Clare

I am an extremely well qualified GCSE examiner and teacher of 22+ years with an MA in English Literature, a PGCE and a Bachelor’s degree in English. I have gained invaluable experience of how to get students to engage with a proven track record of excellent results both in the classroom and through tutoring from key stage 3 up to A level. I am a GCSE examiner and therefore know exactly what is required of students and how early they need to prepare. I have also coached my own dyslexic child through primary English. I have done some private tutoring in the past, through word of mouth, and now would like to devote more of my time to this as there is such a national need following the pandemic.

Tutoring Experience

I am a GCSE examiner and have marked Language and Literature exams for the past 12 years. In conjunction with this, I am currently teaching international students for entrance exams and have tutees in Westminster School, Tiffin, Wilson's and Hong Kong.

I have learned my trade in many different secondary schools. One suburban school had an extremely wide range of abilities from those new to English to those who have now achieved doctorates in English Literature. This enabled me to work across the board and develop skills to deal with highly intelligent students one lesson and then the next, those who were really struggling. There were many success stories here - one A level group achieved 80% A (- A* did not exist at this point) and the other 20% gained Bs.
My top set English group gained 13 A*s, my bottom set all achieved a grade C (now a 4) or above, including one very dyslexic student who had been achieving Es with his previous teacher.
I have also worked in two very inner city schools where there were students who were very difficult to engage as they had many other issues to deal with.

Currently, I work in a school with a very middle class element and a very inner city element, but it is unique to other schools where I have worked, as there is generally, a great culture of learning and wanting to do well. One of my students with very special needs moved from a 3 at Christmas to a 5 in March.
Over the years, when I have been approached, I have tutored on a one to one basis. I was even asked to advise in a primary school for the year 6 SATS. The subjects tutored include: A level English Literature AQA, A level English Language AQA, I-GCSE, GCSE AQA, GCSE OCR, GCSE Eduqas and year 6 SATS, all with success - if I can do it in class of 32, I can definitely do it on a one to one basis. I am now taking on more tutoring and I am focusing my skills on GCSE only. All my year 11 tutees for May/June 23 gained the grades they wanted or needed. 100% success!

Tutoring Approach

I am quick to establish where the gaps are in a child's knowledge and which skills need developing. All my lessons are individually tailored to meet the requirements of that student. Excellent planning is a really essential way to draw in the students and reading for purpose and audience is an absolute must, obviously in small bursts for those who just don't read. Passionately and enthusiastically, I have engaged learners of all types for 21 years with brilliant success.

This year, I will also be offering one to one sessions within a group at a much cheaper price of £30 per hour. There will only be up to 4 people per group and the work will be tailored to each child. These lessons will be at my own home. Further to this, I will be offering group lessons on line for £25 per hour. These groups will be studying the same thing at the same time. I trialled these last year and all students jumped two grades from their Christmas/November mock.