidence as they study with me, and passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm until they are as excited about a subject as I am. My main focus is finding something for them to enjoy within a given subject and building our learning around that.

TARGETED APPROACH: I find out the areas where the student will need the most help, then I plan my lessons carefully to address those areas of difficulty. I always try to build on the way the student has been taught at school, so that my tuition complements their school learning rather than clashing with it.

EXAM TECHNIQUE: I also ensure that we are always working on exam and revision techniques while learning. This includes helpful mnemonics, studying past papers and mark schemes, and ensuring we are engaging closely with the relevant syllabus to pick up as many marks as possible when it comes to exams.

TIPS AND TRICKS: I like to build routine into tuition sessions, so that the student knows what to expect in each session, which helps boost their confidence, and so that grammar which can seem strange and unfamiliar at first becomes second nature. I've got plenty of tips and tricks to help with the most difficult parts of grammar and syntax. It's useful to break things down into smaller chunks - for example, the large set texts can be daunting, but they become manageable when taken piece by piece.

Above all, my approach is to be friendly, patient and knowledgeable.

Subjects

Personal Description:
As an educator and enthusiastic learner I always aim to engender a love for learning in those that I work with, regardless of level or subject. I am currently studying for a MA in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) at UCL and am due to graduate in the Autumn of 2027. I am a Dyslexia Specialist Teacher and can diagnose and support students with literacy difficulties; I am an Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association and hold a current Assessment Practising Certificate with PATOSS.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked one-to-one with children and young people for over 15 years, supporting them to understand how they learn, build confidence and achieve their potential. I am passionate about responding to each child's individual needs, interests and experiences.
As a qualified teacher (QTS), I am currently completing a Master's degree in Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD/Dyslexia) at UCL, due to finish in 2027. I am also an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) and hold an SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate through PATOSS. My academic study, combined with extensive practical experience, continues to deepen my
understanding of each child's unique learning profile.
For the past 10 years, I have worked for Hertfordshire Virtual School, primarily with children who are care experienced and often have complex and varied educational histories. This has taught me to look beyond academic attainment and assessment results, recognising the influence of experiences, opportunities, strengths, needs and individual circumstances. Understanding
the journey that has brought each child to where they are now is integral to my work.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to provide an individual approach to learning depending on the learning style and preferences of the individual. I firmly believe that students should be involved in the learning process to improve retention and understanding of information and help them apply everything learnt practically. My aim is not for students to retain information simply for the purpose of passing an exam or completing coursework - it is to help students gain an understanding of a subject so it benefits them through life. Through my experiences as a teacher I have found the words of Confucius to be true of the learning process: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

Subjects

Personal Description:
⭐ Tutoring for more than 10 years in English, Maths and the Sciences - helping students aged 6 to 16 prepare for both school exams and entrance exams
⭐ MSc in Positive Psychology; tutored and mentored students from all backgrounds including shy/anxious/introverted/SEN students
⭐ I believe in a well-rounded holistic education; not just passing exams; every student I have worked with has improved their grade(s) and grown in confidence

Below you can find more information about my tutoring experience, approach, and what parents have said about my tutoring.

Teaching Experience:
Since 2010, I have been tutoring English, Maths and the individual Sciences; Biology, Chemistry & Physics.

I have taught at both primary- and secondary-school levels, with my students ranging between the ages of 6 and 16.

I have also helped with preparation for entrance examinations at 7+, 11+ and 13+ (including verbal and non-verbal reasoning), and I have provided mentorship and coaching when it comes to UCAS application forms, personal statements and CV writing.

Whilst I enjoyed some of the subjects at school, certain subjects and topics (including Maths!) didn't come naturally to me. I achieved 7A*s and 5As at GCSE and studied Maths, Biology & Chemistry at A-Level.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and my tutoring approach is a student-centred one. My experience covers tutoring, mentoring and coaching and I use a combination of the three in my work.

I am yet to come across a student who doesn't possess the potential to improve. More often than not, it is the large class sizes at school, or a teacher whose approach isn't the right fit, which explains why a student doesn't understand a particular subject, or particular topics within that subject.

