Jessica

Experience

• A Level/IB History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• A Level/Pre-U: History of Art: AQA, Edexcel, CIE

• A Level/IB/Pre-U History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• GCSE/IGCSE English & History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• 11+/13+/14+/16+ English, interview skills, History, History of Art: ISEB and public school entrance exams.

• I have successfully prepared students for admissions at a range of schools including Eton, Winchester, St Paul's, Westminster, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, The Dragon and St Edwards.

I have been a professional tutor with Keystone since 2018, working with students of all levels who need support or stretch with writing and a range of humanities subjects. My areas of expertise lie in History, English, History of Art, interview skills and essay writing in all subjects. I have extensive experience teaching students of a range of abilities and at a range of levels, from 11+ to Postgraduate, and understand the key criteria for admissions at a range of competitive schools and universities. I am familiar with the syllabi and marking criteria of all major exam boards with qualifications in History, History of Art, and English, as well as the criteria applied by university markers. I also have extensive experience helping students to master essay writing and research skills for numerous other subjects, from Religious Studies to Management. Another major area of my work as a tutor is interview skills, in which I have supported numerous individual students and run group courses for Keystone.

Before joining Keystone, I taught undergraduate students studying History at the University of St Andrews and worked as a private tutor in History, English and essay writing.

Biography

I grew up in south west Cornwall and completed my secondary schooling with A-Levels in History, History of Art, Art, and French. As an undergraduate, I studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute before taking an MA in Cultural and Intellectual History. After working in the antiquarian 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 History, English, essay writing, and interview and communication skills.

I spent a year as a fellow at the British School at Rome (British Academy) and published my first history book, on the Roman Inquisition, in 2020. My new book, on the history of Rome and the popes, will be published in 2023. I have worked as a professional tutor for Keystone since 2018.

My blog posts

09/01/2023: Guide to A Level History

Personal Approach

My teaching approach is based on two principles: individual engagement and method.

Engagement: Students are individuals. They learn more quickly and energetically if they are interested in the topic or skill that they are trying to master and have a positive relationship with their tutor. Therefore, I assess each student not only on their academic abilities but also their motivations and personality and adapt my lessons and approach accordingly. Ultimately, my aim is to motivate my students to learn during our time together and long after our lessons have finished, which leads to real transformations in both their approach to learning and the results.

Method: I believe that all academic subjects and skills can be mastered with a methodical approach and consistent practice. For this reason, I plan individual lessons and programmes of study with clear short and long-term objectives. With a clear plan, my students and I can track and celebrate our progress as we go, as well as identifying any areas that need extra work. This approach produces clear academic results and demystifies challenging subjects and skills, building confidence and resilience.

What I do when I am not tutoring

When I am not tutoring, I am researching, writing or lecturing on the history of religion and politics, predominantly in early modern Europe. I publish my work in academic journals, history magazines and some popular magazines. My first book, on the Roman Inquisition and the Jesuits, was published in 2020 and I have just finished writing a popular history of Rome and the popes, which will be published in 2023.

The rest of my spare time is devoted to my family and my naughty Jack Russell, Ludo.

Testimonials

"I have nothing but praise for Jessica and her tutorage. She has been incredibly focused on addressing my specific areas of challenge as well as strengthening my overall historical skills. She is always punctual, organised and helpful." (A Level History Student)

''Jessica has been a fantastic support to my son with both his Personal Statement and EPQ, thank you for putting us in contact with her.'' (Mother of EPQ Student)

‘’Thank you so much for arranging Jessica who has been fantastic. My son and I were delighted with her guidance and input and he now has a Personal Statement he is really proud of. Thank you again. I will be recommending Keystone Tutors to my friends! (Mother of A Level Student)

‘’Jessica is just brilliant! She tests, gives tasks and exercises and then checks. My son has got 83% in History exam. He has not only gained confidence but really enjoyed the lessons.’’ (Mother of Year 9 Student)

'My son has benefitted so much from your sessions...a huge thank you for turning things around for him.'

Mother of a GCSE History student

'First of all, I wanted to say how pleased I am with your teaching! He is loving it and thriving, I can tell! He is getting recognised at school by his new history teacher for his work and energy so thank you. I can tell you are doing an amazing job with him.'

Mother of a 13+ History student

'Just to let you know that my son has gained a double scholarship to St Albans School...For the academics he came in the top 3-4 of all scholars in his results. I have no doubt, at all, that Jessica has greatly contributed to his success with her excellent tuition. We are ecstatic with the result and forever grateful.'

Parent of a 13+ student

'My daughter is so happy to have found you. Thank you! Thank you very much again for your help. Meeting you has had a massive impact on both her studies and her perspective.'

Mother of a 16+ History student

'I got accepted into Brasenose!!! Thank you so much for your help in bringing me in this position - I achieved my dreams, I made it to the university I wanted to go to, I have the freedom to live my life how I want...each minute spent during our lessons was so valuable in enriching my skill as a candidate and historian and I'm sincerely grateful for your guidance.'

