James

Hi! I'm James, a History graduate of the University of Cambridge and teacher. I am currently taking students on for the 2024-25 academic year.

I once worked as a freelance political communications and campaigning professional before becoming a full-time private tutor and student, completing an MA in History of Political Thought at UCL and Queen Mary, University of London, with Distinction, in September 2021. Since then, I have worked as a teacher of Government and Politics and History at a secondary school in East London, and currently work at a school in Hackney supporting its Higher Education and Universities Programme. From October, 2024, I will be completing a PhD in History at the University of Cambridge.

As a full-time tutor, I bring a high level of professional expertise and the experience of tutoring students of all ages and backgrounds to my classes. I am flexible and understanding, always willing to listen to my students' concerns. Most importantly, I have a comprehensive knowledge of the exam system and what students need to do to hit the marks that examiners look for.

In addition to the subjects listed, I also offer Oxbridge entrance exam and interview practice, as well as personal statement guidance. Having been through the Cambridge system myself, I understand what is required to impress during this difficult process. I have guided a number of students, some with difficult personal backgrounds, through successful applications to both Oxford and Cambridge.

Tutoring Experience

I have tutored for over ten years in English Literature and Language, History, Politics and Philosophy, as well as graded Classical Guitar. I have over a thousand hours of experience in total.

I also worked for two years at an international summer school based in a number of universities across the country, during which time I taught lessons in current affairs and politics. I also worked for a year in an English-language academy in Spain. These experiences, along with a CELTA qualification, allow me to teach students from all over the world with varying levels of English proficiency. I also have experience teaching in secondary schools across London, meaning I am familiar with a variety of exam boards and syllabuses.

I have a proven record of improving students' grades at GCSE and A-Level across multiple levels, sometimes even taking students from a low standard to A* achievements. Here are some testimonials from two of my 2022 clients:

Susan - James is an excellent tutor. He makes time to ensure that he understands his pupil and the way that they best learn and then he teaches accordingly. He knows his topics really well and is really enthusiastic about them and passes that on to his pupils. After being tutored by James, my son achieved an A* at Politics A-Level, having begun Year 13 only managing Cs in his essays. This would not have been possible without James's sensitive and expert guidance.

Pragnesh - James is extremely knowledgeable about History. He has a good way of explaining things without patronising you. He is also friendly!

Tutoring Approach

I provide friendly and accessible tuition to anyone with a desire to learn. The academic needs of my students come first; my direction comes second. In our first session, I always make sure I get to know the student as much as possible, asking about their strengths and weaknesses, before creating a bespoke academic plan to target the key areas for improvement. I provide structured essay plans, specialist academic articles to further subject knowledge and personalised revision plans that I create with the student's input.

My core philosophy is to view learning as a fun and enlightening experience when it is made real for students, whichever subject they study. History, for example, is all around us, from the buildings we inhabit to the streets we walk on and the books we read. It's this type of insight that helps us to invest in human knowledge and succeed in our studies.

A proficient writer, I have a particuarly keen interest in the history of philosophy and European politics, but also have a wealth of degree-level expertise in other areas of historical study, such as the colonisation of North America and the Vietnam War.

My professional experience gives me a unique insight into the world of politics, and I worked with a number of prominent politicians in the European elections of 2019. I also have specialist knowledge in the fields of 18th Century British Political, Economic and Social History and the History of Political Thought (from the pre-Enlightenment to the 20th Century), as well as German history, the two World Wars, and the Cold War. I am a proficient student of political theory and philosophy, too.

I am well-acquainted with the AQA and EdExcel A-Level History, Politics and English syllabuses, as well as AQA English Literature at GCSE and A-Level and EdExcel iGCSE English and History. I also know the Cambridge Pre-U, which is not as commonly taught by tutors. For my experience of other exam boards, just ask away.

I am only able to provide online tuition.