Okehampton Entrance Exams Tutors and Okehampton Entrance Exams Tuition

Personal Description:
I am an independent tutor with a strong scientific background and have lived in England since Aug 1965. Most of my school and college education took place in Dudley (West Midlands) and I studied Biochemistry, at Leeds University (1975-8). I am married and have lived in Cheshire since Dec 1978. We have a son and a daughter; both graduated from Universities in Manchester. Following my voluntary redundancy from AstraZeneca, (Jun 2008), I am now a self-employed Tutor / Consultant. In addition, I am able to speak additional languages (Punjabi; studied up to GCE A-level and Hindi) and prepared to travel up to 5 miles. I have been tutoring Yr 7 - 13 students, in Maths and all Science subjects, since Oct 2008. In addition, I have prepared students from Yr 6, for the 11+ exams; frequently used by private schools, as entrance exams. Testimonials / References (from Students and Parents) are available, on request.

Teaching Experience:
During my long service in the Pharma industry (~30 years), I have run many short courses and workshops. During 2005/6, I mentored a pupil (Year 10/11) at St. Peter's High School, Longsight, organised by the University of Manchester. In the past, I have also been responsible for organising and running the weekly classes at the Sikh Temple (Gurdwara), for teaching youngsters the Sikh way of life & Punjabi culture, in helping to improve their knowledge and integration into the Western Society over a period of ten years.

Tutoring Approach:
I can provide tuition to individual students (or small groups) in the form of friendly, relaxed lessons. Teaching sessions are always customised to meet the specific requirement of the students. Generally, I enjoy teaching and considered to have a caring approach. I use a combination of computer and 'white board' based approach, for creating informal interactive / discussion type sessions, with some form of regular tests and re-cap sessions. Closer to the exams, the lessons are much more focused on using past papers covering a wide range of questions, to enable the students increase their confidence in preparation for the examinations.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm a Cambridge graduate and Fellow of the University of London, with fifteen years of experience tutoring Religious Studies and Philosophy. My students have a strong track record of A/A* grades. I tutor it full-time across OCR, AQA, Edexcel and other exam boards. I can offer hundreds of exemplar essays and resources.

Get in touch for a free 1-hour trial session!

Extracts from letters of recommendation (available in full on request):

"James is an extremely capable and sensitive tutor."
Mother of RS (OCR) A-Level student
Grade received: A

"My daughter got a D in her mock earlier this year ... for her to get an A really was at the top end of our expectations."
Father of A-Level RS (Edexcel) student
Grade received: A

"I cannot recommend James highly enough. He is punctual and thoughtful and I would not hesitate to hire him again in the future."
Mother of Religious Studies (Edexcel) student
Grade received: A

"James immediately established a very good working relationship with my daughter which encouraged her to really engage with the subject…I would highly recommend James as a tutor."
Mother of Religious Studies (OCR) student.
Grade received: A

"James was brilliant."
Mother of twin daughters taught in Religious Studies (OCR) and Philosophy (AQA).
Grades received: A

RATES
Free 1 hour initial lesson. If there is a results-based bonus I am happy to negotiate the hourly fee.

Teaching Experience:
I have thousands of hours of tuition experience built up over ten years of full-time tutoring. Some of the specific subjects I have taught include:

Cambridge Pre-U Theology & Philosophy
Philosophy A Level (AQA, OCR and Edexcel)
Religious Studies (OCR, AQA and Edexcel) GCSE, A Level
Government & Politics (Edexcel and OCR)
Theology and Religious Studies at degree level (I have helped six different students receive good grades for third year RS dissertations)
Oxbridge applications and interview practice

Tutoring Approach:
Receiving tuition can be a bit daunting at first, so I try to make sure my students feel I`m on their side and there to help them with anything they might not feel able to figure out at school.

My approach to tuition is to assess what specific needs a student has and then to organise the sessions around those needs. Some students need essay technique help and some have a specific set of topics they want to go over. Others might need an entire course taught to them as they have left school or are being home educated.

In my years of tuition, I have built up a cloud-based digital archive of hundreds of handouts which can help a student get back on track and achieve the highest possible grade.

Subjects

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

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

I spend a lot of time reading and thinking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a full-time specialist tutor and experienced teacher with a PhD in English Literature and philosophy. Informed by over a decade's experience in the secondary and undergraduate classroom, my tutoring practice stimulates student independence and confidence when encountering challenging texts. I work with students studying KS3 Literacy, GCSE English Language and Literature, A Level English Literature, and undergraduate English, Literary Theory and Philosophy. I also work with students confronting the challenges of 11+ and 13+ examinations and GCSE and ALevel students engaged in homeschooling.

A recent client review (with many more available on request):

'It has been a revelation for my 12 year old to be tutored by Tom in English Literature. He is an exceptionally gifted teacher. He is qualified to teach at a much higher level than key stage 3 and the depth of his own relationship with the subject matter really shows. It is matched by his talent for allowing the student the time and space to arrive at their own understanding of the texts he teaches. His patience and understanding have been a tremendous benefit to my child and it has been wonderful for me to watch her confidence and her sense of herself grow as Tom has listened to her. I should mention that Tom knows his way around the exam system very well, and can teach tools for exam performance. However my opinion is that his true value is in his willingness also to set those types of goal aside, and model a true love of literature to his pupil.'

