Shipley Entrance Exams Tutors and Shipley Entrance Exams Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a very motivating person, willing to explore more opportunity, l have taught at multi cultural school and also in other European countries EU ONLY. Very flexible and open minded. Ready to work on short notices . Computer literate and have PGCE and QTS at the University of Birmingham. I also have Post Graduate in Pure and Applied Mathematics

Teaching Experience:
Over 15 years of teaching experience. l have taught at the American school, International schools and local and colleges .My main subject areas are IB, AP`s and GCSE in mathematics , Calculus, Physics, chemistry, and Further Mathematic

Tutoring Approach:
One to One approach . Make the student to participate in the explanation and check on the weakest points of the student to assist the student to improve this will enable the student to reach his or her desired grade.
Simple and straight forward explanation on any topic even those which seems difficult for students to understand.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have a degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University and have also trained to teach English as a Foreign Language. Having done a variety of jobs over the years I currently work part-time as a private tutor of Italian, French and English as a Foreign Language. I also offer entrance exam preparation in literacy, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning for children seeking entrance to selective secondary schools.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught English as a Foreign Language abroad and, more recently, at Keele University for 2 years.
I have taught Italian both at FE college and privately. I now focus on private lessons, offering Italian, French and EFL. I have supported a large number of students through a range of exams including GCSEs and IELTS.
I am also an experienced 11+ tutor, tailoring tuition both to the individual needs of students and the requirements of a range of local selective schools, including St Joseph's, Newcastle High, Newport Grammar, Adams Grammar and Denstone.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a friendly and enthusiastic tutor who aims to create a warm and supportive environment for students.
I usually begin with a discussion about the student's needs and aims, and then, if appropriate, carry out a diagnostic test. Tuition is then tailored to each student's requirements.
I usually ask students to buy at least one coursebook (for the 11+ there may be several), and I also provide homework between sessions.

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Personal Description:
I have been working as a highly successful English tutor since 2007. Additionally, in 2012, I worked three days a week in an independent girls' school in Exeter, providing one-to-one support for a girl in Year 9 and also taught English Literature to Year 7 & Year 13 classes. I live near Bridport in Dorset.

I have a passion for the written word and its performance in poetry and drama.

I have grown-up children and grandchildren, and am very interested in how young people view and contribute to the world in which they live.

I gained an MA (with Merit) in Postcolonial Studies from SOAS, University of London in 2015 and a First Class Joint Honours BA in English and Classics from the University of Reading in 1996.

I teach online via Skype and other platforms, often incorporating Google Documents. Skype has proved to be a highly successful way of teaching and I now teach across the globe using this medium.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a highly successful English tutor for many years. Most of my client base is private but I also work for a top London tuition agency. I am a highly experienced tutor and currently have students in English Language & Literature from KS 2 to 'A' level/IB. I specialise in 11+,13 + and Common Entrance exams. My students have been awarded places at many schools, including Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Sevenoaks, The Perse Cambridge, Magdalen School Oxford, Oxford High School for Girls and grammar schools in London.

I also work with undergraduates & postgraduates in various disciplines, providing guidance in the structure of their essays, particularly dissertations, and academic writing. In 2019, the two undergraduate students I have supported (at the University of Exeter and University of Edinburgh) have each gained First Class classifications, both in their dissertation and overall degree.

Additionally, in 2014/15 I tutored the complete AQA GCSE Classical Civilisation syllabus to a Year 9 student via Skype, who obtained an A as her final grade.

I also have experience in helping adults with their business English and have written marketing copy for the commercial sector.

Tutoring Approach:
When I tutor a student, I search for a 'tailor-made' way to help increase their self-esteem and confidence. This enhances the learning they already receive in the classroom. The study of texts offers student and tutor alike not only an opportunity to develop communication one with another but also insight into the life experiences of others, both in past generations and the wider world today.

I have helped numerous students to achieve higher than their predicted grades at both GCSE, IB and 'A' level and have many excellent references available. I work with students in the independent and state school sectors and with varying levels of academic ability.

