Jo

Having graduated in English Language and Literature from Oxford University I subsequently studied law with the College of Law, coming third in my year on the Common Professional Exam and gaining a distinction in the Legal Practice Course. I qualified and worked as a city solicitor before training as a teacher.

I am the author of a highly respected study and revision guide for GCSE English Literature and the co-author of another; and a successful revision workbook for A Level English Literature. I also have been employed by a publishing house to produce a range of online teaching materials and schemes of work for Key Stage 3.

I home tutor my own children, the eldest of whom sat his first three GCSE's at the age of l2, achieving A*'s. He completed 13 GCSE's by the age of 14, achieving mainly 9 or A* (with an A** in Further Maths); and by the age of 15 had sat two A Levels in each of which he gained an A*, taking this to a total of five A levels at A* by the age of 16. He is now an undergraduate at Oxford. My youngest obtained straight grade 9’s plus A* in A Level Biology by the age of 16. I also have an excellent track record as a tutor going back over 20 years, helping students to achieve high grades in public exams, including entrance exams, and therefore to attend the school or university of their choice. Examples include students who have moved from a grade 3 in their mocks before coming to me for tuition to a 9 in their actual GCSE, or a D in their mock before tuition to an A in the actual A Level.

Tutoring Experience

I have a Master's degree in Education from Durham University and a BA/MA in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. I have worked in both private and state schools in England, France and Germany teaching up to A Level. This includes teaching English as foreign language in two French secondary schools using French as the language of instruction. I am an experienced senior examiner for English Literature GCSE and the International GCSE; and have also examined English Language GCSE, English Literature A Level, English International O Level and International A Level Law, being consistently assessed as an A-grade examiner.

Tutoring Approach

I believe that the key to effective tuition is to tailor the teaching to the pupil; and that all pupils can succeed given the appropriate level of motivation and instruction. I provide a course of tuition designed to meet the individual's needs using his or her interests to stimulate further development.