Alford Reading & Writing skills Tutors and Alford Reading & Writing skills Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified teacher with Cambridge MA, PGCE & DELTA, with 30 years' experience of teaching in a variety of contexts including general secondary school English and Drama, GCSE, A Level, IB, and tuition at university and postgraduate level, including assistance with theses and similar.
I have considerable experience of TEFL/TOEFL and a successful record in teaching Cambridge FCE, CPE, etc as well as Business English classes for non-native professionals.
I recently returned to the UK from Spain for family reasons and I am new to the York area. I'm taking time out for a while to write that elusive million-seller or sitcom! Meanwhile I am a member of SfEP and work part time as a professional proofreader and copy editor. I am very happy to help groups or individuals with their academic needs.

Teaching Experience:
15 years in all key stages of secondary school education in England.
5 years Adult Education, TEFL and private tuition in the UK.
10 years teaching a British curriculum in an international secondary school in Spain at all key stages incl. GCSE, A Level and IB.
Group and individual EFL classes for children and adults, including Business English for professionals and TOEFL in an American-affiliated college.
I have an excellent record of success in preparing students for English and Drama exams - GCSE, A Level, International Baccalaureat and beyond - as well as for Cambridge First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency in English.
Amongst other notables, I was employed as personal tutor to the actress Rebecca Hall as a child and also to one of Tony Blair's sons!

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in a supportive approach and a friendly relationship, but without forgetting it's work: you're paying me because I can improve your (or your children's) future prospects.

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Personal Description:
I am a patient, helpful and responsible individual who enjoys tutoring students and helping them build confidence in their ability to achieve.

Currently my only available slot is Friday 5.30-6.30.

Teaching Experience:
I have 20 years experience working within a school environment, dealing with both primary, secondary age range and adults. I possess a Master's Degree in English together with UK Qualified Teacher Status.

At the moment I work as a Lead Practitioner in a local secondary school in the London Borough of Bexley. I am also tutoring Functional Skills English and ESOL.

I have marked AQA and EDEXCEL GCSE Language papers for the past 5 years, therefore I have excellent understanding of how the marks are awarded for each question in both papers.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that a key feature of effective teaching is balancing the pupils' success against the level of difficulty required to challenge them. Furthermore, I think to teach effectively you need more than good subject knowledge, something that develops with time and experience - professional knowledge and personal style. In my opinion, a teacher should give all the possible help to pupils to gain knowledge and become useful members of the society. Acquiring knowledge in a supportive, fair, friendly and not tense atmosphere is very important. A teacher should be a role model to students, who helps individual pupils to grow and deals with them in an objective way. In my opinion a good relationship between a teacher and pupils helps to overcome the difficulties that may arise during the learning process.

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Personal Description:
Hi I'm Heather!

I hold a First Class Degree in English Literature and Drama from Manchester University.

I've been tutoring for nearly 15 years, working with students aged 6 years, up to 18, supporting them through KS1-4, GCSE and A'Level/IB curricula. I have also taught English as a foreign language. The content of my tutorials is entirely student- led; i.e I work towards the individual's goals and learning styles. I am experienced in the teaching of essay writing, exam preparation and textual analysis/understanding. The most important thing I can do as a tutor is to empower the student to feel confident in their own abilities and thoughts.

I have worked with students of A Level and GCSE in a diverse range of texts including Victorian Gothic literature, the American Novel, pre and post 1900 poetry, modern drama and theatre studies, post -colonial literature, dystopian literature. All of my students have achieved their personal desired A-C grades, and gained acceptance into the university of their choice.

Recent students have achieved places at Eton and Wellington college, UCL, King's and Westminster. I currently tutor students applying for or attending Kew House, Kings School Wimbledon, Fulham Prep to name a few.

I have 2 years experience of home schooling Key Stage 2 and 3 literacy and numeracy, with an excellent overview of the curriculum and a variety of techniques to engage different learners. I have worked closely with young learners with dyslexia, ADHD and autistic students

I also teach drama school audition preparation, public speaking skills and methods of overcoming academic anxiety. In addition to my work as a tutor I work for a theatre company as a director and facilitator, and bring this creativity and fun to my tutoring.

Do get in touch if you have any questions!

Heather

Teaching Experience:
-15 years as a private tutor
-Assistant Tutor; Kumon Maths (Hampstead Branch)
-6 months as a Teaching Assistant (SEN) ; Carlton Primary School
-2 months as a 1-1 learning and care assistant to a young child with non-verbal cerebral palsy
-Assistant director/facilitator at theatre company Access All Areas
-TEFL introductory course- Cambridge
-Creative writing teacher training with The Ministry of Stories
-Drama facilitator, Hackney Shed Theatre Company

Tutoring Approach:
I believe tutoring should be a dialogue, not a dictatorship. Each lesson would be highly organized to cater for the requirements and ability level of the individual student. I plan all sessions to include a range of discussion, demonstration, exercises, review of work and homework tasks if required. Crucial to my teaching approach is an easy, flexible engagement with the individual- working to their learning style and objectives, and encouraging the pupil to draw out their own understandings rather than enforce rote learning.

