Waterloo English Tutors and Waterloo English Tuition

Personal Description:
Dr Fouzia has been supporting students studying Bachelor's, Master's and PhD for over 14 years, across a range of UK universities (for example, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Warwick) and international universities (for example, Harvard, MIT). Thus, she has extensive experience in working with UK and overseas students, including students from China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and America. Her work covers the following areas: university pre-sessional courses, sociology, psychology, business, criminology, nursing, health and social care (both at college and university level), childcare, teaching, paramedical science, and beyond.

As an Examination Board Assessor, Fouzia has experience working with a myriad of examination boards, such as C&G, EDEXCEL, AQA, OCR, WJEC, NCC, CIE, ICAAE.

Moreover, her deep understanding of pedagogical principles helps guide her tutorship. Students can reach out to Fouzia out of lesson times via telephone, WhatsApp or email for any queries, progress conversations, target setting and more.

Teaching Experience:
Dr Fouzia offers face-to-face and online guidance for university students at all levels. Her work includes:

Professional editing and proofreading academic assessments for structure, style, logical coherence, clarity, and critical analysis
Proofreading of manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals.
Paraphrasing
Formatting
Reference management
Critical thinking
Critical appraisal of evidence and evidence-based practice
Research topic selection and identifying research gaps
Planning and structuring essays and dissertations
Shaping writing to make it crisp and concise, and reducing wording to reach desired word count
Guidance on report writing and creating PowerPoints for course work
Interpret and perform literature, systematic reviews
Research proposals across all subject
Data collection and analysis for both qualitative and quantitative methodology (manual and electronic analysis ie SPSS/ NVIVO).
Dissertation/ thesis design and methodology
Academic poster presentations
PhD Viva preparation
Time and stress management
UCAS applications
UCAS personal statements
Interview techniques and mock interviews for university/ employment applications

Tutoring Approach:
Dr Fouzia provides a personalised one-to-one service, meeting individual needs of students (incl. ASD, dyslexia, etc) which enables them to actively engage in their lesson, and boost confidence. She is punctual and offers a high standard service, and this is evident in the reviews received from previous students. Her holistic approach has resulted in excellent pass rates (Merits & Distinctions). In addition, being a lecturer, research supervisor, examiner, and interviewer, places her in an ideal position to support you or your child with medical school applications.

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Personal Description:
My name is Tim and I'm based in the Caerphilly area. I am happy to work anywhere in Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport or the Valleys. I am a primary school teacher and have 24 years experience working with children within the age range 6-11.
I have worked in London and in South Wales and have taught in a range of primary schools, teaching children from many different types of background. I have a current CRB check and can provide excellent references.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a primary school teacher since 1986 and have worked across the age range from 6 to 11. I have a good deal of experience teaching children in Year 6 and preparing them for the step up to secondary school. I am able to give tuition in any primary subject but have a specialism in maths as I have been maths co-ordinator in more than one school and have an in depth knowledge of how children learn in this subject and how they can be helped to enjoy their work here and achieve good results. I also have experience of tutoring children in individual sessions and have always been able to help them to improve their standards and become more confident across the curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a very friendly tutor who has always been able to establish a good rapport with children of primary age. I am extremely patient and calm in my approach as a teacher and believe in using humour to help children relax and enjoy learning. I take into account the preferred learning style of the child and tailor all lessons to their needs. I will try to include an element of challenge in all sessions to help children build up their confidence through success on progressively more difficult tasks. I have a huge range of resources I can use to help make sessions interesting and am prepared to be flexible in terms of rates, location of sessions and times.

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Personal Description:
I am 35 years old and I have most recently completed the LPC at the University of Law. I have already completed a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) at the same university. I also have an undergraduate 2.1 with Honors degree in French and Italian at The University of Manchester. I have spent 6 months in Bologna in Italy, working in a private language school for those wished to learn either Italian or English. I worked as a copywriter for the school website, working in French, Italian and English. I also worked as a conversation tutor to those who wanted to learn English. I lived in Paris for 7 years where I worked at ELLE, the well known women's fashion magazine, where I used solely French as well as a stint at Kantar Health and the majority of my time at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. I am very down to earth and my biggest passion is football, I enjoy a good movie and love a good comedy. If you feel more comfortable meeting in a neutral place, a coffee place or in the town centre that is fine by me, I can be flexible. I have a clean criminal record and can boast a detention-less education!

