Callum B - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

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“He's fantastic! Just what we were hoping for - my daughter seems more confident already & more cheerful about Geography.”

Parent

I have been working as a tutor since 2014. I have experience working face-to-face and online, as well as classroom teaching experience. My tutoring hours clocked with Keystone are well in excess of 1,000.

I have experience running one-to-one sessions and one-to-many, including courses delivered to top UK and International Independent Schools, most recently for TARA/TSA Oxbridge applicants. Students I have tutored have received offers from Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial, UCL, KCL, various Russell Group Universities, and other world-class institutions including McGill (Canada).

While my background is in English and Geography, I have expanded my teaching areas over the years. I have always had an interest in problem solving, and I am proud to have become one of Keystone's leading TSA/TARA and Critical Thinking tutors. I am increasingly helping students with school and university application processes as well, including formal consultancy through Keystone, as well as interview preparation and personal statement support. I work with students preparing for 11+, 13+, GCSE, 16+, A-level/Pre-U, IB, university entry, university essay writing and dissertations.

I have experience working in a classroom setting. I have experience working with students with learning difficulties (including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, Asperger's and Autism).

I have lots of experience working with students who are experiencing anxiety and stress around upcoming exams/assignments, as well as students with unique learning styles and revision preferences.

Please see a list of subject experience below:

Critical Thinking/TSA/16+ entry:

TSA/TARA - for Oxbridge entry + UCL
16+/sixth form-entry interview preparation
16+ Critical Thinking Assessments (including CAT4)

Geography:

A-level Geography (All boards)
(i)GCSE Geography (All boards)
16+ Geography
Common Entrance 13+ Geography

IB Geography
IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
IB Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
IB English

English

BA/MA English - essay support and exam technique
A-level English (Literature and Language) (All boards)
(i)GCSE English (Literature and Language) (All boards)
Common Entrance 13+ English
11+ English
English Spoken Exams + Presentations

Other

13+ History and Humanities (Philosophy, Ethics, RS)
11+ pre-test and UKiset

Other qualifications/experience

Design and Delivery of a Nationwide tutoring programme in Canada
Postgraduate Course in Creative Writing at University of Cambridge
One Year Leadership Development Program (Edmonton Public Schools, Canada)

I grew up in Buckinghamshire and completed my A-levels at Dr. Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham. My A-levels were in English, Geography and French (plus AS levels in Maths and General Studies). After graduating from Grammar school, I went on to study BA English at the University of Leicester, before completing my MA in English at King's College London. I began tutoring in 2014 while completing my Master’s, and I’m delighted to say that I have never looked back. As someone who progressed through the Grammar school system with the aid of tutoring, I am glad to be able to provide the same kind of valuable support to others. I get a huge amount of joy and fulfilment from helping young people succeed.

Aside from tutoring, I run a career guidance business called Be More Me. The whole idea is to help young people make more authentic and purposeful choices as they move from formal education to the world of work. As someone who initially graduated with no idea of what I wanted to do for work, I’m honoured to be able help students get clear on what it is they want to do and how they want to show up in the world.

I currently live in Edmonton, Canada with my wife and son. We love it here for most of the year, unless it's -40 outside!

“I wholeheartedly recommend Callum. We have been consistently impressed with his punctuality, his flexibility, as well as his positive and patient attitude towards the pupils he tutors. Callum has shown professionalism working with groups of students on a regular basis, all of whom enjoy having him as a tutor.”

Parent

“Our daughter very much enjoyed her TSA preparation sessions with Callum. Although, due to a change in degree choice, she did not ultimately sit the exam, she found the process of preparing and discussing essays as well as working through thinking skills problems with Callum very helpful.”

Parent

“Callum has just left after his 2nd session. He's fantastic! Just what we were hoping for - G seems more confident already & more cheerful about Geography. They have already achieved a fair amount which is wonderful. Thanks so much for finding him for us”

Parent

“We are very impressed with Callum. He does not spoon feed, but makes his students think of the answers; a much more productive approach. He is excellent with teaching the examination techniques. In addition, he is a very pleasant young man who has a very pragmatic approach which is very helpful. Overall, a very commendable tutor who motivates and has the ability to make his subject interesting. We will be booking him in the future.”

Parent

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My first priority is getting students interested in their subject. Curiosity is a natural motivator, and I find that my students’ sense of work ethic and independence stems from building an interest in not just the content, but also the broader idea of personal success.

My sessions are interactive and engaging. I encourage students to go beyond their comfort zone without feeling out of their depth. I am passionate about helping students to grow on both an academic and personal level, and I give students ample opportunity to do both.

My teaching is a nice blend of traditional and modern, and this is flexible depending on each student’s learning needs. I acknowledge and facilitate individual learning styles.

I have been working as an online tutor ever since the initial shift took place from face-to-face tutoring to online. I’m comfortable using technology and online resources to aid my tutoring, and am very forward thinking when I do. However, I am also keen to promote handwritten notes, essays, revision etc. because of the significant benefits: better recall, more thoughtful processing, increased engagement, reduced distractions/screen time etc. Ultimately this approach is adapted to student preferences and learning styles as well.

I set homework tasks each session with clear expectations and with long-term objectives in mind. Each homework task is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour, though this is flexible depending on various factors.

Finally, I keep in regular communication with parents, and happily make myself available for catch up messages/calls etc. in addition to the regular monthly written report.

Aside from tutoring, I run an education and career consultancy business called Be More Me. The mission is to reinvent traditional career advice by taking a more holistic and integrated approach, looking at all aspects of a young person's life. This was created in response to the challenges faced by many of my students, who, regardless of their success in the classroom, are ultimately unsure of how to make an impact in the world in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.

In my free time, I love to play piano and produce music. I’ve always loved sport, health and fitness as well. I grew up playing football, and Arsenal is my team (though admittedly I have taken on Spurs fans as clients!).