Macclesfield Entrance Exams Tutors and Macclesfield Entrance Exams Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a bubbly, outgoing person who loves teaching.
I was made redundant from my role on the Crime and Disorder Partnership where I was challenged to proactively tackle crime in the area.
I then decided to persue my career as a private tutor and teacher, having done it as a hobby for 3 years and found I have a passion for this field, this is now my sixth year of tutoring and have had lots of successes and am proud of all my tutees; past and present.
I can sometimes travel to you if required but prefer if I can tutor from my home.
I am available evenings and daytime and will allow single lessons or block bookings.

Teaching Experience:
I currently teach maths in a secondary school and previously taught functional skills IT to level 1 and 2
I have 2 years experience in the Public Sector working with young people and adults tackling crime and disorder through engagement and educational projects.
I have previously tutored many children to GCSE Maths and can provide references if required

Tutoring Approach:
I treat each child as an individual and relish the challenge of helping each boy or girl achieve their targets. I have an excellent rapport with children and all those I teach feel that I am very approachable, easy to talk to, kind and caring. I try to make learning fun.
I can provide one off sessions to tackle problem areas or intense revision help.

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Personal Description:
I am a warm friendly, patient, understanding and highly motivated tutor. I have the ability to attend to all your learning needs. I am extremely resourceful and knowledgeable on the subjects I tutor in. I will work out the best way that you learn and teach to your learning strengths. Your success is my success!

Teaching Experience:
I have been a Primary School Teacher and a teacher of English as a Foreign Language for over twenty years. I have experience of teaching all levels of English from pre-school to Business Studies and University essay writing. I have also been a Primary School Teacher for fourteen years.

I have regularly coached students for the SATS tests, 11+, IELTS and some subject specific exams.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to get to know you the person a little first. I like to establish what specifically you want from the tutoring sessions. When I have established your requirements I can then start to build a profile of your learning; what methods best work for you. Your success is my success.

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Personal Description:
I am a very positive person and have full empathy with students barriers to learning.
I am friendly and approachable and like to aim to raise student self-esteem and attitude to learning, focusing on positive recognition of achievements and constructive reinforcement of learning strategies.

I work just as easily with adults as I do with children.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 30 years of teaching experience teaching from pre schoo level up to GCSE level and adult learning for returning to work.

I also teach children within the care system who have missed a lot of the early building blocks through lack of education as opposed to lack of ability. This also includes overcoming huge barriers to learning !

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to develop an individual learning strategy to accomodate the students learning style and empower them to achieve and gain confidence through a positive learning programme suited to their individual style and needs.

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Currently I work on many Department for Education projects striving to improve the quality of education across the UK, particularly in the area of mental health and effective teaching. I also work as an education consultant delivering training internationally to students and teachers alike.

I am a supportive and encouraging tutor, with many years experience as a qualified teacher and many more as a private tutor on a 1:1/small group level. I am educated to Masters Level in Health Psychology and Education, so I am certainly no stranger to education myself!

In my "spare" time, I am studying for a PhD in Psychological Medicine at Kings College London.

I have worked with young children starting out on their education journey through to Bachelor and Masters Level University degrees.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with young children starting out on their education journey through to Bachelor and Masters Level University students.

Whilst my subject specialism is Psychology, I have taught across a range of subjects with enthusiasm, which ensures that I have an excellent track record of students gaining exam results which exceed their minimum target grades, with many meeting their aspirational target grades.

I have taught in a range of education settings which include: primary and secondary schools, Pupil Referral Units, Further and Higher Education. This includes working with individuals of all abilities and backgrounds, including having experience in working with individuals who may have special educational needs or have English as a second language.

This has been in a variety of subjects which include: Entrance Exams, English, Maths, Science, Health, Psychology and Humanities, among others.

I have taught extensively online as well as in person.

I am fortunate enough to be an Examiner of KS2, GCSE and A-Level providing me with a detailed insight into a range of exam boards.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a friendly and supportive tutor who can be relied upon to provide the best quality lessons. I like to incorporate humour and fun, tailoring my lessons to the needs and interests of the students I am delivering to.

For higher level tutees such as those at university. I integrate academic skills whilst supporting then with the planning and implementation of assignments, dissertations, exam preparation and more.

