Tom

Experience

- 10+ preparation for King's College Wimbledon and City of London;

- General motivation, study-skills advice and mentoring;

- 11+ English and Maths: ISEB, public school entrance tests, London 11+ (including, but not limited to: St Paul's Girls School, City of London School for Boys, Latymer Upper, Godolphin & Latymer, City of London School for Girls, Emanuel School, Alleyns School, Dulwich College)

- 13+ English and History (Common Entrance and entrance examinations).

- 16+ English, History and Government and Politics: public school entrance exams and interviews. 

- (I)GCSE History (CIE, Edexcel, OCR and AQA)

- A-level History and Government and Politics (CIE, Edexcel, OCR and AQA)

- IB History (SL and HL)

- PreU History

- Oxbridge preparation

- UCAS advice

- Undergraduate examination and dissertation preparation

I specialise in and have worked as a tutor for: preparation for 11 and 13+ examinations in English, Maths and History; preparation for English, History and Politics for public examinations; and in mentoring and tutoring for the Oxbridge admissions process (including applications, admissions tests and the interview).

I also have experience of online tutoring, including with clients in Singapore and Hong Kong.

In terms of pre-tests, I recommend building up a thorough knowledge of the 11+ Maths and English syllabus and focussing as much as possible on comprehension, grammar and cloze 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. 

Biography

My childhood was spent mainly in rural Cheshire. I completed my secondary schooling with A ‘Levels in History, French, Politics and Spanish. As an undergraduate I read History and Politics at and was a scholar of Christ Church, Oxford. I have worked as a Professional Tutor at Keystone since 2015. 

My blog posts

19/02/2021: Applying to Study History at Oxford University

21/09/2020: A Complete Guide to Oxford University Interviews

12/11/2015: How to Succeed at Essay Writing

Personal Approach

The common thread to my tutoring is that it is individual-based; it is geared around a recognition that ability, circumstances and character differ from student to student. 

The methodology and pace may sometimes vary, but the constant in my tutoring is a sympathetic, calm but challenging manner. My tutoring aims to instil confidence, both in the subject I am working on with a student, but also in their general educational and personal development. The aim of my approach is not just to tick boxes on a syllabus or repair specific faults, though both are often necessary components of my work: I set out to not so much teach my students, as to work with them. 

The Oxford tutorial system in particular, but also my relationships with some teachers at school, formed a significant role in my own personal development. I developed a rapport with my teachers and tutors, and this helped me to progress educationally, cultivate various skills and map out my future. It is with a similar temperament that I approach one-to-one professional tutoring.

I also offer an approach that is family-based: that is, I work with multiple siblings in many families.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Besides tutoring, I am the owner of an indie publishing company, I am also particularly interested in social mobility in education projects and participate in a number of Keystone pro-bono initiatives.

Testimonials

Tom is a wonderful history tutor: thorough, intelligent, clear and constructive. He has a sense of purpose at all times, and knows how to guide a pupil through waters that can be quite challenging, communicating also the requirements of the exam board in question. He is also consistently encouraging, and in this way good for a pupil’s morale - I think he helped my daughter enormously. After each lesson, he sent me an excellent summary of what they had done, and what they were working towards. In short, he seemed wonderfully organised overall. I can’t recommend him too highly. Thanks Tom! (Parent of a Year 13 student)

''Thanks for your support over the last year. It has been great working with you. We appreciate the well structured sessions, honest and comprehensive feedback and, importantly, that you have made the process enjoyable for our son.'' (Parent of Pre Test student)

''My daughter has found Tom’s sessions invaluable. She has really valued his guidance and has gained a huge amount of confidence in her abilities and in her understanding how to approach the HAT itself and more generally towards Oxford admissions.'' (Father of HAT applicant)

"Thank you for your miraculous work with my son over the last year. I can't tell you enough how grateful we are for your calm approach, your encouragement and your diligence. For my son to be accepted by St Paul's is wonderful for him, a relief for us and 100% testament to your sessions with him." (Mother of 11+ deferred candidate for St Paul's School)

''Tom is amazing, he is such a great tutor and my kids love learning with him. He is so thoughtful and efficient and has given the children confidence as he really understands them. His feeback is very clear and efficient and we feel it is a real collaborative effort.'' (Mother of 11+ and 10+ deferred entry students)

"But what is long overdue, of course, is our thank you for all your time, energy, and positivity over the last two years. My son has so enjoyed his time with you, even when he did not necessarily enjoy the learning itself! We are grateful. Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly and as my wife mentioned in her email, for putting such effort into my son. While you were clearly focused on his preparation for the exams, we were always impressed with how much time you put in to get to know him and to understand what might motivate him. You have made an impression on him that will last for many years." (Mother and Father of 11+ Student)

"I feel very lucky to have someone so wonderful teaching my children, we love your sense of humour and sensible advice. Thank you for all you do for them." (Mother of 11+ student)

“I just checked my History results today and I am so happy to tell you that I achieved an A in History! Thank you so much for all of your help, it has been invaluable and incredibly useful and I can't thank you enough for all the time you took to get me this far.” (IGCSE History student)

''I do want to say that I think Tom has been a 'gift' - aside from his obvious ability as a tutor, his real skill likes in his ability to understand the whole child and to have a holistic view of the task at hand within the overall context of family values and life's day-to-day challenges. We are very much enjoying having Tom work with our son.'' (Mother of year 5 student)