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Personal Description:
I am an LSE graduate with a BSc in Accounting and Finance and postgraduate qualifications in Statistics. I am currently a dedicated and passionate full-time private tutor specialising in Economics, Business, Accounting and Mathematics.

I was fortunate enough to receive a very good private education myself and originally started tutoring as an opportunity to share my knowledge with others and help students realise their full potential and all the wider benefits that come from a good education. Seventeen years later, tutoring has become my full-time career.

I am passionate about the subjects I teach and genuinely dedicated to seeing my students do well. I believe five main factors have contributed to my success as a tutor:

• I have high expectations of myself and my students. I believe that, with the right teaching and sufficient effort, students are capable of achieving far more than they often initially believe.

• I instil confidence and a "can do" attitude in my students. I regularly remind them that very little is genuinely "hard" once it has been explained properly and broken down into manageable steps.

• I listen to my students. This keeps lessons interactive and gives me a constant understanding of their thought process, what they understand and, importantly, what they don't yet understand.

• I build strong relationships with my students so that they feel comfortable engaging with me, asking questions and admitting when they don't understand something.

• I provide continuous support. Where appropriate, students can contact me with questions between lessons, so the support I provide does not necessarily end when the lesson does.

I take a genuine interest in the progress of every student I teach. My aim is not simply to help students achieve better grades, but to improve their confidence, understanding and ability to learn independently.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a private tutor for 17 years. During this time, my reliability, teaching ability and results have enabled me to develop a strong reputation, with a large proportion of my students coming through recommendations from current and former students and their families.

I have taught students at GCSE, A-Level, IB and university level, including students attending some of the UK's leading independent schools and Russell Group universities.

My students range from those already performing at a high level and targeting A/A* grades to students who have lost confidence in a subject or are significantly underperforming relative to their potential.

Some highlights from my tutoring career include:

• In 2026, my four A-Level Economics students achieved A*, A, A and A. One student averaged an exceptional 93% across their three A-Level Economics papers.

• I helped an Economics student improve from a B at AS Level to an A* at A-Level.

• I helped a student improve from a D at AS Economics to an A at A2 after eight months of tuition. He was the first student at his school to achieve an A in the subject since 2007.

• I helped another student improve from a C at AS Economics to an A at A2, achieving 97%, 99% and 100% across three individual Economics units.

• I worked with a student with mild learning difficulties who improved from an E at AS Economics to a B at A2. This became his highest grade across his A-Level subjects.

• In Mathematics, I have helped students gain places at leading independent schools, including Eltham College and Bromley High, as well as helping students make significant improvements in their GCSE and A-Level grades.

At university level, I have taught Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business, Accounting, Finance and quantitative subjects to students at a range of UK universities. I have considerable experience working with international students adapting to the demands of the UK education system.

For A-Level Economics, I have extensive experience across Edexcel, AQA and OCR specifications and understand that excellent subject knowledge alone is not sufficient to achieve the highest grades. A significant part of my teaching therefore focuses on examination technique, application, analysis and evaluation.

After 17 years of tutoring, I have worked with students of very different abilities, personalities and learning styles. This experience has taught me that there is rarely one correct way to explain something; successful tutoring is about finding the explanation that works for the individual student.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach takes a long-term view of learning. I want students to be successful in their immediate examinations, but I also teach them in a way that prepares them for higher study and makes them more confident in their academic abilities generally.

I strongly believe that a solid understanding of basic principles is the foundation of academic success. I therefore spend considerable time making sure these foundations are secure before moving on to more complicated material.

If a student doesn't understand something, I don't assume they are incapable of understanding it. Sometimes it simply needs to be explained differently. My job is to find that explanation.

I am a strong believer in understanding rather than rote learning. I want students to understand what they are doing and why they are doing it, rather than simply memorising and reproducing something they have seen previously. Once a student genuinely understands a concept, they are much better equipped to apply it to unfamiliar questions.

