Tom

Experience

- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation for Pre-Tests and entrance exams

- 11+ English and Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams

- 13+ English Maths

- GCSE Maths (all exam boards)

- GCSE English Literature (all exam boards)

My students have been offered places at Harrow, City of London, St Paul's Boys, Queen's College, Channing, Wilson's and Haileybury (in Years 7, 9, and 10).

Biography

I grew up in Folkestone where I attended the Harvey Grammar School. I achieved A-Levels in English Literature, History, Media Studies and an AS-Level in Mathematics. I then went to the University of Warwick and I graduated with a First Class degree in Film and Literature.

After my undergraduate degree, I remained at Warwick and was awarded a PhD in 2009. During my postgraduate study, I got my first taste of teaching; I taught seminars and lectures in both the Film & Television Studies and the English Literature departments.

I have worked as a private tutor in London since 2010; I started teaching A-Level and University level students, but, since 2013, I have primarily taught young people between the ages of 10-14 for entrance exams or homework support.

Personal Approach

I take a very grounded and personable approach to tutoring. I always work to get to know and build a relationship with the pupil. I like hearing about their work at school and about their extracurricular activities & interests. This approach encourages students to open up and trust me. As a result, I can help them achieve their goals more easily.

I have a wealth of different materials and worksheets available, but I am also able to quickly devise questions to develop, test and improve specific weaknesses in topics. I use state of the art video conferencing and interactive whiteboard technology when tutoring online, which is very accessible for young people.

My focus is always on encouraging the student to achieve to the very best of their ability, and urging them to have a happy, positive attitude whilst doing so. I enjoy working with students over longer periods of time to properly identify their specific shortcomings and to fully address these.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Outside of tutoring I work as a director & writer for theatre and film. My work has been presented at the National Theatre, Young Vic and at the Cannes Lion Festival of Creativity. I am very passionate about the arts - especially cinema, theatre, music (popular & classical) and literature.

I am a keen runner, who has completed half-marathon & 10K races for charity. I was training for the 2020 London Marathon, but will enter in 2021 instead. I also follow football and am always keen for a conversation with students about the previous weekend's matches.

Testimonials

''Tom is exceptional. Our daughter looks forward to her lessons with him and has learned a great deal. She's gained more confidence in her mathematical skills and the improvement is clearly noticeable. He has done a tremendous job.'' - Mother of Year 5 daughter.

''Tom has been amazing, I can't speak highly enough of him. He gets on very well with both of my sons and they love the challenges he sets.'' - Mother of Year 6 and 5 boys having English & Maths lessons

''Of all the tutors we have employed over the years Tom has been the only one for whom my son wanted to do well'' - Mother of A-Level student

''Tom has been a great help to our daughter...He is calm, clear and teaches in a way that has given her much more confidence in her abilities... Above all, she has appreciated Tom's friendship and support throughout the year. He has always been on her side, encouraging and helping." - Mother of A-Level student