Through the 1-to-1 work I do with students, not only have I witnessed some remarkable grade improvements but also some amazing transformations in confidence. I strongly feel that the work I do is more than merely improving grades for exams.

⭐ My philosophy is that if you are struggling with a particular subject or topic, it's not your fault and there's nothing wrong with you. It simply means you've not been taught in a way that makes sense to you (or you've not been given the time and attention to be taught properly - in a big class and with the pressures on teachers to deliver an extensive curriculum).

⭐ I'm based near Twickenham/Teddington/Kingston and offer tutoring in-person and online (my preference is in-person where possible, as this tends to work best for the tutoring relationship and the outcomes that can be achieved).

⭐ Please note: I can only take on a limited number of students, so you're encouraged to apply early before spaces fill up.

~

Here are some of the references and messages I have received:

"Hi Jas - Alfie got 3 B's for each of his sciences! He only just missed an A for Chemistry. He is absolutely delighted... Thank you for all your help - there is no doubt it made a huge difference to him. You were a total star to him - and the summer has been good to him - his confidence is finally starting to improve & I think it's a lot down to your encouragement and believing in him.
- Kris H. (parent)

"Jas has tutored our daughter for the last few months in Chemistry, Biology and Physics at GCSE level. Jas was very reliable, committed and enthusiastic in his role and we feel our daughter greatly benefitted from his tutoring. He was always encouraging and recognising her needs were beyond the academic, spent time developing her confidence in the academic subjects he was teaching her as well as also encouraging her self-belief. He appeared sensitive to her needs and adapted the work accordingly. Jas also demonstrated great insight in what motivated our daughter and went out of his way to make every session engaging and enjoyable. Jas also developed a positive, professional relationship with both my husband and I, keeping us well informed about our daughter's progress and what support we could give her. I feel that this wider, more holistic approach, really helped our daughter feel better about herself, as well as develop a positive approach towards her exams which she has now entered with considerably more knowledge and confidence than had she not worked with him. I also recommended Jas to a friend who's son was also doing his GCSE's and she told me how pleased they were with the help he had been able to give to him. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jas to others who are looking for GCSE tutoring."
- Emma & Paul G. (parents)

"Jas tutored my son Nathan for his Chemistry and German GCSEs in 2013. I found him to be a reliable and conscientious young man and I was very happy with his services."
- Sally C. (parent)

"Jas has helped Daniel enormously with his maths and science over the past few months in preparation for the upcoming GCSE's. He is a charming and good humored person who Daniel relates to quite well which made the two hours tuition every Saturday morning not such a chore! Both Daniel and I, as a parent, would certainly recommend Jas to any future students."
- Denise S. (parent)

Jas has been tutoring both my children in preparation for their 11+ exams. Both Oliver and Sofia love Jas and they benefited immensely from his caring passionate and professional tutoring system. I would never hesitate to ask Jas to help both my children again if they encounter difficulties in any subject or helping them again getting ready for common entrance exams. In a nutshell, having had previous experiences with various tutors, I would strongly recommend him to anyone, as I already have done.
Jas has been tutoring both my children in preparation for their 11+ exams. Both Oliver and Sofia love Jas and they benefited immensely from his caring passionate and professional tutoring system. I would never hesitate to ask Jas to help both my children again if they encounter difficulties in any subject or helping them again getting ready for common entrance exams.*
In a nutshell, having had previous experiences with various tutors, I would strongly recommend him to anyone, as I already have done.
- Raffaella G. (parent)

"I first met Jas when I was looking for a maths tutor for my 9 year old daughter. Upon reading his profile I warmed instantly to his holistic and person-centred approach. My daughter is a quiet girl and having not had a tutor before I wanted someone who could inspire her and increase her confidence. The tutoring sessions went extremely well from the start and Jas was able to build a positive relationship with Lana. He is an excellent communicator and was very engaging with not only Lana but the rest of the family. He tailored the sessions to Lana's academic needs but also took into her account her thoughts and feelings. This enabled them to work in partnership together which really helped build Lana's confidence. Jas was also very reliable and gave feedback that was positive and motivational.
I would highly recommend Jas to work with young people as he seems to understand their needs by listening and working with them in partnership. Working in this way lets the young person/child build a relationship that is based on mutual trust instead of an authoritarian relationship in which the young person/child feels that can't have any input."
- Nicky S. (parent)

