Northampton English Tutors and Northampton English Tuition

Personal Description:
When I was a boy I was taught by people who were larger-than-life characters who dominated the classroom. They made clear to us boys what was expected of us and that if we didn't make the effort we would simply not achieve the rewards.

As a teacher, I share the same ethos. I expect pupils to follow my lead and work to the best of their ability.

I spend a lot of time reading and thinking.

I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said that 2% of people think, 3% think they think and 95% would rather die than do any thinking at all!

Sadly, I think that over the last thirty years dumbing down and inflated grades have shown how accurate Shaw's assessment was.

I see my role as one of reversing the tide of apathy and mediocrity and encouraging pupils to value themselves as individuals each with unique potential.

I finally achieved my educational potential because I came to see intellectual growth as the only sure path to happiness and fulfilment.

Helping pupils reach the same understanding about their full intellectual potential is my vocation and the foundation on which I build all my one-to-one tuition relationships.

Teaching Experience:
After teaching in the UK Primary and Secondary sectors as well as managing English and History departments in three international schools overseas, I now devote my time exclusively to private tuition.

My experience includes 12 years teaching English and History to GCSE and A level in the UK secondary system and eight years teaching the same subjects to the same levels in international schools in Italy, Egypt and Kenya.

During this time I have always had a number of students on my books for home tuition to provide extra help in Primary, Secondary and University level subjects.

My English GCSE students last year all achieved A-C grades and my A level History student achieved an A (predicted C after Year 12) and is now at university. In previous years, my A level History students have never achieved less than a C and in 2014, I had a student who reached A* and is now studying the subject at Exeter University.

Tutoring Approach:
My experience has led me to believe that one-to-one tuition is the best way to educate pupils. It brings them to the realisation that the whole point of education really is to set us free. It's not easy for a student to discover this when confined every day in a class of 30 or more others! Learning to think independently as an individual, and to read and write fluently enables pupils to participate fully in society, to achieve their full potential and thereby become happy, confident adults. Once the student is enthused and inspired by a tutor to think for themselves there is only one way forward.

I like to encourage pupils to develop independent thinking and logical analysis. Too many schools are teaching the children WHAT to think when they should be teaching them HOW to think. Naturally, many pupils become disengaged and even some of the most talented are simply going through the motions rather than actually studying. This lack of motivation together with highly inflated grades means that many of our youngsters are leaving school with minimal reading and writing skills. Indeed, few now have the aptitude for doing much reading, thinking or writing at all.

I like to build up the student's confidence by establishing their strengths first. Thereafter I identify weaknesses and gauge the student's awareness of them and motivation to put them right. Above all, I encourage my students to read widely and with full concentration. My best students learn to read closely and publish their reviews on Amazon. Aside from the huge adrenaline run, the boost in confidence and proficiency students get from seeing their writing in print is awesome to behold!

To put it simply, when they're reading they start succeeding!

Homework set weekly by me will always involve reading, thinking and writing. My feedback will always concentrate on reinforcing the idea that the writing process never ends with the last full stop. I expect students to read back their work to ensure that their writing communicates their meaning clearly and fluently. Editing with the focus on making the right word choices, organising sentences with the words in the right order and structuring longer writing assignments into coherent paragraphs are all priorities schools are increasingly neglecting thereby greatly hindering the life chances of their pupils..

Once the student and I have agreed which areas need improvement we use lesson time to extend the student's competence and skills by undertaking thinking and written assignments that allow the student to develop these.

Weekly homework set will advance and reinforce the skills the student has been encouraged to bring to the lesson.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello,
I have completed my PhD in Creative and Critical Writing at UEA. I also have an MA (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, and a First Class Honours Degree in English Literature. I also have a good Fine Art degree from Chelsea College of Art and Design. I have been a private tutor for twenty years, and have taught many children in that time.

I am currently tutoring in Wadebridge in Cornwall but can offer Skype or Zoom lessons.

I'm 49, married and am an aunt and godmother.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught at undergraduate level at university as well as writing skills in an academic skills centre. I have also taught SATs to thirteen year olds. I have a PTTLs degree level 4 qualification and taught on an Access Course to adult learners.

I have taught AQA and EDEXCEL syllabuses at GCSE and AQA at A-Level.

Please note that I do not teach any Eleven-Plus or verbal reasoning syllabuses and that I prefer to teach older children (13 plus)

Tutoring Approach:
I use past exam papers, model essays, and devote time and attention to close reading of set texts at GCSE and A-Level. I have also given art lessons.

