Peacehaven English Tutors and Peacehaven English Tuition

Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor. I have studied modern languages, art and design and I also have qualifications in law. I have had a varied career encompassing language teaching, translation, publishing and work in the charity sector. My wide interests and enquiring nature are invaluable assets in my teaching.

Teaching Experience:
English as a Foreign Language teaching experience in the UK and abroad, including for large schools and within companies, and private tuition 1-to-1. Adults and young learners.

Providing corporate training in Polish to groups of adult learners and also private tutoring to individuals.
I have been learning and translating Polish for 20 years, and I have lived and worked extensively in Poland. I have Polish family links.

Coaching for 11+ grammar school entrance exams. I have also provided general teaching support up to GCSE level in English and French to private students.

Tutoring Approach:
Friendly, encouraging and approachable, but thorough and focussed on successful learning. Very adaptable, and able to tailor lessons to suit individual learning styles, abilities and preferences.

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Personal Description:
My name is Yasmin. I am a 50 year-old Teacher with over 25 years teaching experience. I currently supply in schools all over south west London which I thoroughly enjoy as I meet new students and teachers. I do get called back to the same schools as I am punctual, experienced, professional and have great classroom management skills.

Teaching Experience:
Homestay English
2015-current
Hosting foreign students aged between 12 and 18 in my home
Teaching English to the children in structured sessions
Taking children on excursions and doing activities across London
Providing opportunities to experience English culture

TENNIS AVENUE
2010-2015
Set up and ran a private school offering Curriculum subjects to Home Schooled Children.
Primary class of 6 children, planning, teaching and assessing curriculum subjects following the National Curriculum.
Pre GCSE class of 10 children, planning, teaching and assessing English and History
11+ tutoring for various schools

2005 -2007
English Subject co-coordinator responsible for the development of School Literacy Plan in line with government guidelines

2001 -2005
Head of year 5 and Year 1 Art Coordinator for whole School

Tutoring Approach:
I offer a safe and comfortable learning environment. I believe that children should be able to identify their own mistakes develop their problem solving skills by applying different approaches to the question. I build on children's skills and confidence.

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Personal Description:
I am a very approachable, professional warm person. I have the ability to build a rapport quickly with students and enjoy seeing a child's learning bloom to their full potential. I use humour to keep the learning a fun activity.
I am very experienced in Primary Education and can support children with their SAT'S work.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 20 years experience of working with primary aged children both on a one to one and group environment.

Tutoring Approach:
I will have an initial meeting with a new student to find out their abilities and requirements and proceed from there, taking into account the child's individual learning style.

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Personal Description:
- I am currently working as a full time tutor after completing my Masters Degree in Social Policy at LSE. Before this, I was studying a BA in History at UCL. I am absolutely passionate about education and helping students to achieve their full potential. I take a personalised approach that caters directly to the individual. I have been tutoring for 5 years.

Teaching Experience:
- I have held various posts at my school like History Buddy, Maths Support Club. Through doing this I feel I have gained a sense of nurturing and helping people, which I feel would be beneficial in a tuition role.

Tutoring Approach:
First and foremost I hope to instil an appreciation of the subject in the student. I am able to explore the syllabus in a fun way. This can be particularly important if they have had a negative experience thus far with their own teachers. I feel able to relate to students as I have in all likelihood recently experienced similar problems myself and could thus be more accessible than a parent or teacher.
I am able to provide an interesting, insightful and dynamic way of learning.

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Personal Description:
Specialist in GCSE English who gains excellent results in both language and literature. Current Head of Year.

Can teach both Edexcel and AQA English language and literature.

I have completed an LLB Law degree and have furthered this by undertaking a Legal Practice Course. Having previously worked as a Legal Representative for the Home Office I have now left the legal profession; I am now a full time English teacher at a secondary comprehensive school in Dartford. I also volunteer as a local Magistrate. I made the decision to change career as I enjoy working with young people and I feel that tutoring is something that is underrated and hugely beneficial. I have a full enhanced DBS check.

Teaching Experience:
I currently have 12 years experience of one to one tuition.

Having left the legal profession I am now a full time English teacher at a secondary comprehensive school.