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored and homeschooled online and in person since 2012 in KS2 Literacy and Literature, 11+ & 13+ examinations, KS3 literacy, and GCSE/A Level examinations in English Language and English Literature across the full range of exam boards. From September 2017 to June 2024 I worked in London as a secondary teacher of English Literature and Language, RSE and Citizenship from KS3 to GCSE, with an 100% pass-rate at 7 (A) and above.

Between 2011 and 2016 I worked as a teacher of undergraduate English Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Glasgow (2012-2016), teaching over 300 students overall across a wide range of undergraduate modules. This work included course design and delivery, marking, feedback and administration, and the development of bespoke lectures and workshops in poetry. More recently, I worked as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing and Literary Theory at the University of Essex (2017-18). In 2015 I was nominated for a University of Glasgow Student Representative Council Student Teaching Award in the category 'Best Postgraduate who Tutors'.

I'm also a specialist in editing, proof-reading and academic writing more broadly. I was a regional editor of The International Journal of Badiou Studies for a number of years and I recently co-edited a special issue of the Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry. My book of philosophy, 'Badiou, Poem and Subject', is published by Bloomsbury (January, 2020). I continue to review prospective philosophy manuscripts for Bloomsbury. I am also a published poet with five published collections and numerous publications across a range of independent journals and magazines including Granta.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring practise is about building relationships: it's hugely important to me that I offer a non-institutional, supportive and lively space in which I can respond not only to a student's individual challenges and ambitions but also to what they find most stimulating and pleasurable in their work. I deliver bespoke tutorials designed to foster enthusiasm, confidence and pleasure-seeking in reading and writing; but I also prepare those of my students sitting exams to be canny, to 'play the game' with expertise.
In person, I work with a wide range of resources tailored to the needs of individual students, whether they're preparing for their GCSE or A Level English exams, struggling to read poetry for the first time or experiencing problems in their undergraduate coursework. But I'm also a strong advocate for online learning: my online tutorials are lively and collaborative, using Google docs to create vibrant shared documents full of live feedback.

I have a huge amount of experience in exam preparation across the full range of exam boards. I also offer structured tutorial series to help students become acquainted with the nuances of 11+ and 13+ examinations, including elite comprehension and creative writing coaching.

My KS3, GCSE and A-level students benefit from approaches and methodologies used in the study of philosophy, literature and creative writing at undergraduate level.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have seen students` confidence in their abilities increases and their understanding deepens. Both students and parents have offered positive feedback from the great improvement in their grade as a result of my tuition. For example, a student`s grade in A Level Physics improved from originally an E to an A after my tuition, while others attend their preferred schools after help revision for their entrance exams.

Teaching Experience:
After various school placements, such as teaching classes at St Aidan`s (ranked amongst the highest achieving comprehensive schools in the country), for over five years I have helped a multitude of pupils ranging from as young as six through to mature students.
I also mark papers as a Team Leader of examiners for a major board. I feel this gives me an invaluable perspective when preparing my students for their own tests.
I am familiar with the different examination boards, particularly AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CIE and ISEB. Covering English and Reasoning where desired, I have prepared students for 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+ entrance examinations as well as the STEP and PAT tests required for the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. With my tuition, students have gained entrance to the schools of Aldenham, Fulham Prep, Harrogate Ladies, Sedbergh, Charterhouse and Latymer. After my tuition, candidates attained the necessary grades for their university offers, including from Oxbridge, to study courses relevant to our preparation. I also have experience aiding with IB and professional skills tests together with Pre-U and IGCSE.
I am happy to offer tuition for all other syllabuses as well, for example WJEC and for free-standing maths qualifications.
I also offer tuition to adults wanting to improve their own maths understanding and skills, for example to help with their career or to pass graduate skills tests such as Kenexa, SHL and numeracy for QTS etc.
I have helped several students with Asperger Syndrome, those with dyslexia and students who are home schooled, have conditions including severe physical handicaps, speech and language difficulties or have had to change school due to behavioural difficulties. Furthermore, I have been trained for and have taught looked after children and also have experience of helping those for whom English is an additional language.

Tutoring Approach:
I find I can relate to students in a calm and patient manner and I have enjoyed helping them through difficulties with their subjects. I endeavour to find and solve the problems students have in their understanding to give them a firmer grasp of the topic, with the benefits from this being increased confidence and improved results.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi I'm Meghavi and I am a BSc Physics graduate from Imperial College London and I have a QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) at grade 1 - Outstanding. Currently, I work as a Consultant in the Digital Transformation space. I have always been interested in teaching, from my GCSE years, I began helping my friends with their school work. Moving to A level years I started helping out some of the teachers in my school to run after school sessions to help kids with their Homework. I would say I am very patient and will sit there till the concept is clear in their minds. I am not the kind of person who gives up easily so I will do what it takes to make sure an idea or concept is understood. As a person I am very friendly and bubbly. I like to have a good laugh and I'm a good listener.

As far as personal interests go; I love to travel, I love music, movies and Food. I enjoy cooking. I like trying out new things and exploring new places and meeting new people.

