Eleanor

Experience

I have been tutoring primary and secondary level students for over six years, and I have acquired substantial experience and expertise in the following areas:

- Primary and KS2 English

- 11+ English (CE and school exams)

- 13+ English (CE and school exams)

- GCSE English (language and literature)

- AS and A2 level (language and literature)

I have helped some students over the course of an entire academic year or more, and others over shorter, more intensive periods. All my students have made enormous progress during their time working with me, often going up several grades and gaining a great deal of confidence in their abilities. A large majority of my tutees working toward exams have achieved As or A*s.

I have tutored all elements of English Language and Literature study, from close textual analysis to writing extended coursework essays and honing exam technique. I am very familiar with the AQA, OCR, Edexcel, CIE and WJEC exam boards at GCSE and A-Level, and have tutored several students taking the IGCSE.

Biography

I was born and brought up in London, and went on to study English at the University of Cambridge. I graduated in 2009 with a First, then, after a year gaining work experience at the BBC and Wylie Agency, I returned to Cambridge in 2010 to study for an MPhil in Renaissance Literature. I have always loved literature from all periods, genres and cultures, and am particularly fascinated by the poetry, prose and drama of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Since graduating from my Masters degree, I have worked freelance as a film Art Director and script reader for film production companies, as well as carrying out extensive research, writing and editing work for the Melanie Klein Trust and the Institute of Psychoanalysis. I have helped both organisations build new websites, for which I have produced large volumes of written and audio-visual content, including promotional films. I also do writing and editing work for a contemporary artist. I currently live in North West London.

Personal Approach

One of the most important elements in successful learning is active, curious engagement with a subject, and I always make sure to get to know what each individual student enjoys, and how they approach their studies. I know from experience that when you enjoy and are interested in something, the work you put in is both less arduous and more satisfying, and you are far more likely to excel.

I listen carefully to students - I encourage them to do a lot of the talking - and I am good at gauging how they learn and absorb new information. I tailor my sessions to fit them and their learning styles, as this is the surest way for them to learn and make progress. For example, where some students will be very verbal, others will think more visually, and want to map things on the page. I always keep any texts being studied close at hand, so that all discussions and exercises relate directly to them and the student is always relating general learning to their specific set texts, thereby gaining an intimate knowledge of them.

I have often found that a lack of confidence is what holds students back, and have supported and encouraged my tutees in trusting their own ideas and interpretations, really exploring what they are studying, and having high expectations of themselves.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I am a freelance writer, researcher and videographer for the Melanie Klein Trust and Institute of Psychoanalysis, as well as a researcher and communications assistant for an artist. I also read and report on screenplays for BBC Films and various other film production companies.

In my spare time I watch films, take photos, read (a lot), write, go to art exhibitions and the theatre, travel (when I can), and get into the countryside whenever possible!

Testimonials

''My children (working towards 11+ and 13+ exams) have been receiving tutoring sessions at home from Eleanor, which have been of great help to them in settling into their new schools and preparing for future exams. We thank you for your great services and the excellent teaching from the tutor.'' (September 2015)

''Thank you so much for all your help with my daughter (GCSE student); she found the lessons very helpful and she is much more confident because of them.'' (March 2015)

''Eleanor was really good at installing enthusiasm about the books and plays my son (GCSE student) was studying. She got him interested in English again - she did brilliantly!'' (June 2014)

''My daughter really enjoyed Eleanor's approach and always looked forward to the lessons, which were always well-considered and well-prepared. She was extremely adept at questioning techniques which allowed my daughter the time and space to come up with ideas and interpretations herself. Eleanor was extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about her subject and my daughter not only benefited from this but also her lovely manner and natural teaching ability. My daughter described Eleanor as: 'encouraging, thorough, efficient, effective, no miscommunication - I knew exactly what was expected of me and what I had to do for the next lesson'. My daughter went on to achieve a stunning A* in English and this is, to a large extent due to Eleanor's intervention and the fact that she gave her student the confidence to believe in herself. We were really lucky to find Eleanor and are very grateful for all the work she did for our daughter.'' (June 2014)

''My daughter told me she couldn't have got an A* in English (A Level) without Eleanor's fantastic lessons. They really made all the difference!'' (August 2013)