Jessica W - Tutors - Keystone Tutors
Jessica
Jessica is a published, professional historian and an engaging and dedicated tutor. She is patient and encouraging and equips her students with the confidence and skills to tackle their academic obstacles. She has taught over 3,800 hours with Keystone.
“You are an absolutely amazing tutor. Your level of teaching is so high. I'm going to keep your details so that I can have lessons one day!”
- A Level History of Art: Edexcel (Pearson)
- A Level/IB History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC
- I have supported students to prepare successful applications for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects, from anthropology and law to history, management and finance. My clients have been offered places at leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, LSE and King’s College London.
I have worked for Keystone since 2018 as both a tutor and educational consultant. During this time, I have worked with students of all levels and backgrounds seeking support or stretch with writing in a range of subjects, as well as those preparing to apply or study at leading universities. My areas of expertise lie in the subject areas of history of art and history, undergraduate and postgraduate university consultancy, writing in all subjects and interview skills.
To my work in academic support and writing, I bring a sound understanding of the syllabi and marking criteria of all major exam boards with qualifications in history of art and history, as well as the criteria applied by university markers. Additionally, I have extensive experience helping students to master essay writing technique and research skills for numerous subjects, from religious studies to management.
To my work with university applicants, I bring a detailed knowledge of the application processes for British universities, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I also have a strong familiarity with the key admissions criteria and the most effective strategies for meeting these in written application materials and at interview.
I grew up in south-west Cornwall and completed my secondary schooling with A-Levels at top grades. As an undergraduate, I achieved a First Class degree in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute before going on to do an MA in Cultural and Intellectual History, for which I achieved a Distinction. After working in the book trade in London, I did a PhD in History at the University of St Andrews, where I also taught undergraduates and tutored privately, focusing on writing, as well as interview and communication skills.
In 2018, I began working for Keystone. I have two key areas of expertise:
1) as highly experienced tutor in academic writing, History and History of Art; and
2) working as a university application consultant and tutor, supporting applicants to a broad range of subjects to develop effective, compelling application materials that fully reflect their potential, experience, aims and interests.
“I write to express my thanks to you for your help to my daughter with her history study... she has told her dad and me for many times that the knowledge and skills she learned from you are absolutely helpful for her further study, so we are really grateful for your patient guidance.”
“Jessica is just brilliant! She tests, gives tasks and exercises and then checks. My son got 83% in the History exam. He has not only gained confidence but really enjoyed the lessons.”
“We went for a walk in the afternoon and she was telling me how much she was looking forward to her lesson with you. She could not stop talking about how much she enjoys her class.”
“Jessica's tutoring this year has been very helpful indeed, her analytical approach, patience, and engagement has really helped me to achieve academic goals that I likely would not have alone. Furthermore, her tutoring has allowed me to learn how to research efficiently and in a manner that I have no doubt shall come in useful in the coming years.”
My approach is based on two principles: individualisation and method.
Individualisation: All students are individuals who engage more quickly and work more effectively if they know that the work that we are doing is supporting them to reach their particular goals. Therefore, I adapt my overall approach and strategy, as well as individual sessions, to the goals, timeline and circumstances of each individual with whom I work.
Method: I believe that all tasks, topics and skills can be mastered with a methodical approach and consistent work. For this reason, I plan individual sessions and long-term programmes of work with clear short and long-term objectives. I communicate these objectives clearly and work closely with my clients to reach them, whilst always remaining flexible to adapting our plans and approach.
Outside of consultancy and teaching, I research, write and speak on the history of culture and politics.
I published my first history book, on the Roman Inquisition, in 2020. My most recent book, City of Echoes (2023), is a popular history of Rome and the popes and was published in the UK, USA, Italy, Poland and elsewhere. I occasionally write about history for popular magazines and papers and speak on podcasts, and have appeared as an expert on national radio and TV.
The rest of my spare time is devoted to my family and my naughty Jack Russell, Ludo.
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