Joseph

Experience

• 11+ English and Maths: ISEB and public school exams, including pre-tests

• (I)GCSE Chemistry (AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR)

• (I)GCSE Maths (AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR)

• (I)GCSE English (AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR)

• GCSE/IGCSE Drama & Theatre Studies (All exam boards)

• A-level Drama & Theatre Studies (All exam boards)

• A-level English (OCR, AQA, Edexcel, CIE)

• Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

During Sixth form, I was an English and Maths tutor, helping students with their 13+ and GCSE work, as well as some AS maths students. This involved providing 1 on 1 support for students with their homework and leading small group sessions for those struggling with some of the curriculum. Furthermore, I have volunteered with primary schools in Kent, running theatre workshops and providing teaching assistance with their year 6 classes. As part of my A Level Drama and Theatre Studies course, I have prepared and delivered lessons on social and historical context within literature. I have also completed 11+ English and Maths, and LNAT Training with Keystone. I have helped a student successfully gain a place at Wetherby Senior School.

Biography

I was born and raised in Ashford - often considered the Paris of Kent – and my family has a long history in teaching and education. I attended secondary school at The Norton Knatchbull Grammar School. At school I took 4 A-Levels, achieving an A* in Drama and Theatre Studies, as well as 3 A’s in English Literature, Chemistry and Mathematics. Alongside these qualifications I completed an AS Level in Critical Thinking and the EPQ.

I went on to further my education at Durham University, where I achieved a 2:1 in Law. I chose Law due to the academic rigour of the subject, alongside the diversity of learning styles it allowed me to employ. I was elected Common Room President for my college, throughout which I represented hundreds of students to college staff and to the wider university.

My blog posts

12/09/2023: How to Write a Good GCSE & IGCSE Essay

26/05/2023: Law Super Curricular Activities

03/04/2023: Guide to the London 11 Plus Consortium Entrance Exam

Personal Approach

I consider myself a passionate and personable tutor, who focusses on using the strengths of each individual student in order to maximise their learning and enjoyment of their subject regardless of their level of prior engagement. I believe it is important to adapt to the needs of each student, depending on their learning style and interests.

I take a structured but adaptive approach to my lessons, which aims to build up students’ confidence in their subject area and develop their independent learning skills at a pace that is suitable for them. I find engaging with a variety of resources, visual tools, and techniques such as everyday examples as well as utilising active learning methods to be particularly effective.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I enjoy creative writing in all forms, whether that be poetry, prose, or scripts. Similarly, I have a passion for acting and performing in live productions on the stage. I also enjoy working on my personal health and fitness as well as playing guitar. I am an avid football fan, and closely follow Newcastle United – although I hope you don’t hold this against me!

Testimonials

X loved the session with Joseph. He found it very useful, helping him to better understand some writing skills. Also, he learnt some crucial points in order to look more critically at his work. (Mother of a Year 11 GCSE student)

X is improving a lot. Yesterday he received grades on his mock exams done 2 weeks ago. He got 8 out of 9! He was very happy and told me how much Joseph helped him to prepare these exams. (Mother of a GCSE Student)