Alice

Experience

• A-level/IB English Literature: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, IB, OCR and WJEC

• A-level/IB/Pre-U History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, IB and OCR

• A-level Politics: AQA and Edexcel

• GCSE/IGCSE English & History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR

• 16+ English & History: public school entrance exams

• 13+ English & History: ISEB and public school entrance exams

• 11+ English: ISEB and public school entrance exams and pre-tests

I am an Oxford-educated tutor who has taught at top independent schools. I began my career at my alma mater, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), where I taught KS3 and GCSE History and Politics A-level, and was part of the marking team for the 11+ English entrance exams.

I also spent a year teaching KS3, IGCSE and A-level History at Wellington College, where I gained experience of the International Baccalaureate through teaching and helping to develop course materials for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). I was chosen by my head of department to deliver the AS History side of the Easter revision course, receiving enthusiastic feedback from the pupils, all of whom were studying different historical periods, and who went on to gain excellent results. I also developed and offered Oxbridge preparation seminars for the Oxford History Aptitude Test (HAT) and for Politics, and conducted mock interviews, resulting in successful applications from my pupils to courses such as Modern History at Oxford and Politics, Psychology and Sociology at Cambridge.

I then decided to move into full-time private tuition. As well as teaching face-to-face lessons in London, I have worked online with students attending schools all over the world, from the Brearley School in New York to UWC Dover and UWC East in Singapore.

In addition to History and Politics, I chose to specialise in English; my top performance in my own A-level studies in the subject and my continuing interest in it have enabled me to approach English tuition with the same confidence that I bring to the teaching of my degree subjects.

I have helped many 11+ and 13+ students to win places to leading independent schools by increasing their enthusiasm for and confidence in English. For pre-tests, I recommend building up a thorough knowledge of the 11+ English syllabus and focussing as much as possible on comprehension, grammar and cloze procedure. I use a variety of activities to help students adapt to the time-pressured nature of the tests and develop problem-solving skills. I have also guided a wide range of GCSE, A-level and IB students to achieve their best possible performance in the subject.

In recognition of my years spent tutoring English, as well as my prior experience as a classroom teacher, I was appointed Head of English and have served in this role since early 2017.

Biography

I attended James Allen’s Girls’ School in London, where I obtained top grades in my A Level studies in English, History, Politics and Philosophy and was awarded the Harvard Book Prize for my academic performance. I studied for a BA degree in History and Politics at the University of Oxford and went on to take a Master’s degree in Philosophy. I became a teacher of History and Politics at leading independent schools before moving into private tuition.

My blog posts

05/07/2018: Preparing for the Oxford History Aptitude Test (HAT)

01/08/2015: Book, line and sinker: fostering a love of reading

Personal Approach

I welcome the focus on the individual learner that is a central feature of tutoring, and very much enjoy engaging in the lively dialogue and individualised feedback that enables tutees to grow in confidence as learners. I bring enthusiasm and energy to my tutoring. Thanks to my work as a school teacher, my approach to tutoring is also informed, where relevant, by a sound understanding of the assessment requirements for public examinations and school entrance examinations.

What I do when I am not tutoring

My greatest passion outside the classroom is music. I also take part in a monthly book group. I love to travel; London is still my favourite city, though, and one of the things I love most about living here is the range of museums and galleries to explore.

Testimonials

“I thought I would just let you know that on Tuesday I received an offer from St Anne’s to read History at Oxford! I wanted to thank you for guiding me through the process of the HAT. Your help to me has been invaluable and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you so much.” (HAT student, 2020 entry)

''I found the lesson extremely informative and enjoyed it dearly. Alice was great. She answered a lot of my pressing issues and was super understanding and patient if ever I was struggling. Looking forward to the next one.'' (HAT Student, 2019)

"My daughter is very positive about your tuition and has shown me notes of the class last Wednesday – way above my level but very professional. Thank you so much for tutoring her and helping her with the IB Diploma Programme." (Mother of IB student in Hong Kong)

''I would like to put on record that she was truly awesome and professional throughout. Very impressive young lady.'' (Father of a Year 11 student, GCSE English and History, 2019)

''I am a very proud mum! My daughter was successful in receiving an offer from Oxford at her chosen college to read History and Politics. What an amazing achievement. So happy for her. Thanks to you and all the team for your support, it was very worthwhile and very much appreciated.'' (Mother of Oxford History and Politics applicant)

“My daughter came off the call buzzing and so enjoyed the session. We couldn’t have asked for a better tutor.” (Father of HAT student)

''My daughter has had various tutors in the past and finds Alice absolutely FABULOUS. We are tremendously pleased. Thank you so much - we will be recommending your services!'' (Mother of HAT and LNAT student)

''The lesson went really well and my daughter was so pleased and impressed with you! She is excited about your lesson today.'' (Mother of HAT and LNAT student)

''Thanks for giving my daughter great help with her History. You gave her tremendous encouragement and support!'' (Mother of Pre-U History student)

“Both our children have learned so much from you these past years; my husband and I envy them for the access they have had to your talent and infinite knowledge...” (Mother of 11+ and 13+ English students)

''Alice is an excellent tutor. She had a great rapport with my son. He was able to develop his powers of argument and analysis through discussing Philosophy topics with her. Alice was well-organised, diligent, dedicated and rigorous. She has been instrumental in helping him achieve his 'A' grades and his place at Bristol University to study English and Philosophy.'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)

''My son said that you had helped a lot, particularly in helping him to know how to think through his answers at interview. He enjoyed his sessions with you and they gave him a lot of confidence. Thank you very much for all your help.'' (Mother of Cambridge applicant)

''Thank you so much for the session last Sunday with my daughter. You did such a great job and she now has much more confidence to continue the essay alone. I have told the agency how much she benefited from your help.'' (Mother of GCSE student)

''Just wanted to let you know that my son did extremely well in RS! It seems he got top marks in each section - 60 was noted for each exam and he got an 'A'! Many, many thanks.'' (Mother of AS student)

''Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much for the help you have rendered my son. He is beginning to enjoy history!'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)

''My son has really enjoyed your sessions and we would like to book more for the Christmas break. I know you are going through his AS work, which is so useful to keep it fresh. He will benefit from your skills and input for his A2s as well.'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)

''Just wanted to let you know that our son has been offered a place at Westminster Under School from September this year (which we have obviously accepted)! This is a great result with our first choice of school, so thank you for your help in achieving this.'' (Father of 7+ pupil)

''I just wanted to let you know that my daughter got an offer from 6 of the 7 schools she applied to, including Godolphin! She will be going to Godolphin next year. Thank you for your help, which I am sure contributed to her success.'' (Mother of 11+ pupil)

''Thank you so much for the time you have spent with my daughter. She has found it very helpful.'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)

''As I have mentioned many times over, I am so glad to have found you to help my son with his history. Thanks ever so much again, Alice.'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)

''Many thanks for your patience and teaching all this while. I have truly enjoyed studying history under your guidance.'' (AS/A2 student)

''Once again, many thanks for your patience and kind help with my son's studies.'' (Mother of AS/A2 student)