Oxbridge History applicant.

'I'd like to especially point out that, Jessica Dalton, Edward's History tutor, is an amazing tutor, an amazing person - she is knowledgeable, diligent and kind, helping Edward until the very last minute.'

Mother of a 16+ History student.

'Good afternoon! I read the tutor's report very carefully. I want to express gratitude to the tutor! My son and I am very pleased with the lessons. His results at school are proof of this. We will support the lessons and move forward to better achievements. Thank you!'

Mother of a 13+ student.

'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!'

Mother of a GCSE student

'I asked my children which tutor is the best and your name is top of their lists. My daughter who usually hates getting up early has said she would get up early if she has to for your lessons.'

Mother of two GCSE English and History students

'Yesterday I received answers from all of the schools. I was accepted at both schools! At Charterhouse I was even given one of the Headmaster’s Leadership scholarships...Thank you again to much for your help, I really do feel like it helped me and strengthened my applications a lot.'

16+ English student

'He got 3 x As! Thank you so much for all your help in helping him achieve that A in History!'

Mother of A-Level student

'He did it! We have two academic scholars in the house! Thank you for everything.'

Mother of a 13+ scholarship student

'Jessica is an amazing teacher, we are delighted with her. Her knowledge, her attitude, her diligence, her interest, her focus and her analysis are all very much appreciated.'

Mother of an A-Level History student

'I am waxing lyrical to anyone who cares to listen about how productive our first session was on Tuesday! It was super meeting you and I look forward to learning more from you over the coming weeks and months.'

Mature A-Level History student

'Just a quick email to let you know that Jessica is phenomenal. She knows her stuff and best of all demonstrated a sensitivity to my weaknesses and has a clear strategy on how to help me improve. I thoroughly enjoyed my sessions, plus I have learned so much already.'

A-Level History student

'Jessica is a wonder.'

Mother of an EPQ student

'I have been so impressed with the quality of your suggestions and speed of the response. Thank you....I am quite good at benchmarking - I think that your work is amazing.'

Father of a Pre-U History and essay writing student

'I just wanted to let you know that my daughter got 9 in her GCSE History. She is thrilled. Thank you so much for all your help.'

Parent of a GCSE History student

'Just wanted to let you know that my son received a predicted grade of A* from his history teacher at school for his UCAS application...Thank you so much for all the help and guidance you have given my son. He wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without your guidance.'

Mother of an A-Level History student

'Thank you for working with her over the last few months. I have been reading your monthly reports with great interest. She thinks you are a fantastic teacher and respects your opinions.’

Father of a GCSE student

'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.'

A student tutored at A-Level and Undergraduate level

'I just wanted to thank you for all that you have taught me over the past months! You’re the best history tutor a student could ask for.'

A Level History student

'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.'

Mother of a GCSE student

'He said he enjoyed the session with you as he has learnt many analytical skills, as well as extended historical knowledge, which his teachers will not teach in the classroom.'

Mother of a 16+ History student

'You have been amazing and have made her really enjoy History of Art and given her the confidence to carry on.'

Mother of an A-Level student

'George was absolutely delighted with his results! He got a comfortable D3 and he is on his way to Edinburgh. Thank you for your support.'

Parent of a Pre-U History of Art student.

'Thanks Jessica! I think you did a sterling job...Listening to him engage with you was great...You are the right one for us!'

Parent of a 13+ History scholarship student.

'The first History lesson seems to be a success, my son was up beat and positive about his lessons with Jessica this week and his future exams...He is thrilled with Jessica.'

Parent of a Pre-U History student.

'My son truly enjoyed & benefited of his hour with you today. Thank you for your comments and report, they are very accurate and helpful...I find your analysis and strategy to work with him excellent and I am sure with your help he will improve very soon and be on top of his history course work.'

Parent of an A Level History student

'Thank you so much, Freddie was incredibly pleased with how the lessons went.'

Parent of a Pre-U History student.

'Dr Dalton is a really patient tutor. She stops to explain every tiny question during lessons, which ensured that I did not have any problems in the next lesson. She would also use various approaches, e.g. taking real life examples, to make things clearer. In addition, since I am not an English native speaker, she explains any advanced words and phrases to me as well as speaking a bit slower so that I can understand the course better.'

A-Level History student

'...very patient, professional, and willing to go an extra mile in fixing our children’s problems.'

Parent of a GCSE History student

'Thank you very much for your report. I think you are really on track with Nicolas. Nicolas never complains at all about tutoring, so I think he is enjoying it, which is definitely the first step in becoming a better writer.’

Mother of an 11+ English student

'We have had three lessons with Jessica now. I think she is an excellent tutor.'

Mother of an 11+ English student

'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.'

Mother of an A Level History student

'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.'

Mother of a 13+ History student