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Kate

Kate

Professional Keystone Tutor

Kate is a first class law graduate who joined our team of full time tutors in 2017 and taught in a school before joining Keystone. She has tutored over 4,300 hours through Keystone and helped over 190 families.

Kate is a professional Keystone tutor. This means Kate:

  • ✔  Engages with Keystone's bespoke professional development programme
  • ✔  Works exclusively for Keystone on a fully employed basis
  • ✔  Is committed to tutoring as a career and profession

We believe these factors combine to make a unique difference to the level of commitment we can assure, as well as the quality of teaching that our professional tutors offer.

Kate teaches: 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 13+ English, 13+ Maths, GCSE English, GCSE Maths, AS/A Level English, AS/A Level Maths, Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT), Law

''Kate Mackenzie was wonderful. She tutored and helped my son on his LNAT exam which ultimately helped him achieve a score that is of the top 2% in the world. This has obviously helped him secure an offer from the law school of his dream, King's College London. Highly highly recommend Kate.''

Parent of student based in Malaysia

About Kate:

Experience

• LNAT Exams and Undergraduate Law Assistance

• Oxbridge Admissions tutoring; including personal statement and interview tutoring.

• 11+ English and Maths: ISEB; public school entrance exams; and pre-tests (in particular in relation to Eton, City of London School, Harrow, Latymer Upper, Queensgate and Godolphin and Latymer)

• 13+ English and Maths: ISEB; public school entrance exams; and pre-tests (in particular in relation to Kings, Charterhouse, Oundle, Sevenoaks and Eton).

• 16+ English and Maths (in particular in relation to Benenden and Rugby)

• I/GCSE Maths: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• I/GCSE English Language: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

• I/GCSE English Literature: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

• AS/A Level English: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

• AS/A Level Maths & AP Pre-College Maths: Various exam boards

• Preparing International students for entrance exams of all levels or to help such students keep pace with the UK National Curriculum standard.

I have experience tutoring English and Maths for 11+ and 13+ examinations, school entrance exams and public exams such as GCSEs. I additionally teach Maths to A-Level. As well as covering syllabus content comprehensively, I can help students prepare with revision and exam technique to ensure a strong basis for achievement.

Previously, I have both tutored privately and worked briefly within university-level academic marking. I have also worked as an in-school tutor at Heanor Gate Science College teaching English and Maths at GCSE level. I have delivered group and one-to-one interventions with students who, for a variety of different reasons, were not predicted to attain their target grades. I have received positive engagement from all pupils and the resulting assessments and grades reflected a substantial increase in progress across the board, with many exceeding their predicted grades. I have also performed cover supervision and unqualified teaching with full sized classes from year 7 to year 11 and in subjects ranging from English and Maths to Citizenship.

Due to my in-depth familiarity with exams and mark schemes, I have experience writing GCSE revision resources for my fellow teaching colleagues and was personally responsible for the creation of a school-wide scheme of English GCSE intervention resources which has subsequently been rolled out school-wide. I have also helped to create additional Law resources for use at Keystone and write educational blogs on the UK admissions test for Law.

I also carry out work with students abroad, such as from Singapore, to help them maintain a level with the UK London Schools in order that any transition to a UK based education is as smooth as possible. Additionally, I enjoy helping students prepare for the common entrance exams as well.

Biography

After receiving A grade A-levels in Maths, English Literature, Critical Thinking and Art Graphics from the Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre, I moved East to study Law at the University of Nottingham. I completed my degree with first class honours, a merit in New Zealand Law, and an ambition to move into teaching.

Having tutored privately during my undergraduate degree, I transitioned into an in-school tutoring role in Derbyshire where I found a passion and aptitude for teaching and tutoring. After seeing my last GCSE cohort through their English and Maths examinations, I moved to London to start a career as a professional Keystone Tutor, where I have been working for the past six years.

Approach to Tutoring

Students both succeed and struggle for a variety of individual and unique reasons and, consequently, it is important always to take ones approach from evaluating and reflecting on the learning style of the individual student at hand.

In my experience, however, success can often be achieved by bringing complex subjects back to their fundamentals. This allows for the effective identification of issues in understanding and builds an enduring sense of confidence upon which students can develop. I try to combine this general approach with an engaging attitude, a high expectation of independent and creative work, and finally a supportive, knowledgeable environment for error and development.