Areas of expertise include: Literature Romantic poetry, contemporary poetry, the dystopian novel, the Gothic novel, WWI literature, post-colonial literature, the early novel, Shakespeare, dramatic writing, film studies. History- Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Russia from Revolution through to the cold war. Apartheid in South Africa, the Suffragette movement, the history of British Education, Chartism. Theatre- Greek theatre, Kabuki, German Expressionism, Melodrama, Realism, Naturalism, Absurdism, post 1950s British drama, contemporary theatre

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Personal Description:
I am a Marine Biologist (PhD) and lecturer in Education. I am currently based in North Berwick, Scotland and have a wide-range of interests such as paddle-boarding, kayaking, hiking, cooking and spending time with my family and friends. I am available for online tutoring in the evenings and the weekends (anytime) and face-to-face for North Berwick.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught English as a Foreign Language for 22 years in the UK and in Japan. I have also worked with students with learning difficulties, which I enjoy very much. I tutor Biology to students across the world including University level and Science up to G.C.S.E /Nat 5.

Tutoring Approach:
Exam technique, technical language, repetition-based learning (English as a foreign language). Kinaesthetic learning.
Patient approach, with the aim of student's gaining confidence in the subject area.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm a professional engineer with a passion for developing the next generation of STEM leaders. I've worked in both the Aerospace and Automotive industries with companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley to name a few and I've given talks at universities nationwide about engineering. Tutoring is something I did for many years as a student with great success and I relish the opportunity to get back into it.

I graduated from The University of Sheffield with a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Alongside this I partook in several leadership roles such as Academic Officer for the Aerospace Society and pursued my passion for music as part of the jazz band.

I play a variety of instruments including Drums (Traditional and Western), Piano/Keyboard, Guitar and Saxophone. If this goes well enough, I may even be able to quit the day job and go full time with my band!

Teaching Experience:
11+

Maths A-Level.

Physics GCSE

Experience with dyslexia

!!!100% Pass Rate!!!

DBS Checked

Tutoring Approach:
Nobody wants to be in school outside of school; so in knowing this, I like to have an initial consultation whereby I listen to the student's interests, concerns and preferences to ascertain their preferred learning style. I apply real-world practical examples from my experiences to provide greater appreciation for what is being taught as context helps with not only retention but also understanding.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified and experienced tutor, based in Loughton and I can tutor in students' homes or online. I really enjoy tutoring as I find that my students make excellent progress which is very rewarding for me, too. Where required, I can provide references from previous students.

Teaching Experience:
I have 25 years' teaching experience (EFL/ESL, German and French) across all levels in colleges, local schools and as a private tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
My greatest strength is my ability to tailor my lessons to match students' exact linguistic needs - whether that means focussing on grammar, speaking ability, exam preparation or a combination of any of these for those who are learning for work and/or leisure purposes.

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Personal Description:
Hello, I'm Zoe. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, studying English Language and Literature at St Peter's College.

I'm an experienced tutor and I believe that with a good, solid education everyone's opportunities in life become better. I am patient and very committed to getting the best from my students.

Prior to university I attended Streatham and Clapham High School (8-16), and Wallington County Grammar School (16-18).

I completed A-Levels in English, Medieval History, French, Classical Civilisation and Philosophy AS Level.

My main interest is English Literature but I am ever-keen to use my French, and am also passionate about History, both ancient and modern. At GCSE level I opted to study primarily languages, namely French, German, Latin and Ancient Greek, and I am so grateful for the skills and linguistic understanding these diverse subjects have given me.

I am a keen reader, theatre-goer and traveller; I also enjoy sports, particularly running, netball and cycling. I live in southwest London and am happy to travel.

Teaching Experience:
I have plenty of experience tutoring people of all ages, and am currently specialising in English, French and History lessons and entrance/university interview preparation lessons.

I have worked as a temporary assistant at Faulkner House School in South Kensington during my Easter holiday from university in 2010 (children aged 3-11).

At school I worked on a mentor programme helping students from younger years with their French speaking practice and also with extra English.

I have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification.

I worked with a local Brownie pack from 2006-8 which involved working with children aged 7-10, running a variety of crafts activities and games.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a firm believer in the ability of each person to achieve academic success through hard work, and also understand the need for patience and perseverance to succeed.

Having benefited from one-on-one tutoring during my own education for those subjects I struggled with at school, I have first hand experience of the importance of a good tutor and just how much difference one can make.

I have a real passion for the subjects I studied at university and at A-Level and I communicate that, whilst simultaneously providing relevant and informed tuition sessions.