I can also provide Skype and Zoom lessons and find this has been successful with older and university level students.

I have a friendly, professional approach and find I develop a real rapport with my pupils, who find their results and confidence improving with my tutelage.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an academic and scholar who holds both a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and a MLitt (Master of Literature) from The University of Glasgow, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) honours degree from The University of Paisley. My first academic book 'Robert Taylor: Male Beauty, Masculinity and Stardom in Hollywood' (University Press of Mississippi, 2019) was shortlisted for the Best Monograph of the Year at BAFTSS Awards 2020 and my second academic book, 'Tyrone Power; Genre, Gender and Image in Classical Hollywood Cinema' (Edinburgh University Press, 2021) was released in February 2021. Among my other publications are chapters in anthologies for Palgrave Macmillan (2016) and Bloomsbury Academic (2021). I have contributed to several academic journals and been requested as a guest lecturer, guest speaker and reader/reviewer on several occasions. I am currently working on my next book, some academic papers for journals and chapters for scholarly edited collections.

I am a personal tutor with over a decade of experience in several subject areas including English, English Language, English Literature, Media Studies, Film Studies, Theatre Studies, and General Writing Skills. I have taught a wide range of students off-line from pre-exam age (11+) to Standard Grade, Higher, and university level, and on-line for pre-exam level (12+), GCSE, AS level, A-Level, university level, postgraduate and the adult learners over this time.

Teaching Experience:
A well as being an experienced on-line and off-line personal tutor, I have also had several other academic jobs including:

Lecturer at Forth Valley College

Seminar tutor at The University of Glasgow

Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of Glasgow

Top-Up Tutor at The University of Glasgow

Step Up to University Lecturer at University of West of Scotland

REACH Tutor at University of Glasgow

Proof Reader at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Note Taker at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Study Support Tutor at University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Transcriber at University of the West of Scotland

Support Worker at University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Rural University College

Exam Scribe at University of Glasgow and Scottish Rural University College

Exam Invigilator at Scottish Rural University College

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that learning should be fun and in a relaxed atmosphere but at the same time academic and useful. My approach to teaching is to have the tutor and student both feel that they are getting a lot out of the experience and that the time is being well used. I will break down subjects into easily manageable blocks and make sure that my student understands the unit before moving on. I also like to vary my tutorials by having some in the form of lectures, some in the form of question and answers, some where I will give students feedback on homework they have done and suggestions to improve what they have done, etc.

I also find that on-line tuition is the best method and students can ask questions that they may not ask if they were face-to-face with someone, it is a much more relaxed approach but students get a lot out of it (and can save all the notes from lessons for use later on).

Subjects

Personal Description:
NEW AVAILABILITY - FROM SEPTEMBER 8TH 2025.

SPECIAL OFFER ++++ 2 STUDENTS TUTORED ONLINE TOGETHER IN ENGLISH - £17.50 EACH ++++

SPECIAL OFFER ++++ 2 STUDENTS TUTORED ONLINE TOGETHER IN MATHS - £17.50 EACH ++++

A LEVEL ENGLISH, POLITICS AND PSYCHOLOGY.



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I have been teaching GCSE and A level students with enthusiasm and passion for more than 20 years - and I achieve great results.

I currently tutor students in English Language, English Literature and Maths - in the evenings and at weekends.

I am familiar with all of the English prose and play texts, as well as poetry anthologies and tutor students for both GCSE and IGCSE English Language and Literature.

I also tutor students in GCSE and A level Maths - and am familiar with all of the syllabi (Edexcel; AQA; OCR).

I have successfully coached a number of students for Entrance exams in Coventry and Warwickshire - for Warwick, King's High, the merged Bablake & King Henry Schools and Solihull School.

I attained my English degree (BA Honours) from Stirling University in central Scotland.

In addition to my English degree, I have a second degree in Education (1st class Honours) from Stirling University, which allows me to teach GCSE Mathematics, Sociology, Psychology and Politics.


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Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching GCSE and A level English, Drama and Creative Writing for 20 years.

I was one of the 'pilot tutors' on Warwickshire County Council's Tutoring Programme for Children in Care, tutoring teenagers across Warwickshire in literacy.

I write all of my own lessons.

Tutoring Approach:
My style is engaging and enthusiastic. I have a passion for creative writing.

I tutor in the evenings and selected weekends, and set weekly written tasks to monitor students' progress.

A normal GCSE lesson lasts one hour, but I can offer 90-minute or two-hour sessions for AS/A level students.

I also specialise in creative writing workshops, and am a published author, contributing to a number of paid-for UK magazines.