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Personal Description:
My approach is to be friendly, supportive and professional when interacting with students. I encourage them to be proactive and resourceful in their approach to Maths, guiding them through the processes of learning to deepen their understanding and develop their thinking and problem-solving. Sessions are therefore individually tailored and flexible to meet the needs of the student, so are student-focused rather than traditionally teacher-led. I spend time getting to know my students and, whenever possible, encourage the practice of Maths skills within topic areas of personal interest to them or real life situations. I am a good listener and can empathise with my students, helping them to see areas for improvement in their work and offering practical advice and tips on how to develop it further. Ultimately, I aim to help my students fulfill their academic potential whilst also developing the range of skills needed to achieve their aspirations in life.

Teaching Experience:
Working in my professional career as a Maths Specialist in mainstream Primary Education, I am always keen to find a strategy that fits alongside what your child's school is providing to skeleton. This I do by studying materials your child brings home, observing strategies which your child uses and occasionally by speaking to schools to produce a bespoke medium of teaching that proves most effective for your child to enhance their mathematical ability and drive. I always believe lessons should be both educational and enjoyable to maintain engagement. There is a pleasure in self-improvement which I will want to build into your child so that they grow in self-confidence through learning.

Tutoring Approach:
Mathematics is a huge passion of my own and I have an ever-growing belief that regardless of what level children are at, with the correct guidance and the right attitude, success is always around the corner.

I have undergone extensive professional development training continuously for a number of years and counting, which ensures my skill-set is up-to-date with the Mathematics curriculum and is diverse and extremely effective.

I have privately tutored for 9 years as well as being employed professionally at a mainstream Primary School as a highly experienced Maths Specialist where my role is centered around working closely with individuals and groups of children from Year 1 to Year 6 of a variety of abilities, working in a variation of topics towards attainment. (Basic numeracy, problem solving, fractions/decimals, statistics/probability, algebra, geometry, entry-level maths).

I cannot help a student unless I know where they are in their understanding. I try to get my students to participate and be active as much as possible during lessons, often getting them to reason through problems and ideas themselves, while helping them along the way. This helps me understand their thought process, and lets me see any gaps they have in their knowledge. Since I pay attention to the student`s thinking, I can approach the lesson with the student him- or herself in mind, personalising it and consequently being more helpful.

My personal view is that being a teacher is crucial to being an effective tutor as I have first hand knowledge and experience of the curriculum and plentiful ways of teaching it effectively. I believe all children not only should access the curriculum but flourish beyond that with the right guidance to be progressive learners.

I have vast and varied experience and success of tutoring children for confidence, classroom support and entrance exams. I supply all of my own resources with a vast array of apparatus and prepare each tuition session beforehand, with homework.

If you feel I could help your child in enhancing their development in Mathematical ability or if you feel your child's potential is not being challenged enough at school then I would love to hear from you.

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

Teaching Experience:
I have over 20 years tutoring experience.

Tutoring Approach:
Patient, firm and thorough.

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Personal Description:
Personal tutor, with experience in mainstream, private and special schools. My students come from a range of backgrounds and nationalities from Birmingham to Beijing, mostly through personal referrals. I teach Maths and English to children aged 4 to 14 and adults wishing to learn basic skills. My enthusiasm and powers of persuasion have converted many "maths phobes" into happy numerically skilled individuals!

Teaching Experience:
I have eleven years of experience as a class teacher in English primary schools, including five years in a private school. I have taught in all year groups in KS1 and KS2 in mainstream, private schools and special educational schools, where I also taught KS3 classes.

I began private tuition ten years ago, one-to-one and small groups, and have taught children from Italy and Beijing to speak, understand, read and write English as their second language. I also coached pupils to prepare them for their international Key English Tests (Cambridge curriculum).

I teach children according to their specific needs, especially those that need a boost in basic skills to keep up with the curriculum for their year group, but I have also helped Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils to prepare for 11+ examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are tailored to the needs of each student. We work together to identify areas which require support and I teach accordingly. Some of my resources will follow the national curriculum, other resources will be brought in as needed to help my student understand and practise the skills they are developing. Parents have commented that I am friendly, patient and clearly spoken especially when working with children with autism. My students feel at ease to ask any questions to make sure they fully understand the information and skills being imparted to them.

As a basic resource, I use workbooks to identify areas of difficulty, then teach in depth using my own examples and explanations. I keep explanations light and include games to keep those with shorter attention spans occupied. Online, we use an interactive whiteboard to share homework, pdfs, and powerpoints. My lessons use verbal and visual explanations alongside examples to practise in order to cater for all learning styles.

Please message me with any questions and I will look forward to meeting you soon!