Teaching Experience:
I now have teaching experience and I have shadowed those who have done this for a job. I have worked voluntarily in a school teaching beginner's Italian. Having already worked as a conversation tutor in a private school, I feel I would excel in giving private lessons, given the chance.

Tutoring Approach:
I feel every student works at their own pace, however it would not take me long to work out an approach which would realise the full potential of the tutee. I am patient and I can sympathise that learning a new language or topic can be frustrating. I've often found practicing certain exercises to be the most effective way to get over any tricky topic.

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Personal Description:
I am a well humoured, and easy going teacher with a keen interest in Design, Technology, Engineering and SEN, who likes to keep up to date with the latest trends in many aspects of design from Jewellery to Furniture. I have a bachelors degree in Silversmithing and Metalwork and am currently working towards a masters degree in Education.

I'm also a lived experience neurodiversity advocate.

Teaching Experience:
I have just completed my 12 full time year in teaching mainstream secondary school Design, Technology and Engineering. I've worked with pupils from KS2-KS5 in my subject specialism in a range of different schools including a specialist SEMH provision, and sixth form college but predominantly mainstream secondary schools.

I worked as an Assistant SENCo for four years and have experience of delivery specialist interventions, including toe-by-toe, IDL and IEP's as well as acting as a keyworker to support pupils with emotional and behaviour support, when they are finding it hard to communicate their needs with others.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a pupil focused tutor who believes that a variety of short, varied activities keeps students focused, productive and able to learn more effectively. My experience with SEN students has made me patient and believe that the key to successful tutoring is being well resourced. I undertake a limited amount of tutees in order to ensure increased availability for my tutees and to ensure that I am focused on the individuals I tutor and their needs. Above all I believe the students need constant positive reinforcement to increase motivation, self belief and therefore success.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I'm Jenny - an experienced Primary Tutor, offering personalised 1:1 support for children aged 4-11 years in all areas of Maths and English. I work from my home in Shaw, Oldham and offer a choice of 30, 45 and 60 minute sessions, which are delivered face-to-face.

Teaching Experience:
I am degree qualified with over 10 years' experience of working with children in a variety of Oldham Primary Schools and 6+ years' tutoring experience.

I am able to tutor children in all areas of English and Maths at Key Stages 1 & 2.
I have experience of supporting children with SEND.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to use a mixture of approaches during my sessions - written, verbal and practical tasks, worksheets, games/puzzles and online activities. My aim is to create a learning programme tailored to each child's individual needs, which is interesting and enjoyable for them (after all, learning should be fun!). I set appropriate challenges, whilst giving lots of encouragement and support, allowing children to progress at their own pace. I like to focus in particular on building confidence and boosting motivation - a positive attitude will enable students to progress quickly and become confident, independent learners. I plan sessions carefully to ensure that students remain engaged and focused throughout, making learning an interactive, hands-on and fun experience!

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Personal Description:
My interests include reading widely, playing chess and going to exercise classes such as metafit and bodypump. In terms of tutoring l believe in trying to motivate my students and getting to know them and take an informal approach in what is a one to one teaching programme . I find that students respond better in a more relaxed atmosphere in their own home environment.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for twenty five years but now work part time in the English dept in Jordanhill school in Glasgow . Hence depending on the day l could tutor during the day rather than after school hours if required. I have taught CFE at all levels including BGE(broad general education) national 4, national 5, and Higher. I have been involved in tutoring at all levels and try to provide a tutoring experience tailored to each individual according to their particular needs.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching involves a thorough revision of RUAE(close reading)using a variety of textbooks and also pass papers for practice in preparation for external assessments. Writing skills would also be developed for a variety of writing purposes such as imaginative, argumentative and persuasive essays for national 5 and Higher level folios. The critical essay element of English courses will be explained and skills in this area developed via practice aided by detailed notes and planning sheets on the studied texts. The Scottish text section of national 5 and Higher will be be covered In detail with regular exam practice on the set text.

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Personal Description:
I am a Depute Head Teacher based in the Motherwell area. I have fourteen years teaching experience with ten of those based in the classroom. I have taught in a variety of primary and SEBN schools in North Lanarkshire. I use a wide of range of innovative, inspiring techniques and strategies to engage the young people in my care.