I also tutor online via SKYPE and MICROSOFT TEAMS.

I have had excellent recent successes. In the most recent 2024 summer exams, four of my GCSE students scored A** (level 9) grades in Language.

All of my last four A level English students scored A grades.

I have also successfully tutored many students who have been accepted into Solihull School. Warwick School and King Henry/Bablake School in Coventry.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an Italian citizen living in London since 1996 ; I came to London as a research student, sent by Rome University, to study and work for Westminster University.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a tutor for 24 years (I still teach Spanish/Italian to private students. I was a teacher in Italy (Spanish/English) and a bilingual assistant from 1996 to present in London (Pimlico School/North Westminster/Churchill Gardens/St. Vincent de Pau); I have a PGCE in MFL (Spanish/Italian/French) KS 3 and 4 and a Master in translation (English vs Italian and vice versa).

Tutoring Approach:
I do see each student/pupil as an individual and while teaching/tutoring I take into account their personality/skills/interests as well as age/sex/religion.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Friendly, simple person with a proven track record. Though heavily experienced in teaching, always experimenting about ways in which current students learn and hence posses a wide variety of ways to cater to different learning needs of different students.

Have helped Advanced Level students, university students, post grads etc

Teaching Experience:
More than 38 years experience as a university lecturer and tutor in UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Also have conducted private tuition classes (individual and group) for GCSE and A/L. Further, have worked as a researcher in International Research Institutes - all these experiences ensure you get a unique learning experience.

Tutoring Approach:
A novel approach which is student centered and outcome based. Includes many real world examples.

This new approach will ensure that learning become fun.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have been helping students to achieve in their GCSE English for ten years. The relationship I establish is coaching orientated and the student is encouraged to work out answers without me actually teĺling the answer. My approach is to help the tutee arrive at the correct answer or method.

Teaching Experience:
My tutoring roles have been as maths and English tutor with learndirect, up to and including GCSE level 3 together with home-visit tutoring for maths and english

Tutoring Approach:
I have a coaching/affiliative style from years of experience in training, coaching and tutoring. This experience has come from employed and self-employed roles.
I believe that engagement of the learner in the subject and with the tutor are the prime drivers of new learning and knowledge and I will work with learners to make their learning a fun but disciplined experience

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a working actor and a Graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Before going to drama school I went to The University of Nottingham where I achieved a first class degree in English Language and Literature. I am self-motivated, enthusiastic and passionate about Drama and English.

Teaching Experience:
I currently work as a drama facilitator with West End in Schools delivering drama, history and PSHE workshops in primary schools. I have now been tutoring privately for over 10 years with work ranging from Primary Maths and English, Creative Writing, Drama School, LAMDA and Audition preparation, 11 +, GCSE and A - Level English and Drama. I have also worked with adults on Public Speaking, audition preparation and vocal techniques.

I previously worked as a Maths and English tutor with Explore learning. I taught Maths and English to children aged 4 - 14 of various abilities. I received training in the National Curriculum as well as current tutoring methods. I have a particular strength in preparing students for 11+ exams.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly and enthusiastic with a proven record of working well with children. I believe that every child can benefit from one-on-one tuition; whether they need extra help with a subject they are struggling with or they would relish the challenge of extension work. Private tuition can give them the extra time they need to let difficult ideas settle and to encourage them to ask questions and push themselves further. Above all I will try to make every session fun, relaxed and positive. This is not 'school' but a opportunity to bring their learning to life. One recent student said Eleanor is "Very knowledgeable with lots of experience in the world of acting and theatre. She really helped me to realise where I wanted to go with my career and has helped me to start writing screenplays after initially focusing on getting into drama school (I changed my mind and now want to write instead). She is very passionate and has helped me improve in leaps and bounds even in just the past few months. I would highly recommend working with her".

Subjects

Personal Description:
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A DEDICATED, PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERIENCED PRIVATE TUTOR?

I am a highly experienced and successful private tutor in English language and literature, with over 40 years teaching experience in secondary and further education.

I have been a private tutor for the past 10 years, and find it extremely rewarding to continue to use my expertise to support students preparing for challenging English qualifications, which are so vital for success in life.

