Dawlish Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tutors and Dawlish Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tuition

Personal Description:
I provide one-to-one and group tuition via Skype or Zoom. Most students are very comfortable with this method of learning., I also travel to student's home's within a reasonable distance.

I am a very experienced teacher, head of faculty, head of sixth form, examiner and writer. I have recently worked for one of the major examination boards on the new specifications for both G.C.S. E. and A-Level.

During my career as a teacher I have taught English, philosophy and religious studies to Advanced level and English, history, religious studies, geography, and citizenship to G.C.S.E. I also specialise in developing study skills and examination techniques in a range of subjects. I have prepared VI form students for university and UCAS application, including Oxbridge, and acted as a mentor to new entrants to the teaching profession.

I am also a freelance writer specialising in education, social, religious and moral issues. I have written and designed e-learning resources for two international educational e-learning-platform providers.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience at Key Stage 3 & 4, G.C.S.E. and Advanced level has been extensive. I am an examiner for two major exam boards and have diverse experience of creating original teaching resources tailored to the needs of pupils both individuals and classes.

I have spent most of my career teaching across the ability and age range in 11-18 comprehensive schools although I have also taught in a Sixth Form College and the independent sector.

I have also been a part-time on-line tutor for one of the Oxford colleges and also tutor on-line. This has included online tuition for a premiership football academy!

I have served on several school boards of governors as a foundation, teacher and parent governor. I am currently Chair of Governors at a local primary school.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that the key to success for most pupils is to develop their skills and self-confidence to enhance their ability to successfully complete their examination by developing study skills and examination techniques.

My first session with a tutee and their parents is to establish their needs and goals. Together we draw up a plan of the work which we will pursue. This plan will be reviewed regularly and a progress report compiled.

Each of the subsequent sessions comprises of:
review of any homework set
review of any problems which have occurred that week
lesson on a topic previously decided upon

My primary aim is to help my tutees overcome any difficulties which they are having with their work and to help them to achieve their goals both in the short-term and the long term. Secondly, I aim to give my tutees confidence in their own abilities and to help them develop their skills necessary to succeed in their examinations.
Relevant homework is set as a means of reinforcing the development of skills since assessment and feedback procedures largely rely on this.

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Personal Description:
Professionally qualified (DfES number RP 04/31188).

I am a musician, qualified primary teacher (QTS) with a Master's degree in Education, Pets As Therapy volunteer, founder and facilitator at Meta for learning CIC.

My interests in education are in Open Learning, Outdoor Learning, Animal Assisted interventions, Blended learning and helping learners build international links.


As part of a distance-learning Masters degree in association with FUNIBER and the Universidad de León, I carried out an ethnographic action research project using a democratic approach called Community Language Learning. In this approach there is no syllabus or textbook to follow. It is the learners themselves who determine the content by means of meaningful conversations.
It incorporates translation, transcription and recording techniques.

When I am not working I love volunteering, practising ice skating or track cycling with my daughter and also growing an edible garden !

Teaching Experience:
I was born in Madrid where I trained as a primary teacher and classical musician (cello and chamber music).

I worked in Escuelas de Musica in the outskirts of Madrid which are inclusive socially-minded music schools where I taught cello lessons and support the development of the String Department by assisting during orchestra rehearsals. Both adults and children of all ages are welcome to take lessons.

Shortly after moving to the UK I started a part time job teaching Music to 5-7 yo children at the Rowans Prep school in Wimbledon alongside studying a Mater's and working in Adult education- I carried out a 2-year ethnographic action research project at St Luke's centre in Islinghton.

I then applied to a position in Esadst London and started working for Children's language services teaching at several primary schools in Tower Hamlets. My roles were to deliver the MFL primary curriculum; coordinate the implementation of new initiatives in schools ie use of the European Portfolio for language Learning which was being developed between the Council and universities, provide class teachers with CPD training; undertake tasks such as EAL First Language assessments.