When working towards specific exams and entrance tests, it is key to make additional extensive use of the relevant content syllabus, exam reports and mark scheme to familiarise students with effective strategies for achieving success. In the case of university admissions tests and applications, there is no single mark scheme one can look to. This is when my years of experience working with students applying to all top universities can really help; I have gained a wealth of experience about what top schools want and how this can be achieved.

I also have specific experience tutoring students from schools abroad, such as the Stamford American School and the Tanglin Trust School in Singapore, and feel confident in my ability to help coach such students through the new territory of London School Entrance Examinations. I enjoy online tutoring and feel that, with the right approach, it is every bit as engaging as face-to-face sessions.

When not tutoring

Aside from my role as a professional tutor, I am also a freelance illustrator; art is one of my greatest passions. The other is climbing - and when my brain needs a break, I will mostly be found at the local climbing gym! Aside from drawing and climbing, I also like to spend my time on personal learning. Whilst working with Keystone, I have gained a Masters in illustration and undergone a climate law internship with an NGO. I continue to practice playing the piano (decently), the ukulele (terribly) and am learning French.

What parents say about Kate:

''I am writing to let you know that I have been accepted to read law at Cambridge! I want to thank you so much for all your help - I could not have done it without all your guidance and encouragement. Despite the fact that it was a lot of work, I really enjoyed every moment! I wish you all the best and thank you so much once again.''

Law Applicant, UK

''I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all of the time and effort you gave me to prepare for my law applications. Oxford offered me a place... I'm over the moon. I really couldn't have passed either the LNAT or the interview without your help and I'm massively grateful.''

Law Applicant, UK

''Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I achieved 31/42 on the LNAT and an offer from Durham today. Without your remarkable patience, knowledge and help I definitely wouldn't have achieved either of those! Thank you so much once again''

LNAT Student, UK

''I am delighted to let you know that I have just received an offer from Cambridge!! Thank you so much for all your help and assistance in making this happen... Thank you so much for all your help. I really enjoyed our time together and you have definitely been extremely helpful.''

Law Applicant

''More good news! [Our daughter] received offers yesterday from all of the schools to which she applied at 11+! ... It’s in no small measure down to your tutoring. She often says ‘Kate told me how to do this’ when doing a sum or when helping [her sister] with her homework. You’ve really unlocked her confusion around maths during this past year and we’re all incredibly appreciative.''

Mother of 11+ Student

''We heard last night that [our son] was successful in his entrance examinations and interviews and has been offered a place at Norwich School in Sept."

Mother of 13+ student

"We just wanted to say thank you for your contribution to [our son's] achievement. You were exceptionally professional and showed great patience in your approach to tutoring. I am sure that your support was critical in ensuring [our son's] success. Thank you again"

Father of 13+ Student

“Kate is one of the best tutors I’ve ever worked with. The kids all seem to really get on with her.”

Kate Cook head of department English Heanor Gate Science College.

''I have indeed been accepted at Queen Mary University. Thank you so much for your help!"

Law Applicant

''With the tests behind [our daughter] and the results in, I wanted to personally thank you very much for your help and attention over the past few months. [Our daughter] has genuinely enjoyed your lessons. Your advice will serve her well''

Mother of previous 13+ student

''With the tests behind [our daughter] and the results in, I wanted to personally thank you very much for your help and attention over the past few months. [Our daughter] has genuinely enjoyed your lessons. Your advice will serve her well, way beyond the tests, as very helpful guidance about how to approach her academic work in general.''

Mother of 13+ Student

''You had her attention right from the start - and she came from a base of being a little negative about the concept of an online tutoring format. I think you are so gifted in the way you related to my daughter and taught her, unwrapping the problem in a helpful way, but still challenging her to believe she had the capacity to find the solution. The way you do it with humour and make it fun – honestly, it was an education watching you in action! Thanks for the clear follow up and notes below.''

Mother of Year 6 student

‘’Just wanted to inform you that I obtained 8/9 in my IGCSE! I’m really satisfied with my grade and you helped me so much to get it. Thanks for everything, you helped me so much, taught me a lot and it was a pleasure having lessons with you! I really hope other students get to have the same IGCSE tutor that I had’’

GCSE Maths Student

''Kate is fantastic, patient, encouraging and makes things that seem difficult at the start much simpler by breaking it all down for my daughter. I feel confidence growing in her, Kate makes everything very relatable.''

IGCSE Maths student in Singapore

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