Benjamin Woodgates - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Experience

I have tutored both privately and for a variety of different agencies in London, particularly focusing on Mathematics, Music, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. To date, I have had 15 regular clients.

I have also been trained as an Interviewer with both Oxbridge Interviews and Oxbridge Applications, and have experience delivering Oxbridge-style practice interviews for subjects including Music, History, PPE, E&M and Sciences.

I have experience tutoring students from ages 9 to 20, and from a diversity of backgrounds. Since 2007 I have also designed and delivered eductaional vocal workshops for private, state and special-needs schools across the UK and US, including Leaden Hall School, Salisbury; Oaklands School, Edinburgh; and New Rochelle School, New York.

Recent Keystone Work:

11+ Maths , 8+: Extra Maths classes for year 3 (Started: February 2011)

13+ English: Eton Scholarship English (Started: February 2011)

11+ Maths : 11+ all round support (Started: March 2011)

13+ Maths, 13+ Science: Common Entrance Maths and Science (Started: March 2011)

11+ English, 11+ Maths , 8+, Music - Theory, Music - Practical, , 11+ Science: 8 yr old English, Maths and music (Started: March 2011)

11+ English, 11+ Maths : 11+ Eng, Maths and reasoning (Started: May 2011)

13+ English, 13+ Maths: 13+ all round preparation (Started: March 2012)

Biography

Brought up in a household of teachers, I was fortunate enough to receive an excellent and largely free education from being awarded scholarships first to Prebendal School, Chichester; then to Winchester College; and finally to Corpus Christi College Oxford, where I was offered places to read both Physics and Music. I opted to read music, and graduated in 2008 with the 2nd-highest mark in the University.

After graduating I was made Director of Chapel Music at my old college, and worked for a year for iOpener, an Oxford-based management consultancy specialising in skills development. Despite enjoying my day job, I began to acquired more and more out-of-hours work as a freelance conductor, performer, tutor and composer and have since made this my profession.

I now live and work in Cetral London, directing a choir at the Middle Temple, delivering private tuition in a variety of subjects and writing, arranging and editing music for everything from ''The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols'' (OUP 2009, ed. Bullard) to The World Equestrian Games, Kentucky.

Personal Approach

I believe that creating excellent rapport is the foundation for effective tutoring.

I focus my tuition to fit each student's specific needs, tailoring my approach and designing bespoke teaching materials to suit the learning style of the individual.

A large part of my success as both a tutor and a musician germinates from my ability to communicate ideas clearly and colourfully, and to inspire and enthuse my subjects on a week-to-week basis. My experience in delivering workshops and private tuition has given me the skills to create effervescent learning relationships with pupils from all backgrounds, and to steer my approach to suit the character and abilities of each pupil.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I work as a freelance musician and tutor in Central London.

I am currently tutoring clients in 11+ (all subjects), 13+ (all subjects), Maths, A-level Music and degree-level Music.

My music work changes from week to week: one day I'll be writing string parts for a singer-songwriter's new CD; the next I'll be editing lute songs from an original 15th-Century manuscript for a private client.

I conduct the Middle Temple Inn Harmony Choir, and perform with and co-direct ''The Harmonics'', a close harmony swing group, who performed a successful 5* run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

This month I am embarking on a project with another ex-Oxford student to write good quality shows and musicals for schools, working closely with teachers and pupils to ascertain what they want from their school productions, and what they're not getting with existing publications.

Testimonials

03/05/2012: Ben has done a fantastic job with our son, highlighting key issues and focusing quickly on revision techniques, and subject gaps. (Mother of Common Entrance student)

06/01/2012: Many thanks for all Ben's work with my daugther - which has again been most helpful (Mother of CE Maths student)

22/11/2011: He is a great teacher, I could not have asked for more (Mother of CE test Maths and English student)

22/11/2011: I am so grateful to you for putting us in touch with Ben. He did a superb job and was diligent, well prepared, punctual, serious but with humour and really gave her confidence and inspiration

17/10/2011: “He is an exceptional person and highly professional educator” (Parent of Year 7 student)

17/10/2011: “Ben is great - extremely pleasant and personable, calm, organised and punctual. We are very pleased.” (Mother of 11+ student)

17/10/2011: “We were so pleased how Ben worked with Toby - good humoured, making it enjoyable, winning him round. Thank you very much, excellent results!" (Mother of 13+ boy, English, Maths & Science)

17/10/2011: “My son has won a King’s Scholarship to Eton College. Thank you very much for introducing Ben. Without him, it is unlikely that my son would have made it. We are extremely grateful” Mother of Student

07/07/2011: "My daughter clearly has a good rapport with Ben and she seems to find him easy, productive, non threatening to work with"

07/07/2011: “Ben has managed to cajole, persuade and prod my son into using his intellect and the results are beginning to show. My son enjoys seeing Ben” (Susanna, mother of 13+ boy)

25/05/2011: “The first lesson went extremely well. It was a hard task, but the boys were begging Ben not to leave at the end of it" (Catherine, mother of year 3 boys)

25/05/2011: “Ben Woodgates is a huge success! Many thanks again for introducing us.” (Orla, mother of boy preparing for Scholarship)

''I also want to tell you how much ______ is getting out of his sessions with you. You have definitely found a way of communicating the information that works well for him. I think you are spot-on in recognising that visual, verbal and hands-on teaching is what he responds to most.''

''...all the teachers were staggered by the fact that she had come back on top form and was doing really well - well above average. We must thank you largely for that. _____ clearly has a good rapport with you and she seems to find you easy, productive, non threatening to work with...I do hope if our need arises again we will be able to get you back!'''

''Ben - just wanted to say thanks very much again for all your work with _____ - she has offers from City, North London Collegiate, South Hampstead, Highgate and Channing so we now have a difficult choice to make! ______ says you really helped her to get ready for the exams''

''Great news! _____ was offered a place at Malvern St. James. Thanks very much for your help in this. She also thanks you very much for your help, especially with negative numbers as she also had a test today in Maths on this topic and scored 100%.''

“...blindingly good arrangements, passion and creativity”

“Youthful and sharp!”

Passport: Keystone Tutors has a copy of Benjamin Woodgates's passport and therefore can confirm that Benjamin Woodgates is a UK / EU national or has the appropriate visa to be eligible to work in the UK.