Matt S - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

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“Matt taught maths brilliantly to all three of my children. They say he was the best maths teacher they ever had. I would wholeheartedly recommend Matt.”

Parent

GCSE Maths
13+ Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams
11+ Maths: ISEB and public school exams, including pre-tests
Primary Maths
Interview practice for 11+ and 13+ entry and extensive knowledge of the independent school system.

I have worked in independent prep schools for over 25 years. During this time, I have been Head of Maths at 3 different schools most notably Cheam School. I have prepared pupils for scholarships to all the top senior schools and more importantly worked with those who have had confidence issues and often struggled with maths, to help them achieve the best maths grades possible to enable them to access their senior schools, at Scholarship, Common Entrance, 11+ and the ISEB pre-test. I have spent 10 years preparing pupils for interviews to all of the top prep and senior schools. I also privately tutor individuals up to GCSE.
I was then Head of an Independent SEND school and so have inner knowledge of dealing with dyscalculia, dyslexia and supporting pupils with SEMH.

My own educational journey began at boarding school from the age of seven before moving to Lancing College, where I was a School Prefect, Head of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and a member of the first XI hockey team. I was awarded an Army Cadetship and, after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, studied for a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Statistics at the University of Leeds while serving with the Light Infantry.
After leaving the Army, I discovered my real passion lay in education. I completed a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics and Physical Education and have spent more than 30 years working in independent schools, helping young people develop confidence, resilience and a genuine enjoyment of learning.
During my career I have been Head of Mathematics at Caldicott School, Head of Mathematics and Housemaster at Bede's School, and spent 20 rewarding years at Cheam School. There, I held a variety of leadership roles including Head of Boarding, Assistant Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Most recently, I was Head of The Unicorn School in Oxford, a specialist independent school supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Alongside these roles, I have always enjoyed tutoring. Working one-to-one allows me to build strong relationships with children, understand how they learn best, and help them overcome challenges at their own pace. Whether a pupil needs support to improve confidence, prepare for examinations, or stretch their academic potential, I believe that encouragement, patience and high expectations help every child succeed.
Having spent my career supporting pupils both in and beyond the classroom, I have now chosen to focus exclusively on full-time tutoring. It is a privilege to work closely with families and to help every child achieve their goals while developing the confidence and independence that will serve them throughout their education.

“We were recommended Matt as a maths tutor, and we couldn’t be happier with the support he has provided. Matt took the time to ask about both our requirements and our son’s individual needs, which showed how much he genuinely cares about helping his students succeed. Matt explains things in a very clear and easy-to-understand way, and as a result our son has gained a lot more confidence in maths. Lessons are always positive and encouraging. As well as being an excellent tutor, Matt is also a genuinely nice person, who is approachable, patient and supportive. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a maths tutor.”

Parent

“Matt has been a fabulous tutor for our son. From the very beginning, he brought Maths to life in a way that truly engaged and built his confidence in the subject. What particularly stood out was Matt’s ability to understand him as an individual learner, identifying some important tweaks that could be made to his access arrangements, allowing him the space to verbalise his reasoning more fully. Matt has also taken the time to get to know him personally, he immediately put him at ease and helped him settle quickly into tasks and lessons. I would unreservedly recommend Matt as a Maths tutor for any age group.”

Parent

“Matt tutored both of our children through Common Entrance. His calm and sensitive approach created a real can do attitude and built their confidence in maths. His knowledge of the syllabus and great way of simplifying complex topics, whilst using everyday examples led to both getting A grades. Thanks Matt you were brilliant!”

Parent

“Matt taught maths brilliantly to all three of my children. They say he was the best maths teacher they ever had. We experienced his skill in broadening horizons at scholarship level but also dealing with a child who found the mathematical concepts harder and needed his patience and clarity to explain ideas and techniques. He was an excellent and empathetic teacher for both levels. I would wholeheartedly recommend Matt.”

Parent

I believe that confidence is the foundation of academic success, and my aim is to create a calm, supportive learning environment in which every pupil feels encouraged to achieve their potential. Having taught and tutored pupils across a wide range of ages, abilities and learning profiles, I adapt my teaching style to meet the individual needs of each child.
Every lesson is carefully planned, engaging and tailored to the pupil's strengths, interests and learning style. While improving academic attainment is an important goal, I place equal emphasis on developing curiosity, resilience and independent thinking. I strive to make challenging concepts accessible and intuitive, helping pupils overcome anxiety, ask questions with confidence and enjoy the process of learning.
By relating new ideas to familiar experiences, interests and real-life contexts, I help pupils build a deeper understanding of the subject rather than simply memorising content. This personalised approach not only supports lasting academic progress but also equips pupils with the confidence and study skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

After many rewarding years in school leadership, I have chosen to step away from the demands of full-time management to focus on what I have always found most fulfilling: working directly with young people and helping them achieve their potential through one-to-one tuition.
Alongside tutoring, I will continue to deliver Mental Health First Aid training in schools on an occasional basis, primarily during INSET days. These commitments are carefully planned and allow me to dedicate my full professional focus to tutoring.
This summer, my family and I are relocating back to Berkshire, placing me within easy reach of London for face-to-face tuition while continuing to offer high-quality online lessons to pupils across the UK and internationally.
Outside of tutoring, I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether walking the dog, playing golf or visiting the North Cornish coast, where our family has many happy memories. I also enjoy cooking and country pursuits. Family remains at the heart of everything I do; my wife is a Senior Nurse at Bradfield College, and our two grown-up children have both followed fulfilling professional careers—one as an osteopath and the other as a professional harpist who is now completing a PGCE.
I bring the same values to my tutoring that have guided me throughout my career: patience, encouragement, high expectations and a genuine belief that every child can succeed when they feel understood, supported and confident in their own abilities.