Tempe Nell - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Experience

I have tutored with Keystone since October 2009 and have experience with tutoring pupils aged between seven and twenty. I also work for several other tutoring agencies and spent the summer working as an English language tutor for ten Italian children. I have tutored lots of different subjects including Geography 11+, 13+, GCSE, A-level and IB; History of Art A-level and university tutoring as well as tailored gallery tours; English and Maths Key Stage 5; and interview preparation for primary schools, sixth form and university.

Recent Keystone Work:

13+ Geography: Geography for Eton Scholarship (Started: February 2011)

Biography

In summer 2009 I completed my degree in History of Art at Cambridge, gaining a high 2.1 with several first-class papers. Whilst at university I divided my time primarily between performing as singer and actor and delivering consistently good weekly essays and dissertations. The greatest commitment was as a choral scholar in Caius, which meant the most productive hours of the day for five days a week were committed to a heavy schedule of learning and performing music.

This juggling of priorities was well rehearsed in my school days. From the age of ten I sang in the Winchester Cathedral Girls' Choir and Saturdays were dominated by flute playing in the Hampshire Youth Orchestras. My performance both musically and academically led to many achievements from a young age including prizes, scholarships and distinctions in ABRSM exams for flute and singing. Aged sixteen I became the principal flautist in county Youth Orchestras, and a year later I joined the National Youth Choir. At GCSE I received all A’s, at AS an A in Art, and in my A-levels, A's in History of Art, Geography and Music.

Personal Approach

I'm an enthusiastic and committed tutor. I try to ensure the process is as enjoyable and positive as possible because this aids learning immeasurably, and also makes it more fun.

I feel the best progress can be made in tutoring by systematically going through a topic with the pupil, ironing out any uncertainties, encouraging and explaining until the student feels comfortable with the subject matter. I think it is important to allow the student to express their understanding of the material in their own words. I personally received tutoring at a young age to catch up with French when I moved from state to prep school. I was a bright student in other subjects and I recall a feeling of embarrassment at not being able to complete tasks the rest of the class found easy. The importance of treating each child as an individual learner became apparent as it was only through the undivided attention of a tutor that I began to feel confident and capable.

Despite my own achievements I have in the past found exams nerve-wracking, and can relate to young people who harbour worries about approaching exams, whatever their capability. Bright students can find their tendency towards perfectionism over unnecessary details hinders them, so I try to make sure out sessions put everything in context of the bigger picture.

I have found that a calmer approach in essay writing and revision can be achieved by finding enjoyment in learning something new as a replacement of worriedly trying to resolve something not quite grasped. I hope to encourage my pupils in the same way in order to expand their learning and enjoy doing so.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I live in London working primarily as a tutor and training to be a professional singer with a career in Opera. I am applying for post-graduate vocal studies in London this year. I spent the 2010 summer months working as an au pair and English tutor in and near Bologna, working with ten children between the ages of 3 and 14 which was tremendously rewarding. This year I travelled around South-East Asia and in Scotland.

Testimonials

24/11/2011: I would like to take this opportunity to say that we are pleased with Tempe’s work and planning (Mother of student)

17/10/2011: “Tempe did a great job tutoring my son” (Mother of native Russian student)

26/07/2011: “We are glad to see how our son improves his English with the help of Ms Tempe and he really enjoys his lessons.” (Natalia, mother of 6-year-old, English)

26/07/2011: “We are delighted with the progress Tempe has made with our daughter this year.” (Ann, mother of University student, History of Art)

26/07/2011: “Tempe has worked wonders with my daughter, not only in Geography but in all her subjects giving her a wonderful confidence that I have not seen before in her. “ (Giulia, mother of GCSE student)

01/03/2011: For her last two essays, Laura has achieved a 2.1 and both she and I are delighted. This is a huge boost to her confidence and shows that Tempe’s efforts are having a positive effect.

''Wonderful news for Kit's A levels! A star English. A History and A History of Art. Thrilled for her and so grateful to you for all the amazing teaching'' (History of Art A-level 2010)

''Dear Tempe, Just thought I would let you know that Anthony got an A in geography and 100 per cent in one paper. Thank you so much for your help. He would very much like some more help for A2 so will liaise with you in due course.'' (Geography AS-level 2010)

''Tempe I just wanted to tell you some amazing news! I got an A and B in my geography retakes… think it’s an A overall so am very happy indeed! Thank you so very much for all your help!'' (Geography AS and A2 January 2010)

''My current tutors for History of Art and Geography are fantastic and are making such a difference to work and giving me confidence for these horrendous A Levels that one has to endure!''

''Hi Tempe, I just wanted to tell you that I got an A in my History of Art and a B in my Geography! I was so happy! I just wanted to tell you as you have helped me out so much this year... I'm off to Durham and even managed to exceed my grades required as got AAB so was so happy!! In one of my HoA papers I even managed to get 100%, which really did shock me!'' (Geography A2 and History of Art A2 2010)

''We were very pleased to have met you last Saturday and to receive your thoughts and input on the interviewing and creative writing. Amy was very uplifted by you and inspired by your approach to academic matters. She has written the piece “The Maze” beginning to incorporate the ideas that you have now sown in her mind.''

''I was very impressed with Tempe and very happy with the input she gave at that time and prior to the meeting. Tempe seems to have already inspired Amy to get going with the creative writing practice in preparation for the January 2010 entrance assessments. Thank you very much for having found Tempe to assist us.'' (9+ interview practice and creative writing)

''I got C [improvement from grade E] in geography which I was pleased about. Thank you for all your help.'' (Geography A2 2010)

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