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Personal Description:
I have wide and successful teaching experience, high expectations of myself and of all my students and a deep love of language, stories and teaching. I have kept up to date with educational research and can therefore offer the best evidence-informed practice to make a real difference to the children I teach. I believe passionately in the power of reading for pleasure as a lever for improving academic success and have converted hundreds of children into confident, independent readers.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught for over 20 years, in state and independent schools and in every year group from Year 1 to Year 13. I have also tutored children 1:1 and in small groups to prepare them for 11+ exams, senior school scholarship exams and to help them keep up if they are falling behind. I have even assisted university students with their dissertations. I am therefore as confident with students of A level Greek as I am helping young children who are struggling with phonics. My students have a track record of success in exams but also learn to love learning.

Tutoring Approach:
Experience has taught me how to adapt teaching to a student's individual needs, experiences and interests. Tutoring is powerful because it is tailored, so I offer personalised lessons which will support, engage, encourage and challenge my students. For English, I generally write my own tuition resources which are adapted specifically to suit the needs of an individual child. For 11+ preparation, I use some published resources to assess where children's strengths and weaknesses lie but then provide my own materials for teaching. For Latin or Greek, I would use courses to structure language learning but, again, supplement this with my own materials.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have a BA Hons (2.1) in English Literature, a PGCE in Primary Education, and a Masters (Distinction) in Creative Writing. I have a current DBS.

I have some availability during the week both after school and evenings. I am also able to tutor home educated children during the day.

I am also be available during the day for home-schooled children.

I can travel to you, or tutor in my home - you are welcome to sit in on the session, sit in my living room, or pop to the shops while I work with your child.

Teaching Experience:
I have over twenty years experience teaching children in primary schools, as well as experience delivering one to one tuition.

I have been tutoring for a number of years now, and really enjoy working one to one with children; I am able to offer exactly what each child needs to make sure they make progress and feel proud and confident in their learning. In some instances I have tutored the same child over several years. I have also begun by tutoring one child in a family, and then been asked to tutor siblings as well.

I am currently teaching part time which means I can keep in touch with changes in the primary curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I offer English and maths tuition for children in the Foundation Stage (4-5 years old), Key Stage One (5-7 years old) and Key Stage Two (7-11 years old).

There are lots of reasons parents may want their child to have one to one tuition. Perhaps your child needs a bit of extra help with a few key concepts, or is lacking confidence in a class situation, or is falling behind their peers. If your child is worried about the Year 6 SATs some extra tuition can make all the difference.I also offer 11 plus preparation.

I offer calm, patient and fun sessions, tailored to address your child`s individual needs. I use a range of techniques, with plenty of practical explanations to ensure your child grasps what they are learning. I have lots of experience working with young children, which means I understand the small steps each child needs to take to ensure their learning is embedded. I aim to make each child feel confident and proud of the progress they are making. Each session also includes ways you can support your child at home, as well as some short feedback so you know what we have been working on.

Contact me and we can discuss your child`s needs further.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Experienced teacher of 12yrs with an MEd, able to tutor in 4+/7+/11+ common entrance, EFL, IELTS preparation, lower primary English/maths/homework help, homeschooling, language and literacy support, early years, Phonics and end of year exam preparation. Can also offer drama, voice & beginners guitar tuition. Will travel locally. Enhanced DBS checked.

Teaching Experience:
12 years in EFL, Early years education and general primary education in the UK independent sector and in international schools overseas. 8 years experience as a private tutor. IB PYP, Montessori, UK EYFS, KS1&2 and US Common Core training and experience.

Tutoring Approach:
Tailored lessons to suit individual needs, aimed at heightening engagement for younger learners as well as thinking skills, confidence and curiosity. 1:1 attention with homework help and distance learning or homeschooling. Available on weekdays. Reduced rates for online tuition.

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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.'

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A-level results, August/September 2022:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*

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

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

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

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

Speaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading

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

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

Writing

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

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

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

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

Why study English?

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a passionate, hardworking, skilled, and outstanding teacher. I am fully qualified and experienced Primary School teacher specialising in all primary phase subjects. I am extremely professional, energetic, and up to date with the demands of the current Primary Curriculum and the requirements for Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, preparation for SATs, SEN and learning support.

Teaching Experience:
Throughout my 15-year teaching career, I have gained extensive skills in teaching and working directly with children within the Primary Phase (4-11 years). I have an excellent proven track record of students achieving way above what they may have been predicted.

I have considerable experience in helping students who are on the SEND register and most recently I have worked as an Acting SENCO. This involved devising, delivering and monitoring the curriculum for students with moderate and severe learning difficulties as well as those with highly complex needs. I have recently attained the SENCO award qualification from Edge Hill University.