This is what my most recent private tutee's mother has to say about my support for her son, who has just completed his GCSE English language and literature exams:

"Isla is a wonderful, dedicated tutor and I really couldn't have wished for a better tutor for my son's GCSE English. Isla's lessons are extremely well-planned, resourced and delivered, and she has created an excellent method of teaching which helped my son to engage and focus on his preparation for the exams. Most importantly, however, was the strong teacher/pupil relationship that Isla built with my son. From the first lesson, my son had great respect for his tutor, valuing her feedback and acting upon the advice given. I realised after the first tutorial that Isla's teaching style is perfect for today's students. Thank you so much Isla for your guidance, We are grateful for all your help!"
Mrs PD, Grantham, July 2024
Footnote: this tutee who has dyslexia gained a level 6 in both English Language and Literature.

(You can see more reviews in my testimonial section below.)

MORE ABOUT MY TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

After I retired from the full-time teaching post I held for 23 years, I decided to continue teaching by becoming a private tutor, because I love teaching.

Formerly, I taught Key Stages 3, GCSE and A Level, and in my work I had an excellent track record for enabling my students to achieve their academic potential; my school pupils achieved consistently good or excellent GCSE and A Level grades and this has continued to be the case with my private tutees.

I love my subject and I am a rigorous teacher dedicated to raising standards of literacy through my teaching of English language and literature, and to the educational and personal development of young people more widely. Reading and writing skills are vital to success, and I want to empower my tutees by helping them to acquire those essential skills.

As well as teaching my academic subject, I was a sixth form personal tutor ( Years 12 and 13) in my school for 18 years, monitoring my students' academic progress, and guiding and mentoring those applying to university, assisting with UCAS applications and personal statements, or helping tutees plan for a gap year or for employment - a role which I found particularly fulfilling. I am available to support UCAS application personal statements. I get on very well with all my students and oerhaos especially those aged 16 - 18.

I also have experience of teaching in further education and have taught mature students from different cultural backgrounds.

I have also supervised sixth form students taking the AQA Extended Project Qualification. I greatly enjoy one - to-one tuition.

TUTORING EXPERTISE

In my long teaching career, I have built up extensive subject knowledge and teaching expertise, which I can adapt to students ranging from 11 years to adult, and taking exams with various examining boards, with my main focus as a private tutor being on GCSE and A Level.


A selection of TESTIMONIALS

I love working as a private tutor, helping my tutees to gain confidence in essential reading and writing skills and to achieve exam success.

In addition to the one above, here is a selection of testimonials from former tutees and their parents:

GCSE:

"When my daughter was about 14 it became apparent that she was really struggling with English. She had other difficulties going on that had made the subject very difficult for her. Her main problem was she didn't know how to approach answering questions and didn't understand how to structure an answer. We realised the importance of getting our daughter extra support, not only for her English Language and English Literature GCSE but as a foundation to other subjects and her future in life. We were very lucky to find Isla, who had experience of the exam board that we were using and many years teaching experience. She worked with my daughter on a weekly basis, through Year 10 and Year 11; Isla always planned our sessions and she covered all areas of the curriculum across both English GCSE subjects. By the time my daughter came to take her exams she was really prepared and had a new found confidence. I know that whatever her results are they will be better than they would have been. Do not hesitate to get support from Isla, she will work flexibly with you and listen to your needs."
Mrs LC, Stamford, July 2022
Update following exam results August 25 2022: this tutee is very pleased to have achieved a level 5 ( strong pass) in GCSE English Language and a 4 ( standard pass) in English Literature.

"My son was really struggling to get any motivation to study either English literature or language in both the first and second year of his GCSE course and so I made the decision to get him some support and contacted Isla to help him. Over a period of about 12 months Isla steadily helped Josh to work through the syllabus and both supported him and stretched him in order to help him maximise his potential. In his finals Josh received a solid B in both subjects and has gone on to study A level literature. I have no doubt he would not have achieved this without Isla's ongoing help and support."
Mrs M.M. Rutland , 2018


" Our son needed help to raise his GCSE English grade from a C to a B. We are so pleased that we found Isla to help him. He thoroughly enjoyed the sessions with Isla, which were paced at just the right level for him. He produced homework each week which was marked before his next session. He responded well to Isla's teaching methods and worked a lot harder than he had at school. Results day was brilliant - he gained an A grade. Fantastic! We would recommend Isla wholeheartedly."
Mrs J R, Rutland, 2017

Isla has helped both of our boys this year - one with his Personal Statement for his University application and one with his Dissertation for his degree. Both boys found Isla very easy to work with, approachable, friendly and very knowledgeable. Both boys have now moved on to University and work - both having benefitted from Isla's fantastic help.
Mrs J R Rutland, 2019