I offer tutoring in GCSE and KS3 English; Post 16 Law and IB Film.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that tutoring is a very important concept for some children. Students benefit hugely from one to one information and reinforcement; and it may be a far more effective learning strategy than classroom teaching. I think it is important to first gain an understanding of where a child's strengths and weaknesses lie, in order to focus on the areas which perhaps need improvement. I also value a child's input as they are good judges of what they feel they do well and what they may need help with. The tutoring sessions will move at a pace that the child is comfortable with, and help with homework and coursework will be available. For GCSE and A-Level tutoring of desired essay structuring and revision strategies can be discussed and learned, as these are often overlooked in schools.

I feel that tutoring outside of school may help improve a child's confidence within a school environment, be this in the work itself or in class discussions and for them as a person. It is not always easy for a child to speak up at school, and if they do not understand this may result in them falling behind. As a tutor I am able to reinforce school work at a pace more appropriate for the level of your child, and allow them to develop and learn in a way that is suitable and enjoyable for them.

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Personal Description:
I have worked with some 800+ children and have a pass rate of 91%. I recommend that children start tuition from near the beginning of year 5 and have a 50 mins-one hour lesson per week.

I am a regular contributor on 11+ website forums giving parents the benefit of my experience/knowledge.

In 2003 I produced a guide to 11+ success and have sold over 1500 copies to date.

I have been an adviser to publisher Nelson Thornes on the contents of their VR books which include the Bond range.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 21 years experience as a private tutor preparing children for the grammar school entrance exams (11+) and 11 years as a year 5 class teacher.

Tutoring Approach:
I carry out an initial assessment test which provides me with an accurate guide as to whether the child is a suitable candidate.

My aim is to familiarise my pupils with the different types of verbal reasoning questions they will encounter in the exam and teach them methods to tackle them most effectively.

As we approach the exam we concentrate on 'fine-tuning' i.e. concentrating specifically on any areas that need further attention and ensuring that the child is used to working at the required speed. Appropriate practice tests are done on a regular basis.

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Personal Description:
I am a PhD student, undertaking my doctorate in Environmental Sciences, with a focus on soil nutrient cycling and nutrient transport to surface and ground waters. I completed my BSc in Physical Geography at the University of Exeter and gained first class honours in this.

Teaching Experience:
I carried out teacher training at a basic level with the University of Exeter in order to participate in the Students Associates Scheme. After this training I spent three weeks in a local secondary school where I actively participated in Geography and Religious Studies lessons, and was able to provide work plans for higher and lower achieving students. I also worked closely with students that had special educational needs.
I also have experience in teaching sports to groups of young children.

Tutoring Approach:
During my time at the secondary school I found that I produced good results working one-to-one with students, particularly with students that were struggling to understand concepts or were having difficulty with the teaching style being used in the classroom. I am patient, focussed and willing to work hard to enable a tutee to achieve their goals.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor that enjoys tutoring children and have made a difference to the lives of numerous students who were struggling before but under my guidance have achieved their full potential and excellent grades.
I am working full time in a London Borough of Ealing school at the moment.I am a very patient and a caring tutor
who can motivate and encourage the strengths of the learner.I tutor from the purpose built study at the back of my house where I have all the resources.I am CRB checked and can provide evidence of all my qualifications and references from previous students and parents about my tutoring skills.

Teaching Experience:
I have more than 20 years of teaching experience where I have worked with varied age ranges.I have also worked with special educational needs children.I have experience of the different exam boards so can give exam practice according to the mark schemes to get the best results.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is based on the individual's needs.I assess the pupil first and then cater the lesson accordingly based upon individual needs.The lesson progresses according to the pace of the learner.I differentiate and meet the needs of the pupil.I break the information up into easy steps for some or go straight to the next step for others depending on the student.I praise and motivate the pupil and enhance their confidence.
After teaching a certain topic I also provide a piece of homework to reinforce knowledge.There is continuous on going assessment so that I am aware which topics need more practice.

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Personal Description:
JULIA
Drama, Performance and Voice Tutor
English Tutor

I am an enthusiastic and dynamic individual and am passionate about all aspects of performance. As well as going to the theatre I enjoy singing and going to festivals
I gained my LLAM Diploma from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2003 and since then I have been teaching hundreds of students across the country.

I can tutor English Key stage one and two. Each lesson will be a combination of grammar and writing.

