Hugo

I was born in London and grew up in SW6. I have played and studied music since the age of four, and having finished my A-Levels at Westminster School in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and French, I went on to study a degree at Leeds, comprising two very different but equally exciting subjects - Mathematics and Music. Since finishing my degree I have been tutoring alongside writing and performing music of varying styles. I have tutored in subjects across the board but I tend to specialise in Mathematics, English, Reasoning and Study Skills. Particular focus is with exam preparation and I have experience tutoring students applying to a number of different schools. I have taught children of all ages and abilities and my range of focus is from 11+ (year 5 onwards) up to GCSE/IGCSE. I also have a lot of experience working with students who have special educational needs and learning difficulties and I pride myself on finding unique and personalised ways of teaching to accommodate students with a range of abilities and needs.

Having taught a multitude of students of varying levels and abilities, I always feel that my tutoring methods must be adapted to the child based on personality, interests and capabilities. That said, I endeavour to spark interest and excitement in those that I teach, so that the learning process for them becomes a pleasure rather than a chore. I believe learning should be both fun and focussed, and I aim to create a space where students can enjoy learning and feel at ease. My policy is that 'no question is too big or too small' and I encourage students to ask me anything, even if they feel that they 'should' know the answer, or perhaps were unable to ask their school teacher. Often it is difficult for teachers to revisit old topics in the classroom, and as such, these can often become neglected. It is also important that no student is ever made to feel inadequate for not knowing something. I will always endeavour to work carefully and thoroughly with students, rebuilding concepts from the ground upwards where necessary.

An important aim is in my lessons is to build confidence in my students and to allow them to tap into their individual strengths to enable them to tackle areas of difficulty. I especially find that when teaching a subject like maths, which is often stigmatised in schools as being particularly difficult and subsequently, easy to fall behind in, a one-to-one dynamic enables us to really spend as much time as is necessary on tricky concepts. I aim to build a high level of confidence in my students that will enable them to take the subjects in their stride, to be well equipped to tackle forthcoming concepts and problems in the classroom environment and, above all, to enjoy their studies.

I dedicate a lot of hours of my week to tutoring and when I am not tutoring I write and perform music.

I have studied music for most of my life, primarily as a pianist. I attended the Royal College of Music Junior Department for a number of years and spent a lot of time at school and university honing my songwriting and production skills. I have been writing music for the past five years or so, exploring styles such as electronic dance music and experimental music, and I now perform as a solo singer-songwriter with my own original material.

I am also an avid Chess player.