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Personal Description:
I studied English Literature at Edinburgh University, graduating with a First Class Masters in 1999, before going on to train as an actor at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2001. Since graduating, I have worked extensively as an actor in theatre, television and radio and since 2007 I have worked very closely with acclaimed theatre company The Factory as an associate producer and director as well as an actor. I have a wide-ranging interest in the arts (from contemporary music through to cinema and the visual arts) as well as an active interest in politics and current affairs. I have worked as a free-lance tutor since 2005 and love not only the obvious flexibility it affords but, far more importantly, the mental, creative and social stimulation it provides both me and, hopefully, those I teach.

Teaching Experience:
In 2005 I registered with a private agency and taught English Literature as a freelance tutor at GCSE level for them that year.
I have wide and extensive experience teaching and creating drama with young people: I have worked on schools and youth projects with Shakespeare's Globe, the National Student Drama Festival and the Carney Academy of Performing Arts as well providing private tuition for drama school entrance and audition technique.
I occasionally work for the University of Westminster as a free-lance actor, working closely with director and academic Helen Eastman.

Tutoring Approach:
I passionately believe that education needs to be grounded in passing on, developing and deepening the love of a subject and that, as such, learning shouldn't be results led. I also believe that people are different and that an approach to tutoring and education should reflect that.

As such I aim to keep engagement and enjoyment at the centre of the process. I encourage pupils to engage with their subject through lateral and creative thinking in the belief that good results follow when a student can enter into a dialogue with the work they are being asked to do and not the other way round.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Eve!

I have a First-Class Honours BA in Theatre, Film and Television from the University of Bristol. Being at the earliest-established performance department in the UK meant I was able to draw on a wealth of academic and practical knowledge and facilities. I later completed an MA at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and Birkbeck College, receiving a Distinction. Projects I have worked on include the More Than Words Festival with BBC Radio 4 and an audio tour in collaboration with the mayor of Bristol.

Alongside my creative career, I enjoy sharing my knowledge of performance theory and practice with others. I can help you and/or your child with written exams or essays. I can also support you in developing your practical skills! I recently helped a student to successfully gain a place at Central School of Speech and Drama and have previously guided students in writing their own playtexts/screenplays.

Teaching Experience:
I have:

- Over 5000 hours of tutoring experience.
- Home-schooled
- Taught online
- Worked with those of all nationalities aged 2-65
- Helped students with learning difficulties
- Completed a CELTA course in teaching English as a Foreign Language, giving grammatical rigor and expert teaching training.
- Stayed with families in Finland, France and Sardinia undertaking residential tutoring work.

Performance topics I frequently tutor include:

- Documentary
- Feminism
- Globalisation
- Architecture/Space
- Silent Cinema
- World Cinema
- Science Fiction
- Western
- French New Wave
- In-Yer-Face Theatre
- Early Twentieth-century Avante Garde
- Community Theatre

My practical specialties include voice coaching, playwriting, character development and audition technique.

Tutoring Approach:
I always come prepared so as to maximise your time within the session. I will help you to gain a broad understanding of what cinema/theatre involve as well as helping you to narrow down and analyse key sections of a script, live performance or film - an attention to detail is what will help you to achieve fantastic results!

If you require help with grammar, vocabulary etc. we can read through your work and identify errors. I will teach you simple techniques to make your writing more fluent and I will help you to draw out your own original, creative ideas!

In between my degrees, I co-founded a successful non-profit organisation which I led as CEO for two years. I am, therefore, very experienced with project management so can help you to draw up and stick to a simple study/project timetable if desired.

I work with an increasing number of students across the world, using free digital tools to make the sessions interesting and collaborative.

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

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

Completed:

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
I am a Primary trained school teacher with experience in both KS1 and KS2.
I am a mother with three children, one of which had learning problems as a KS1 child, and understand the frustration of the learner and anxiety the parent feels.

Teaching Experience:
Special needs teaching 1:1
1:1 private tuition
10 years Primary KS1 & KS2

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy helping children reach their potential by being patient and understanding and helping my tutee's discover their most suited method and style for learning, in the area that they find challenging.
I teach using visual, auditory and kinesthetic methods, depending on my pupils learning style.

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Personal Description:
My name is Simon. I am 36 years old. I enjoy teaching and public speaking. I respond well to challenges and like problem-solving.
I really enjoy puzzles, such as Sudoku.
I love helping people to learn, whether this is to learn to in English or Urdu (a language I myself have learnt)

Teaching Experience:
I have many years of voluntary work experience in teaching English to children and adults whose first language is not English and also I have experience in teaching Basic Urdu to a few friends. I have completed a course in accelerated learning methods.
As I too have learnt a language I do understand the challenges people have when learning a language. This helps me in my teaching style and methods.
I believe that learning should be enjoyable.
I have recently completed a course for students of English and Urdu.
I am now looking for my tutees.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is that learning needs to be fun and enjoyable. I did not enjoy school because of the classroom environment so I want my tutoring to be different. I aim to adapt my teaching to the persons individual needs.

