I've worked successfully as a tutor for GCSE and A-Level students for a number of years now, helping them drastically improve their grades. I've also done considerable work as a university supervisor and mentor for undergraduate, master's, and first-year doctoral students at the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and other institutions. My approach is mainly trust based, my students are often amazed by just how much they can do for themselves if they're in a learning environment that isn't adversarial, oppressive, or plain dull. Beyond A-Level, I also have teaching experience at the University of Oxford as a tutor and seminar leader for undergraduate history and sociology students, and I have degrees in both Archaeology and History. My background of experience is technological, and I work as a civilian consultant to the NASA Ames Human Factors laboratory in that capacity. Central to my approach is an understanding that my students are people, with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, which need to be nurtured and supported in order to get the best possible results.
In this way, learning can, and should be of a reciprocal exchange of ideas, and by embracing this in a more relaxed and curiosity-driven approach, it becomes far easier for many to explore, absorb, and abstract their understanding of both the surface learning of school qualifications, and the deep learning of the concepts behind them crucial to getting the very highest grades.
I am a full-time Computer Science teacher and guide my daytime students to impressive grades in Computing. My keenest students in years 9 and 10 are already working towards an AS-Level in Computer Science to supplement and support the GCSE course. I set my students' goals high.
I'm very adept at helping students cut through confusion, focus on precise language and find the focus in theory topics to deliver mark-scheme friendly answers in examinations.
Having been tutored myself in the past, I understand what being in a pupil's shoes is like. From there I then started tutoring after having developed a passion in education and learning. I have since tutored children as young as five to adults from a wide range of ages. This means that not only have I learnt how to adapt my teaching from individual to individual but also to adapt my level of tutoring based on age and/or past experience in the subjects that I tutor.
The last student I tutored on Spires achieved an A at A level French.
I have 22 years of experience in tutoring learners to achieve their goals. I tutor GCSE, A-Level/PRE-U, EPQ, Undergraduate, Postgraduate/Doctoral students and professional clients in Academic Research and Writing, Creative Industries, Critical Thinking, Cultural Studies, Education, Government and Politics, Marketing, Oxbridge Entrance/UCAS, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theology, and Social Sciences.
I combine two decades of experience in the education sector with my earlier career in the creative industries to offer engaging learning opportunities relevant to our daily lives. I am a passionate advocate of 'affective' learning and well-being through creativity, critical inquiry and philosophical reasoning. I invite you to engage in these ways of thinking that can empower you with relevant skills to support your personal growth. I have extensive experience in tutoring GCSE, A-Level, PRE-U, EPQ, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Professional learners. My presentation style is engaging and interactive. I convert complicated theories and paradigms into straightforward ideas, with practical worth, and impart useful advice for my clients.
Professional teaching experience
I am a professional teacher of English, with 4 years of experience in both state and independent sectors. In my teacher training (through the prestigious Teach First Leadership Development Programme), I gained a distinction, and have been promoted every year of my teaching career. In my previous school, I ran staff training sessions to improve teaching practice for high ability students, and worked as a coach for fellow teachers. I have taught GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB qualifications, as well as coaching and mentoring students through UCAS and Oxbridge Entrance. In my teaching role until now I have had little time for paid tuition, but working on-on-one with students outside of class time is part of my daily practice as a teacher, especially when students are struggling or need extra challenge. I have worked extensively with a wide range of ages (11-18) and abilities, as well as with SEN and EAL students.
Paid tuition work outside of teaching
Currently, I tutor one student outside of school as she has needed extra support due to English being her second language. Previously, I tutored a student on creative writing techniques - this is a particular interest of mine.
I have been tutoring for the past two years, both in person and online, teaching primarily English Language and English Literature to a range of students. I have students at the age of 4 and 5 who I am teaching to read and write before they begin school, students who are at Key stage 1 and 2 level, to whom I offer assistance on improving and developing their skills in reading and comprehension as well as writing and sentence development. I also teach 11+ English and 13+ English as well as GCSE. At GCSE level I have worked with students on their coursework, both creative writing and essay writing. I have also worked with students on their text analysis and composition skills, assisting them with writing techniques and exam practice. At A Level, I work with students studying English Literature, and Drama and Theatre Studies. At this stage, I have noticed that often students require assistance with learning to structure their arguments and also with revision skills as well as a focus on the subjects and information they are working with. When working with students at University Level, I have mostly taken sessions online, offering support with critical thinking and developing an argument in essay writing. I am always concerned with engaging with my students properly; really listening to them and then finding a method of tutoring which will be most useful to them. I believe that no student is the same, and therefore all students require specific tuition which is designed around their needs.
Emma is a PGCE Secondary English qualified teacher with 8 years of full-time teaching experience in UK and international schools. She has held middle-management positions in schools in the Czech Republic and Malaysia. Emma has delivered a range of exam courses, including GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, and the IBDP.
Emma uses a variety of assessment for learning techniques and revision strategies to enable students to excel in their English exams. She enjoys the challenge of making English accessible, relevant and engaging, as well as the sense of reward when her students make progress.
Providing IT tuition as part of existing work roles for past 19 years.
I have been a professional film maker for over 14 years for both corporate and film drama.
Jay's last completed A Level Film Studies job with Elaine: 1-2 hrs/week - Help with A Level Film Studies