Teaching Experience:
My interest in teaching began when I started helping my sister with her school work. I started teaching in 2009. I worked at Kumon (one of UK's largest supplementary education provider) for a year. I then started tutoring AS Students for AS Physics at Lampton School which involved spending my free lessons and after school sessions to help them with any conceptual problems, homework, exam practice or just a recap of any topic in AS Physics. These students felt comfortable coming up to me at any time during or after school to ask any queries they had about the subject. (References Available)

I have helped out in Maths classes and planned my own lessons under the supervision of my teacher. I have also worked as a learning mentor at Lampton School and helped students with any homework or classwork in various subjects.

More recently (2013 - 2014) I have been a tutor for various students; teaching A Level Physics, A Level Maths and Further Maths, GCSE Maths, Primary Maths and GCSE Science (Biology Chemistry and Physics all inc).

Tutoring Approach:
Clearly each student is different, and so the way of teaching each one will be different. However I believe that if the foundation is strong nothing can go wrong. I will first try to ensure that the concept and the base of the subject is strong before we go on to a number of past paper questions and exercises. I believe that the best way to learn is to see how any problem can be tackled, go through the thought process and then apply what you know to the specific problem and solve it.

I will first see what the student finds most difficult and what their weaknesses are and then strive to overcome them. Each student will have their own learning methods, some may learn by understanding the whole concept then going into the exam questions, some want to go through exam questions while they are learning the concept to see how the theory can be applied to the problems. Some may learn visually with experiments or examples whereas others will learn through trial and improvement of their own. I will spend the first session finding out how they like to learn and design a program just right for that individual student.

From previous experiences I believe the key areas students need help in are:
- learning the foundation of the subject
- how to manage time in exams
- how to structure their answers in an exam
- lots and lots of practice
Hopefully once we start tutoring, the students will feel much more confident with the subject and the key to success for any exam is self confidence. I will always be their as a guide, a mentor, a friend to help them through what they find difficult.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Cambridge University educated, fully-qualified teacher. I am available to tutor in English, French, Spanish, Italian and EFL. I tutor all levels from KS2 upwards and I am also an experienced 11 plus and Entrance Exams tutor. I also tutor at KS3, KS4 and KS5 and for all the main exam boards at G.C.S.E, I.G.C.S.E and A'Level. In addition, I currently deliver online tuition to students, many of whom I prepare for the academically selective school admission process. I also deliver EAL and exam tuition to Chinese students who are preparing for Entrance Examinations and support those already at independent schools in the UK.

Teaching Experience:
I have many years of teaching experience, having started out as an EFL teacher before gaining my P.G.C.E. After graduating, I also spent time tutoring in London and often received requests to travel with international clients to continue tuition. I hold UK Qualified Teacher Status [QTS] and have taught Modern Foreign Languages at Secondary School. In addition, I have taught Adult Education Language Courses for East Riding Council.
I also run regular group courses in French, Spanish and Italian for Adult Learners. In addition, I run small Literacy support groups to help students improve their reading, grammar, spelling and punctuation. I also tutor student teachers for the QTS Literacy Skills Test and have achieved passes for students who had failed the test on previous attempts.I also continue to teach English as a Foreign Language and have taught students from all over the world from Russia to Japan and India. For example, I have successfully prepared UK and Chinese students for interviews and examinations at the following schools: Cheltenham Ladies' College; Badminton School; Queen Anne's School; Roedean School; Bruton School; Bromsgrove School; The King's School Canterbury; Woldingham; Godolphin; Queen Ethelburga's; Ashdown House Prep; Queen Elizabeth's, Barnet; Dame Alice Owen's; Sevenoaks; Latymer.

Tutoring Approach:
As a tutor my approach is patient and flexible. The learner is at the heart of what I do and my aim is for all students to make rapid progress but also to enjoy their learning. As a result I enjoy planning varied and engaging lessons which are tailor-made for my students. I strongly believe that one-to-one and small group tuition can deliver real results for all types of learners due to the focus on individual learning needs and styles.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a recent maths PhD graduate from the University of Sheffield. I have also done a PGCE in secondary mathematics education. I did my masters and undergraduate in Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and have A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, English Literature and History.

Teaching Experience:
I have ten years of experience in mathematics teaching and tutoring. On top of experience in private tutoring, I have a PGCE in secondary mathematics education, and taught mathematics to undergraduates during my PhD. I have also designed and conducted workshops / mock interviews to prepare students for university entrance exams.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is very flexible, as I feel it's important to be able to adapt to suit the needs of different students. The most important thing to remember when tutoring (particularly when tutoring a subject like mathematics or physics) is to help pupils properly understand the topics they're studying rather than just expecting them to learn things by rote. This enables them to attack new problems when they come across them, and is more likely to foster genuine passion and enthusiasm for the subject.

Subjects

Personal Description:
As a child, I learned by being told, by beatings, shaming and a strict examination system. As you can imagine I didn't learn much that I could later apply to my academic life. As a result, I became an inveterate learner, always interested in learning the next thing. At one point, the drive to learn was because I didn't see myself as being good enough. Later on, that drive became an interest in discovering my own abilities as well as about helping others. I have now learned so much about how not to teach that I have gained good insight into how learning happens. I am keen to ensure all my learners learn how to learn and understand how to apply what they discover.

Teaching Experience:
My background is in teaching, training and facilitation. I have over 25 years experience of teaching in different forms having worked within primary, secondary and further education settings. I am an NVQ / TAQA assessor and trained and assessed Parenting Practitioners and other candidates up to Level 5 in Health & Social Care. I have specialist skills in Personal Effectiveness subjects such as Report Writing, Speed Reading, Presentation Skills.