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Personal Description:
Freelance film maker and media producer with a lifelong interest in media studies, communications and culture.

Teaching Experience:
Have taught children between the age of 7 and 18.

Tutoring Approach:
Calm, patient and professional.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Hello, my name is Jasmine and there are three things I love: teaching, Art and travelling, not necessarily in that order.

I'm also an Amateur Artist and have been for 33 years. I'm currently training to be an Illustrator.This year is my year of Art revival and change for my artistic career. I have now become a member of the Contemporary Art Society for Wales.

Teaching Experience:
* BA (hons) Art & Education: specialism in fine Art and English
* P.G.C.E (Primary)Post Graduate Certificate in Education specialism in Art & Design
* Teaching & Tutoring for over 20 years
* TEFL tutor for 3 years
* Teaching in mainstream for 22 years
* Teaching overseas for 6 years
* Home educating for 10 years.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is systematic and reinforcing as repetition deepens impression, especially for younger learners. I like learning to be fun, inspiring and autonomous. I enjoy the challenge of devising a curriculum unique and tailored to the learner, where they tell me what invigorates them and encourages them to want to learn. I can also offer online english lessons via zoom classroom.
I also have a passion to inspire young artisans to pursue a career in the Art & Design field, for example exhibiting at the Autumn Fair, the UK's largest gift and home trade fair.

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Personal Description:
Hi! My name is Kathryn and I am a primary school teacher and mummy to two young children. I have been teaching for 9 years and my specialism is Early Years, although I have plenty of experience across the primary age range. I am hoping to do some online tutoring on the side of my day job. I am able to work evenings, weekends and occasional weekday hours. Looking forward to hearing from you and your little ones!

Teaching Experience:
I achieved a BEd in Primary Teaching with specialism of Early Years at Chester University in 2011 and achieved Qualified Teacher Status in 2012. I have always been in a permanent job role and worked my way up to become and Early Years Leader. I am currently teaching in Year 3 and have experience across Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to build up positive working relationships with children and their families and get to know the learning styles of individual children. I then deliver my tutoring in a way that meets the needs, abilities and interests of the children. This ensures we get the most out of the time we spend together in a session and enables children to work towards their full potential.

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Personal Description:
I am a caring and organised educator committed to supporting students in a range of educational areas. I aim to create a stimulating and enjoyable online tutoring experience, promoting a positive and encouraging learning environment. My goal is for each student to not only enjoy learning but also to develop strong communication skills through a trusting and supportive relationship. I maintain regular communication with parents or caregivers and am happy to provide extra online assignments to reinforce learning between sessions.

Teaching Experience:
I am a fully qualified teacher entering my seventh year of practice, with experience teaching Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4. I can provide assessment support during sessions as needed. During my training, I gained valuable experience working with Year R, Year 2, and Year 4. I am also trained in SSP (phonics) and the Little Wandle program, enabling me to support early reading development effectively. Additionally, I have completed CPD training for the Year 4 multiplication check and can offer guidance and support in this area; my current Year 4 students achieved the highest results in the school this year. Beyond primary education, I have tutored students in foundation-level GCSE maths, using past papers to practise and analyse different question types.

Tutoring Approach:
I start by assessing each student's current level and discussing their specific areas of focus, either directly with them or with the adults in their household. From there, I tailor sessions to meet their individual needs. Each session incorporates a variety of activities designed to reinforce existing knowledge while introducing new concepts. Building a strong rapport with students is a priority, helping them feel comfortable and confident, which in turn supports their learning and progress.

I can also help address any learning gaps that may have arisen due to disruptions during the pandemic or any other missed learning reasons.

I have experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adapting my approach to meet their unique learning requirements and providing the support necessary for them to thrive in a positive, inclusive environment.

Parents I have worked with have provided positive feedback on the impact of additional tuition, noting improvements in their child's progress as reflected in academic reports and parent-teacher meetings.

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Personal Description:
I'm 28 years old and have a passion for teaching. I love helping and guiding students to gain success and knowledge in all areas but my favourite part is seeing children feel confident after learning a new skills. I'm kind, approachable and fun! I make learning fun and engaging by using different techniques.

Teaching Experience:
I've been teaching for 4 years but prior to this I worked in as a teaching assistant (TA/PSA). I've done tutoring for the last couple of years and love getting to know students and help them with their needs.

Tutoring Approach:
I cater for the child. I adapt lessons to best suit them. Do they need a bit of extra help to meet their age related expectations or do they need to be pushed higher to gain a level higher. Whatever the needs, I want to help!

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