Tutoring Approach:
I am extremely positive, calm, and nurturing. I believe that every child can reach their goals in learning and I will help them to realise their true potential, improving academic performance and developing self-esteem to build a successful future.

After an initial assessment, I will create a personalised learning journey plan and I will ensure that I use motivational interests and strengths to work on areas of new learning and any misconceptions.

I aim to do much more than just increase grades, however I am to inspire, increase confidence and show that learning is something that everyone can do.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi there,
My name is Kassam and I have completed my Masters and PhD at Aston University and now I work as a Development Chemist. Throughout my studies I had a passion for sharing my knowledge to others in various formats, such as, home tutoring students for 11+ entrance exams, online tutoring GCSE and A-level Maths and Chemistry, tutoring several modules for BEng Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Aston University as well as lecturing modules over the years.
I cannot wait to meet some of you and share this passion that will encourage you to reach your potential and provide a strong foundation for further education and onward.

Teaching Experience:
Provide 10 years experience with the following age groups and subjects, with expertise in standardised test preparation:
11+ entrance exams
GCSE Maths and Chemistry
A-level Maths and Chemistry
BEng Chemical Engineering
BSc Chemistry

Tutoring Approach:
I have a modern tutoring setup that will provide Tutees with an authentic tutoring experience.
Accessible approach with proficiency in using Skype, Zoom or Teams for effective communication and visual aid.

Subjects

Personal Description:
University of Cambridge Undergraduate. I achieved 9 A*`s at GCSE and A*A*A*A in my A-Levels.

As someone who has recently experienced what it is like doing the new style of GCSE`s and A-Levels, I understand and recognise what works best in order for students to excel beyond what they think might be their limits. Having achieved 9 A*`s at GCSE(6 "9`s" for GCSE and 3 "A*`s for IGCSE) and A*A*A*A at A-Level recently, I understand what approach works best in order for a student to excel and what the exam boards are looking for so that the pupil can achieve the best grades. I am able to teach a wide variety of exam boards.

My students feel that it is very easy to connect with how I teach and are not afraid to ask questions or approach my teaching in a fun and informal manner. I provide my students with resources that I myself used to achieve my grades, which allows them to truly know whether they have grasped a topic.

I am passionate about developing personalised learning experiences and effective tutoring techniques to increase academic achievement and encourage a love of learning.

Teaching Experience:
With over 3 years of extensive tutoring experience - having clocked in hundreds upon hundreds of hours - I have relished helping pupils sky-rocket their grades. During my time tutoring I have helped students of all ages - helping them with their 11+, GCSE's, A-Level's and University Admissions. Every single one of my students have achieved their desired grades that, in turn, have helped them get admission into their dream secondary school, dream sixth form, or dream university (with many students getting into Oxbridge and other Russell Group Universities). A significant percentage of those I tutor come to me for help in Economics, Maths, Politics and help in their University Applications (from help with their personal statements to Oxbridge support for their desired course).

Tutoring Approach:
In my tutoring sessions, I prioritise engaging and straightforward lessons that are academically stimulating without being overly complex. I foster an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions at any point, thereby maintaining a focused and confident learning space. Through active recall and spaced repetition techniques, I help students retain knowledge efficiently, while constantly assessing their understanding using a variety of resources including past papers and a personalised question bank.

I craft personalised learning plans, tailored to each student's abilities and the requirements of any exam board, filling knowledge gaps and building on existing understanding. Moreover, I keep parents informed about their child's progress and areas for development, fostering a collaborative approach to achieving academic success. My goal is to not only help students achieve their academic potential but to enjoy the learning process along the way.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My name is Jimmy. I am a college graduate from an accredited university in the US and hold a teaching certification in secondary mathematics education (grades 7-12). I have 9 years of tutoring experience in GCSE Maths, A-Level Maths, Further Maths, 11+, and competitions such as Maths Olympiad and Kangaroo Maths.

I am passionate about helping students build confidence, improve grades, and enjoy mathematics. Outside of tutoring, I am active, enjoy sports, and love solving and creating math problems.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught students from KS3 to A-Level, including exam preparation for GCSE and A-Level Maths, Further Maths, and competitive math exams.

My lessons are tailored to each student's level, strengths, and areas for improvement. Students I've taught have successfully raised their grades, built problem-solving skills, and developed lasting confidence in mathematics.

