Cheltenham Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tutors and Cheltenham Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tuition

Personal Description:
PSYCHOLOGY
I have a BSc (First Class Honours) in Psychology from Brunel University (2007), and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge (2011). I have worked as a research fellow and subsequently as a psychology lecturer at various universities in the U.K. My research is mainly in social, health and cognitive psychology, but I also teach research methods (both quantitative and qualitative methodologies), statistics and SPSS, as well as effective academic writing, including dissertations and research projects. In addition, I have sufficient competence in personality (i.e., individual differences) and clinical psychology to be able to teach these at undergraduate level. I have published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles, including some in world-leading journals, and have over 1300 academic citations of my research. Some of my research interests are: The attitude-behaviour relationship, behavioural interventions, motivation, cognition, and emotion, dual-process models of cognition, cognitive dissonance, self-affirmation, and information processing, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, health psychology, meta-cognition and self-knowledge, persuasion and social influence, intelligence and problem-solving, psychology of music, and psychology of religion.

PHILOSOPHY/CRITICAL THINKING/RELIGIOUS STUDIES
In my own research in psychology, I have drawn on several philosophical ideas, and have integrated different philosophical perspectives into my work. In addition to critical thinking, I am able to teach humanistic philosophy, social cognition, epistemology, existentialism, and related areas. I also teach how to build philosophical arguments for academic and commercial purposes. In terms of religious studies, I have a particular interest in the Abrahamic faiths, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, and related philosophies.

MUSIC
I am a performer and teacher of Indian classical music (Northern style), and teach the instruments of dilruba, esraj, taus, taar shehnai and a bit of sarangi. I have been learning for 18 years, and been performing for the last 10 years. I teach beginners and intermediate students in basic and advanced raagas (from Yaman to Darbari) and taalas. I also teach vocal and harmonium.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
I specialise in creative writing, particularly short stories, and can teach students techniques in textual analysis and interpretation, especially using the hermeneutic method. I am also interested in how characters in stories (all genres) are given psychological depth, as well as how story structure and character development go hand-in-hand.

URDU
Urdu is my mother tongue, and is one of four languages that I speak fluently. I can teach beginners and intermediate students in grammar, reading and writing, as well as conversations. And I also teach advanced students in conversation. My particular interests in Urdu literature are 18th and 19th century poetry, especially ghazals.

DANISH
I am a native speaker of Danish, and spent the first 22 years of my life there. I can teach all levels of the language and its literature. Some of the key authors that I have an interest in are Søren Kierkegaard, Karen Blixen, H C Anderson, and we can also discuss Danish film, cinema, and culture. Danish is very similar to Swedish and Norwegian so by learning Danish you will be able to read those languages quite well, and you might be able to understand speech in those languages to some extend. There is also some overlap between Danish and German, though not as much.

Teaching Experience:
I taught psychology to undergraduates at the University of Cambridge from 2008-2011. I then taught at King's College London from 2011-2014, followed by the University of Bath from 2014-2017 and then Bath Spa University from 2017-2022. I also supervise BSc, MSc, and doctoral students. I'm currently lecturing at the University of Hertfordshire.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to use an interactive approach that encourages active involvement of the tutee. My main goal during tuition sessions is to stimulate an interest in the subject and facilitate independent and critical thinking. This, I believe, allows the tutee to become an independent thinker and to enjoy the learning process, which is rewarding for both parties.

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.

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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.

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Personal Description:
I am an active independent-scholar and writer, living near St Andrews University. I have written numerous books and articles and am currently working on a new book as well as tutoring a handful of students. I am also a former Academic Advisor to students in the United States of America, and I have worked for two tutoring companies in Oxford since returning to the UK. I am therefore familiar with the needs of international students when it comes to navigating the English and Scottish University systems. I focus on technique over content with a particular emphasis on writing skills, though I also read all the books and articles my students are required to read, so that I can help them with content when required.

Teaching Experience:
Award winning teacher at the University of Georgia, 1999-2000
Academic Adviser to University Students from 2003-2007
Tutor Oxford International Study Centre, April 2013 - May 2014
Carfax Tutorial Establishment, November 2013 - May 2014
Freelance Tutor ongoing.

Tutoring Approach:
I adopt a holistic approach to tutoring, working with a student to address her or his individual academic needs. I am process-orientated, building on a student's strengths and eliminating weaknesses. I am also practical, constantly working towards the student's objectives. As a result, I focus very much on academic skills and developing the student's academic toolbox, so that they can gain confidence and become independent learners.