"Knowing her for roughly around two years, I found Isla to be a very professional, sincere, caring and accommodating teacher who has a passion to deliver the best she can offer. With no love for literature at all, my daughter struggled with GCSE English specially the literature where she would get C/low B compared to her other subjects. We were really concerned and wanted to push up her grade in English. That's when Isla came in as a great help. She quickly picked up and addressed the areas of concern and gave enough advice and support on revision techniques preparing her for the exam.. My daughter got a 9(A*)in Eng language and a 7(A) in literature in GCSE. In my daughter's own words: "Isla has been absolutely instrumental in boosting confidence within me without which I couldn't have asked for this result. No doubt - we highly recommend her."
Mrs P, Peterborough, 2017

"Isla provided excellent support during Year 10 and 11 to our daughter in relation to her GCSE studies in both English Literature and Language. This complemented her learning at school and enabled focus on those areas where extra support or explanation was needed. Isla was very flexible in her approach, tailoring her lessons to our daughter's needs and providing additional support on the run up to the exams themselves. Although our daughter isn't continuing her English studies at A Level, Isla is going continue to provide support in relation to essay structure and comprehension in the subjects she has chosen to study. We would highly recommend her."
Mrs R M, Leicestershire, parent of GCSE pupil, 2015

A LEVEL:

Isla is a very dedicated English Literature teacher. I saw the benefit of her lessons from the outset! Isla is reliable and meticulously organised as she always had the session planned which allowed us to make the most of every lesson. I am very grateful to have found Isla as I not only gained a clearer understanding of the books taught, but also my confidence in exam technique improved immensely due to Isla's support. I highly recommend Isla, she is a very kind person as well as an incredibly devoted teacher. Thank you Isla for your guidance and support.
DD, Grantham, September 2023
Footnote: my tutee DD gained a grade B in English at A Level and A grades in Mathemarics and Economics . She decided to take a gap year and is now studying for a degree in Economics at LSE.


"Isla has been a wonderful tutor for my son, and was able to support him enormously in all aspects of his AQA A level English Literature. Isla is very knowledgeable and thorough in her approach and assisted with his research and planning for his coursework, and with close study and revision of the challenging texts my son studied over the course of the 2 years, until he took his final exams in June 2019 . She also supported him in developing and writing his personal statement for UCAS, which resulted in excellent offers of university places. My son found Isla to be very approachable and very easy to work with as her teaching style is friendly, patient and clear, and she was also open to scheduling extra sessions when needed to fit around his studies. Isla"s support has been invaluable and has enabled my son to achieve a good set of A Level grades, including a creditable grade English Literature, and he is now settled into his first term at one of the top universities in the country, studying Economics. We would have no hesitation in recommending Isla as a private tutor.."
Mrs J.M., Leicester. October 2019

We turned to a private tutor because our daughter received a disappointing result in her first year of A Level English, but she knew she could do better and wanted to go to a first class University to study English. Her coursework had been excellent and most of her homework was good, too, but her exam technique was less secure. Isla definitely made a difference. She is a nurturing teacher who interacts with the student really well. Isla gave good advice about preparing for the exam paper and gave support in revision of the various texts, which boosted our daughter's confidence. Having achieved the necessary entry grades, our daughter is now at Newcastle University starting her degree course and wants to keep in touch with Isla."
Sally S, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, parent of A Level student, 2016

"As someone who wanted to pursue English at university, my grade C at AS Level was not good enough, so during Year 13 we found a private tutor to help me with my A Level English Language and Literature course. Isla put lots of time into helping me come out with an overall high grade B. She gave me wonderful advice with my creative coursework and really enhanced my knowledge of the two plays I was studying for my written exam. I am so grateful and will continue to keep in touch with Isla as I enter my degree course at Newcastle University for English Literature and Creative Writing."
Emily S, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, A Level tutee, 2016

Update from Emily S, Peterborough (above) received June 27 2019:

"I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know that I have received a First Class Honours from Newcastle University in English Literature and Creative Writing!
I am really thrilled as I wasn't expecting it!
You were a real help to me and my time with you was the beginning of me finding my feet with poetry; I went on to write a creative portfolio of poetry instead of a dissertation and received a mark of 75 for it.
So this is just to say, thank you very much!! "


"Isla has helped both of our sons this year - one with his Personal Statement for his University application and one with his Dissertation for his degree. Both boys found Isla very easy to work with, approachable, friendly and very knowledgeable. They have now moved on to University and work - both having benefitted from Isla's fantastic help."
Mrs J R, Rutland, 2018

I assisted a former GCSE resit tutee in his final year at university . This email arrived from his mother to tell me about her son's graduation:

Just to let you know that XXX got a 2.1 in his Sports Psychology degree!
We are very proud of him.
Thank you so much again for all your help and support.
June 2021

Teaching Experience:
I have been a private tutor for 9 years. Private tutoring enables me to stay in touch with young adults and to continue to use the teaching skills I have developed over a long and successful teaching career.