Tutoring Approach:
Being a private tutor used to be the preserve of only those with the highest qualifications and the greatest experience. Now all that's changed.

However good a tutor is, the learner needs to be astute in order know if the tutor is a good match for her / him. Importantly, making the right choice can be complex.
Here are three tips to help you decide if I am or someone else is right for you. The following tips describe how I teach and how I will enable you to be an independent learner.

1. Look for a tutor who can teach you how to learn
Here's a funny thing… learners study a subject, sometimes for months and years and can come away with no long-term memory of the underpinning principles of the subject. As disturbing, they have no ongoing understanding of the subject. They are unable to apply what they tried to learn. This is easily resolved by clearing up past issues with learning. In Applied Scholastics it is now well known that if as a learner, you are helped to do so, you can learn any subject. This is central to how I teach.

2. Look for tutors who understand the main barriers to learning and can help you overcome them
There are three main barriers to study. They relate to confusion over an idea, missing out critical steps and having unclear ideas about the subject under study. Gaining a day to day facility with overcoming those barriers is key to effective and efficient study. I use these methods to help my own reading and study. I will introduce them to you so that you can use them too.

3. Look for tutors who can help you find the information you need so that you keep expanding your own understanding of the subject

Sometimes, a learner during a course of study will find that s/he wants to give up. Have you ever experienced this? Whenever that happens it is because there is something - an idea, a symbol, a form of punctuation, the use of a word, or something else - that you did not understand. Without the proper factual information on this and without the correct knowledge of why and how this happens, the learner will struggle. Without knowing what remedies to apply, the learner will give up.

When you study, you are investing time and energy. In this case, money too. If you want to discover more about how you learn, what your barriers to study are and how to understand more, you will benefit from being an independent learner. That will repay your investment.

Those three critical points should help you decide if I could be right for you. They briefly describe the way in which I would work with you and enable you to be an independent learner.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a proactive, dedicated teacher hailing from Montpellier, southern France, with a passion for teaching. Based in the UK, I have worked across 3 continents in a variety of education institutions and universities in the last few years, and have always enjoyed making a difference in the learning experience of my students and tutees.

I completed a PhD in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2018, and became an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE). I have gained relevant teaching skills, valuable insights and a solid experience in the UK and abroad both during and after my doctoral programme, and currently teach French language in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick.

I am involved in scholarship and have a huge academic interest in American and comparative literature. My research portfolio contains a dozen publications in peer-reviewed outlets, including Academia Letters, The European Journal of American Culture and The Literary Encyclopedia, and a research monograph about two writers from the Beat generation - Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg - published by Peter Lang in May 2022, which has been nominated this year for a BSA Book Award. I am currently working on a research project with Cambridge University Press on the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in a variety of high schools and higher education institutions, both in the UK and abroad, since 2009.
I taught as French Instructor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, USA, for 6 months, and as a French Language Assistant at Dunraven School and at Greenford High School in London (1 year in each).
I went on the work as an Associate Lecturer in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths for 3 years, and as a Pre-Sessional Lecturer at the University of Southampton in the Academic Centre for International Students.
I also taught as an Assistant Professor in English at Istanbul Kültür University in Turkey for 18 months, and currently teach French in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick.

Tutoring Approach:
I view tutoring as a means to empower learners and facilitate knowledge acquisition. The student-centred approach with which I work is tailored to the specific needs of each individual learner - an approach I have used in my 1-2-1 private tuition for over 10 years, and in the different teaching appointments I have held so far as a French Language Assistant and as a university lecturer.
This personalised approach is forged with respect to the uniqueness of each individual profile and learning style, increasing the opportunity for success. My aim is not only to fulfil the learner's scholarly potential; it is also to foster his or her confidence in the language over the longer term by creating an awareness of its greater cultural significance.

I cater for all levels and needs, from A1 to C2 and from Y1 to Sixth Form and beyond, and have worked with children, teenagers, young adults and professionals. Over the years, I have achieved a good grasp of the educational challenges that students face in the UK at various stages of the curriculum. I have worked with various exam boards and am familiar with the current requirements of the GCSE, A-Level, I-GCSE, I-B as well as private school entrance exams.

Owing to my academic background, I am also very keen on developing an awareness of study skills and critical thinking in higher education.

The tuition is delivered either face-to-face, or via Zoom or any other online platform such as MS Teams or Skype. After listening to the learner's needs, which can be discussed through e-mail or on the phone, the tuition will start with an assessment of the learner's linguistic skills, which will enable me to identify a series of specific learning objectives and create an individualised road map towards the achievement of these objectives.

This road map will constitute our programme, and each tuition will cover a part of it. The sessions, based on dynamic exchange, will involve a series of engaging materials and resources carefully selected to meet the learning objectives. These materials, which include videoclips, podcasts, literary texts, translations, news articles, practice sheets or former exam papers, can also be edited or designed from scratch (such as homework or exercise sheets for example), in order to concentrate on a specific point, embed newly-won knowledge.

My private tuition in French covers all language skills, whether it is writing, listening, speaking through thematic conversation with a native speaker, building an ability to read texts in the target language with various degrees of complexity, or developing French cultural awareness - beyond the stereotypical.