I also encourage practical understanding. Particularly in Economics and Business, I frequently use real-world examples to make abstract theory more relevant and memorable. Where appropriate, I relate material to businesses, financial markets, government policy and situations students are likely to encounter outside the classroom.

As examinations approach, I increasingly focus on applying this understanding to exam questions. This includes question interpretation, structure, application, analysis, evaluation, time management and understanding exactly what examiners are looking for.

Finally, I believe successful teaching is ultimately about listening to your students. I constantly encourage students to question things and tell me when they don't understand or are unsure.

If a student appears hesitant, I will often ask open questions or ask them to explain the concept back to me. This allows me to understand their thought process rather than simply establishing whether they have arrived at the correct answer.

I have high expectations of my students and expect them to put effort into their studies, but I also want them to feel comfortable making mistakes. Mistakes are often the quickest way for me to identify exactly what a student doesn't understand and therefore what I need to explain differently.

Ultimately, my aim is to make students increasingly independent of me. A successful student should eventually have the knowledge, confidence and skills to tackle difficult problems themselves.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a british born multi-skilled Business Management Post-Graduate with a flexible and proactive approach to work. I hold many transferable skills gained in positions, detained alongside studies since leaving school. I am a friendly, approachable individual with a smart appearance and professional manner. My fee is dependent on lesson plans, books/course materials required, travel time/expenses incurred and the number of hours requested.

Teaching Experience:
I have been working as a p/t Tutor for 7 years, Assisting primary school students up to Key Stage 3 in English, Maths and preparing for 11+/SATS Exams. I have also worked at various tuition centres and colleges.

Completed:

Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adult's training
Child Protection training
Childcare & Classroom Work programs
Support Work in Schools course
Training, Assessment, Quality & Assurance course
Enhanced CRB
Employment Related Services course

Additionally, I help adults with ICT, Business studies and Employment Advice e.g CV'S, Cover Letters, Application Forms and Proofreading. I am based in Kings Heath but can also do home visits. Please email me for further information.

Tutoring Approach:
I am passionate about helping pupils and strive to improve their learning. I have a strong belief in getting students to reach their full potential and even exceed it. I can build good relationships with students and have a caring nature. I believe that every child matters and that understanding a child's individual needs is paramount to their academic success. I also believe that confidence in their ability has a lot to be accounted for. Therefore, I offer not only a boost to their ability but to increase their academic success!

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have 35 years teaching experience both in the UK and overseas. I feel it's important to understand a students learning style and adjust lesson materials to suit that style whilst setting purposeful, realistic and attainable goals.

I enjoy teaching and deem it a privilege to have a share in helping others reach their aspirations.

I have a Trinity CERTTesol and an MA in English Language Teaching.

Teaching Experience:
Between 1992 & 2010 I lived and taught in Hong Kong to a variety of students from Chinese medium of instruction (CMI), English medium of instruction (EMI) and International schools. Assistance was given to help students progress towards their HKCEE (GCSE equivalent) and `A` levels, and in recent years the IB diploma, IGCSE's, and HKDSE. I continue to teach students in Hong Kong via Zoom (2026)

Topics used in the lessons cover many of disciplines in the school curriculum, including, History, Geography, Economics, Biology, English Literature. Further guidance was given to help students prepare for exams, such as: SAT; and IELTS exams and common apps for HE.

For the past 16 years, I have been tutoring students in the UK to prepare them for the 11+ entrance exams; teaching students at KS3, GCSE, A levels & IB. Additionally, I am currently guiding students with their dissertations for their chosen degrees, and proofreading BA, MA, papers prior to submission.

For the past 9 years, I have been involved in intervention teaching, which involves identifying learning styles and other factors that inhibit a student`s progress, and then devise strategies to engage the student in learning, to identify and then support their current learning needs.

Tutoring Approach:
I am committed to providing students with assistance to achieve the grades they need by patiently tutoring each student according to their learning style. I trust that my student-centred approach is effective in this area. My one-to-one tuition produces noticeable improvements in student confidence, attainment and ambition.

