Philippa

Professional Keystone Tutor

Philippa is a dedicated tutor who specialises in 11+/13+ English and Maths, as well as French. She joined the team in 2015 and has taught well over 6,300 hours with Keystone.

Philippa is a professional Keystone tutor. This means Philippa:

✔ Engages with Keystone's bespoke professional development programme
✔ Works exclusively for Keystone on a fully employed basis
✔ Is committed to tutoring as a career and profession

We believe these factors combine to make a unique difference to the level of commitment we can assure, as well as the quality of teaching that our professional tutors offer.

Philippa teaches: 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 13+ English, 13+ French, 13+ Maths, GCSE French, AS/A Level French, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), UKISET

“I can't imagine not having more lessons with you, you are brilliant and the best tutor anyone can wish for.”

Mother of 11+ Student

About Philippa:

Experience
Biography
Approach to Tutoring
When not tutoring

Experience

• 8+ English & Maths: public school entrance exams

• 11+ English & Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams

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

• GCSE/IGCSE French: AQA, Edexcel and OCR

• AS/A-level/IB French & History of Art: AQA, Edexcel and OCR

I have worked with students preparing for exams to schools such as Eton, Winchester, Westminster, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey, Francis Holland, Queen’s College, Queensgate, Sevenaoks and Cheltenham Ladies with great success. For Pre-Tests, I recommend building up a thorough knowledge of the 11+ Maths and English core curriculum and focussing as much as possible on comprehension, grammar and close procedure and mental arithmetic and word problems. I use a variety of activities to target the time pressured nature of the tests and problem solving.

In addition to my day-to-day tutoring, I have previously run weekly English and Maths Study Clubs, which prepare students specifically for their 11+ Common Entrance exams. These are Keystone endorsed programmes that follows the 11+ syllabus.

I also have extensive experience teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to students from international schools who are based in a variety of countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, Italy and France. Lessons take place online, and as well as preparing these students for pre-tests and UK entrance examinations to the top UK schools, I have also helped students, such as those based in China, Singapore and Hong Kong, prepare for the IETLS exam and the UKiset test.

Biography

Having studied English, French and History of Art for A-Level at Tudor Hall School, I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2011 with a First Class Honours degree in French and History of Art.

After graduating from university, I moved to Paris for three and a half years where I worked at an international luxury and lifestyle PR agency before working in the litigation department of a leading international law firm as a translator and personal assistant to 3 French lawyers. I am now fluent in French and have acquired a strong commercial knowledge of the language through the various positions I have held.

I returned to the UK permanently in January 2015 to pursue a full-time career in teaching. I wish to draw on my experience of living and working abroad in order to create a rich and exciting learning environment for my students.

Approach to Tutoring

I am very passionate and enthusiastic about teaching, and take a structured and detailed approach in order to instil confidence in my students and help develop their skills. I have learnt to be adaptable, flexible and dynamic in order to meet the individual needs of each student, and having taught a wide range of ages and abilities across the spectrum, I understand the importance of employing different learning styles and strategies in order to maximise each student's full potential.

When not tutoring

When I am not tutoring, I very much enjoy creative writing and reading. I was a member of an English speaking book club in Paris and set up my own book club with a close friend when I lived in London.

I also enjoy playing a variety of sports, particularly running, swimming and cycling, and am also a keen horse rider. I enjoy physical challenges and have taken part in many charity running and cycling events.

I have a passion for the arts and all things cultural (cinema, music, dance, theatre) and very much enjoy going to galleries, exhibitions and the theatre.

What parents say about Philippa:

''Benenden School has made an offer to our daughter to join Year 10 in September 2023. Your positive influence has made a discernible difference to our daughter’s learning and confidence. We greatly appreciate that your lessons and encouragement elevated her proficiency and contributed to her successful application. Thank you and keep up the excellent teaching!”

Parent of Year 9 student based in Singapore

“Thank you so so much for all that you’ve done for my girls. We already knew you’d worked your magic with our older daughter but when our younger daughter started with you I worried that not even your magic would unlock her potential but you DID!!! You have been absolutely tremendous with helping the girls and laid out the lessons so well for them. They both really felt that the 1-1 tutoring was so helpful!!!”

Mother of 13+ and 11+ students

''Philippa has had a huge impact on both my boys' (aged 13 and 11) English writing, spelling and comprehension skills. Her positive influence was also felt in terms of confidence and general attitude, and she was able to adapt her teaching style to the child’s specific needs, strengths and weaknesses. She has been a reliable and trusted support for a number of years and we shall miss her.''

Mother of students in Year 6 and Year 9

''I just wanted to echo my thanks and appreciation for all your hard work that you put into helping my daughter to prepare for her exam. You really were the most invaluable help and it is a real testament to your skill that she was always so ready and willing to spend time with you and focus on her work, even during the holidays. A fantastic outcome all round and everyone is very excited.''

Father of Student

“I am happy to say that my son got into Harrodian and he will be starting in September. We are so very excited and happy as it was the top choice for us! This achievement would have not happened if we had not got you Philippa! Big thank you from all of us!”

Mother of 11+ student

“My daughter feels far more confident about her Maths now....She acknowledges this is down to the extra work she does with you, so thank you! It was also thanks to your insisting on a methodical strategy and showing the workings that she did so well!!!”

Mother of 11+ Student

“Many thanks for your precious help in making my son so much better in the subject than he ever was before. Your lessons have been too effective, and my son has improved so much.”

Mother of 11+ student

''Philippa he loves you! He is so sincere that the rest of the family wants to meet you!! This is the truth and he is the most sensitive of my three kids. I have to thank you!''

Mother of Former Student

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