A high level of service is maintained throughout the tuition delivery programme, and careful attention is given to the learning experience, which remains my top priority.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Cambridge-educated and the recipient of an Oxford University teaching prize, I am a qualified and highly experienced tutor with particular expertise in English Language and English Literature.

I offer tuition in:

11+ and school entrance
GCSE and IGCSE English Language
GCSE, IGCSE and A-level English Literature
GCSE and A-level History
GCSE and A-level Business Studies
University applications and personal statements
Mock interviews
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Business English
Creative writing for adults

I hold QTS and an enhanced DBS. My qualifications include a degree in English, a PGCE in English and History, a Certificate in Education in Drama, an MA in Creative Writing and a postgraduate qualification in teaching creative writing from the University of Cambridge.

I am also a published author, professional editor, ghostwriter and experienced creative writing tutor.

I have taught students attending:

Independent senior schools: Rugby School, Gordonstoun, Warwick School, The Kingsley School, King's High School, Kingham Hill School, King Henry VIII School, Princethorpe College and Bablake School.

Independent junior schools: Crackley Hall and Warwick Junior School.

Selective state schools: Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby High School, Alcester Grammar School, Ashlawn School, WMG Academy, Stratford Girls' Grammar School, King Edward's School and Newport Girls' High School.

State non-selective schools: Kenilworth School, Finham Park School, President Kennedy School, Babington Academy, English Martyrs, Bilton School, Houlton School, Harris Academy, Avon Valley School, Walsall Academy, Joseph Leckie Academy, Myton School, North Leamington School, Ernesford Grange Community Academy, Southgate School, East Barnet School, Attleborough Academy, Southfield School and Rugby Free Secondary School.

Junior schools: Potters Green School, Long Lawford Primary School, Holbrook Primary School, Park Hill Junior School, Dunchurch Boughton Junior School, Hillmorton Primary School, Cawston Grange Primary School, Abacus Academy, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School, Henry Hinde Junior School and St Anthony's Catholic Primary School.

Former students have progressed to leading universities, including Oxford and Durham, and have studied highly competitive subjects such as medicine and dentistry.

I have taught students based in the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and South Korea. I teach learners from the age of eight through to adulthood.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced and successful online tutor with an extensive background in secondary, further and adult education. I undertake regular professional development and keep my safeguarding, Prevent, GDPR and other required professional training up to date.

I have been a Head of English and a Senior Leader in a highly successful Birmingham school, as well as a Local Authority Adviser for English.

I have taught writing to postgraduate students at the universities of Cambridge, Warwick, Hull and York. I have also published educational research and teaching resources, edited publications and mentored writers.

My assessment experience includes working as an examiner for KS2 SATs, English Language and English Literature. I am also a qualified Arts Award assessor.

I am familiar with the requirements of AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas and IGCSE examinations. My other specialist areas include the Essex, Warwickshire and Birmingham 11+ examinations, IELTS, Trinity ESOL and British Council ESOL provision.

I have considerable experience of helping students whose schools have not enabled them to fulfil their potential. I have also provided individual tuition on behalf of schools for looked-after children. At the other end of the attainment range, I have supported highly able students at academically selective schools, helping them develop the precision and independence required for the highest grades.

Every student is taught as an individual. I assess what each learner genuinely understands, identify gaps and design lessons and resources specifically for that student. I do not rely on generic worksheets or give every pupil the same programme. My preparation is purposeful, individual and closely connected to each student's current needs, syllabus and long-term goals.

Tutoring Approach:
Every lesson is taught individually. Your child will not be placed in a group with students who have different needs, abilities or goals.

I have high expectations of my students and provide the individual teaching, encouragement and challenge they need to fulfil their potential. I also give parents honest, evidence-based feedback about progress, current attainment and areas requiring further work.

To ensure that my assessments remain accurate and consistent, I standardise my marking with a secondary-school English department every year.

RESULTS AND SUCCESSES, 2025-26

T: Grade 8 in GCSE English Language and grade 8 in English Literature.

AL: Grade 8 in GCSE English Language and grade 8 in English Literature. His Language result is one mark below grade 9 and has been submitted for review.

E: Following a significantly disrupted Year 10, she achieved grade 7 in GCSE English Language and grade 6 in English Literature.

AD: Grade 7 in GCSE English Language and grade 7 in English Literature.

V: An ESOL student who arrived in the UK less than two years before sitting her GCSEs and achieved grade 4 in both English Language and English Literature.

RESULTS AND SUCCESSES, 2024-25

All my 11+ candidates passed their examinations.

All my GCSE English Language students achieved grades 8 or 9.

All my GCSE English Literature students achieved grades 7, 8 or 9.

RECENT SUCCESSES

A student achieved grades 9 and 9 in GCSE English Language and Literature after being predicted grades 6 and 6 by school.

A student achieved grades 8 and 7 after being predicted grades 4 and 4.

A student who arrived in the UK speaking no English made three levels of progress within six months.

An adult ESOL learner from South Korea progressed from A2 to C1 British Council levels and achieved a distinction in GCSE Speaking and Listening in fewer than nine months.

My pupils have gained 11+ places at King Edward's School, Lawrence Sheriff School, Alcester Grammar School and Rugby High School.

My pupils have also gained scholarships to Rugby School and Warwick School, and bursaries to Bablake School and Princethorpe College.