After taking maternative leave I trained to become an online tutor and worked part- time for Own Tutors, Clapham.

In 2019 I founded a learning community Metaforlearning Cic where I run Self-Manage Learning programmes for young people.

In my tutoring work I am reliable, flexible and experienced. I have been working in the UK, Ireland and Spain and have experience in exam preparation for the Spanish internationally recognised DELE junior and DELE for adults; Spanish GCSE, IGCSE, Spanish A-LEVELS with AQA, OCR and EDEXCEL exam boards; and IB ab initio and Language B international qualifications. In the past I have prepared young cellists for 1-8 ABRSM performance grades.

Tutoring Approach:
Students set their own learning goals and I assist them in order to map the neccesary learning to achieve them and also by working at the level that they feel comfortable with at each stage of the process.

With young learners I make use of VR, AR and gamification for enhancing engagement in language learning.

If your enquiry is regarding learning for either improving wellbeing, traveling or living in a Spanish speaking country then we will be looking at different learning objetives and skills than for example an enquiry regarding accessing an university of your choice.

I have wide experience supporting international students in understanding and preparing to access Universities in the UK.

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Personal Description:
I first started tutoring some of my fellow students in Elementary Logic during my second year at University and greatly enjoyed helping people improve their understanding of the subject and gain higher marks. Once my degree was completed I began tutoring A-Level students in Religious Studies and Philosophy in the Leeds area before moving to East Sussex.

The potential of tutoring can only be maximised if each student feels comfortable in lessons, so I actively try to cultivate a good working relationship with each student. After all, if I were not enthusiastic and passionate about the subject it would be impossible to motivate any students to be enthusiastic about it! So far all my students have improved their performance by at least by two grade boundaries following tuition with me.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with students with a broad range of abilities, from those that need some extra help to reach their full potential, to those that aren't in mainstream schooling and as such don't have any previous knowledge of the subject. Some students are very visual in their learning, others are very shy and need a lot of encouragement to speak, and there are others who are extremely capable if you ask them the right questions. Using a range of resources I can tailor a programme of study to suit each student.

During my time tutoring I have noticed how easily students can lose confidence in their abilities, which at times can be a barrier in their learning. By encouraging students to ask questions, looking at what they are doing right and breaking down topics into their simplest formulation, I help the individual gain confidence in the subject and the skills to answer questions fully.3

Tutoring Approach:
My role as tutor is not only to help the student understand the concepts involved but also to gain the confidence to discuss those concepts in an analytical manner. Religious Studies and Philosophy are disciplines that greatly benefit from one-on-one tuition due to the complexity of the issues. In large lesson groups individuals can easily become confused and aren't always able to receive the instant feedback needed to further explore the subject matter.

As a tutor not only do I expand students' knowledge base but also engage students in a positive way with the subject. If students have been finding a subject difficult their enjoyment of learning can become affected and they can lose the motivation needed to gain a broader understanding. By showing enthusiasm for my subject and using relevant examples and discussion points I reintegrate fun back into learning about the subject.

