Matilda is an experienced tutor with an impressive track record, having taught over 2,800 hours through Keystone. She is enthusiastic and encouraging and her students grow in confidence and self assurance under her guidance, really preparing them for their exams.
Matilda teaches: 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 13+ English, GCSE English, AS/A Level English, Verbal Reasoning & Non-Verbal Reasoning
''Matilda is amazing, super kind and attentive to the children. They are really enjoying the lessons. My son said he is learning a lot and also having fun. My daughter also likes her very much. The lessons are a success!''
Mother of Year 5 and 7 students11+ English & Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams
13+ English: ISEB and public school entrance exams
GCSE/IGCSE English Language: AQA, Edexcel and OCR
GCSE/IGCSE English Literature: AQA, Edexcel and OCR
GCSE/IGCSE History & Philosophy: AQA, Edexcel and OCR
AS/A-level English Language: AQA, Edexcel and OCR
AS/A-level/IB English Literature: AQA, Edexcel and OCR
I have experience tutoring English as a Foreign Language, English as a Second Language, and Oxbridge applications.
I grew up spending school years in West London and summers with the American side of my family in California. I attended Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith. I graduated from Oxford in 2014 where I studied English Language and Literature and achieved the university's Shakespeare Prize. After graduation, I completed a Master's Degree in Creative Writing in which I achieved a Distinction. I worked for a magazine in South America and as an English teacher in Japan. I now live in South London and work as a freelance screenwriter and tutor, happy to give online or in-person sessions.
Often, children and teenagers think that being good at English is using a lot of fancy thesaurus words. However, at all levels, successful English work is concise, clear and focused.
Over my five years with Keystone, I have honed my teaching technique. I usually start by taking the student ‘back to basics’. We look at how to structure a sentence, then a paragraph, then the whole story or essay. Next, we think about accuracy, getting rid of unnecessary words and ideas. Once my student is confident with all this, we think about interesting vocabulary and language techniques as well as analytical 'close reading' skills. I try to show tutees that writing is like a fruit salad: you don't want too much of any particular feeling, idea or language technique. Variety is key.
I like to use lots of short, timed exercises, particularly with younger children, moving quickly from one activity to the next. I always build a rapport with my tutees, shaping activities around their interests and learning style as much as possible. When the student enjoys sessions, we achieve so much more.
I think reading is absolutely vital to improving spelling, vocabulary and grammar. I am always delighted to recommend titles to my students, at every level.
I love working with young people as they haven’t yet learned the clichés and often come up with ideas that are imperfect but delightfully ambitious and unexpected.
When not tutoring, I am a writer. I’ve written since I was 8, when I’d scrawl out long, illustrated stories with 50 characters who I would name one by one. I had a play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018 and my comedy drama pilot was produced for BBC3 last year. I try to make the most of living in London by exploring different areas even though a lot of my spare time is spent binging new shows on Netflix. I swim and run as much as I can. A huge reader, I try to keep up with new titles in literary fiction. I have received specialised Keystone training in safeguarding as well as the curricula for English and Mathematics.
"Matilda tutored our son for the English 13+ Common Entrance exams, guiding him through the various requirements and supporting him to get his offer at Eton confirmed. Matilda is a fantastic teacher, motivated and our son thoroughly enjoyed the classes. A big thank you for all the hard work over the last 2 years!"
Parent 13+ student 2021"I am writing to let you know D's results: She got offers from all the schools to which she applied (St Paul’s, City, South Hampstead, Godolphin) and 2 academic scholarships (from JAGS and FHS). Thank you again so very much for all your wonderful work and support. You did such a great job with her and I thank you."
Parent of 11+ student 2021"just had our first classes with Matilda. Thank you for sending her over. M really enjoyed having a tutor and one-on-one time, his enthusiasm was through the roof."
Parent of year 5 student 2022"Matilda is a good tutor, 10/10!"
Parent of English A Level student, 2019"Matilda is amazing, super kind and attentive to the children. They are really enjoying the lessons. X said he is learning a lot and also having fun. X also likes her very much. As you wrote, the lessons are a success!"
Parent of year 4 and year 6 students, 2019"Matilda did a few holiday sessions with our 8 year old daughter and she was reliable and professional. She had a great rapport with our daughter who really enjoyed the sessions and we'll miss her."
Parent of year 4 student, 2019"It gives me a great pleasure to recommend Matilda, who has been tutoring my sons for a couple of months for the last two years. I would like to emphasise the fact that Matilda was able to get the best from my sons in just a couple of months. Her kindness and professionalism have impressed both myself and my sons. I have asked also my boys for an opinion on how Matilda was and their answer was: ''simply the best''."
Parent of two 11+ students, London, 2017"Matilda was a very understanding and useful tutor. She helped me go from a grade C in my mock to a grade A* in my actual GCSE! I would definitely recommend her as an English tutor. Thank you for helping me achieve more than I was expecting in both English exams!"
GCSE English student 2017"Matilda really helped me boost my confidence and positivity for my Oxford ELAT exam. She is intelligent, caring and very enthusiastic about English Literature."
Oxford English Applicant"Matilda's tutoring was invaluable and it provided me with a foundation to take my University application and essay writing to the next level. She goes the extra mile and gave me tips and advice that were extremely helpful and gave me assurance in a daunting application process."
Oxford English Applicant''Matilda was brilliant. To keep T engaged and happy is a win. He is actually excited for the next session.''
Parent of 11+ student 2020''Great news- X got a very good pass into J social at Radley! He's so relieved. Please let Matilda know she was excellent and thank her!''
Parent of 13+ student, 2018''My daughter X has been really enjoying the lessons with Matilda. She is well experienced in the 11+ exams and takes care to also send additional materials to help her with the preparation. My daughter will be attending St Paul's Girls' School in September.''
Parent of 11+ student, 2017''Our daughter immediately connected with her and happily looked forward to the sessions, independently preparing any homework that Matilda had requested. We found Matilda a very reliable, patient and a natural teacher.''
Parent of 11+ student"It went really well. Matilda was lovely; my daughter really liked her and enjoyed the experience. Matilda put her at ease straightaway, which can be quite hard to do! And it sounded like she concentrated really well for the full hour."
"My daughter really enjoyed her sessions with Matilda. She is very kind, fun and enthusiastic. She is also very methodic and really knows what she is talking about. She seems particularly familiar with all the different exam formats which is a big plus." (Mother of 11+ student)