"Jas is an amazing teacher and works exceedingly well with kids from any age group. He is very patient and lets children take their own time on things they find difficult and challenging. If children get stressed about stuff he will let them have a little break and talk about other things in life. Jas is very encouraging and motivates kids to try their hardest at every single subject in maths."
- Lana S. (student)

"Jas has been tutoring my son in all three science topics for preparation for Winchester Admission Examinations for Year 9. He is professional, courteous and reliable. He established an excellent rapport with my son and despite the intensity of preparation required, he managed to maintain my son's motivation throughout the 18 month period, which was not a easy thing to achieve. As the standard required to pass these exams was a very high (beyond ISEB Common Entrance), this was a very stressful and intense period for us all. Jas understood that there needed to a balance between work sessions and relaxation sessions - and he always made time to talk to my son about things other than just study topics which minimised stress and tension. My son appreciated Jas's guidance and advice and enjoyed the fact that Jas showed a keen interest in his hobbies. The result was that my son always looked forward to his sessions, even though they were hard work. He is also delighted to be off to Winchester College in September!"
- Kate M. (parent)

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor and secondary school teacher with experience at teaching English as an academic subject and as a foreign language.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified secondary school teacher with experience teaching in secondary schools and further education colleges. I have twenty years' experience of teaching GCSE and A level English and am an examiner for AQA GCSE English and have previously been a examiner for GCSE English Literature and English KS3 SATs tests.

Tutoring Approach:
I have several years tutoring experience on a one to one basis and have found that students can make exceptional progress when the teaching is targeted to their needs and level. I have enjoyed considerable success at enabling students to reach their full potential and particularly enjoy working with the student to towards exam success.

Subjects

Personal Description:
From my experience in the classroom I realise that many students benefit from much more individual help than school can provide. I enjoy being able to help students on a one-to-one basis as it is very rewarding being able to improve their achievement and confidence.I am very grateful to my students and their parents for the relationships we have struck up, many of which have continued through the years.

Teaching Experience:
I am an English teacher with over 20 years experience teaching to GCSE, A-level and Oxbridge entrance.I have taught in both the independent and state sectors, in a large comprehensive and a small independent school. I have also tutored in Oxford and London for students from 10 to 19.

Tutoring Approach:
One to one or small groups of 2 or 3.

I aim to develop confidence by supporting the students and understanding their needs as a priority. I then encourage them to explore and develop ideas, giving them support while they grow in this. The key is building an excellent relationship in which high expectations enable them to make progress while always supported.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I currently have weekday availability 9am to 2.45pm.

I am a native English speaker with extensive subject knowledge of language, linguistics and literature and have been teaching English to students aged 3-73 for 25 years, both privately and in international language schools. My lessons are enjoyable and successful learning experiences which are diligently planned and professionally executed.

Teaching Experience:
8+
11+
SATs
SET Test
13+
GCSE Literature and Language (all boards)
IGCSE English as a Second Language
KET
PET
Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)
Michigan First Certificate (ECCE)
Cambridge Advanced (CAE)
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
Michigan Proficiency (ECPE)
City and Guilds (Levels 3-5)
Edexcel (Levels 3-5)
IELTS
TOEFL

*8+/11+/13+ ENTRY EXAMS

I provide tailor-made tutorials working on comprehension, writing and both group and individual interview skills.

GCSE LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE (ALL BOARDS)

My students routinely exceed their predicted grades. I can help non-native speakers access the curriculum whilst giving targeted grammatical explanations which develops command of written English.

EFL LESSONS

My EFL lessons cover all aspects of the English language, focusing on grammar, conversation skills and exam techniques. My students achieve a 100% pass rate. My IELTS students consistently attain the levels they require. One of my strengths is intensive coverage of all components of the IELTS examinations (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) and familiarising students with what to expect on the day.

Tutoring Approach:
I work hard to give my students an enjoyable and successful learning experience. I am dedicated, creative and thorough.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Learn English at your home or work.
Personalised lessons for individuals and small groups.
General English / English for work / Citizenship Test Preparation / Cambridge English Exam preparation

I am a qualified English teacher (English as a Second Language), teaching adults at all levels from beginner (A1 : Elementary) to advanced (C1).