Other successes include supporting a student's progress from grade 3 to grade 7 in three months, and another student's progress from grade 5 to grade 9 in six months.

TESTIMONIALS

'Thank you so much for all your support throughout the years, and for your patience and genuine care.'

'We are all so pleased and thankful for your support and help.'

'I appreciate your invaluable support.'

'We DID it! The score gets him into the best grammar school-KEGS. Thank you so much for your perseverance and amazing teaching.'

'You taught me more in one lesson than school taught me for the whole year.'

'She couldn't have done it without your coaching.'

EARLIER SUCCESSES

My earlier successes include helping GCSE and A-level students improve by several grades; supporting dyslexic and home-educated learners; preparing successful university and medical-school applications; helping postgraduate students progress from a postgraduate award to an MA course; and enabling an adult with dyslexia to progress from relying on emojis to composing written emails and messages independently.

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Hi! I graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Mathematics in 2017, and I'm currently a full time professional tutor with over 500 hours of experience. I specialise in boosting confidence and working with students who want to learn and are curious.

"Happy to find a right tutor for my daughter- reliable, patient and punctual."
"Tom is reliable and professional and the sessions are a real confidence boost"
"Due to the help received by Tom I achieved an A in C4, an A in C3 and a B in M1. I would highly recommend Tom over all other Maths tutors."

I am particularly adept in curriculum mathematics, having achieved 95+ on all my Core modules in Maths and Further Maths at A Level, although I can also readily teach extra-curricular A Level examinations such as STEP, MAT, AEA and the Senior Maths Challenge (among others). I also achieved highly in Physics, with 100% in the two final papers, so if you need help with this (especially the Applied Maths side of Physics) then I am very able and ready to help.

I attained 3 A*`s in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics at A Level, so I know exactly what is required for the top grades. I also achieved Highest Ever in School for the Senior Maths Challenge and a distinction in AEA Mathematics. My MAT grade was enough to earn me a non-STEP offer from Imperial, and I passed all three STEPs, STEP I in Lower Sixth.

Beyond my grades, I work hard and have a dedication for my subject. Mathematics is the cornerstone of every science, and a proper understanding of it is essential. I love sport and cars, and keep up with the latest technology.

Teaching Experience:
Throughout my education I have tutored those younger than me and worked with some of the brightest young minds, who are now top of their year in the highest ranking universities. I am flexible in tutoring a range of abilities, and have experience from mentoring Year 7 students just learning algebra, through to Year 12 students retaking GCSEs, all the way to STEP tutoring and preparing for university entrance exams.

Post-graduation, I have tutored over 500 hours over the course of 2 years. I have recent experience tutoring students preparing for GCSEs and A Levels, from a wide age range and level of abilities.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a strong believer that every student is different, and that they each have their own way of learning that works best for them. A great academic record does not necessarily mean a great tutor, however I think that I have the right approach whereby I learn first how the student works best, then implement learning techniques which will drive the best results.

I also strongly encourage an inquisitive and questioning behaviour, where the student is aware that not everything I say should be taken for granted. The key skill universities are looking for is an inquisitive nature, so I do not lecture to the student, I let them give feedback and treat them as an equal, and in most examples let the student lead the session. This way they develop an ability to think for themselves.

My first session is normally spent working out the best tutoring technique, how motivated the student is and what sort of ability they are. For example, in some cases I like to set small amounts of homework which actually help develop a deep understanding of the question, rather than bundles of questions that encourage method-learning repetition.

From here, each session can build on the previous and will depend a lot on the current progress of the student, upcoming examinations, strengths and weaknesses and how confident they are. In general though, I like to go through the content as fast or as slow as necessary, and then do some past paper or textbook questions with the student. Each session I will set an aim determined with the student and work towards that aim.

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Personal Description:
I am a specialist English tutor. I am an expert in this subject, and have successfully taught up to Undergraduate level. I also teach Science up to GCSE level.

- Over 8000 hours experience
- Mentoring and tutoring for the last 10 years.
- 100% achievement record. All my students reach (or exceed) their targets.
- Successfully mentored students to gain 11+ scholarships.
- Track record of helping to improve by two or more grades.
- Successfully tutored students in the new syllabus to achieve Level 9.
- I have a wide range of highly specialist resources.
- Experienced in assisting students with SEN, including dyslexia and ASD.
- I am currently studying at the prestigious Institute of Education, London.
- I apply the Growth Mindset to unlock student potential.
- I use the latest research in pedagogy and child psychology to plan and deliver my lessons.
- I am mentored by world-class English teachers and have been graded Ofsted 'Outstanding'.

I help students engage with texts, learn how to extract meaning and improve their written communication. I work with students who are struggling to connect with the subject or just need an extra boost to reach their target.

I assess a student's strengths and weaknesses and create a bespoke tuition plan. We then work together to tackle their weakest areas and enable them to reach their goal. I have curated a wide range of engaging resources, and utilise different mediums to add interest to my lessons.

I strictly work with only a handful of families at a time, so I am able to give you focused support. Please contact me for availability.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Teaching Experience:
Testimonials

"Bushra is a devoted focused person who teaches with passion and great depth of knowledge. She cares about my son and really wants him to do well and achieve his full potential."

"You have opened my eyes."

"You are the best English tutor we have ever had."

"The lessons are over so quickly, I really enjoy English now."