I greatly enjoy one to one tutoring and my students feel supported and more confident about facing their exams. My tutees tend to be students who are struggling with the subject and have been predicted lower grades than they need. Sometimes there is a specific issue such as spelling, or a student might struggle with a particular aspect, such as reading, or with a particular set text, or with how to write essays and exam answers that will earn high marks. Without exception, my tutees improve their standard and often go in to achieve very creditable grades that enable them to move to the next stage of their school career, or gain the university place they want.

In my last full-time teaching post, which I held for 23 years until my retirement in 2014, I taught English Language and English Literature throughout the school: to pupils aged 11-14 at Key Stage 3, to pupils taking GCSE exams, and to sixth formers taking AS and A level English.

At GCSE and AS/A Level my pupils have obtained consistently excellent results. I have taught a very wide range of set texts for literature and have taught courses by different exam boards, such as Edexcel, OCR, AQA, and the CIE IGCSE.

My school teaching often involved one-to-one sessions with pupils who needed extra support and I have taught those whose attainment in the subject is modest, as well as higher achievers in English.

Other teaching experience includes teaching for a total of 7 years full and part-time in further education colleges, and I have also taught English as a foreign language for the British Council in a Middle Eastern country.

Because I love teaching and supporting young people in their intellectual development, I can't bring myself to stop completely, I have been tutoring privately since retiring from full time school teaching, and I currently tutor students ranging from 14 to 18, assisting with preparation for GCSE and A Level exams. I find it hard to say no to anyone who asks me, so I am busy, but like it that way because I never see teaching as a chore or "just a job."

I have been tutoring students following a range of different GCSE courses and examining boards, including Edexcel IGCSE,mCambridge IGCSE, and AQA GCSE courses, both language and literature qualifications, and also the Edexcel combined A Level Language and Literature, and also Edexcel English Literature . My tutoring role includes assisting my tutees with close study and revision of a wide range of set texts, demonstrating my adaptability in quickly grasping what different exam techniques are required. I have also given advice and support to students in higher education, pursuing English degrees.

My private tutees gained English language and literature grades that exceeded their school teachers' expectations in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 GCSE exams, achieving grades ranging from C (D predicted) to A* (B predicted). In summer 2017 , one of my private tutees achieved a grade A in IGCSE First Language English through working with me exclusively during Year 12 and resitting independently, having achieved only a D in Year 11, which - without improvement - would have damaged his chances of admission to a good university.

Tutoring Approach:
PASSION FOR AND KNOWLEDGE OF MY SUBJECT
I prepare lessons thoroughly and imaginatively, striking a balance between getting through the necessary work - but making it varied, interesting and fun.

I begin by getting to know my pupil, their background, and specific needs.

Often, pupils needing extra tuition lack confidence and self-esteem and I care about addressing that sensitively.

In addition, I plan what needs to be covered: making sure I am fully in the picture with regard to the specific course being followed and the exam criteria, and I use the exam boards' websites to source relevant materials such as past papers and teaching resources.

In my tutoring, I aim to give my pupils more confidence in the classroom and in their written work.

BUILDING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MY TUTEES

I always have a clear plan for the session and an aim of what I wish to achieve in the time available.

Equally, I am flexible and nearly always end up adapting my plan to what comes up that day, in terms of what the pupil needs.

I like people and I am a friendly, outgoing person who communicates warmly with a tutee; I greatly enjoy the company of young people and am experienced in putting my tutees at their ease, reducing their anxiety and building their self-confidence, which is vital.

I form friendly, personal relationships with those I teach and am good at listening to them and assessing their needs, and adjusting my strategy accordingly.

A RIGOROUS APPROACH AND DETAILED FEEDBACK
As well as preparing thoroughly, I mark work meticulously and give very detailed and helpful feedback, both in writing and orally. I set relevant work to be completed for the next tutorial, and monitor progress closely; I stay in regular contact with my students and/or their parents via email and phone.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU
You will find me a hardworking, and sympathetic tutor committed to the interests of my tutees; my aim is to help you to achieve your full academic potential in the subject and gain exam success. I see your progress in English in the context of the whole school or college picture and as part of your personal development. I often stay in touch with my pupils as they move on in life and take a keen interest in how they are getting on. I always treat my tutees with respect, kindness and understanding.