Exam Boards I cover:
- AQA
- Edexcel
- Cambridge/ Edexcel IGCSE
- OCR

GCSE English Literature texts
GCSE English Language Paper 1
GCSE English language Paper 2
- Writing to persuade
- Writing to inform
- Imaginative/ Creative writing
- Essay writing / structuring

GCSE Poetry
Love & Relationships
Power & Conflict

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have worked for over 20 years as a full time teacher and subsequently as a private tutor. I enjoy establishing a rapport with my students and guiding them through their journey to achieving academic success. In my free time I enjoy reading, walking and making jewellery.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 20 years teaching experience in both the public and private sector, as well as an online tutor. During my career I have been a member of the senior management team, maths coordinator and SEN coordinator for a number of years, which means that I have kept up to date with the developments in all areas of the curriculum.
I have in-depth understanding of progression in both maths and English, which enables me to successfully plan the next steps in their learning for each of my tutees.

Tutoring Approach:
Each child is different so my approach to tutoring depends on the child's needs and individual learning style. I assess each child and devise a learning plan to map out the steps to achieving their goal. At the end of every lesson I have a brief discussion with the parents about the material covered and the progress made in the lesson and suggest follow up activities they could use at home to reinforce the child's understanding. I use a range of age appropriate resources to support the students' learning and whenever possible computer based activities.

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 7 in English Literature. His Literature result is two marks below grade 8 and has been submitted for review.

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.

Subjects

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.

Subjects

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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I see myself closer to the role of a mentor rather than a tutor, with my goal being to help students maximise their potential and achieve their set goals. These can range from academic excellence to securing a full-time job in investment banking or joining a top university.

I have studied Economics at UCL, where I graduated at the top of my class with First Class, Russian Studies at OXFORD, and Management at the Judge Business School in CAMBRIDGE (Distinction). Moreover, I hold a PhD in Economics (UCL, 2016).

As you can see in my profile, I characterise myself as an Investor, Entrepreneur, and Academic. As a university lecturer, I primarily taught Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Finance, and Industrial Economics to undergraduate students and International Business and Finance to Postgraduate students. Through this work, I identified various gaps in the educational sector, and as a result, I decided to start my own tutoring company and my own educational consulting group. Yet I am still very passionate about teaching, so apart from running the companies, I have kept the role of the head tutor. At the same time, I am passionate about the world of finance, so apart from being heavily invested in the academic aspect of finance, I also have my own investment company.

Despite my various professional endeavours, I still consider myself a professional tutor. Tutoring for me is not just an additional source of income but a significant source of creativity in my life. In fact, I believe that there are strong complementarities between my two, as, through my entrepreneurial activities, I get the chance to give real-life examples to my students as well as help them understand the real world.

My students have achieved outstanding results, and I believe that I have all the necessary skills required to improve their academic performance and help them fulfil their potential. Throughout my career, I have had extensive experience with families of high-net-worth individuals, primarily from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the United Kingdom.

Looking specifically at the SERVICES I offer:

■ Regular Tutoring for GCSE, IGCSE, IB, A Level

1. Tutoring subjects include Economics and Business across all major exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, OCR and iGCSE.
2. Intensive exam preparation sessions
3. Homeschooling students (resits, gap years, and extenuating circumstances)

■ University Admissions (Undergraduate + Postgraduate + PhD)

1. Assistance with personal statements for UCAS applications
2. University and Programme Selection
3. Proposal Drafting (research degrees)
4. Interview Preparation (MBA, PhD)

■ University Tutoring

1. Assistance with undergraduate and postgraduate subjects in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Business, and Management.
2. I have extensive experience in thesis writing and assignment supervision, research guidance, and academic writing.
3. I also tutor students studying for foundation degrees in order to assist them in achieving the grades required for universities they aspire to join.