Top Student Achievements 2016/2017

Student studying new GCSE syllabus achieved the highest grade possible, Level 9.

11+ student secured scholarship for London School for Boys and Merchant Taylor School.

Undergraduate student, after mentoring and tutoring, went from 3rd to 2.1

A-level student achieved grade `A` in coursework assignment after a few months mentoring.

GCSE student went from grade `D` to a final grade of `B` within 3 months.

Tutoring Approach:
I assess students strengths and areas for developments. I then create a bespoke tuition plan.

All lessons are tailored and resourced. I have an extensive range of resources, including model answers and examiner's guidance.

I believe in building students confidence and appreciation for the subject and coaching them to apply their knowledge effectively.

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Personal Description:
I am a friendly, capable and effective tutor with a degree in Maths. A 20-year career with Shell and 16 years tutoring have given me a lot of experience in helping people and a good dose of common sense! I tutor in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, Newport Pagnell, Bletchley, Olney etc.

Students I have helped in the past have come from schools such as Royal Latin, Denbigh, Hazeley, Aylesbury Grammar, Bedford High, Oakgrove, St. Pauls, Oundle, Redborne, Shenley, Lord Grey, Sir Henry Floyd, Stantonbury, Webber Independent School, Stowe, MK College, Walton High, Ousedale, Elizabeth Woodville, Oxford Brooke University, Marlborough College and Roedean.

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in tutoring Maths and I have been doing this since 2003 at GCSE and A level, with excellent results. I also tutor Mechanics, Statistics, Decision, Further Maths, MAT, STEP, International Baccalaureate and Numerical Reasoning including QTS. Tutoring is the most rewarding thing I have done. I love it!

I am also a member of the Tutors Association and abide by the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Practice.

Tutoring Approach:
I understand that maths can be difficult and challenging, so I tailor each lesson to the specific needs of each individual student. I listen to and observe each student carefully and work with them to find the best way to help them understand and flourish. My aim is always to support and encourage each student to reach their potential and achieve or exceed their goals.

Every year I run fully invigilated mock exams which all of my students are invited to attend. This has been a great success, with 100% of participants stating that this will improve their chances of doing well in the exams.

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Personal Description:
I am fully qualified teacher and have been tutoring online for over two years. I now work part-time tutoring online, usually from my home, but occasionally from elsewhere. I have two adult children, one just finishing university and the other working in an apprenticeship. I originally tutored in person, but made the transition to online tutoring after the first lock-down. My existing pupils did extremely well at the transition and have continued to grow in confidence, to learn just as much as they did before and to also improve their ICT skills, using the keyboard to write, by using the classroom tools and sometimes sharing their screen.

The other advantages of online tutoring are that I am never held up in the rush hour traffic, there is no need to wear masks and I have even tutored pupils that have travelled abroad or have been living elsewhere, like Norway or even Nigeria, so continuity of tutoring is easier. Children seem just as able to build a relationship with a tutor online as in person, so this has never been a problem and I have had really good relationships with all of my pupils and their families. I really enjoy working with young people and their families. Sometimes I start working with one sibling and then with a brother or sister, or swap around depending on which child needs the most help.

I can be flexible and will try to work around parents' work and home responsibilities and commitments, but I will need to charge if lessons are cancelled within 24 hours.

I charge £35 per hour and that includes lesson preparation, providing homework (including marking if/when required), and providing feedback to parents/carers.

Teaching Experience:
I have been involved in Primary education for seventeen years, mainly in Key Stage 2. I have experience working one-to-one with children with Special Educational Needs, those needing just a little extra support to move them on and to boost their confidence, as well as working with highly academic children that need stretching, to ensure that they are never bored with schooling.

As well as being a fully qualified classroom teacher, I have been a School Safeguarding Governor for more than eight years and have worked with the Local Safeguarding Board, as well as with other Children in Care providers and have personal experience of caring for Looked After Children, so whatever your child's educational needs are, I'm here to help. I believe in teaching children to ensure that every child maximises their potential and I try to find ways to engage them in learning by using activities that they will enjoy. To do this I employ various teaching styles to suit the individual needs of each pupil. Whenever possible, I try to help children to understand how and why they are learning new things, how it relates to the wider world and why it is important for them to try to grasp new or difficult concepts and to take responsibility for their own learning.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to get to know the pupil I'm working with to find out the best way that they learn. Sometimes this can be encouraging them to engage in practical activities, such as cooking/baking, because it engages a child in a way that takes them away from the 'classroom' style of learning and puts them more at ease, as they are no longer feeling under any pressure to 'learn'. I have found that some children learn much more quickly when faced with a practical problem, such as reading a recipe and halving/doubling ingredients etc, with the added incentive and reward of eventually making something that they can eat. In addition, this may also help by giving them a visual and sensory memory of what they have learned. When tutoring I like to find out about each child's learning preference and tailor their tutorial accordingly. I believe in making learning fun and enjoyable, setting achievable goals that will help your child gain confidence and boost their self-esteem, as well as progress them academically.

Most children love ICT, but some are less confident and so involving them in online tutoring can be the best way to help them overcome any fears and concerns they may have, building their confidence as they learn to manage the whiteboard tools and communicate successfully with their tutor. They can also easily and quickly see their own progression. There are many fun and interesting games available for all the different subjects and working through some of these together often leads to children taking more responsibility for their own learning and becoming more eager and more confident to take on greater challenges. Once they become fully competent at a particular activity, they are usually keen to find another one. ICT can also provide a means of recording the subjects that they need to revise and they can then go over these and practise them in their own time.