Teaching Experience:
I am a Depute Head Teacher in North Lanarkshire with seventeen years teaching experience. I was classroom based for ten years and have had the pleasure of teaching a variety of young people ranging in age from 7-16 years old.

I look to build positive and lasting relationships with all young people in my care and use relationships to develop an in-depth understanding of what the needs of each individual child is. I use this information to derive a detailed individualised plan to meet the needs of your child. In addition to this I strive to use an assortment of teaching tools and approaches to ensure all learners are confident in understanding what is being taught.

Tutoring Approach:
As a private tutor I strive to give your child a positive and enjoyable learning experience, in turn enhancing their self-belief and self-confidence in a classroom environment. I use both practical and interactive teaching tools to help make all areas of the curriculum clearer and easier for a child to understand.

I use current and up to date materials to help give your child a better understanding and grasp of the curriculum as taught in his/her own classroom.

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Personal Description:
I am 54 years old and I have been a self employed tutor for over five years. I live in Nelson and always travel to the homes of my students. I have taught students from 8 years of age to adults and all ages in between. I love tutoring my students, because it is teaching in its purest sense without all the pressures of teaching in school.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 1989. I have taught in local secondary schools, including more than 10 years in a school in Burnley. I have worked in primary schools on a supply basis. I have a great deal of experience in teaching pupils and students with educational issues, pupils with statements of SEN, both behavioural and educational. I have a proven record of boosting grades at both GCSE and Key Stage 2 SATS. More recently I have tutored and mentored pupils studying for their 11 plus exams particularly for Clitheroe Grammar School.

Tutoring Approach:
When tutoring my students, it is crucial to establish a relationship with not only the student but the rest of the family. This helps establish a relaxed, and workmanlike atmosphere quickly so that progress can be made quickly. I spend the first few lessons establishing specific areas that need attention within the subject/s I am teaching. I am very well resourced with both text books and worksheets specifically designed for each student. I am well prepared for the new GCSE Maths syllabus and provide text books for pupils taking the 11+. I set homework by negotiation, and try to mark it before the next lesson, distance and time constraints allowing. Where possible I try to liaise with my student's teachers in school, but this can prove difficult.

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Personal Description:
I am patient, calm and relaxed to enable the student to feel comfortable to engage in their learning quickly.

Lessons are dynamic and interactive with a multimodal approach to learning using electronic and interactive materials.
Student say that they love coming to my home as it's comfortable and calm, where they can really focus on studying as well as developing their own independent approach to their learning.
Each Student improved and achieves when they apply themselves to the process of learning.

Teaching Experience:
Nearly 10 years experience since qualification in 2007.
11+, GCSE, IGCSE and A level, and Entrance exams.
Academic and creative writing, reading comprehension, study skills.

I am a fully qualified English language teacher with 12 years experience of training for the academic university entrance IELTS examination in all four skills, listening, reading writing and speaking. I do teach at university.

I also have a post graduate diploma in people management, adult learning, psychology and development. I have people management experience of over 25 years as well as training junior staff in writing skills and effective communications. I have professional Membership of the chartered institute of personnel and development.

I am currently researching movement, neurology and the positive effects on learning.

I volunteer as a creative arts and movement pratitioner with learning and physically disabled people in theatre and dance.
I have a protective behaviours certificate and working with diverse groups.
I am a qualified facilitator in conflict resolution for international ONGs.
I speak Portuguese and Spanish having lived in both desert and Colombia working with the communities in the arts and social change.

Tutoring Approach:
My students success is due to the interactive process I deliver with them.

Depending on need and level the lessons of personalized with materials to suit the individual as it is student centred.
We plan homework together with fun stories to develop narrative and creative writing techniques.
Support with English for academic synthesis and analysis depending on level and need. A little or more practice daily.

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Personal Description:
I have been involved in Education for over twenty years and I am especially passionate about the English Language, which is where my expertise lies. I graduated with a B.Ed (Hons) Degree in Education; English and Drama being my specialist subjects. I have worked as a Primary School Teacher both on contact and as a supply teacher where I gained extensive experience in all primary age groups. I also have experience in tutoring for GCSE English.

I have also worked aso a Private Tutor both in English and Primary Mathematics. (As well as other subjects in the curriculum) I am currently working for several teaching agencies on a supply basis so I am keeping up to date with any curriculum changes.

