Sophia De Rivaz - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Experience

I tutored my younger brother for French, Spanish and Latin GCSE exams. I have tutored the children of various family friends over the past 8 years, for 11+, 13+ and GCSEs. I have also worked for another private tutoring agency.

I am going into my second year teaching English and Media Studies to pupils in Years 7-11 full-time, at a secondary school in West London, and I was awarded a PGCE in summer 2011.

As well as my familiarity with the requirements of the subject, I therefore also have access to a wide range of teaching materials and aids.

Recent Keystone Work:

11+ English: English 11+ for January 2012 - middle-ranking girls' schools (Started: August 2011)

13+ English, 13+ Maths: Online Maths 13+ and English 13+ (Started: September 2011)

11+ English: 11+ English comprehension and composition (Started: September 2011)

13+ English: English 13+ (Started: September 2011)

13+ English: 13+ English (Started: September 2011)

11+ English: 11+ English especially comprehension and creative writing (Started: December 2011)

11+ Maths : 11+ help for Gabriella (Started: December 2011)

11+ English: 11+ English (Started: April 2012)

Biography

I grew up abroad: in Singapore, Malaysia, Belgium and Turkey, but settled in England for prep school (The Dragon) and secondary school (St Paul's Girls School and St Edward's School, Oxford). I was awarded a major scholarship by St Edward's.

I achieved 10A*s at GCSE - including one of the top five highest marks in GCSE Maths in the country that year. I received 4As for A-Level (English, French, Latin, Maths).

I studied Modern Languages (French and Spanish) at the University of Cambridge. I was awarded an Exhibition Award after my first year there. My year abroad was spent in Costa Rica and Argentina, working for charities.

After graduating from Cambridge with a 2'1, I worked at PwC in the audit department for 13 months. I decided it was not the right career for me, so I resigned and spent the following year at Leiths School of Food and Wine, studying for the Diploma. I was awarded a prize for being the runner up for the Laurent Perrier Student of the Year award.

After Leiths, the staff asked me to come back to the school to teach Saturday classes and at evening corporate events.

I am currently working for Teach First (the fast track graduate teaching training programme) teaching English at secondary school level (11-18) in London. I have Qualified Teacher Status (via the PGCE).

Personal Approach

I believe that there is no 'one size fits all' approach; it is important to get to know each and every pupil to be able to personalise lessons so as to maximise their learning and understanding of the subject matter.

At the school where I currently teach, I have to adapt to meet the demands of teaching both A* candidates and pupils who suffer from learning difficulties.

One of the greatest challenges of the subject, in my opinion, is having the confidence to offer one's own interpretation of a text; building and sustaining confidence is therefore integral with every pupil I teach.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I teach English and Media Studies full-time at a secondary school.

In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, going to the theatre, playing sports (anything and everything) and taking advantage of everything that London has to offer.

Testimonials

24/11/2011: Sophia is excellent and we are very pleased with her (Mother of 11+ prep student)

''I am really grateful for all you have done for the girls. They have really enjoyed building a relationship with you, and have learnt so much. You are obviously a very gifted teacher.''

''Many thanks for all of your help. Isabella has thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from your lessons. Her confidence level is gaging high at the moment. We are both so pleased.''

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