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Personal Description:
My biggest passion is making people believe in themselves. I strongly believe that most people can do most things - all they need is someone to provide the knowledge, encouragement and support. And I pride myself in providing exactly this to all my tutees and students.

I've been privately tutoring for 21 years in a variety of subjects and countries; teaching and tutoring in Kenya, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Japan, France and England. Mostly this has been in English and Maths, but especially any subjects where comprehension and writing skills are at the fore.

I enjoy helping students of all ages and I've taught all the way from 4 years old to adults. I work hard to build a good rapport with all my students as this is vital for maximising their learning. Furthermore, before I begin, I make sure both parties are clear on what the goals are from my tutoring and that both are happy with how we will proceed. I also ensure I work hard to understand the learning styles and unique personalities of each of my students, so that I can tailor my teaching to suit their precise individual needs.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced tutor who has been doing it for more than ten years now in a variety of subjects and countries. I have taught and tutored in Kenya, Australia, Hungary, Canada, Japan, France and England now in mostly English and any subjects where comprehension and writing skills are at the fore.

I've taught many students with learning and behavioural difficulties too - so I'm comfortable dealing with this type of tutoring as well.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to really get to know the tutee's needs and talk extensively to them as well as his/her parents to make sure we all know what the goal/s are for my tutoring lessons.

A down to earth, relaxed approach I believe is key to tutoring being successful.

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Personal Description:
I am a French philosopher based in Paris and London. I have graduated from Sorbonne University in 2006. My approach to philosophy tries to blend the Continental and the Analytic Anglo-Saxon tradition. I have been teaching classes in General Philosophy, Metaphysics and Logic.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching in various contexts: in high school (A-Level) as a Teaching Assistant at Sorbonne University, on the Paris campus of Saint John`s University in New York. I have also been occasionally tutoring some students. I have also written many popularization articles.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is based on an understanding of the needs of the tutored person with regards to the academic requirements in vigour and his own interest in the discipline. Depending on the context, I offer a approach based on the history of philosophy or on given philosophical problems, putting the emphasis either on culture or on the acquisition of an aptitude to sound reasoning or critical thinking.

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Personal Description:
Are you looking for some extra help with your projects? If so, you don't need to search any further.

I currently work at a prestigious international law firm. I have an LLM in International Tax Law with a High Merit, an LLB Bachelor's in Law with a 2:1, and an LLM in International Maritime Law with a High Merit. I'm good at staying organized, always show up on time, and make sure to meet deadlines. I have a lot of experience in helping with all sorts of projects and tasks, like drafting essays, providing guidance, structuring coursework, and offering tutoring.

I've been a part of the European and Hellenic Youth Parliament, which has improved my communication skills in a professional setting. I've also represented Swansea University in various national law-related competitions, which has boosted my confidence and decision-making abilities. I'm resourceful and believe there's a solution to every problem.

Lastly, I've volunteered with UNICEF, which made me realize the importance of helping others in meaningful ways.

I'm flexible when it comes to working hours and would be happy to assist potential students. If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Teaching Experience:
-Teaching Assistant/Support Worker at Swansea University: Assisting students with learning difficulties to understand their subjects.
-Private tutor for more than 3 years.

Tutoring Approach:
-Resourceful
-Always willing to assist and explain things twice/thrice if needed.
-Supportive at all times.
-Straight to the point tutoring.

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Personal Description:
I have over 20 years' teaching experience. I am a retired A Level teacher but continue with private tuition. I teach both the OCR and AQA new specifications at A Level, in Philosophy, Ethics and Christianity, for Year 1 and Year 2. I have testimonials which show that most of my tutees go on to attain A grades. As a mother, I know well the anxieties which accompany these important school years. I aim for academic excellence, bringing out a student's confidence, alongside teaching important critical thinking skills and exam technique. If the student is willing to learn, higher grades are guaranteed.

Teaching Experience:
27 years tutoring privately; 15 years teaching in Further Education; OCR and AQA A Level mostly. I'm very familiar with the specification.
I can supply many testimonials ftom students upon request.
The latest one is from a student who came to me at a low C and attained an A* at OCR A Level 2025 (available on request).