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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:
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:
My name is .Emmanuel, a Researcher in Law, University of Manchester. I have sound background in law, Law and Governance, Cybercrime law, Philosophy, Politics and Sociology and social work topics. I have spent most of my time iearning and studying while improving in my different fields of academic engagements I have great passion for learning , research and developing of human mind .I have impressive knowledge of my area of academic calling and subjects mentioned. I am ambitious, determined, focused and physiologically fit to pursue any academic work. Am very hopeful that one day l will become an International Diplomat where l will have the opportunity to discuss both national and international issues on how to bring peace and order in the International community. I am focused, patient, hard-working, intellectually inquisitive, committed, flexible, articulate and ethically grounded.
Besides academic enterprise, l have participated in community/voluntary services. l have served as a secretary of my community and a welfare officer during my undergraduate programme . I am a good time keeper, work well with a team and always willing to assist students. to actualize their academic dreams. I relate well with people from different cultural backgrounds. I was once the President of PIP( PhD in Progress For Postgraduate/PhD Students ) of the Postgraduate students at the University of Manchester. Currently l am doing extensive legal research and doing private tutorial with some undergraduate and postgraduate students of University of Manchester and Salford University. Outside academics l do socialise and like sports especially football.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience includes delivering lectures, tutorials, helping students develop themselves academically and assisting tutees acquire learning skills. I assist students on how to approach their course work, Long Essays, and how to participate effectively in their seminars. I render affordable services on dissertation writing/research work at undergraduate, masters and PhD level ( Proposals, Abstract, Structuring skills Literature Review, Methodology/Critical evaluations of any piece of work) I have achieved this experience as a result of long period of lecturing, research activities at the University level. I do monitor students academic progress.I have also helped in counselling and assisting students get on with academic problems. Due to my interest and passion for learning, l was given Graduate Fellowship Award in 2002 by University of Lagos Postgraduate School, Nigeria.My research experience with the University of Manchester and this has greatly prepared me to distinguish between Western ways of research and other types of research method. Currently I am a research person at the University of Sussex Brighton, UK. I have undertaken various dissertations and have prepared students to write good assignments, coursework and long essays . I have assisted postgraduates and PhD students get on with their dissertations and research work. ( Abstract, Introduction and the pros and cons of research work. If you are confused on how to start your work, pleases contact me as quickly as possible.
My background and my exposure to these areas of academic work have assisted me tremendously and helped me to improve myself further and to use my vast experience in academics to assist others. Area of Expertise: Law of Contract,Tort Law, Land/Corporate Law, International Law, Public Law, Maritime Law, Arbitration Law, Financial Law, Criminology, Sociology,( Sociology of Law,General /special sociology,Durkheim/Max Weber, Sorokin sociological perspectives, Ginsberg problems of sociology and Raymond Aron six schools of Sociology) Jurisprudence, Employment Law, Development Law, and Philosophy and Politics both at , GCSE, A/Level and at University Level. I give an affordable price and do understand the plights of students.

Tutoring Approach:
My Tutoring approach involves basic principles of learning, knowledge acquisition methods and Practical learning skills and imparting same to tutees. Seminar skills , dialogues and discussion groups. Adult learning methods and the public enlightenment methods . I usually like to have one to one discussion with Tutees to find out their areas of interest, and their difficulties. This gives me in-depth knowledge of what their problems are and how to structure my teaching to suit them. I also undertake on-line tutorials via Skype, emails and Sms format . I like to relate my teaching methods to practical life experiences and societal demands. I like sending off feedback and performance level of students with special emphasis on take home assignments. l try as much as not to overload students with coursework so as to give them time for their social activities and other personal issues. I also ensure that Tutees contributes during teaching sessions and l give them room to ask questions and answer questions. During exams l make sure that classwork and lecture notes are revised and likely exam questions treated in a more simple and clear language.

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Personal Description:
A resident of Edinburgh for the past twenty years I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things myself. I am fairly well travelled, enjoy the arts and have a passion for working alongside others to help them achieve their goals.

I worked for 10 years as a professional actor with degree level qualifications in both Philosophy (Dundee University) and Acting (Queen Margaret University College).

Teaching Experience:
Exam season is always a great time for a little confidence boost and skills brush-up. I have worked with adults in improving spoken and written English for UK degree entry level. I have also worked with college and university students in the Middle East (UAE) to train science and drama education in both Arabic and English.

For several years I have visited schools in both the public and private sectors delivering reading, drama and science communication classes.

I have regularly taught 5-15 years drama in private classes and enjoy working with pre-drama school entrants of all ages in working on giving the best entrance audition possible.

Tutoring Approach:
I am confident at creating a structured approach that works with a pupil's own strengths and needs to provide a tailor-made package for learning.