I have recently completed TEFL Course and have experience in teaching English as a foreign/second language; both with adults and children.

I believe in creating a positive and stimulating environment for learning and feel tailor made programmes are vital for the learner.

I see myself as friendly and approachable and I love nothing more than to see people achieve at their own pace.

My hobbies are Cooking, photography, walking and swimming. I love spending time with family and friends. I am also passionate about animals and their welfare.

Teaching Experience:
Oldbury Park Primary School 1993 to 1999 both contract and supply working full-time. I covered every year from reception to year 6.

1999 to 2004 I raised my family but continued to work as a supply teacher in a variety of schools as well as working as a private tutor.

2004 to present. I have been working as a supply teacher/tutor, teaching classes and groups of children and adults English and Mathematics. I have also concentrated on studying for my TEFL Qualification and have been teaching English as a foreign/second language. I have experience of tutoring in groups and on a one to one basis. I have also taught on a corporate level within a company teaching Spanish staff English.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a very positive and friendly approach to teaching and learning. lt is vital to create lessons which are fun, varied and tailored to match individual needs. I treat everyone, whether in a group or on a one to one basis, as an individual and fully encourage students to work at their own pace.

Learning most definitely should be an enjoyable experience for the learner and a rewarding one for the tutor. I am well organised and also believe in creating lessons, which have been well planned with aims and objectives as well as offering continuity.

Lessons should also contain a variety of tasks, which should include written, verbal and computer based activities to maintain enthusiasm.

Learning and knowledge equal self confidence and success.

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Personal Description:
** Qualified teacher and examiner with years of experience. Proven exam results for SATs, GCSEs, A'levels and IB. 100% pass rate for the Eleven-Plus **

I graduated from Lancaster University with first class honours in English language and literature, I was also awarded the Pendle College prize for linguistics. I then went on to complete my PGCE at St Martin's College. I gained qualified teacher status at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

I have always had a passion for education and this has enabled me to inspire and motivate my students. I have achieved high results with pupils in previous years and most students progress an additional two grades after tuition. Some students achieve higher progression and have been known to gain three grades higher following tuition sessions.

I teach GCSE English language and literature, A'level English language and literature and the eleven-plus. I also have experience teaching a wide range of curriculum subjects with great success and results. In addition, I tutor students for the SATs exams and previous students have had excellent results, often the top of their year group.

I regularly help students prepare for entrance examinations and have 100% rate in this area. The schools I have previously helped pupils gain entry to are: Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Bury Grammar School, Manchester High School for girls and Bolton School. I am familiar with the CEM and GL Assessment specifications.

I am fortunate to teach students both in the UK and in many parts of the world. I currently teach students at the British School in Voorschoten (Netherlands) and at the British School in Shunyi (Beiijing) in addition to students based in the UK. Furthermore, I am able to offer a range of subjects to my students including: English, French, Classical Civilisation, Spanish and History.

Previously students that I have taught have gone on to Oxford and Cambridge in addition to Russell Group universities. I have also helped students prepare for the Oxbridge tests and the writing task on the BMAT exam (BioMedical Admissions Test).

I am a versatile, professional and friendly tutor who will work hard to help students achieve their full potential. I believe strongly that education changes lives.

I am currently a postgraduate student at the University of York (Mphil by distance).

Teaching Experience:
10 years working at secondary schools in Lancashire.
Over five years experience as a private tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly, dedicated and enthusiastic in my approach to tutoring students. I work very hard to help students progress and think of the tutor-student relationship as a partnership whereby we work to further the students' goals.

I always go beyond the usual expectations of students, I aim to offer tuition support between sessions to help students progress.

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Personal Description:
I am a Civil Engineering Master's graduate from UCL and can speak Tamil. I like to teach what I know, and work in the insurance industry as a Data Analyst.

Teaching Experience:
I primarily have tutoring experience online of subjects Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Art.

Tutoring Approach:
By understanding the concepts solving the problem is easy.

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Personal Description:
Hi, my name is Danielle and I just love English! I strive to foster a love of and appreciation for Literature in my students. A friendly, highly experienced teacher of English, I love helping keen learners grow in confidence, ultimately achieving the highest standards they can. I will use my genuine passion for the written word and excellent academic subject knowledge to tailor my teaching to your current needs.