If you have come to the UK to live, work or study, I provide private lessons for individuals and small groups to help improve your use of English according to your particular needs.

Teaching Experience:
I have 14 years full time teaching experience in General & Business English for adults in Brazil, Italy, Switzerland and the UK.

From 2005 to 2010 : Full time Teacher of General and Business English in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Individual and group lessons both privately and working with private language schools.

Language schools : Link Idiomas, Alt Idiomas, Bridge Lingua-Tec

From 2010 to June 2015 : Full time teacher of general and business English in Northern Italy and Switzerland.
Individual and group lessons with private language schools, companies and at University.

Language Schools : Linguapoint (Reggio Emilia) / Corsi di Lingue (Varese)
University : University of Parma : Teaching Business English for the Masters in Marketing Management (2011- 2013)

Principal Companies : Ermenegildo Zegna (Lugano, Switzerland),
IBSA Pharmaceuticals (Lugano, Switzerland),
Max Mara (Reggio Emilia, Italy),
Vodafone (Varese, Italy),
Carl Zeiss (Varese, Italy)

From September 2015 to Present : Teaching private English Lesson in the UK.

Tutoring Approach:
Real life communication is central to the lessons and I always aim to make lessons as interesting, useful and relevant to the individual student as possible.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Having successfully completed a PhD in History in 2011 following a BA in History (2005) and MA in Medieval History (2006), I have recently authored a book on Cultural Trends in Medieval Poetry, set to be published by E.J. Brill in 2016. I have tutored English for many years, specialising in language analysis and literary interpretation. My work has involved assisting with Controlled Assessments, prose and poetry analysis and exam preparation.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored students preparing for SATs, GCSEs and A-Levels, and have taught all major texts at GCSE and A-Level including poetry anthologies. I have also taught at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I recently completed a post-doctorate tenure in Politics and International Relations (2012-2015). I am currently an Honorary Research Associate at the University. I have further tutored, most recently, child genius Jasamrit, Slough.

Tutoring Approach:
I have learnt that what many students often find difficult is language analysis in their prose and poetry texts. It is also what usually deprives them of the higher marks. My tutoring is tailored to ensure that students gain a thorough understanding of texts, and are able to effectively interpret and comment on them. I prepare students for outstanding pieces of controlled assessment work and also help with general English work and exam practice.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a passionate and hard working primary school teacher. I have been tutoring children of a range of ages and abilities for seven years. Examples include Year 4 English, Year 1 Phonics and English, Year 2 Maths, Year 6 Maths and English. I often tutor children in preparation for the 11 Plus exams and I currently have a 100% pass rate. I will adapt my teaching to meet your child's needs and I always strive to build up a child's confidence. I am patient, caring and enjoy helping children to learn, develop and achieve their goals.

Teaching Experience:
I have eight years teaching experience in primary schools and I have taught across the year groups from Reception to Year 6. I plan my lessons using objectives from the National Curriculum. I use visuals and hooks to engage children in the lesson. I then adapt the learning activity according to children's ability and needs. I ensure children have the opportunity to use their new knowledge and skills through challenge activities, where they will need to find a solution or answer to a challenging question independently. This builds children's confidence and problem-solving skills.

Tutoring Approach:
I will assess your child's needs and abilities in the first tutoring session. Going forward, I will use a range of teaching styles to support your child, including interactive lessons, focus activities, questioning and visual resources.

When I am tutoring a child for the 11 Plus, I will also use past test papers, which I will bring with me. I will also focus on areas that your child finds difficult and support him/her to complete activities in these areas.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

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Personal Description:
I currently work as a Senior Global Project Manager for a clinical research company. Since graduating in 2015, I have worked in clinical research, progressing my career in Project Management.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2021 years from ages 6-16

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is flexible depending on the students needs. I would initially want to understand what areas the focus would be, where I would then plan lessons and ensure there is mutual understanding. I believe it is important to encourage the student with the belief that they can overcome what they feel like they dont understand and be successful