The thought of taking the 11 Plus test is challenging and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and upset, for both parents and children. Having taught in a junior school where about fifty percent of the children move on to a grammar school, I am well aware of the pressure that some children are under to 'pass' the 11 Plus. There are many things that can be done to support your child and to help them to reach their maximum potential. Identifying the areas of learning that they find most difficult and overcoming this, is key to their gaining confidence and enabling them to make their best effort whilst taking this test. As well as teaching whole classes of children preparing for the 11 Plus, in recent years I have been working one-to-one with children preparing to take this test. I assist them in the aspects of English and maths that they have found most challenging, including using questions from past 11 Plus test papers so that they have become familiar with the test format. Pupils gain confidence in themselves and then they know that they will do their very best when they take the test.

The 11 Plus test can vary, depending on the school and catchment area. Most grammar schools prefer pupils not to be tutored, otherwise pupils may struggle if they are successful in the test, but do not possess the natural speed of learning required at many of these schools, so my preferred method of tutoring is to help pupils to understand any concepts they struggle with and to help them to become more advanced in these areas. Pupils should work through the appropriate 11 Plus practice materials on their own and identify the areas where they need the most help. This helps them to gain confidence in their own ability and to take responsibility for their own learning. This is very important for them if they are to progress well and if they are successful in gaining entry to a grammar school.

I provide lessons for KS1 and KS2 pupils to help them with any areas of the curriculum that they find difficult. I provide homework if required.

I occasionally tutor pupils in KS3, mainly Years 7 and 8, often helping them with their homework.

I can be flexible and will try to work around parents' work and home responsibilities and commitments, but I will need to charge if lessons are cancelled within 24 hours.

Whatever year a child is in at school, it is important for them to know that every step forward is a step towards greater achievement and understanding. Whatever your child's academic needs, please be assured that I am here to ensure that your child grows in confidence and achieves their maximum potential and will do my very best for them and for you.I look forward to working with your child.

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Personal Description:
⚡ Cambridge University ⚡

📚 Over 15,000 hours of one-to-one experience 📚

✨ Full-time professional tutor ✨

💡 A-Level Maths & Further Maths Specialist 💡

🔑 UCAS, Oxbridge and University Application Expert 🔑

✔️ Maths ✔️ Physics ✔️ University Entrance ✔️ TMUA✔️ STEP ✔️

Since graduating from King's College, Cambridge in 2013, I have been a dedicated full-time professional maths tutor.

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I offer a **free 30-minute** introductory class to all new students so we can get to know each other and the technology we'll be using before committing to anything! I have over 7,000 hours of online tutoring experience, so I am well placed to work either online, or in person at my office space in Hoxton where I also run classes and mock exams.

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I love to turn good students into the best, always pushing and stretching my pupils to get the most out of them. For those looking to achieve the top grades, I can offer my experience in fine-tuning exam technique, as well as giving insight and tutoring in more advanced papers (TMUA, ESAT, STEP). I also offer personal and informative preparatory advice for those students applying to Oxbridge.

On the flip side I have seen that the teaching of maths and science in the classroom can sometimes leave students feeling dejected, uninterested, and even unable, often sapping their confidence. Through my tutoring I aim to rebuild this confidence and unlock each student's true potential. Together we can fill gaps in understanding, consolidate material, get ahead of the syllabus and ultimately strive towards better grades.

In any case, every lesson will be tailored to each student's individual needs.

Teaching Experience:
Over 15,000 hours of one on one tutoring experience.

Experienced with Edexcel, OCR, AQA and OCR MEI for Maths and Further Maths A Level.

Being lucky enough to go to Cambridge, I was blown away by the power of small group teaching, having been used to large classes my whole life. I could not believe the amount it was possible to progress in each guided supervision. It's a privilege to be able to provide such a service myself, for my students.

Tutoring Approach:
Learning happens best one on one. I take a very informal, interactive, animated and personable approach to teaching. This is not school, we don't have rules. This is a place to learn and excel. It's all the good bits of the Cambridge supervision system without any of the formality or anxiety.

My lessons are either online or in person at my office space at Hoxton. In some circumstances I can travel but this will incur an additional fee.

I also run a number of classes - please get in touch for additional information.

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Personal Description:
I am a passionate, dedicated and experienced Mathematics and Physics tutor with over 15 years of teaching experience. I hold two Master's degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, earned in France and South Africa respectively. My strong academic and engineering background has given me an excellent understanding of Mathematics and Physics and their practical applications.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 15 years of experience teaching Mathematics and Physics to students of different ages, abilities and academic levels. I have supported students in developing their subject knowledge, improving their problem-solving skills and preparing effectively for examinations. I am comfortable working with students who need additional support as well as those who want to challenge themselves and achieve higher grades.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is patient, encouraging and tailored to each student's individual needs. I believe students learn best when complex ideas are explained clearly and broken down into manageable steps. I use practical examples, guided problem-solving and regular practice to help students develop a strong understanding of the subject. My aim is not only to help students improve their grades, but also to build their confidence, curiosity and independence as learners.

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