Andy

Experience

• Undergraduate English

• Undergraduate Philosophy

• ELAT (English Literature Admission Test)

• Philosophy Admissions Test

• A-level English (OCR, AQA, Edexcel, CIE)

• A-level Philosophy (AQA)

• A-level Religious Studies (AQA, Edexcel, OCR; covering Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics, and Developments in Buddhist Thought)

• Pre-U English

• Pre-U Philosophy & Theology

• International Baccalaureate English Literature

• iGCSE and GCSE English Literature (CIE, AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

• iGCSE and GCSE Religious Studies (CIE, AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

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 face-to-face tutoring in the UK, I have extensive experience working online with students in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Switzerland, Chile, and the United States.

Biography

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.

My blog posts

28/03/2022: Preparing for English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT)

17/02/2021: Applying to Study English at Cambridge University

25/06/2019: Getting Ready to Start AQA A-Level Philosophy

Personal Approach

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.

What I do when I am not tutoring

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.

Testimonials

Andy is super intelligent and lucid, and understands the exam boards in great detail. He was a huge help to my daughter, who hadn’t really learned how to construct an essay at all, in all her school years. With Andy’s help she was able to do this. He is empathetic, sympathetic, and encouraging. I would recommend him without reservation. (Parent of a Year 13 student)

''I wanted to get in touch with you to express my feedback regarding my daughter’s tutorials with Andy Wimbush. My daughter wished to apply to Oxbridge but felt helpless as to how to tackle all parts of the application and develop the right skills and strategies needed for a competitive application. Thanks to Andy, she was able to build up her knowledge of Literature, learn new approaches and perspectives and received all guidance and support she needed over the several months of the application process. Andy has been able to challenge her and thus always push her to bring out her maximum abilities, and my daughter is endlessly grateful for having had the opportunity to work and learn in such an engaging, creative and stimulating way. Andy has always been genial, positive, encouraging, and excellent at giving constructive criticism that helped my daughter see her strengths and weaknesses and improve her skills in a targeted way. In addition, he also helped her come to an enhanced self-confidence when discussing Literature. He always adjusted his lessons to my daughter’s personal needs and thus ensured that she could get everything out of their lessons. Andy helped my daughter, who was only 16 at the time of applying to Oxford, and who is not a native speaker of English, to go through the application process successfully. Last week, my daughter was offered a place in the college to which she applied. Altogether, Andy’s help was invaluable.'' (Mother of Oxford English Candidate.)

“Just wanted to say thank you for all the help you have given me, and whatever happens, I think and feel like I’m actually starting to write like myself.” (ELAT student)

“Thanks for all the help its been massively useful.” (ELAT student)

''My daughter has been thoroughly enjoying her lessons with Andy. She loves that he pushes her to think about the deeper insights of whatever they are discussing.'' (Mother of Year 10 student)

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed our last lesson, I thought the online platform worked really well and I feel like I’ve had a great start to my ELAT preparations.” (ELAT Student)

"As our daughter started her A-levels Philosophy and she had never studied this subject before. I asked Keystone Tutors to recommend a tutor in this subject for her.

Andy Wimbush has been helping her with her preparations for Philosophy A-level exams and I can highly recommend him. Andy is not only very qualified in this subject but he is dedicated in making the subject undertandable and showed her the different methods one works for to get the grades desired for Philosophy. In the beginning he helped her learn this subjects needs and then started to give her some homework to hone her skills in understanding Philosophy.

Andy is also highly qualified in English and helped our daughter in her EPQ by teaching her to plan well and to learn how to prove and reproof her work. I am happy to say that she received the highest grade possible for this work.

Andy has been a godsend as he knew how to keep her calm and focused on her work during the A-levels two years and exams. He has always been punctual and a pleasure to have in our home." (Mother of A Level Philosophy and EPQ Student)

"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." (Mother of A Level English student)

''Many thanks for all your support for my son, it made a huge difference and I am sure he would not have had an interview in Oxford without your help. He enjoyed working with you and learnt a lot in a very short time!” (Mother of Oxbridge Candidate)

"I think my daughter has been in touch to confirm her offer from Oxford. On my side, I would just say thanks again for your help and support. I do think it made a real contribution to her application and ability to secure an offer." (Father of Oxford student)

''My daughter was demotivated and unenthused with English Language and Literature in Year 10. We met Andy at the start of year 11. We found Andy to be encouraging and enthusiastic. His lessons were well planned and creative. My daughter actively looked forward to her weekly tutorials with Andy. He supported her with exam techniques and past papers. Her predicted English grade was level 5. She achieved level 7 for her English Lit. We whole heartedly recommend Andy.'' (Mother of Year 11 student)

“Thank you so much for all the help, it was an absolute lifeline for my A Levels as a whole and I don't know what I'd be doing now without your help.” (Year 13 Student)

“My son has enjoyed working this year, Andy’s obvious knowledge and considered approach fostered a relationship that was just right for my son. He ended up in the best position to achieve what he set out to do. Please pass on our thanks to Andy.” (Mother of Year 13 student)

“I just wanted to say thanks for all the support you've given my daughter this year. She's so enjoyed her lessons with you and you have really given her extra confidence.” (Mother of Year 13 student)

“Thanks for your great help with my daughter this year! I am delighted to see her growing in ability and confidence with your teaching and encouragement. I look forward of your continued support!” (Mother of Year 11 student)

“Thank you so much for taking on the challenge of tutoring our spirited daughter through her 11+ entrance exams. This is what she said about you: 'Andy made lessons fun, and he was really good at explaining things. He was patient and kept going over things until I got them right. He gave me confidence for my exams and I don’t think I could have done so well without him.’ As you know we were amazed when she was offered a place at every school she applied to. And she’s much looking forward to starting at St Paul’s next term. We are very proud and very grateful to you.” (Mother of Year 6 student)

“Andy was amazing! My daughter found him very helpful and taught her some really useful exam techniques - including how to organize her paragraphs and other tips for getting the marks (this is where she has trouble - she can think well but doesn't always tick the boxes the examiners want her to!). Thanks so much for finding him.” (Mother of Year 12 student)

“My daughter was very positive about your first lesson. She felt she learnt a lot and was surprised she had not been taught those things before! She said she wrote a paragraph and 'it felt good' which is fantastic to hear.” (Mother of Year 11 student)

“Thank you for all your help, I think my daughter is really starting to believe in her own abilities and is producing work of a much better standard.” (Mother of Year 13 student)

''Thank you so much for your help over the last couple of months. I’ve really enjoyed our lessons!'' (Home-schooled A Level student)

''We are so happy with my son's A grade. It goes to show how hard work and perseverance pay off. Thank you so much for all your help and guidance.'' (Mother of Year 13 student)

''Just to let you know I got an A in my philosophy so am going to Kings next year! Thanks you very much for your help with everything this last year.'' (Home-schooled student)

''Just opened a letter stamped with a gorgeous A for English literature. I really wanted to thank you for all your help, you have no idea the difference it made!'' (Year 13 student)

''A massive thank you for the amazing tutoring and preparation you gave my daughter, we are very grateful indeed!'' (Mother of Year 11 student)

''She got an A! We were both just saying that we wanted to get in touch with you so thank you for being one step ahead. I cannot tell you how much we have appreciated your guiding hand. You and your colleagues were real stars from day one and I think we'll be calling upon you again.'' (Mother of Year 13 student)

''She got AAB. She is so pleased with her results. Thank you for all your help.'' (Mother of Year 13 student)

''She got her A, so all is well for next year. Very many thanks for all your work with her - your input has no doubt been invaluable.'' (Mother of Year 13 student)