James C - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Employed Tutor

James

James is an experienced tutor and an Oxford graduate with a passion for English and History. He tutors online alongside completing a PhD in Northern Irish poetry. James has delivered over 3,400 hours of 1:1 lessons with Keystone clients.

James is an employed Keystone tutor. This means James:

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

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“James is a very impressive man - articulate, personable and straightforward.”

Parent

11+ English and Maths: ISEB and public school exams
13+ English: ISEB and public school entrance exams
Grammar school entrance
GCSE/IGCSE English (all exam boards)
GCSE/IGCSE History (all exam boards)
A-level English (all exam boards)
A-level History (all exam boards)
Oxbridge Admissions (English)
UKiset preparation
SEN: tutoring children with dyslexia

I have accrued more than three thousand hours of one-to-one tutoring experience over the past seven years. I was a Professional Tutor between 2018-2020, and was delighted to resume that role after completing my Master's in 2022. I have worked with pupils aged all the way from nine to beyond eighteen, and have taught the majority of my hours online. As a result, am happy to consider working with a wide range of students. I am also comfortable working with students beyond the school system, and currently teach contemporary literature to undergraduates at Queen's University, Belfast. This leaves me well-placed to assist A-Level students looking to stretch themselves, or with applications to read English at university level.

Oxford has nearly always been my home, having been both where I was raised and where I eventually attended university. I left the Cherwell School in the north of the city with A-Levels in English Literature, History, Economics, and Drama & Theatre Studies, before making the short journey into the heart of town to read English Language and Literature at Mansfield College, Oxford.

After completing my degree, I moved across the Irish Sea to pursue postgraduate study at Queen's University Belfast. I completed my PhD in 2024, and continue to teach on the English faculty at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

“James was an excellent support to our child in the run up to the GCSE exams, primarily in English Literature but also in English Language. We were all delighted that our child achieved a top grade in both.”

Parent

“James is full of energy while delivering his lessons. James listens very well and appreciates ideas put forward by my son during the lesson, which is very encouraging. My son really looks forward to learning in the lessons and views James as a role model. As a parent, I have already seen a positive trend.”

Parent

“James has been punctual, professional, plans the lessons and makes them interesting, which facilitates the learning. James has an obvious passion for the subject which reflects in his teaching and is benefiting my son, who enjoys his lessons.”

Parent

“James is professional, patient and hardworking. He is well prepared for each lesson and my son is always looking forward to the next one. I strongly recommend James to parent who is looking for a trustworthy English tutor.”

Parent

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I believe that best results are achieved when students are given the freedom to formulate their own opinions, before having these sensitively challenged. Asking testing questions is central to my approach in every lesson, and I aim to equip my tutees with an intellectual confidence that will serve them well in tricky exams and beyond. This approach also demands flexibility on behalf of the tutor and, as a result, I always make sure to tailor lessons and schemes of work according to the exact requirements of each pupil.

I am a practising literary critic, so much of my time is spent reading and writing. When away from work, I might be found playing or writing about rugby, strumming on my guitar, or going to the theatre.