Eleanor

Experience

I have been tutoring primary and secondary level students for nine 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 numerous students taking the IGCSE.

I have also tutored a number of undergraduate students, in both English and Film Studies, helping with close analysis of texts and films, and with developing and structuring dissertations.

Biography

I was born and brought up in London, and studied 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.

After graduating from my Masters degree, I worked as an art director and script reader for film production companies. I have since been a freelance writer, editor and digital communications specialist for a range of clients, including the Melanie Klein Trust, the Institute of Psychoanalysis, an artist, and several charitable organisations. I have helped create and develop new websites, including producing original video and photography. I also do freelance editing and proofreading.

I 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 I get to know what each student enjoys, what they find difficult, and how they approach and organise their studies. I know from experience that, when you are interested in something, the work you put in is both less arduous and more satisfying, and you are far more likely to excel in coursework and exams.

I listen carefully to students, and am well practised at gauging how they learn and absorb information. I tailor my sessions to fit them and their learning styles, as this is the surest way for them to make progress. For example, where some students will be very verbal, others will think more visually, and want to map things on the page.

Frequently, a lack of confidence is a major aspect of what holds students back, so I encourage my tutees to trust their own ideas, to push themselves beyond what they think they can do, and to take pride in the achievements and progress that they make. I am a friendly, engaging and very supportive tutor, committed to helping every student do their very best work.

What I do when I am not tutoring

In my spare time I love getting completely absorbed in films - old and new -, engaging with all kinds and styles of art and music, taking photos, walking (ideally in hills), reading (enthusiastically and widely), practising my French - and trying to keep my houseplants alive!

Testimonials

''My daughter got 8’s for both language and literature, which is fantastic, especially given her dyslexia. She was very happy. Thank you so much for your help – it made it much less stressful for her. We both found you a very calming presence!'' (GCSE English Language and Literature, 2020-2021)

''You have increased her confidence so much! I can’t thank you enough for the work you have done with my daughter - she’s come on so much with your help.'' (GCSE English Language and Literature, 2020-2021)

''I received my A-levels results back earlier today and was awarded an A* for English Literature. I just wanted to thank you for your help in tuition - the experience was invaluable.'' (A Level English Literature, 2020-2021)

''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)