Ideally I meet with each student to discuss their learning needs, current level and expected outcomes.

Although it is important to push the boundaries of learning, it should always be a workload that is both manageable and individually tailored.

People learn best when they are enjoying themselves, so I try my best to make learning fun and interactive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
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. Here, you will find testimonials:
Helen
Durham
A levels Summer 2025
OCR Philosophy

At the end of lower sixth mock exam results were graded as a C grade . Essays during lower sixth regularly came back at approximately 17/40 despite effort. There was a feeling of frustration and despondency .

We found Louise through Superprof & First Tutors websites. We were attracted by the fabulous reviews , the extensive experience of the OCR paper /subject as well as the option of online or face to face tuition ( as we are local to Louise ) .

Online sessions were started in August 2024 with one hour a week . In September 2024 we increased to 2 separate hours a week and continued with those sessions until April 2025 .

These sessions were invaluable. They were well structured and helped to focus on knowledge as well as technique. Louise gave advice on essay structure and was happy to undertake additional marking as required .

As such confidence going into the exams was much higher /preparation was excellent .

Delighted to have increase by 3 grades ( during the time with Louise) and achieved A* in A level exams in 2025 . Actual essay marks (across the 3 papers ) were 306/360. Accepted into first choice of University .

Would highly recommend Louise to anyone looking for help in OCR Philosophy

Sent from my iPhone



Email testimonial from Umamah, Bristol:
I got AAA*, an A in RS which is a relief because even though I worked as hard as I could have, I was worried I didn't execute well on the day. Like I said before, thanks for everything, I know it's your job to help me - but I honestly I couldn't have gotten an A without your constant marking and introduction to content I hadn't come across before.
Kind regards,
Umamah
C
Caroline
Georgina's mother-- see below for Georgina herself:
Hi Louise
Yes I'm so very proud of her. An A is brilliant and in one of the papers (can't remember which one) she got 100/100!
She is heading to De-Montfort Uni, her first choice, to begin her degree course in Textile Design.Thank you once again for all your help. There is no way she would have achieved this without your help. Caroline
G
Georgina
Louise encouraged me to think more creatively and as a consequence my confidence grew. By the time I entered the exam period,I really enjoyed the subject, as Louise's continual repetition and empathetic approach helped me overcome the challenges of dyslexia. I'm delighted to say that I achieved an A in the end, as well as an A in my AS resit, and wouldn't have been able to do it without her :) :) I got 100% in my AS resit,and I think 88% in philosophy and 84% in Ethics, I was ecstatic!!!


Hi Louise,
I got an A in EP and an A in ethics and ABB overall which means that I am into my first choice university. Thank you so much for all of your help!! I couldn't have done it without you! I've found your tuition very helpful and detailed. Plus, the notes you've given me provided me with ideal revision material that I would not have had otherwise!
Z
Zena
I had just under 2 months before I had to sit my Ethics exam. I was predicted a D. Louise's warm approach allowed me to feel comfortable to ask her more questions. She would always ask what I thought of something, rather than telling me what I should say. It felt more like a discussion then somebody teaching me. I finally understood topics I had struggled with, with one of them even coming up in the exam! I really felt as if she believed in me, and I ended up getting a B thanks to Louise.


TESTIMONIAL from 2nd yr A Level student (Hannah, from Stanley, Durham) who is now going on to study LAW at Northumbria:
Hi Louise,
Here's my testimonial:
Louise helped tutor me for both my resits at AS Level and A2 Level in Religious Studies. Throughout this time, Louise helped to build my confidence and improve my essay writing skills. Louise provided me with extra knowledge around the subject in order to impress the examiners with the vast variety of information. Thanks to all the support I received and knowledge gained, I was able to achieve my desired grade of an A overall.