■ Casual Learners

1. Support for CFA Level 1, 2
2. Tutoring for different subjects outside the normal university curriculum such as (such as Applied Finance, Stata Masterclass, and Day Trading)
3. Practical/ Mini MBA (mostly relevant for those running a business and are interested in developing further skills)

■ Job Applications

I help students with their job applications and interviews, primarily those interested in graduate programmes within the financial industry, especially investment banking and private equity. This includes:

1. CV guidance,
2. help with motivation letters and psychometric tests (SHL, Kenexa, CEB, Gartner, etc.)
3. interview preparation (competency, motivation, technical), including financial modelling for M&A and Leveraged buyouts.
4. For those interested in consulting, special case-study interview sessions can be organised with real consultants working in top consulting firms (such as BCG and McKinsey), where the student will be coached to excel in these interviews.

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION + QUALITY ASSURANCE

After purchasing my details, and so as to ensure the compatibility between the student and myself, I will organise a free 15-minute consultation, where we can discuss in more detail what are his/hers key objectives, the way I can support him/her in his/her studies, and devise a way to move forward. After the meeting, we can schedule our first session, and in case the student does not feel satisfied with it, I will provide a refund. Note that references are available on request and that I usually become fully booked by late February/early March. An enhanced DBS certificate is also available.

Teaching Experience:
Over the past 15 years, I have been helping more than 300 students with their studies in Economics, Finance, Statistics, and other Business-related subjects, primarily at the university level.
Looking specifically at the subjects I have experience teaching:
1. Finance: I have focused on: Corporate Finance, Time Value of Money, Bond Valuation, Stock Valuation, Advanced Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Derivatives, Decision Making and Simulation, and CFA Levels 1 and 2.
2. Accounting: I am in a position to teach courses related to financial and managerial accounting on various levels of study. Some intermediate topics in accounting can also be covered during our sessions, including leasing and consolidated financial statements.
3. Statistics and Statistical Modelling: I have in-depth knowledge in areas such as Regression with Cross-Sectional Data, Logistic Regression, Panel Data, Variable Instrumental estimation, Time Series, Econometrics, Financial Econometrics, Parametric/Non-Parametric Test, Analysis of Variance, Multivariate Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Fundamentals of Probability, and Probability Theory.
4. Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Financial Economics, Industrial Economics, Labour Economics, International Trade, Emerging Market Economics, Pricing Strategy
5. Management Related courses: Marketing, Management, Sustainability, Human Resources, Quantitative Methods, Business Analytics, Operations, Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Strategy
I have a strong track record of performance improvement for all the students that join me in their educational journey. My students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including; Russell Group Universities, leading Independent Schools, and Adult Learners studying for Professional Qualifications in Finance. An indicative list of the previous academic year is presented below:


2024-2025

Tutoring support to students attending the following courses:
• Wharton Business School - Economics Major
• University of Westminster - BA Business Economics
• University of Westminster - BSc Financial Economics
• Bayes Business School - BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management
• University of Essex - BA Sociology with Social Psychology
• UCL - MSc Finance
• UCL - BSc Economics
• UCL - MSc Management
• Imperial Business School - MSc Investment and Wealth Management
• Kings College London - BA International Development
• Kings College London - BSc Computer Science with Management
• QMUL - MSc Finance
• INSEAD - Global Executive MBA
• Kings College London - Law LLB
• Regents - MSc International Fashion Management
In addition, every year I assist my students with their applications (undergraduate and postgraduate)
Successful Undergraduate Applications
• UCL - BSc Economics
• University of Edinburgh - MA in Economics with Finance
• LSE - BSc Economics and Management
• Kings College London - BSc Management
Successful Postgraduate Applications
• Imperial College Business School- MSc Investment & Wealth Management
• Imperial College Business School - MSc Financial Technology
• UCL - MSc Real Estate Economics and Investment Analysis
• Kings College London - MSc Banking and Finance
• Bayes Business School - MSc Shipping, Trade, and Finance
• Bayes Business School - MSc Energy, Trade, and Finance
• University of Oxford - MSc in Economics for Development
• University of Cambridge (Judge Business School) - MPhil in Management

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is tailor-made, meaning that I am always seeking to adjust to the particular needs of each student. In some sessions, especially those that are close to the exam period, I focus on developing their exam skills and go through some well-tested revision techniques.

