Emma

Experience

* 11+ English, Science, Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams

* 13+ English, Science, Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams

* GCSE English (CIE, Edexcel, OCR, AQA)

* A Level English Literature (CIE, Edexcel, OCR, AQA)

*A Level English Language and Literature (AQA, Edexcel)

*Pre-U

Since 2004 Head of English, Queen’s College, Harley Street, London W1G 8BT

1992-2004 English teacher (years 7-13) Queen’s College, Harley St.

1990 [summer term only] Supply teacher, South Island School, Hong Kong.

1986-88 English (years 7-13) and History (years 7-8) teacher, James Allen’s Girls’ School, East Dulwich, London.

1980-83 English teacher (years 7-13) Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith, London.

1978-80 English teacher (years 7-13) Dr Challoner’s High School, Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Biography

After completing a PGCE at Oxford, I started teaching in a girls' grammar school in Buckinghamshire before moving on to Latymer Upper School, which was then a single sex boys' school. I spent several happy years there before going to James Allen's Girls' School in Dulwich where I taught English and History and was involved in the 11+ selection process. My husband's job took us to Hong Kong for four years where I had a brief spell as a supply teacher at South Island School. On our return to the UK, I took up a post at Queen's College in Harley Street, becoming Head of the English Department in 2004. This involved a considerable amount of work with the North London Girls' School Consortium. I was also extensively involved in Ucas applications, helping to structure personal statements. I retired at the end of the 2015 academic year and intend to devote time to tutoring and to developing my work as an A Level examiner for Cambridge International Examinations.

Personal Approach

Over 30 years experience as an English teacher to girls and boys aged 11-18 is obviously useful. However, in many ways, I consider my life as a parent equally helpful. My four children have negotiated their way through 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry to quite a variety of schools: single sex/co-educational; London day/country boarding/international. We have struggled with dyslexia, anxiously awaited Common Entrance, GCSE and A Level results, dealt with UCAS (including Oxbridge), employed tutors. I am fully aware of the stresses this complicated educational process can put on family - particularly sibling - relationships. As far as possible, tutoring needs to be a positive, cheerful business for all concerned.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Apart from some gentle outdoor pursuits, my principal interest is the study of literature, ancient and modern.

Testimonials

"Our son has just had his result and he got a B in his English language retake, which is pretty amazing! Emma really did well to help our son achieve that. He is very very pleased and rightly so and we are all very grateful to Keystone and Emma for doing such a good job. Thank you." Father of GCSE student.

''Emma is exceptional. Her wealth of experience teaching, setting and marking Consortium and higher level exams is obvious and she is invaluable to my children, one taking 11+ and the other GCSE. Emma's materials are excellent and collected over many years; I know my daughters' school teachers have nothing like them. Emma is sympathetic, friendly and supportive but will stretch and challenge her students and is creative about engaging them. She has "gone the extra mile" for my daughters frequently and understands the SEN challenges one of them faces. Thank you for sending her to us!'' Mother of 11+ and GCSE students

''My daughter I both really liked her. Thank you she's perfect - I wish I'd had an English teacher like her.'' Mother of 11+ student.

"Emma was brilliant and very patient with a reluctant tutee!" Mother of GCSE student.

Emma is exceptional. Her wealth of experience teaching, setting and marking Consortium and higher level exams is obvious and she is invaluable to my children, one taking 11+ and the other GCSE. Emma's materials are excellent and collected over many years; I know my daughters'school teachers have nothing like them. Emma is sympathetic, friendly and supportive but will stretch and challenge her students and is creative about engaging them. She has ''gone the extra mile'' for my daughters frequently and understands the SEN challenges one of them faces. Thankyou for sending her to us!

Stellar English grades; I don't understand how you work such miracles! Thank you so much for all your help, I can't imagine what we'd have done without you, we are absolutely delighted. Lots and lots of gratitude!

Mother of a GCSE student

I wanted to let you know that I got an A in my English A Level and met the conditions of my university offer. I got an A in my re-sit and 68/70 UMS points in my A2 exam so all the hard work paid off! Thank you so much for all your help, patience and support, it really wouldn't have been possible without you.

A Level student

Thank you for the tuition this week. My son not only found it very useful but also enjoyed it. In fact he has been so complimentary about you that his younger sister (2 years younger) would welcome some extra help as well!

Mother of a GCSE student.

My daughter got her A which was a great result in the circumstances. We both wanted to thank you for all your help, encouragement, compassion, good humour and flexibility.

Mother of an A level student