Teaching Experience:
Over the past sixteen years I have been privileged to have been able to help hundreds upon hundreds of young learners develop their enjoyment, skills and confidence in English Language and English Literature, and therefore achieve success. I have experience of a variety of educational settings, including the state sector as well as the independent, and teach the full secondary age range - from Key Stage 3 through to A Level.
As a current examiner of GCSE Literature and with past experience examining different specifications for GCSE Language, GCSE Literature and AS Level Language & Literature, I have an extensive knowledge and understanding of what is required to secure good grades.
Other positions I have held have been Head of Year, Head of Drama, Literacy Across the Curriculum and Assistant Faculty Lead.

Tutoring Approach:
I really believe that writing for a purpose motivates potential authors, so last year I submitted the work of over five hundred young people to a number of writing competitions: some reached the higher rounds (BBC 500 Words), one entrant reached the final (Wicked Young Writers) and over seventy had their entries published. In order to get you excited about your writing, I would seek similar opportunities for you to show off your enhanced skills after some lessons on crafting writing! Did you know that great writers grow from great readers? To further develop your expertise in English, I will encourage you to read more widely by setting challenges to broaden your literary diet.

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Personal Description:
My name is Georgios, I come from Greece and I am a passionate teacher of Classics. I have a broad experience teaching Ancient and modern Greek (my mother tongue), Latin, History and Classical Civilisation. Adapting my teaching to the level of the student I can help students of any level to excel to their exams or broaden their horizons by learning about the classical civilizations.

Teaching Experience:
I have a MA (UCL) and a BA in Philology (upper 10% of my class) with a specialisation in Classical Studies and I have a 5 years experience teaching students of all ages. I have a QTS and I have taught several students entering the university, with outstanding results. I have moved to London to pursue postgraduate studies in Classics, further enhancing my teaching skills and my knowledge on the field.

Tutoring Approach:
I can teach any type of Latin, Greek and History lessons, taking my students from the beginners level to excellence. I follow a systematic approach that will guarantee fast and steady progression to higher levels of classical knowledge guaranteeing high A-level grades and deep knowledge of the subject. My teaching is individualised based on the needs of the students with the ultimate aim of teaching people that will enjoy studying classics and learning about the civilisations that constitute the basis of our modern world.

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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:
Sorry, I only tutor online. I have a few spaces available for students from June 2025.

Hi, my name's Alan and I'm a friendly, approachable and hardworking tutor, having now tutored full-time for three years (part-time for 24 years alongside my teaching career).

Teaching Experience:
I have taught since 2002 in a range of secondary schools, as well as primary provisions, GCSE evening and weekend schools and both online and face to face for individual tuition from Primary level (Year 2) to Adult learners. I have been Head of Department for English and Media and also responsible for whole-school Literacy, including working with students who required extra support in moving from KS2 to KS3. I have taught English Language and Literature at most levels, English as a foreign language, Media and Film Studies and Study Skills, amongst other things. I have full QTS in the UK as well as Europe and a full, clean, updated DBS available.

Tutoring Approach:
I take a very technical, scientific approach to teaching English and Literacy - looking at each area of development in turn and working towards mastery. For GCSE, I offer an approach that is designed to meet the requirements of the mark scheme without too much stress: students find my approach easy to access and engaging, using both official and my own personal resources. Students receive the PowerPoint of notes at the end of each session for revision purposes and I often use low-stakes testing to revise and review key areas of learning. I also regularly set and assess via exam questions to further check understanding and ensure students are making progress.

Subjects

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

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring for the last 5 years from ages 6-16

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi, I am Ana, the founder of a company. It was created from my own passion for languages and entrepreneurship. I am here to help you to learn Portuguese in line with your desired pace and previous experience of learning languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have attended João de Deus University in Lisbon and I also hold a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) recognised by the National College for Teaching and Leadership UK. João de Deus was a poet and pedagogue whose teaching methods I have adopted in my practice. I work as an Examiner for UK examination boards: Cambridge Assessment International Education & Pearson Edexcel UK.

Tutoring Approach:
I am here to expand your language skills, help you to speak confidently and to achieve your true potential. Positive minds, positive vibes! Learning a language does take time, so be patient and have fun!

Subjects