TESTIMONIAL from Georgia (Sussex), a PRE-U student who went on to get the second highest grading this new exam offers (for those who might not be familiar with it, the PRE-U is being offered as an alternative to A Levels and allows for an A** rather than an A*- as you will see from Georgia's words below, I had a lot of work to do on this as it was my first time teaching it!). Georgia will now go on to study Art History and Business at Warwick Univ.
Hi Louise,
Here is your testimonial:
Louise was very useful as regards supporting me through my Philosophy Pre-U course. It was quite challenging for both of us as we had both not studied this specific course before. However, I have found that Louise really went the extra mile as regards getting all the resources and material that would help me succeed in this tricky subject. She was very patient and clear when teaching, me along with being supportive. I am very grateful that she took on the challenge and I really do feel that her tutoring has helped me get me to get my desired grade. Thank you for being an excellent tutor Louise!
I hope that this is okay. Best wishes,
Georgia




Testimonial from Michael (Durham City) who achieved an B in Philosophy (coming from a D) and a B in Ethics (coming from a D) and an A in English Literature (coming from a D/E)
Although he does not state it here, Michael then went on to achieve a 2:1 in History at Lancaster Univ; he is presently (2015) in 2nd year of a Master's at York.
Michael M-Dogg Ward - If you're at school and finding it hard to communicate with teachers or peers, or even have a learning disability, bear in mind that I could have held myself back a whole academic year as some people with dyspraxia have done, but with Arete Tutoring I found ways to keep going, and it will inspire you to keep going when everything at school is left behind and it's just you vs the world.

Testimonial from mother of a YEAR 6 KS 2. pupil of mine (Warrick, Chester le Street, Durham). This little boy in Year Six was moved from the bottom into the top set in school just at the beginning of Yr 6- after approx. 10 months tuition. A hearing defect combined with shyness had prevented him from speaking out in class when he did not hear or understand something and so he fell behind. Now, with individual attention, his confidence boost is amazing and he is flying ahead at top level 5! His mum:
"My son had really given up on Maths, it was a constant source of upset. Louise was wonderful at explaining and encouraging him. His progress was amazing, after 14 months he achieved 96% in his SATs. Maths is now his favourite subject and his teacher described his progress as "Outstanding". His school report now makes reference to his "excellent mathematical brain". We are delighted with the turnaround Louise's tuition has brought."
I have photographed the Maths section from his school report so you can see how amazed they were with his progress - I have probably read it twenty times!
Thank you once again.
Andrea
Testimonial from Freddie (Darlington) who achieved a B in Religious Studies: Philosophy & Ethics (coming from a U)
Freddie went from an overall U the previous year to the required B for entrance to his university of choice (Newcastle) where he has now embarked on a degree in Agri Business.
His own words: "I started undertaking tutorials in March 2014 with an overall D grade in my AQA religious studies a level (a U at A2). Whilst on my gap year and having not learnt any of the course content for well over a year I planned to re sit 2 of my poor performing modules in June 2014 in order to improve my overall grade for university entry. When I first met Louise I had little background knowledge, questionable exam technique and was also lacking in the depth needed to successfully achieve the top grades. After 4 months of 4 hour weekly sessions I managed to gain a real interest into a subject I previously thought I had little interest in. Louise provided me with the structure, skills and state of mind needed to turn my D grade into a B grade within such a short period of time.
I could not recommend or praise her enough, she is an outstanding tutor Thank you so pleased a U to a B still can't believe that A2 result" Freddie McBain, Darlington
And another, Melissa (from Durham School). Melissa is one of two AS Level students who came to me twice-weekly for six weeks only (a last minute panic) and whose grades initially sitting at B and C went to As.:
"Thank you so so much for the tutoring, I definitely wouldn't have passed without your help! I think Gina told you I got a B but I actually got a high A instead, so I am absolutely thrilled!. Here is my testimonial. Louise is a very friendly tutor with great subject knowledge and makes learning Philosophy much easier as I found it difficult without her. She teaches the course very thoroughly and makes sure we fully understand before moving on to another topic. Definitely could not have gotten an A without her! Thanks again!" Melissa Holmes, Durham.