For all sessions, the objective is to make the class as interactive as possible. I follow the "Socratic" approach to learning, whereby I guide my students towards obtaining the correct answers with a series of well-placed questions rather than providing the answers straight away. Lastly, I advocate an empirical understanding of theoretical concepts, thus frequently referencing real-world examples from my work in finance and seeking to bring theory to life through life examples, cards, games, and financial trading.

I am very patient and endeavor to build a strong working relationship with my students based on honesty and openness. I have high expectations of myself and my students, and as a result, I can be very demanding yet always committed to helping them achieve their goals. I pride myself in my RELIABILITY - meaning that I will never abandon a student before the exams or any other key commitments that he/she might have. I ensure **CONTINUOUS SUPPORT** for students, and I make myself available for questions via phone or e-mail throughout the day, outside class hours, and free of charge. I am always OPEN TO FEEDBACK from the student, and I expect an honest relationship and communication with them. To achieve this, I aim to create a strong rapport with them while patiently helping them deal with any difficulties they face.

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Personal Description:
A very warm hello!

I am experienced and reliable, knowledgeable and empathetic, organised and conscientious, creative and passionate, and, patient and down-to-earth. I have over 10 years of classroom teaching experience as a fully qualified teacher and over 8 years of extensive tutoring experience.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught both KS1 and KS2 in a variety of locations around the UK (Durham, Essex, Norwich, Bradford and Halifax) and have taught all National Curriculum subjects. I completed an undergraduate degree at the University of East Anglia, a Primary PGCE at Durham University followed by a Masters of Education at Durham University too.

I offer private tuition all over Calderdale at a location of your choice (including from my house in Ripponden) at a time of your convenience. Please note, I do not charge an initial joining fee.

Tutoring Approach:
Every pupil is an individual and every pupil develops their knowledge and learning differently. I begin by building a rapport with each pupil, getting to know how they learn best. I start with the knowledge they already possess and build upon these. I try to make my teaching varied and fun and ensure that pupils experience success quickly, no matter how small the steps are. I believe that private tuition is the first step in facilitating future success in life. I work efficiently and professionally to ensure your investment in private tuition meets and exceeds your expectations.

I am passionate about teaching and love to see pupils do well and achieve their potential. My teaching style centres around personalised learning: tailoring my lessons to the individual learning styles of my pupils. I have the ability and patience to work well with a range of pupils and have had a lot of success motivating those who struggle. I get an invaluable sense of satisfaction from seeing pupils experience 'light bulb' moments.

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Personal Description:
I`m an experienced, friendly, and professional tutor specializing in Entrance Exams, 11+, GCSE, and A-Level English and Maths, verified with an Enhanced DBS.

Proven Success:
My 11+ coaching consistently leads to offers from prestigious schools like Eton College, Wellington College, Reading Boys, Kendrick, Abingdon School, Magdalen College School, Reading Blue Coat School, Reddam House, and more. Covering all four skills and creative writing, I emphasize reasoning, boost confidence, and teach effective time management.

Academic Excellence:
In GCSE and A-Level education, my students secure exceptional grades and university placements. I nurture insightful reading and analysis in English and ensure comprehensive math understanding. Additionally, I assist them in developing effective revision techniques, test preparation strategies, and time management skills.

Your Child`s Progress:
Parental satisfaction and student progress are evident in their recommendations and feedback. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I provide personalized support, individualized lessons, and a friendly teaching style that fosters brain development and self-confidence.

Comprehensive Resources:
I maintain a vast archive of materials and standardized tests, allowing me to tailor teaching and facilitate effective progress assessment.

Trust and Success:
I take immense pride in the trust that families have consistently placed in my tutoring services. Over the years, this trust has enabled me to build a strong record of success. But don`t just take my word for it-scroll down to explore the feedback from other parents who have experienced the transformative impact of my teaching. Their testimonials provide valuable insights into the enriching journey your child can embark on with confidence in my guidance.

