Andy W - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Employed Tutor

Andy

Andy holds a BA (double first) and a PhD, both from the University of Cambridge, and an MA from King’s College London. He is an experienced tutor in English, Philosophy, Religious Studies and academic writing skills. Since joining Keystone in 2015, he has taught over 8,500 hours with Keystone and helped over 420 families.

Andy is an employed Keystone tutor. This means Andy:

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

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“My son couldn’t speak highly enough of Andy and not only has progressed enormously under his guidance but also enjoyed his sessions enormously. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending him to any other students.”

Parent

A-level English (OCR, AQA, Edexcel, CIE)
A-level Philosophy (AQA)
A-level Religious Studies (OCR, AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas/WJEC; covering Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics, Developments in Christian Thought, and Developments in Buddhist Thought)
Undergraduate English
Undergraduate Philosophy
ELAT (English Literature Admission Test)
Oxford and Cambridge Philosophy Admissions Tests
International Baccalaureate English Literature
International Baccalaureate Philosophy
iGCSE and GCSE English Literature (CIE, AQA, Edexcel, OCR)
iGCSE and GCSE Religious Studies (CIE, AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

Through Keystone, I have taught courses at several schools, including Tonbridge School, West London Free School, St Ivo Academy, and Kellett British International School in Hong Kong.

I have taught undergraduates studying English at the University of Cambridge in one-to-one tutorials and small groups since 2012, and am especially experienced helping students with study skills, essay writing, and revision skills.

As well as tutoring in the UK, I have extensive experience working with students in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Chile, and the United States.

I was born in London and grew up in Surrey. I attended Tonbridge School in Kent, gaining ten A*-grade GCSEs, and four A-grade A-Levels in English Literature, History, Spanish and Art.

I took my first degree at Jesus College, Cambridge from 2004 to 2007, graduating with a double first in English.

I then studied for a Master's degree (pass with distinction) in Environment, Politics, and Globalisation at King's College London, which led to my first job as Communications Officer for the New Economics Foundation, an independent think-tank and research organisation, from 2008 to 2011.

In October 2011, I returned to academia to write a PhD in English at Darwin College, Cambridge, on the novels of Samuel Beckett. I completed the thesis in 2014. I have taught undergraduates at Cambridge since 2012, and, in 2014, completed the year-long Teaching Associates qualification, accredited by the Higher Education Academy.

“Andy was invaluable in my time in sixth form. He helped me realise the flaws in my personal statement, allowing me to understand for myself what the problems were with it, and thereby leaving me with a better personal statement and a better understanding of why I wanted to apply in the first place. His assigned reading broadened my knowledge and the conversations we had about said reading made me a much better speaker and thinker. His questions were always incisive, testing my positions and forcing me to re-evaluate my own words. Whilst he has been a great help with university applications, the level of intellectual self-reflection he forced in me was of even greater value.”

Parent

“I really enjoyed all of our lessons, and really value the insights you gave me. I feel I improved my writing style but most importantly honed my love of English. Again, thank you for everything – you’ve been a great teacher.”

Parent

“I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for your efforts with my daughter. She absolutely adores you and her sessions with you and you always make her calm and confident. You are just a gift to us.”

Parent

“Andy explained things to my daughter in a really clear way that she completely understood - she felt he tuned into her wave length very quickly. She said it was a real light bulb moment and is super-excited to start putting it into practise. Thanks very much to him.”

Parent

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My teaching philosophy is student-centred: my aim is always to create a supportive, friendly and exciting environment for learning to thrive. I respond dynamically to the needs of each student I teach, shaping my teaching style so that it best serves their personality and interests.

I am particularly keen on making my tutorials as practical as possible. My students are invited to hone their skills in writing, critical reading, research, note-taking, and articulation from the get-go. Through learning how to formulate original ideas and express themselves clearly, my students are able to develop greater confidence in themselves and gain a deeper sense of autonomy and initiative towards their school work.

When I'm not tutoring, I am often pursuing academic research on literature, and continue to write and publish articles on Beckett and other authors. My book 'Still: Samuel Beckett's Quietism' was published by Ibidem in 2020.

I'm a keen hiker and camper, and enjoying finding ever wilder parts of the British Isles to roam around with friends. My other great passion is insight meditation: I spend several weeks a year in silent retreat at a beautiful former convent in Devon.