Passionate about English as well as Maths, Robyn is an experienced and intellectually sharp tutor. She is particularly strong at extending learners outside of their comfort zone.
Primarily Teaches: 13+ English, 13+ Maths, GCSE Drama & Theatre Studies, GCSE English, AS/A Level English
Also teaches: 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 11+ Science, 13+ French, 13+ History, 13+ Religious Studies, 13+ Science, GCSE Maths, GCSE R.S., AS/A Level Drama and Theatre, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Motivation, Exam Preparation and Study Skills
Small warning: I am an actor, or pursue another profession, which can sometimes affect my availability.
I began tutoring whilst at university, and since graduating in 2010, I have undertaken regular tutoring work alongside my career in theatre. Teaching is my main source of income, and typically I teach regularly Mon-Fri during term-times, and take on ad hoc clients and additional work during school holidays.
I have tutored students in:
- A Level English
- GCSE English
- GCSE Maths
- GCSE Science
- GCSE History
- 13+ English
- 13+ Maths
- 13+ History
- 13+ RS
- 13+ Geography
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ English
- 11+ History
- 11+ RS
- 11+ Geography
- 11+ French
- Primary English
- Essay writing (year 9, GCSE, and degree level)
- Confidence, presentation, and interview technique
- Revision and study skills
I studied teaching methods as a part of my degree and shadowed a Year 9 teacher in support of my dissertation, which offered me an excellent insight into classroom teaching. My theoretical understanding, combined with my practical knowledge of teaching, renders me a most capable tutor.
I have also had experience in teaching groups of students; alongside my degree I regularly held acting and directing workshops for peers, and during my A-Levels I helped out in drama classes with younger students (groups of students aged 11 - 14).
I am a Cambridge graduate - BA(Hon) in Education Studies with English and Drama - who has had 8 years' experience in private tuition.
I teach a full range of subjects, though I specialise particularly in teaching English and Maths 11+, 13+ and GCSE. In recent years I have focussed particularly on 11+ support (inc ISEB pre-test and school entrance exams) and have also taught 13+ scholarship entrants for a number of top UK schools, including successful applicants to Harrow, Eton and Cheltenham. I teach English from primary school through to A Level; Maths from primary to GCSE level; History, Geography, RS and the Sciences 11+, 13+ and GCSE, and essay writing, general study skills and exam technique.
I attended the Grey Coat Hospital School in London, and subsequently Homerton College - Cambridge University.
I am fun and lively, and am particularly good at motivating students who are having trouble concentrating or getting on with a subject. I am happy to tailor lessons precisely to what the student and parent require, and of course am more than willing to offer additional support via email or telephone outside of lessons.
As well as teaching, I also have a career in theatre. I run a theatre company dedicated to hosting cross-arts events, and I regularly take part in acting and directing workshops/ad hoc jobs.
Both my jobs are work I love to do, and find that each complements the other.
My daughter missed the final two months of school before her GCSE’s due to ill health. I asked Robyn to do some extra sessions with her to try to get her through the new GCSE English Language exam. She passed with a Grade 5 which we are all very pleased with. Robyn helped enormously and my daughter would not have passed without her input and encouragement. My daughter was having to use a scribe and Robyn even practiced this with her which was invaluable. Highly recommended.
The first lesson with Robyn seemed to go well. We look forward to seeing her again this coming Tuesday the 10th of December.
"Robyn is excellent - she’s doing a great job with my son. She also seems like a very nice person and reliable." Mother of student preparing for Eton pre-tests.
"I've been meaning to write to you to tell you about the results for the Winchester exam for which Robyn helped my son prepare throughout April. He not only passed the Winchester exam, but was in the top third in all subjects! In English he was in the top five! and did brilliantly elsewhere. His school is very pleased with him and so are we. Robyn made preparing a pleasure for him and that was absolutely key to his amazing results." (Mother of CE Student)
"Robyn was excellent and prepared our son very well for his interview at Imperial College. Incidently, our son has just been made a very good offer today by Imperial. We would not hesitate to recommend Robyn who is very professional and pleasant to be with."
'We are very lucky to get Robyn's professional help in teaching English which one of the most challenging subjects for my son. She is very systematic and well-prepared. She is such a wonderful lady with great patience.' (Mother of a 13+ Scholarship Student)
'' We found Robyn to be a highly committed and caring tutor. She was excellent in textual analysis in English literature, and has a delightful personality to boot. Our child has improved tremendously and very quickly under her tutelage. We would not hesitate to use her services again when the need arises. Highly recommended!'' Mother of 13+ English student (via Skype)
''The good news is that Benjy was awarded one of the top Harrow Scholarships and also won the Deno Leventis prize for the best performance in Classics. We are all delighted. Benjy feels that the work you and he did was one of the main reasons he did so well – so a huge thank you from all of us.''
''Thank you so much for all the hard work you did with me. I enjoyed our lessons and think that they were the primary reason for my scholarship. You are a fabulous teacher and also a lot of fun to work with.''
Mother and student for Harrow Scholarship tuition
'Gaby loved Robyn, we feel so fortunate that there are 2 lovely girls that we can call on. Gaby was so enthusiastic that she wanted to set up a revision time table.' Mother of 11+ maths & history student
'Robyn was such a help, I never would have done so well if she hadn't helped me out. And it was really fun too!' Sade, GCSE maths student. Sade moved up from a predicted C grade to an A in her final GCSE exam
'Robyn was truly great. She really managed to hone Alex's essay-writing skills, as he always tended to run over in exams. She really helped Alex revise his set texts and set him regular homework in addition to the tutorials. I'm really pleased Robyn helped us to gain the A* star grade Alex wanted.'
- Mother of GCSE English Lit & Lang student. Alex gained A* grades for both the Literature and Language papers.