I offer both online and in-person lessons.

Teaching Experience:
With over 20 years of teaching and 10 years of tutoring expertise, I have a proven track record of helping students thrive. My approach instills confidence and yields consistent academic success.

Parents often express heartfelt appreciation for the progress and growth their children achieve under my guidance. I would be happy to share this glowing parent feedback with you.

It is my privilege to understand each student's needs and create customized plans to support their mastery and achievement. I build strong partnerships with students and parents to pave the way for growth, both in academics and life.

Please feel free to inquire about my background, approach and success stories. I look forward to potentially collaborating with you. Also: kindly be aware that the mentioned fees do not encompass charges associated with home visits.

Tutoring Approach:
• Provide personalized tutoring and coaching to Year 2-5 students preparing for 11+ exams and independent school entrance assessments.
• Boost confidence in areas where students feel unsure or need extra support.
• Build classroom readiness, study skills, and higher SATs achievement to gain placement in top maths, English, and science sets.
• Make learning engaging and enjoyable while developing lasting strategies for independent success.
• Offer tailored 1:1 attention to fill in gaps and complement mainstream schooling.
•Partner with parents to establish efficient home learning routines that set students up for achievement.
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••••• Feedback ••••• (a few of the 45 feedback I have received since 2014):

06/01/2023
5/5 Rating
Ben is an amazing tutor! Very professional, always finds a proper attitude to overcome challenges with tasks! I am amazed how much my son changed since we started working with Ben! Not only he motivated and supported my son throughout all this time, but also helped to overcome his personal resistance to working hard! We are very lucky to have an opportunity to work with Ben and grateful for all his support!

21/01/2022
5/5 Rating
Ben is very understanding teacher who not teach well but also understand child strong and weak points and then accordingly help them to improve and excel. I would highly recommend Ben.

08/09/2021
5/5 Rating
Ben has been tutoring my son for the last few months and has made great progress with him. He is friendly and builds a rapport quickly with both child and parents, so that he can understand what tutoring is required and where more work needs to be done. I would highly recommend Ben as a tutor.

10/07/2021
5/5 Rating
Ben has been tutoring my son for a few weeks now and I happy with the progress my son has made under Bens direction in preparation for his exams. Ben has been quite flexible in providing extra lessons as well and I wouldn`t hesitate to recommend him as a tutor.

09/06/2021
5/5 Rating
Ben is a fantastic teacher, very experienced and engaging. I like the openness in communication and idea sharing that benefits both the student and tutor. My daughter is honing the benefit on both techniques and discipline from Ben.

01/08/2020
5/5 Rating
We are very glad we found Ben . In a short period of time , Ben made a good assessment on my daughter`s status and have devised a plan suitable for her and started classes with her . With in few classes we have seen good progress in her.Ben is very patient with kids and teach them as per individual needs .My daughter totally enjoys his class .I would highly recommend Ben
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05/11/2019
5/5 Rating
Ben has been working with my boys for past 4 months now and I couldn`t happier with my choice. My boys are really happy to be tutored by Ben. They feel that their confidence has increased and look forward to working with him. As parents we feel Ben knows child`s ability and aptitude like the back of his hand. When Ben started working with my boys I was really happy with his systematic approach towards the subject depending on the ability of the kids. It is not one size fits all approach but it is customized. Though being twins they are different and Ben has identified this and understood their uniqueness from the first session. He is a firm, fair as well as fun teacher and the kids seem to like this mixed quality. I couldn't ask for more in a teacher and look forward to working with them. Thanks Ben.
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01/12/2018
5/5 Rating
Ben has taught my son for Eleven plus since September and I can see my kid doing his daily homework himself without expecting our help. We can see the way of reading has changed and now he looks for new words and try to find the meaning.

Most importantly, Ben develops the wrap over the kid and takes control of reading and writing completely, leaving us in the back seat to see he completes the daily homework. This is great, as we don`t want to study class 4,5 again or teach a different method than thought in school.