I teach both online and in-person, adapting sessions to suit each student's learning style and pa

Tutoring Approach:
I use a personalized teaching approach, combining direct instruction with differentiated strategies. Lessons focus on conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and exam techniques, often using past papers, practice questions, and real-world examples.

My goal is to help students think independently, understand concepts deeply, and achieve their full potential in mathematics.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Outside of tutoring, I enjoy photography, baking, wildlife gardening, health and fitness, including swimming and woodland walks, as well as spending time with family and friends.

I'm very proud of my daughter and three young grandchildren who also share my interests in photography, forest adventures and baking!

Since becoming a vegan, I have enjoyed creating a wide range of delicious meals which are also enjoyed by family and friends!

I am also passionate about wildlife conservation and have initiated campaigns in my local area to conserve areas of habitat for wildlife. For example, two years ago, I collaborated with local schools and councillors to stop the felling of 43 healthy trees at a historic green space in the town centre.

Teaching Experience:
I am a PGCE qualified teacher in Primary Education, specialising in Special Educational Needs, with 15 years of school teaching experience.

I chose to reduce my hours as a school teacher five years ago so that I could focus my attention on my tutoring business full time.

My main areas of expertise are English and Maths, where I can quickly diagnose a student's tuition needs and plan personalised lessons to help them to reach their learning targets.

I have taught many students with a wide range of learning needs, including learning difficulties such as dyslexia. For example, I recently tutored a boy with moderate dyslexia who was in Year 6. During this time, his confidence in his abilities in English increased significantly to such an extent that his grade increased from below to the above expected levels in Year 9.

I embrace all opportunities to keep up to date with developments in the National Curriculum by continued research in the public domain as well as attending training webinars and conferences

Since becoming a Private Tutor 20 years ago, I have helped over 1000 students to increase and exceed their grades in Maths and English Lanuage and Literature, sometimes by up to three grades.

I have also successfully coached adult learners for Functional English and Maths tests from Level 1 to Level 3, as well as students who speak English as a second language, for GCSE and IGCSE English and Maths exams.

Additionally, I tutor students in entrance test preparation skills for the 8, 11 and 13 plus exams.

I am always extremely proud of them when they exceed their predicted grades in their exams and gain entry into their chosen independent school.

Here are some recent reviews:

`Thank you Tina for helping me to take a long way in a very short time. My English was grade 2 at the beginning of the year 11. With the support from Tina, I have achieved grade 5 in both English Language and Literature. Thank you so much.`

`Tina`s teaching style allowed me to learn at my own pace and she always had a clear plan for each lesson.`

`She is patient and thought provoking, encouraging her students to `learn to learn`, rather than reproducing someone else`s ideas.`

"My daughter`s confidence in English has dramatically improved in both herself and in the classroom, thanks to Tina."

Tutoring Approach:
I would describe myself as a friendly and inspiring tutor who works with students in a calm and encouraging way.

I have been fortunate to teach in a variety of learning contexts, including nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges, which has enhanced my ability to adapt my expertise to a wide range of differing tuition needs.

I believe that by engaging with each student on a cognitive level, I am able to establish a positive rapport with them.

It is very rewardingl when I see a 'light bulb' moment happen when a student seems to glow from feeling a renewed sense of understanding and achievement.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My name is Zoe, I'm a student at Magdalen College, University of Oxford. I am a final year law student reading for BA Jurisprudence. I tutor students to help them reach their goals of studying law at Oxbridge or Russell Group. I can help with LNAT practice, interviews, and personal statements. I also offer tuition for grammar school admission tests (11+ exam). I attended a grammar school and have tutored two successful candidates who passed the test with high marks and were accepted into their first choice grammar schools.

I am aiming to become a barrister and anything I earn will be used to support this goal :)

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for five years. I teach leadership and life skills for the Sea Cadets to students aged 9-17. I have delivered LNAT sessions for sixth form students at Magdalen and delivered many outreach classes. I have tutored two successful candidates who passed the test with high marks and were accepted into their first choice grammar schools.

I am an experienced speaker and I have won several Oxford-wide mooting (mock court) tournaments.

Tutoring Approach:
I think that confidence is the most important thing for a young applicant. I aim to strengthen confidence by improving performance in all the application areas. I can deliver sessions in a tutorial-style, inspired by my experience during two years studying in Oxford. I can also give students homework to guide their self-study and increase learning efficiency if this is desired.

For younger tutees I also focus on confidence and timing for the 11+ exam. I will provide age-appropriate sessions which adapt to the child.

Subjects