Katie Hall - Testimonial

I started studying philosophy and ethics as a new subject for my AS levels this year. I found I enjoyed philosophy immensely but my weakness was the ethics aspect of the course, especially when it came to learning and applying theories. I took my mock AS examination in March and my overall grade was disappointing due to receiving an E grade in my ethics and a B grade in Philosophy. With a few months until my external examination, I sought help from Louise as I was beginning to despair with Ethics.
Louise showed great patience with me and took me through the ethical theories step by step encouraging and helping me to develop my understanding. She changed my whole approach when it came to applying the theories to competently answer the questions. Louise also increased my understanding in Philosophy encouraging me to develop my critical thinking and helping me to structure my essays to a higher standard. I am pleased to say I have just received my AS level results and I received a B grade for ethics side of the course, with only two marks off an A and a A grade for Philosophy. I will now go onto my A level in Philosophy and Ethics with a lot more confidence, understanding and reassurance that I now need to produce the same marks to gain a good overall grade. with the guidance of Louise I hope to achieve good marks.

Katie Hall, Durham
AS Philosophy & Ethics student


OLIVIA Manchester who achieved an A*
Louise,

I got an A* in RS!! I can't believe it, I looked at the grade boundaries and they were so high so thought I wouldn't have a chance haha! Thank you so much, I couldn't have done it without you!

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Personal Description:
I'm a well-qualified teacher with working experience as an Accountant in the private sector. I have completed PhD in Accounting and Finance at the University of Glasgow in 2017. In addition, I have completed BSc in Accounting (Special) Degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka and MSc in Accounting & Finance from the University of Dundee (obtained Distinction). I have also completed the Associations of Accounting Technicians, Sri Lanka and the Intermediate Level of Institute of Chartered Accountants (Sri Lanka). I can teach you financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, corporate finance and finance subjects for AAT, ACCA, undergraduate and MSc levels. I am specialising to guide research and research-related subjects. Therefore, I can help you to guide you for PhD, MSc and BSC research proposals and dissertations/ thesis.

Teaching Experience:
A committed Accounting Teacher with over 20 years of experience at leading UK and overseas academic institutions teaching students from various social and cultural backgrounds. I have experience in teaching following subjects;

Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
Auditing
Finance and corporate finance
Research method ( proposal development)
Dissertation supervision
I have also experienced in supervising dissertation supervision for undergraduate and postgraduate level students.

Tutoring Approach:
I used relevant teaching materials such as textbooks, presentations, videos and journal articles to prepare the presentations and conduct the tutorials. I utilise technology in delivering tutorials to the students. In addition, I actively leading class discussions and encouraging debate among the students. I take real-life examples in delivering the lectures to provide an in-depth understanding of the subject related matters. I have focused on conducting innovative research which provides a significant contribution to the field as well as the theory. I utilised videos, case studies, online discussions (through Moodle).

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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'm a full-time teacher, an examiner and an education writer, with experience teaching students from every background.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught GCSE and A Level since 2006, in Religious Studies, Philosophy and in Law.

I also have extensive examining experience across a number of exam boards, including for the recently reformed GCSE and A Level examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is patient, structured and meets the student where they are in terms of the level of challenge.

Over time, I aim to instil confidence as well as a deep understanding of the principles studied. Frequent assessment, using low-stakes quizzes enables students to see how well they are progressing.

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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:
I have a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge and I've taught students all the way from university to primary school in a number of subject areas. I also have an MPhil in Philosophy from Cambridge and a BA (Philosophy) /BSc (Biology) from the University of Auckland.

At the moment, my main areas of expertise are philosophy/critical thinking and sociology but I've previously privately tutored students in biology, maths, psychology and english for many years.