WHERE AND WHEN TUTORIALS TAKE PLACE
I tutor in my own home where I am set up to receive my tutees in a quiet and relaxed environment with my extensive resources and teaching materials readily to hand. During the pandemic I continued to tutor online and since then have continued to tutor online because my tutees often find it saves then travelling time and fits in with their lives better. I will consider face to face tutoring if this is required, or online only, or a combination of the two methods.

Normally I tutor on weekdays, and aim to complete my tutoring sessions by 7.30 p m but my times are flexible. I prefer not to tutor at weekends because of family commitments, though I can do so by by arrangement, with Sunday morning being a possibility.

I am usually able to tutor in school holidays, when I can offer longer, more intensive revision sessions.

I am always willing to try to fit in with a pupil's/parents' needs.


FEES

My professional fee for an hour is £45 for GCSE and £50 for A Level English and for support with UCAS personal statements.

Fees for other tutoring categories on request.

My fee include include preparation for the lesson, marking of set written homework, the actual intensive contact time with me, and follow-up emails and phone calls.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Primary trained school teacher with experience in both KS1 and KS2.
I am a mother with three children, one of which had learning problems as a KS1 child, and understand the frustration of the learner and anxiety the parent feels.

Teaching Experience:
Special needs teaching 1:1
1:1 private tuition
10 years Primary KS1 & KS2

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy helping children reach their potential by being patient and understanding and helping my tutee's discover their most suited method and style for learning, in the area that they find challenging.
I teach using visual, auditory and kinesthetic methods, depending on my pupils learning style.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Anna. I'm an author and a poet, I have had many poems published, won first prize in an international poetry competition (2011) and have also brought out two collections, which are on sale on Amazon. In 2015 I published my memoir A Hippopotamus at the Table. Set in South Africa in the 1970s. I'm about to publish my second memoir and published a book called Writing Memoir. How to Write a Story from Your Life in 2017. Formerly I taught memoir writing to small groups. I have a blog which is updated regularly with articles about writing, poetry, my travels and events.

Teaching Experience:
I taught in Adult Education at a variety of colleges for approximately 10 years (until 2000) - my main subject was Ancient Egyptian History - one of the colleges was Birkbeck University (University of London) I taught undergraduates. I ran a class for a number of years before that for City University on Ancient Egyptian History. For 6 years I taught Information Technology (seminars) at London Metropolitan University, to first year undergraduates. More recently (2000-2014) I worked in Criminal Justice delivering Cognitive Behavioural programmes to offenders and also on another programme supporting victims of violence.
I used to host language students for St Giles English Language school and also for a year taught TEFL one-to-one.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is Socratic in delivery, to draw from the student what they know, what their interests are and expand on that. I like to bring students to poetry, and know about poetry from a variety of cultures from Moslem (like Rumi, Omar Khayam) to French and Afro Caribbean writers. I think learning English should be broad and interesting and make people think. My teaching method is through a conversational approach, short written exercises for identifying strengths and weaknesses, building on strengths and working on areas that require a structured approach for improvement. Learning should be interesting and it should be fun.

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Personal Description:
I am an outstanding,experienced Primary School teacher, specialising in 11 Plus, Maths and English.I prepare children for 11+ and Year 6 SATs exams, hence I am up-to-date with the changes and expectations imposed by the Department for Education. I hold a BA in English Literature,an MA in Media and Human Rights, and a qualification in Primary School Education (age range 5-11). I have a keen interest in Literature related to Mathematical phenomena and novels.I am a native English speaker and fluent in Turkish.

Teaching Experience:
I have been working in education since 2011 and currently a Year 6 teacher. In addition, I have previously taught Years,2,3,4 and 5, and have worked and continue to work with SEN children.

I have 11 plus students who have been offered places in a range of selective schools, i.e, Latymer, Dame Alice, Henrietta Barnett, Channing, QE, HABS,St Albans and more.

Tutoring Approach:
I like building a dialogue with my pupils which allows them to enjoy and take ownership of their learning. Once targets are identified, I put together lesson plans that will cater to my pupil's needs and learning style. At the core of my practice lies keeping my pupils engaged and passionate about learning. I succeed in this through the use of hands on resources(i.e.numicom,maths mats,word banks,puzzles), varying tasks, scaffolding and discussion.

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Personal Description:
I am a practising Head of English currently employed in a local secondary school. I live with my husband, Year 10 daughter, my 17 year old son who is training to be a Land Surveyor and our pets. I have, in previous years, taught Drama (for which I am also qualified), History and Religious Studies as I have a joint honours degree in English and Victorian Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education for English and Drama.