Individual approach, great advice, positive attitude.
Always on time, ready to help, very easy going, intelligent and kind. Thanks so much!
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14/09/2017
5/5 Rating
We have been impressed with Ben`s knowledge, experience and commitment. He is reliable and always turns up on time. Ben started tutoring our daughter only 4 months before the 11+ and he quickly identified her needs and developed a programme for her to follow and appropriate workbooks. Regardless of the outcome of the 11+, he has already helped our daughter feel more confident at school and set her up well for Year 6 and secondary school. Thanks Ben!
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17/10/2016
5/5 Rating
I was able to see tremendous improvement in my daughter for 11+ exam. He knows the tricks to get the best out of the student. My daughter did enjoy the sessions with him and as a teacher, he is really good. So I will definitely recommend.
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13/09/2016
5/5 Rating
Ben has excellent teaching skills and my daughter significantly improved in class from lower to top groups. I`ve seen him working really hard with my daughter while preparing her for 11+ and he knows the tricks to make the pupil understand the exam technique and how to improve academically. He teaches in a very systematic way and the child really enjoys while studying with him. He soon developed good rapport with us and I would say he`s definitely a recommended one!

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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.'

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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 studying MSc Psychology on campus at University of London. I have a vast experience of teaching A-Level/GCSE Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology having myself scored A grades in the aforementioned.

Teaching Experience:
I have 10 years of teaching experience of teaching Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. I can also teach Urdu and English Language + Literature.

Tutoring Approach:
I start from topics the students are comfortable with and move gradually towards more complex areas as their confidence builds. I use questions and examples to check understanding continually. I don't lecture to students or ask them to memorise things. But I am very flexible.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Oxford studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. I achieved a distinction in my first year examinations, as well as A*A*A* at A-Level in Maths, Politics, and Economics. I am strongly committed to academic success and hugely passionate about teaching. I am available to give online tuition for GCSE Maths and Economics, as well as A-Level Maths, Politics, and Economics. I am also able to provide help with personal statements, the TARA (previously TSA) admissions test for Oxford, and Oxbridge interviews.

Teaching Experience:
I have over two years of experience with private tuition and giving support to younger students in school across a range of subjects. This includes leading group revision sessions as well as providing individual help with exam questions. As well as this, I have spent time in China teaching English to various different age groups. Having sat the exams that my students are working towards, I am in a very strong position to help them succeed.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to give my students not only a better understanding of the subject content, but also the skills to be able to study effectively. I have found this to be an invaluable skill that will help them massively. Throughout my academic career, I have invested much time into developing the most effective study techniques and understanding the science behind learning. In my lessons, I focus in particular on what students find difficult through listening to them as well as assessing their level through exam questions.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have always been incredibly passionate about learning as much as possible and I want to instil this in others.
I have high scores on my GCSEs and AS Mathematics and I am currently studying Mathematics at University.
I am a very friendly, outgoing person who enjoys teaching thoroughly.

I genuinely love what I do.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since my sister was learning to talk but I first started as a private tutor at age 14. I was lucky enough to teach a class of 30 girls just after I did my GCSEs at age 17, and from there I went on to start my own business.

I worked for myself as a private maths tutor for 3 years before working at London School or Science and Technology and I am now back to private tutoring.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style changes depending on every student I face. I would identify as having the facilitator style which is someone who encourages self-learning by asking the student questions rather than telling them the answer.

I also specialise in last minute GCSE revision where I am able to make the subject matter seem much simpler than how it is explained in many schools.

I have done a huge amount of work with ADHD and dyslexic students so I have had to deal with about every behavioural issue there is with the utmost patience and I experience a lot of joy in learning how the students get to the answer.

I have created many lesson plans myself for ages 4-16, which include animated PowerPoints, mainly in maths but I am happy to create them for any subject.

I always begin with a game or a riddle just to get thinking cap on and then we will tackle a subject with an explanation and worked examples.

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