Tutoring Approach:
I tutor by ZOOM mostly these days, as it so successful. Many of my past tutees I have never even met yet they have gone on to achieve As and A*s, last year one going to Oxford, another two to Newcastle... testimonials are available. I work very closely with the specification, using resources for each topic which I attach for the student before the session. I give detailed feedback on essays I set, which most find extremely useful. With other essays asked for, there is a small charge. I keep individual progress records e.g. weak areas etc to build on. I am also only a phone call or email away for students in between tutorials as this is an important element in confidence-building, I feel.

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Personal Description:
With over 90 dissertations completed with a specialist in Qualitative Research (Critical Discourse Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Heuristic and Relational Analysis) all achieving 2/1's and above I can offer complete support.

I also provide essay support for students, teaching content style, how to research, reference and build an argument to achieve a good 2/1 with quick results or for the student who wants to learn about critical analysis and logic a more comprehensive support to gain a 1st.

I also provide exam preparation and support for those who have anxiety and need to prepare well ahead for the examination. As a trained therapist I adopt a person centred style to achieve results.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience is extensive, having taught at Kings on the Medical Course for a number of years, Birkbeck and SOAS as well as South Bank University. Currently I teach on the Masters Course and have supervised numerous dissertations to a high level. My expertise is in qualitative methods where I did one of the first phenomenological Doctorates looking at the lives of male substance users, whilst working with them therapeutically.

I currently work with students to do qualitative dissertations ranging from Kings, UCL, LSE, Goldsmiths, Queen Mary's and City Universities. I can work all the way up to Doctorate level and have worked with four counselling psychology students, two criminology, one Sociology and a Psychology student. At Masters level I have worked with law students, nurses, Social Workers and Sociology students.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is drawn from Bruner, Vygotsky and Rogers, based upon scaffolding the student to build their confidence and expertise so they begin to develop their own expertise. Within an exam for example students require a deep knowledge of understanding of what is required and therefore need support to be able to do this. Essay writing requires a different set of skills, such as being able to research a topic and move to building an argument. For many students this requires considerable scaffolding at first.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
I am a philosophy student at Roehampton University. I am from the South Downs in Hampshire, where I lived until I was 18. I have been studying here in London since September 2017. Back home I am the oldest of four, and this had enabled me to be able to understand how to make learning fun for a wide range of ages, as our ages vary from 8 to 20 years. My hobbies include playing football, listening to music, and reading. I was previously employed as an after school nanny so have a DBS check that is valid.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching assistant every Wednesday for an academic year at the infant school in my home town.
Shadowed History department at my secondary school the year after I left.
Working as a nanny I had to help the boys I looked after with their homework. They were 6 and 8 so was helping them learn very basic skills.

Tutoring Approach:
I have always been naturally able to write especially well, and am enthusiastic about the subjects I study. I have found it easy to pass on this enthusiasm for learning to younger people, and I especially am able to connect with younger kids on tasks they would usually struggle to find fun. I am basically happy to tutor any subject at GCSE level apart from maths, science (natural, computer, etc). Social sciences are my particular strength.

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Personal Description:
Hi I'm passionate about teaching and supporting students to learn

Teaching Experience:
I'm an experienced teacher who has worked in FE and HE . I have taught 11plus Sociology, Study Skills and Critical thinking. I have a PGCE and have taught ALevels and GCSE and in FE and HE

Tutoring Approach:
I'm very interested in listening and am very flexible but also can create a structure programme of support

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Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

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Personal Description:
A Cambridge graduate and a very experienced maths tutor - with over twenty years of helping pupils to really understand what maths is and why it works. I am also a full time story teller and infuse my lessons with stories, that embed maths in its own history - and make the dry problems of today sing with the stories of the past.
I specialise is helping pupils to really understand how to use paper, and how being a mathematicians is like being an artists or a poet, it is a method of writing as much as a means of reckoning - and there are always more ways than one to under stand and draw a problem.

Teaching Experience:
And am a fully qualified maths teacher with for twenty five years experience in teaching kids in small groups and home education.

Tutoring Approach:
For so many maths can be so daunting. My approach always and at all elves is to demystify maths, and make it feel possible and fun. As such I use stories, I use rigours writing strategies, I use humour to allow my pupils to understand how maths made the modern world, and hw they are part of that story,

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Personal Description:
I knew early on, that I wanted to teach.