''Tom was really great and really helped me get a hang of the TSA. His comments and suggestions were very useful.'' (TSA Student)

“You are energetic, sensitive, caring, organised, stimulating and inspiring - you have become a vital part of our lives. Thank you for everything that you have done for our family.” (Mother of Keystone student)

“Thank you so much for all your help. You were so patient and encouraging to my son and you taught him brilliantly how to approach those source and essay questions. It was just what he needed to give him the confidence in his exam!” (Mother of CE History/English student)

'We could not be happier with Tom. He thinks beyond the subjects he teaches (English and maths) and proposes work plans that educate George in the broader sense. For example, Tom has suggested George picks a topic he is interested in and the English lessons will then focus around this topic. This holistic approach to teaching is great and George continues to thoroughly enjoy the lessons. We’re very lucky to have Tom as a tutor.' (Mother of 11+ student).

'It’s been great weeks with Tom. My daughter is progressing hugely. She had been challenged and felt satisfied with the lessons with Tom.' (Mother of 11+ pre-test student).

'Tom really made a connection with my son. He remarked that Tom is a wonderful teacher and he enjoyed every single one of his lessons. So much so that he would like to continue having weekly sessions with Tom.' (Mother of 13+ scholarship - Winchester = student.)

“My son did the scholarship exam for Westminster School, everything went well. Tom Perrin has been with us for about two years and has been an exceptional tutor both in history and English, I could not praise him enough.” (Mother of 13+ scholarship (Westminster) student)

“My son is very excited about starting at Cambridge. He and I are mindful of your contribution to his success, so thank you very much!” (Mother of Cambridge university student)

“I wanted to provide some feedback on one of your excellent tutors, Tom Perrin. We were fortunate enough to be introduced to Tom through another family at our primary school who recommended him highly. Tom helped our son prepare for the 10+ exam this past February at St Paul’s.” (Mother of 10+ student)

Our son immediately connected with Tom and, despite his initial reluctance to the idea of a tutor, very much enjoyed their sessions. Tom quickly got to know him and identified his strengths and gaps, which allowed us to focus on specific areas in preparation for the exam. Throughout the process Tom was always positive and constructive in his advice and perhaps most importantly, really helped build his confidence leading into the exam.

Our son performed well on the exam and was asked back for an interview. During the interview we were told that his scores were in the top 10% of all the candidates which is a credit to his hard work but also to Tom’s ability to teach and inspire children. He is really fantastic and we are so grateful we were able to work with him. We have passed on our thanks to Tom directly but I also wanted to let you know what a positive experience we had. I recommend Tom to anyone I know who is looking for a tutor.'

''Thank you very much for the good luck and training! You are my favourite teacher! I will tell you how it went on Wednesday'' (11 + student).

''Today we handed the offer acceptance form to Ibstock Place School. This marks the end of a long journey on a hard road in which you were the guide for him. Thus, it would be our pleasure to celebrate this success over dinner with you sometime''. (Father of 11+ student).

''I thought you would be pleased to hear that my daughter received an A* grade on her mock history exam. I'm sure she will take your advice as stated in your report. I will be in touch if she needs more support in the future.” (Mother of History GCSE student)

''Thank you for all your help and support for my son, he's really enjoying the lessons.'' (Mother of GCSE History student).

''Thank you so much for helping me prepare for my mocks because I don't think I would have achieved that grade without your help. I now feel slightly more confident for the finals, and I think that in the finals I want to try an aim for a level 7 overall''. (IB History student)

''I am unbelievably pleased to tell you I got an offer from Harris Manchester College. They sent me off to the old people! So, so happy, I’m in tears. Thanks again for your help, I literally walked into the interviews with your voice in my head saying ‘make sure you answer the question’!'' (Oxford History university applicant)

''I want to thank you for everything over the past few months, I have really enjoyed our sessions.'' (Oxford university P.P.E. applicant)

''I read my son's thesis following your input. It is looking much better and I’d like to thank you for all the work that you put into giving him the guidance that he needed. Thank you very much.'' (Father of undergraduate History student)

“My son got a great deal out of the three sessions.'' (Father of A Level History student)

''Tom, great news! My son was offered a place at Whitgift! Thank you very much for all your help. My son is very excited....'' (Father of 13+ student)

''... desperate to tell you he got in... Miracle dictum as my grandfather used to say.'' (Mother of 10+ St Paul's Junior student)

''I just got my results and I got a 6 in History with 40 points overall!!!!! When I saw my grade I was so happy, overjoyed and surprised!! I never thought I could actually pull off a 6 in History, but now that I have I am so happy. Thank you so so much for all of your help and support!!! Not just in the History exam, but in other exams and in the days and hours leading up to results the phrase that you told me before my exams just ran through my mind - ''Have confidence'', and I know that this phrase will continue to stay with me throughout my university life, career and beyond. I am happy to say that I have met the grades for Bristol and will be starting in September! Thank you so much for your help and encouragement!!!'' (IB student)

''Tom, thank you for everything! We will miss your bi monthly visits'' (Mother of Common Entrance History student)

''I got my results back today and I'm really happy, everything went really well and I got an A in history. Thank you so much.” (Common Entrance History student)

''Hi Tom, just wanted to say thank you for your help during the year, been great, with everything, not just the Politics!'' (AS Politics student)