Are you keen to learn more about acting but not sure where to start?
Desperate to perform but too shy to audition?
Do you need help to improve your public speaking and presentation skills?
Does your voice require further development and training?
Interview skills need further attention?
Struggling with GCSE or A level drama?
Do you want help with drama school auditions?
Do you want to enter drama examinations and festivals?

I can help with all these.

Teaching Experience:
In 2000, I created "Stand and Deliver" Drama Schools which I ran for 15 years.I have taught Speech and Drama at a number of major schools in Bristol and the South-west including Taunton Preparatory School, Red Maids School, Redland High School and Clifton College, For the past 15 years I have been a Drama, Performance and Voice Tutor at Bristol Grammar School. I also ran my own boutique theatrical agency in London and Bristol. Many of my students appeared on television and in theatre. Credits include "Skins", E4, "Larkrise to Candleford", BBC1, "Mistresses", BBC1, "Billy Elliot", West End Production,

In January 2019, I formed Stand and Deliver Youth Theatre and now have 2 successful youth theatres in Bristol. I also tutor from home,

Tutoring Approach:
Teaching English and Drama is not a job but is a passion for me - I believe every student has a unique voice and that is my philosophy when teaching. My dynamism and passion is infectious and promotes excellent learning. My aim is to ensure that students have the same passion as I do, by fully involving them in all aspects of my sessions.
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Personal Description:
I am an engaging secondary school teacher of English and English Literature in the Cambridgeshire area. I achieve outstanding results by making the learning relevant and easy to understand for the student. I clearly have a passion for my subject and have secure differentiation skills. I go above and beyond for my students, building a successful rapport which aids the learning experience.

Teaching Experience:
I taught at Impington Village College for 8 years, at Ely College for two years and four years at Neale-Wade Academy, March. I was nomintaed for a local hero award for contributions to teaching in 2017. I have been nominated for the Cambridge University Teaching Awards 2024.

I have a degree from Kingston University, Surrey.

I completed my Graduate Teacher Placement with Cambridge University.

I have various other teaching-related qualifications through Cambridge University.

Tutoring Approach:
Simple and memorable approaches and techniques to understanding the exam papers/tasks. Building a good rapport with the student and giving them a personalised experience in order to make good progress.

Recapping and building on the progress made in the previous lesson. Giving the students confidence with spelling, grammar and punctuation. Using effective resources and setting further learning tasks when needed.

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Personal Description:
I am a highly experienced educationalist with a wholistic approach and a wide range of work experience before training as a teacher.

Prior to becoming a qualified teacher my professional experience includes IT, social work, property maintenance, music, photography and education & employment while my studies at undergraduate included nine subjects. I therefore draw upon a wide range of experience, knowledge and practice and believe that personal development is one of the most important and fulfilling things we can engage with in life.

In addition to various qualifications I have gained, I self study and pursue a wide range of activities and interests which gives me an ever increasing palette to draw upon when tutoring / mentoring.

Teaching Experience:
I gained my PGCE in Secondary Education (Maths) and worked in Adult Education and Family Learning for many years whereby I delivered accredited courses in Mathematics (up to GCSE level) and non-accredited courses in English and IT. In utilising my experience of working with mental health I set up and ran the only Maths for Mental Health group in Sussex which, although successful, unfortunately was terminated due to lack of funding along with my Family Learning teaching practice.

I left the Adult Education sector when I was head hunted by a family to deliver a private Home Learning curriculum and now work solely as a private tutor; supporting students in the Maths school curriculum and delivering a range of subjects (Maths, English, German, History, Photography, Chess etc.) to students who are home schooled. I also undertake private adult learning where there is a demand, additionally designing and undertaking bespoke plans for specific skills development such as report writing for business and fundamental Maths & Physics for basic Aircraft Engineering courses.

During the time of working in the Education & Employment sector I was responsible for skills development of various special needs groups so I have a solid understanding of and experience in a wide variety of educational needs. This experience also laid the foundation for a fixed term contract at a college for SEND students where I delivered a Maths curriculum to groups of SEND young adults within the QCF accredited curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
As a professional educator I am committed to lifelong learning myself and, while I see the benefits and necessity of having learning goals to work towards, I believe that the most important role of a tutor is to develop a healthy and respectful relationship with a student, so that learning and achievement can flow from a sense of natural enquiry into a subject in a way which engages them in life. My experience suggests that, for most students, this approach helps them achieve greater confidence, awareness and motivation to excel in their learning and understanding of the subject.