I have committed the last twenty years of my life to education working as a private teacher in a variety of schools and colleges - teaching an eclectic range of pupils; from special needs students to scholars to adults. I am particularly committed to building confidence and skills in pupils whom may not feel they fit the typical mould.
I am humbled and honoured to be listed as a "distinguished former pupil" of Carlos Bonell, Senior at The Royal College Of Music

Teaching Experience:
I'm current a Licensed teacher with Bexley Music Service and have taught at a variety of schools over a period of twenty years including; Eltham College, Bexley Grammar School and a variety of secondary and primary schools.

Tutoring Approach:
Lessons are relaxed, good humoured, but also highly informative with attention to detail, with each pupil's specific needs catered for.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified solicitor in Greece, having completed my Bachelor and Master Degrees in UK. I am currently working on my PHD thesis on the philosophy of UK Criminal law. I am really enthusiastic to pass the knowledge I have acquired all these years studying and practicing law to aspiring new students and at the same time, learn from them, their ideas and enquiries.

Teaching Experience:
I have given private tutorials, online or in person since 2014 and 9 of my students are studying law in Universities in UK, all of them achieving at least 1:2. My specialization is to work mainly with Greek and Cypriot students who want to study law, either graduate or post-graduate, in UK.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to be as straightforward as possible, believing that law is a quite straightforward matter if you can have a deep and thorough understanding of it. I love philosophy and try to follow Socrates' and Plato's way of teaching, through dialogue and permanent questioning.

I believe that studying law is the most exciting thing there is, the philosophy of law is the foundation that every social science is build upon and I feel glad that I can pass this passion for learning to my students.

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Personal Description:
I'm a Music Graduate, and will soon be a Philosophy Graduate [Edinburgh Napier University and University of Wales TSD, respectively]. I work in the third sector covering off humanitarian needs in Africa, Animal welfare in Asia and the care environment/Homelessness in the UK.

At the moment I manage volunteering contracts with Goldman Sachs, National Grid, Moorhouse Consulting, Visa and Prysmian Group.

I'm quite relaxed about most things, I do some consulting with small charities and I play a lot of music!

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching music and English language periodically for around 20 years. I have taught privately, at Music Workshop Bath and Bath City College. I taught English language at a number of summer schools in Edinburgh, Bournemouth and at Cardonald College in Glasgow.

Tutoring Approach:
My style prioritises the needs of the student. Sometimes this is in relation to their immediate curriculum and is supplemented with a view to future study, if there is expectation that future study is probable. Sometimes, if the focus is solely on lifting a grade or working on soft skills around the subject - research/focus etc. then I make that the priority. All in agreement with the student.

In short - student focused.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic and supportive tutor who is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. I strive to create a positive and relaxed learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and asking questions. I am patient, understanding, and committed to making lessons engaging and accessible, regardless of a student's starting point. Seeing students gain confidence and achieve their goals is what motivates me the most. As a young tutor with 2 years tutoring experience, I aim to build strong relationships with my tutees and provide the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed. As someone who sat their GCSE exams over 3 years ago, and A-Level exams over a year ago, I have a good understanding of the exam boards and the techniques students need to demonstrate in the exam to get the top grades. Having been through the process myself recently, I know how crucial it is to not only understand the content, but to apply this content to exam questions. Through targeted practice and frequent feedback, I can help students avoid common mistakes and develop effective exam techniques to achieve their desired grade.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience tutoring A-Level students in History, Sociology, and Philosophy & Ethics in both one-to-one and small-group sessions. The same goes for GCSE students studying History and Sociology. My role involved planning lessons tailored to individual learning needs, developing students' subject knowledge, and teaching effective exam techniques across Edexcel, AQA, and OCR exam boards. If the subject you are studying is not assessed by these exam boards, do not worry! I am a fast learner and can quickly study what examiners are looking for in exams. I regularly monitored progress, set achievable targets, and used active recall and exam-question practice to address gaps in understanding. My support has helped several students improve by two to three grades, including students progressing from C to A and B to A*. In addition, I have worked closely with teachers to develop learning resources, mark and moderate A-Level and GCSE assessments.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring sessions follow a clear structure to meet students' individual needs. Before we begin, I like to have a conversation with the student, either over messages or on a video call, to get to know them better and understand what they would like to achieve. This gives me the opportunity to identify areas where they may be falling behind, topics they find challenging, and the type of support that would benefit them most. From there, I can create lessons that are tailored to their needs and help them build their confidence in subject knowledge and exam practice.

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