John

Twenty years experience tutoring in and around London, Brighton & Lewes, I am a Masters graduate from St Andrews (English & Art History) with a teaching qualification from LSE. Known by my middle name Rob ( I'm a 'John Robert' to avoid any confusion on the reviews below!) I am a fun and engaging tutor. I work hard to tailor lessons to suit the needs of every individual and have yet to see a student not exceed expectations.

I have taught English (Literature & Language), Art History, Drama, Spanish, Photography, Film (both by request!) Common Entrance & Maths to a great many students of all ages, abilities (including learning and behavioural difficulties schools) and backgrounds, thriving in the challenges of adapting lessons for different individual's needs.

I am particularly proud to have assisted pupils with learning difficulties achieve higher grades although I am equally passionate and intrigued to work with pupils of all backgrounds and abilities. I always seek to nurture in my tutees a passion towards their subjects and more than often see them jump two or three grades at least.

A professional actor, I regularly work on stage and screen whilst also working with Doctors, Educational Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses and War Veterans as a simulated patient or colleague in their training programmes. Beyond this, I have a keen interest in sports, music, reading, walking and a near obsession with growing my own vegetables. Originally a Cumbrian country fanatic, I have a huge love for all rural life, fudge and dog walking.

Lastly, I was christened John Robert and unfortunately the website will only use my first name on my profile. To avoid any future confusion, I am known as Rob and I very much look forward to hearing from you!

Tutoring Experience

2006-Present: Private Tuition throughout London and Sussex seeing pupils grow through entrance exams, GCSEs and A Levels.
Private Tuition (Paddington)-Government-funded scheme to increase literacy levels amongst primary school pupils
2006-Present: Southwark Council. Supply Teaching with 'Classroom' agency. Work with children from mainstream, secondary & primary PRUs and learning difficulty schools.
2005-2006: Private Tuition (Ashtead, Surrey) Private tutor. Various pupils for Spanish, English Literature, Drama & English language
2002: Clementine School, Hong Kong EFL Teaching Assistant. Assisting head English language teacher
2002: Hong Kong Institute for young offenders. Spanish Teacher. Teaching basic Spanish to young non English speaking offenders prior to their exchange to Chile
St Bees School 1998-present: Various unpaid voluntary work. Drama work-shop leader on summer-camp. Directing, play-writing, and work-shopping school Junior & Senior plays

Tutoring Approach

My 'approach' to tutoring will always be initially to consider the tutee's approach to learning. We start with a chat to establish how pupils may best be assisted and what the pupil's key areas of concern are then work from there.

Each mind, young or old, needs different approaches and I believe my strongest ability is an adaptability to meet the varying needs and requirements of every student as, generally, this is why they tend to be looking for tuition beyond the school curriculum.

My approach, in terms of academic structure, in most cases would be to follow a curriculum but to have the flexibility to pause where things need shoring up and to build my pupil's confidence in preparation for any exams.

I tend to use past papers when it comes to exam based tuition as this is ultimately what they will be faced with come exam time. However, when I have a pupil for longer there is more scope for harnessing a broader interest in a subject or often simply assisting with difficult homework.

With each of my previous pupils I have needed and been able to assist them in a way that is individually appealing to them and I have never had a pupil who has not achieved their desired results.

Lastly, it is important in so many cases to keep lessons engaging and fun. I strive to keep a healthy balance in this. So often I meet pupils who have initially fallen out of love with a subject and now claim they can't 'do' it or it simply 'isn't their subject'. Bringing them back on board is essential. Whilst the emphasis is emphatically on academic progress, there is always a light hearted humour in all that we do.