I was born in Sri Lanka but I grew up in Australia and New Zealand. I moved to the UK, to do postgraduate study and can't seem to leave :)

Teaching Experience:
University Teaching:
Lectures: Introductory Lecture on Buddhist Account of Personal Identity (Oct 2018), Environmental Ethics and Future
Generations (Lent Term 2021)

Supervisions (2018 - Current), Cambridge University supervisions, both group and individual, for papers in the faculties
of Philosophy (Formal Methods, Set Texts, Political Philosophy), History and Philosophy of Science (General Philosophy
of Science, Philosophy of Psychiatry), Medicine (Social and Ethical Context of Health and Illness) and Sociology (Health,
Medicine and Society).

Kings College London (Sep 2019 - Dec 2019): Introduction to Ethics.

Auckland University (2012-2013): Critical Thinking, Introduction to Metaphysics, Theories of Human Nature and Introduction to Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Logic.

I've also been a tutor from 2009 -- 2018, both privately and working for Tutoring Australasia. During this period I taught, philosophy, english, maths and psychology.

Tutoring Approach:
I specialise in teaching students to do just that little bit better in exams and in fundamental skills that will be useful to them throughout their education, such as writing clearly and engagingly.

Learning should also be fun and tailored to the student; ideas don't really come alive unless they feel relevant. So even my university teaching uses sources that are accessible and interesting to the student, like podcasts and youtube videos.

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Personal Description:
Practising artist and tutor, my work is part of national art and design collections. Founder of an online art gallery. I graduated from the Royal College of Art in London and ENSAD in Paris, I am a guest lecturer at the Royal College of Art and I have over ten years of teaching experience.

Studies:
Royal College of Art, London
ENSAD, Paris
HFG, Karlsruhe, Germany
ENSAN, Nancy, France

Permanent collections :
Neue Sammlung Museum, Munich, Germany
FNAC Fonds National d'Art Contemporain, Paris
IFA Germany, Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations of Germany
Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe, Germany
Villa Lena Foundation, Palaia, Italy

Teaching Experience:
Portfolio Review
Briefs
Exam entrance
Design
Mixed media art
Painting
My private tutorials are tailored to each students requirements and skill level. I can teach you how to develop your ideas, how to create a unique portfolio, how to build a project to stand out .

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is adaptable. I am an experienced and dynamic teacher, I like to work in a relax atmosphere yet efficient. I have taught internationally working with students from culturally diverse backgrounds and different levels of English skills.

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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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Personal Description:
Hello. I am Harjot, a specialist Mathematics, Aptitude and Critical Thinking coach. I focus entirely on preparing candidates for high-stakes, timed exams where rapid calculation, spatial logic and speed strategy make the difference between passing and failing. Having personally cleared 12 elite competitive exams, served as a Government Bank Manager and worked as an engineer, I know exactly what it takes to beat the clock under intense pressure. With over 10+ years of teaching experience, I bridge the gap between abstract mathematical concepts and practical, real world execution.

Teaching Experience:
I bring a wealth of diverse academic and professional teaching experience. I have served as a University Lecturer, delivering structured, high-yield quantitative principles to advanced students. In my 10+ years of teaching experience, I have successfully guided students across multiple specific streams: standard school excellence (11+ Grammar, GCSE and A-Level Maths), Armed forces entrance filters (Royal Navy/Royal Marines DAA, RAF CBAT and Army AOSB) and high-tier professional screenings (UK Civil Service Fast Stream, UCAT reasoning subtests, Arctic Shores Assessment and corporate graduate scheme psychometric testing).

Tutoring Approach:
My approach eliminates slow, traditional, long-form formulas. Instead, I focus on equipping you with powerful non-calculator shortcuts, rapid mental arithmetic tactics, and systematic elimination frameworks. We don't just study the material-we study the exam architecture itself. Your first 30-minute trial session is entirely free. During this time, we will evaluate your baseline speed, target your specific exam board or assessment constraints and construct a personalized, step-by-step roadmap to achieve maximum marks in minimum time.

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