My overall experience of working with a wide range of people in diverse professional fields and having studied a multi-disciplinary undergraduate degree as well as Maths also allows me to link learning across a range of subjects and life situations. In itself, this gives me a significant platform to develop a learner's ability to grasp a 'bigger picture' and to see self development as intrinsically valuable beyond the subject or topics being worked on.

I believe that we can never truly know our potential and I approach each student with a sense of curiosity and encouragement to explore that potential through appropriate cognitive skills development, so as to build positive channels of learning while identifying and addressing any specific difficulties.

When working with students I usually discuss learning and content with them but, when tutoring young people, I also encourage regular contact with the parent / carer - after all, a parent / carer is the first teacher in a young person's life and very much part of the young person's view of the world and educational growth.

PLEASE NOTE: relevant charges and introductory sessions

(i) sessions based more than 3 miles radius from my location will incur a travel charge based on a reasonable mileage cost if I am required to travel to the tutee.

(ii) on acceptance of each other via this site, there is an immediate introduction fee to be made to the site. This can be accommodated by a single session at my usual rates where you and your son / daughter can meet me and I you.

(iii) I would ask that sessions are subsequently booked in blocks of 6 and paid for in advance. Thank you.

BRAIN TEASER: if you were to spell out the counting numbers from "one" on wards, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A' in the number (this doesn't include the conjunction "and")?

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Personal Description:
Edouard was born and educated in England. He has resided in Canterbury, Leeds, Oxford, London, Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Oswestry. He gained five 'A Levels' (AAABC) at Notre Dame 6th Form College (Leeds) before attending Oxford University where he obtained Degrees in Philosophy and French. He proceeded to do Postgraduate studies in London where he was semi-resident at the British Library (1993-1998).

He has been a widely published author since 1999, being the author of dozens of essays and monographs in Philosophy, Comparative Literature, Poetry and Psychology. He is co-author of the self-help book 'Reading in No Time' and author of the forthcoming publication 'French in No Time' (2020). He is a member of MENSA, the BAJ (British Assoc. of Journalists) and A3M (Academy of the 3rd Millennium). He is currently editor of the 'Nobel Prize Collection' for Living Time Books.

Teaching Experience:
Edouard has taught pupils from KS1 to Postgraduate Level in the UK and abroad. He undertakes an equal amount of group-teaching (lecturing/seminars/classroom) and individual tutoring (mentoring/coaching/private tutorials).

He has taught in Switzerland (Geneva, Basel), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin, Munich), Italy (Milan) Poland (Krakow, Warsaw) and Slovakia (Bratislava). He is a native English speaker and also a fluent speaker of French and German.

Edouard is highly experienced in teaching children and adults with special educational needs - including Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Autism, Aspergers, Pathological Demand Avoidance), ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and other developmental conditions. He is quoted as saying: "Everyone can learn - it doesn't matter how differently we do so!"

He specializes in tutoring for GCSEs, A Levels, Entrance Exams and assistance with Dissertations, Essays, Theses & Coursework.

Tutoring Approach:
Edouard has explained his approach to teaching in the following way: "With every person that I teach, whether they are before me as an individual or as part of a group, first of all I take time to observe the way in which they learn - their own particular mode of processing information. Then, once I have understood their learning processes - be they visual, verbal, concrete, mathematical, or a combination of these - I customize my own teaching approach to that student's optimum mode of intake. This usually goes a large way toward maximizing their learning experience. What I find is of vital importance in the learning journey - and which is largely responsible for making it successful - is identifying with crystal clarity the exact goals which are to be attained. I make sure that my students do not lose sight of their goal and I make sure that their 'will-to-achieve' stays at a top level throughout the educational process. Without a goal, motivation falters".

Edouard specializes in enabling his students to apply 'Advanced Learning Techniques' in the mastery of their learning goals. These include: visual reading skills, memory techniques, thought-mapping, accelerated learning and the use of 'progress planners'. Through his publications and courses he has enabled thousands of students to achieve their dreams already. - Could you be next?

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Personal Description:
I am currently studying a PhD at St. Andrews in English. In 2021, I became a published author, publishing a poetry collection, Poems Sketched Upon the M60.

I can teach English National 5, GCSE, A Level and University level.