Teaching Experience:
I have 20 years of teaching experience, many of which are in local schools and I am Head of English in a local secondary school which I am really enjoying. Over the years I have privately tutored 11+ and 12+ exams, KS2 English and Maths, Year 6-7 transition skills, KS3 English, GCSE English and English Literature for a variety of exam boards and A' Level English Literature. I have also worked at various times with SEN students with a whole range of issues and I set up and ran the gifted and talented programme at one of the schools where I taught when it was a new Government initiative.

Tutoring Approach:
I really enjoy teaching as a profession and very early on, I realised that it is my duty to treat every child in my care as if they are my own child and that they are getting the teaching and learning experience that I would like my own children to have. It is my goal to ensure that every child becomes the best that they can be and that every child gets the best education which is appropriate to their individual needs.

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Personal Description:
I am a mom to two teenage boys and have been teaching English for the last 15 years. I enjoy keeping fit, reading and cooking when I have spare time,
I am passionate about English language and Literature and love supporting students to achieve their best and beyond.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced teacher with a track record of excellent pupils results.
I am currently teaching English in a local secondary school from ages 11-18 years.
Specialisms are GCSE Literature and Language.
I adapt various teaching methods to suit the individual.
I have taught GCSE with various exam boards and an expert when enhancing pupil skills to meet examination criteria.

Tutoring Approach:
Face to face
Resources supplied

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:
Having tutored for 12 years and been in mainstream education for the past 9, I am more than ready and willing to work with young people who are in need of a variety of different approaches:

- Stretching and challenging the most able
- Going back to basics with exam content
- Handwriting
- Organisation
- Revision skills and independent learning

Teaching Experience:
Qualified teacher (secondary)

Most recent tutee Results
Student 1: GCSE Spanish - Grade 9
Student 2: SATs 101 / 102 / 102
Student 3: GCSE English Language-Grade 8
Student 4: GCSE Spanish - grade 6
Student 5: GCSE French (current)

Tutoring Approach:
There is no right answer to "what is the best approach" - my first session will always be one hour to formulate a plan based on the requirements of the parent(s) or carer(s), to meet the learner in question, and to come up with a plan of action based on a variety of factors. This will incorporate target grades in school, achievements so far, existing attitudes to learning amongst other things.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a friendly, creative and dedicated tutor, whose key area of focus is English Literature A-level (Edexcel; AQA), English GCSE (AQA; Edexcel; OCR; Eduqas) and English IGCSE (Edexcel) tuition. I have a strong track record in helping students achieve their hoped-for grades (up to 9/ A*).

I aim to support students in their exam preparation and technique, understanding and analysis of texts, essay writing (A-level) and coursework (A-level).

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in education, in both mainstream and SEN settings, for six years; I have a BA HONS. 2.1 in English and European Literature (University of Warwick).

Recently taught A-level drama, prose and poetry texts include: Othello, A Midsummer Night`s Dream, Twelfth Night, A Streetcar Named Desire, Doctor Faustus, A Doll`s House, Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, Mrs Dalloway, Hard Times, The Handmaid`s Tale, Never Let Me Go, Atonement, The Great Gatsby, Skirrid Hill, The World`s Wife, the poetry of John Donne, John Keats and Chaucer, as well as Romantic Poetry, the Edexcel Poems of the Decade anthology and the AQA pre-1900 anthology. I am able to support students in their analysis of unseen prose and poetry.

I have experience teaching GCSE Language reading and writing across the main exam boards. GCSE Literature texts have included (but have not been limited to): Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, An Inspector Calls, Blood Brothers, Lord of the Flies, A Christmas Carol, Jekyll and Hyde and Jane Eyre, as well as board-specific poetry anthologies.

Tutoring Approach:
I take a pupil-centred approach to tutoring, consistently tailoring my teaching to the requirements of each, individual student.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a mother of a child who has dyslexia and I have always supported her overcoming her barriers to learning. We both love reading, getting outside and playing card and board games together.

Teaching Experience:
I have been working in education for almost 30 years. For over a decade, I have previously worked as a teaching assistant supporting individual children, adapting classroom learning to meet their specific needs, both academic and emotional.
I am now a qualified teacher working full time in a local school.

Tutoring Approach:
My passion about children's education has led me to develop a deep understanding of how children learn and how to support children along their learning journey. I believe in a holistic approach and suit my teaching to the needs of each child with adaptive and adjustable methods so that they can achieve to their best potential.

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