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Personal Description:
With a BA Hons degree in Early Childhood Studies, I've delved into various educational philosophies like Steiner, Frobel, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. I firmly believe that each approach offers unique benefits to every child. My journey includes extensive experience in preparing children for 7+, 8+, 11+, SATs KS2 tests, and ISEB Common Entrance exams. I've successfully guided students to prestigious schools like Royal Grammar School, Queen's College, and St. Paul's Prep School. Specializing in interview prep for 11+ school entrance, I focus on core subjects for ages 3-11, including early years and primary/elementary levels. My passion lies in supporting children with dyslexia and autism, empowering them with strategies to boost confidence, overcome challenges, and realize their potential. Equipped with a TEFL certificate, I'm committed to enhancing my skills with an upcoming course in teaching young learners.

Teaching Experience:
With 3 years of experience in Sunday school, I meticulously planned weekly lessons. As a classroom assistant, I focused on aiding the lowest ability groups, and providing crucial support with classwork. Specializing in English, maths, and science for ages 5-11, I'm passionate about helping dyslexic children thrive in reading and writing. My tutoring approach revolves around understanding each child's learning style, and tailoring lessons accordingly. I love incorporating educational games, particularly for younger learners aged 5-7. Successfully preparing students for 7+, 11+, and SATs KS2 tests is a testament to my dedication.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching philosophy revolves around infusing fun into focused learning. I believe in creating an engaging and dynamic environment where students not only grasp concepts but also enjoy the process. By understanding each child's unique learning style, I tailor my lessons to ensure maximum comprehension and retention. Whether it's incorporating educational games for younger learners or employing interactive activities for older students, I strive to make every session both enriching and enjoyable. With a balance of fun and focus, I guide my students towards academic success while fostering a lifelong love for learning.

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Personal Description:
Welcome to my tutoring page! My name is Roisin and I'm dedicated to helping students not only grasp the material but develop a true love for learning. With a focus on English and Biology, I bring enthusiasm, patience, and a kind, supportive approach to each session. I believe that every student has the potential to excel when given the right guidance, and I'm committed to tailoring lessons to suit individual needs. I value learning from mistakes and see them as a powerful part of growth. As a hard worker, I take pride in creating a positive, encouraging environment that helps students build confidence and reach their full potential.

Teaching Experience:
While I may not have extensive formal teaching experience, I have had the rewarding opportunity to volunteer and assist students with their schoolwork. Through this hands-on experience, I've helped children improve their understanding of subjects like English and Biology, guiding them towards better grades and increased confidence. I've always enjoyed working one-on-one with students, providing personalized support and encouragement. These experiences have shown me how impactful patience, clear explanations, and a positive attitude can be in helping students overcome challenges and succeed academically.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is centered around fostering a positive, encouraging environment where students feel comfortable learning and growing. In English, I focus on helping students refine their own writing style, teaching them to be clear and concise while also nurturing a genuine love for the subject. I aim to expand their creative and analytical abilities so they can approach writing and literature with confidence. For Biology, I like to break down complex concepts into simple, foundational ideas that students can build upon. This way, they gain a deep understanding from the ground up, which strengthens their overall knowledge. I don't believe mistakes are a setback-they are a part of the learning process. I encourage students to learn from them, using each challenge as an opportunity to improve and grow.

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Personal Description:
I'm local to Much Wenlock and live a stonesthrow from the local bus stop and William Brookes School here in Much Wenlock.

I have a genuine desire to help those who may be struggling with their English and History and would benefit form additional 1-2-1 support.

On completing my Degree at UCS Shrewsbury in English Literature and Creative Language, I later passed a Level 3 Award in Education and Training (TQUK/RQF)

Teaching Experience:
Although I have little teaching experience I have began supporting and tutoring Key Stage 4 Students in Much Wenlock who are currently studying for GCSE English Language & Literacy.

Tutoring Approach:
• are you studying for sats or gcse/a-level english or history?
• do you require additional support outside of the classroom or because you have chosen to be homeschooled.
• are you seeking support or coaching on exam technique?
• are you perhaps neurodivergent and think it would be of help if your tutor was neurodivergent too?
• would you benefit by gaining support from a younger tutor who passed both gcse & a-level english and history, going on to achieve a ba (hons) degree in english and creative writing?

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