I am a highly intelligent (Oxford-educated), extremely passionate, and endlessly empathetic tutor. I have been tutoring for three years and I guarantee that you will not regret working with me. I can push anyone up several grade points with my deep commitment to teaching and education.

I used to work in Wakefield as an English teacher but I left because of my desire to focus on tutoring and writing. At the school, I was a highly valued colleague who ran three after-school clubs: a BSL Club, a Playscript Club and a Debating Team.

I have a First Class Honours degree in English Literature (with a lot of French) from the University of York and a Masters' degree in Nineteenth Century Literature from St. Benet's Hall, University of Oxford. I am also a journalist writing for The Guardian, Catholic Herald and The Tablet. I also write creatively - my poems have won contests and appeared in publications such as Amethyst Review, Ink, Sweat & Tears and Ancient Paths. I have a blog, Squidditas, which showcases my writing skills, reinforcing the huge amount I have to offer as an English, French, History and R.S. tutor.

Previously I worked in care and I worked for a homeless shelter in North London, meaning I have a high level of empathy and a highly "person-centred" response to tutoring. I also worked for the University of York in the Disability Service, where I helped disabled students with their academic needs.

Teaching Experience:
I have seven years of experience of tutoring children from 11 to adults. I used to work as an English teacher in Wakefield.

I have mentored disabled students in the University of York and have tutored many people privately before, as well as worked in schools on projects discussing homelessness.

Tutoring Approach:
I do not believe in tutoring people mechanically or with a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. I believe in a truly mutual approach where we work together to understand each topic. I am firm and will do everything I can to ensure I can pass on my knowledge.

I am able to offer a concession of £20. This is only for first-generation migrants, who I have a strong commitment to supporting. If you are not a first-generation migrant, please do not try to barter with me as I am already charging a very low rate for my services given my experience and education. I can absolutely guarantee you will not find such good value for money in terms of commitment, passion and the level I am able to teach at (as well as the range of topics I am able to teach.)

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Personal Description:
Morning and afternoon sessions available during weekdays for home schoolers!

I am a fully qualified Primary School Teacher with 30 years experience. I am committed to helping children to achieve their full potential in becoming well rounded, happy individuals who are independent learners. I believe children become successful learners when they are given the right tools for the job. The most important of these tools is confidence in their own ability! I am friendly, approachable and reliable.

Teaching Experience:
I have vast and recent experience of teaching at primary schools at Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. I have supported children with a variety of conditions such as ADHD, ADD and ASD. I have prepared children for the Year One Phonics Screening, the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check and for Year 6 SATs. I have a full and detailed knowledge of the National Curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is flexible and centred around the hopes and aims of the child and their carer. I offer a bespoke curriculum tailored to the needs of the individual child. During our first session I will take the time to get to know you and your child. I will build up a picture of your child's interests, strengths, and also try to identify areas where they feel less confident. There will be some short assessment tasks to complete during this session. These will be delivered as activities and games and not as tests! Then we will discuss possible next steps and objectives. I will use all this information to develop your child's individual scheme of work. This learning path is adaptable and can be changed and modified to suit your child's ongoing progress.
Thank you for reading my profile.

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Personal Description:
I trained as an English Teacher twenty-five years ago. I love teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I've taught in all sorts of settings, mainly in secondary schools, but also at City College (Plymouth), the University of Plymouth, and classes in Exeter for the WEA (adult education). I'm an AQA Examiner in English Literature. I've helped dozens of private students get the results they need at GCSE and at A-Level, in both English Language and English Literature.

Tutoring Approach:
I can give you the confidence you need to achieve the results you deserve. I'll boost your command of the English language, and your understanding of what it is that writers of all types are trying to do with words! We'll develop your skills in both creative writing and in creative reading (of all genres). How to tackle the exams - this will be our focus.

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

DBS enhanced on update service.

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

DBS Enhanced on update service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A-level results, August 2024:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*

A-level results, August/September 2022:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*

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

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

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

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

Speaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading

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

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

Writing

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

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

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

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

Why study English?

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a University graduate who loves reading and supporting students. I love to read and wish to inspire a passion for literature in students.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in schools and helped students especially SEND students. I made sure to break the tasks down for them while also ensuring that they were able to relate it to something they used day to day such as their favourite show.

Tutoring Approach:
My main approach would trying to break everything down so students would be able to understand it. I break the questions and the literature down so that students are then able to answer it without feeling unsure.

Subjects