Ed

Experience

- 11+ English

- 13+ English

- GCSE English Literature (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CIE)

- GCSE English Language (AQA, CIE)

- A Level English Literature (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC)

As a qualified teacher with over eight years’ experience working in secondary schools, I have supported several cohorts of students through their GCSEs in English Language and Literature, as well as their English Literature A Levels.

For six years I was also involved in the setting, marking and moderation of 11+ English exams for the schools where I taught, so I know how things work ‘on the other side’.

Having studied at Cambridge, I have also worked within schools to support high-achieving students with their English Oxbridge applications.

Since joining Keystone at the start of 2022, I have supported several students in preparing for their English Language and Literature GCSEs. In terms of SEND, this has included a girl with dyslexia and a boy recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Biography

Born in London, I boarded at Summer Fields and then Eton, where I gained A Levels in English Literature, Spanish and Government & Politics (3 As). After a gap year, part of which I spent teaching English in Peru, I read English at Cambridge, graduating with a first-class degree in 2009.

After dabbling in a few different fields, I trained as a secondary school English teacher, receiving my PGCE from Goldsmiths College, London in 2013. Having started my career at a South London comprehensive, I subsequently crossed into the independent sector, teaching for four years at Emanuel School in Battersea, and then for two years at King Edward’s School, Bath.

Outside teaching, I received an MA in Scriptwriting from Bath Spa University in 2021.

Personal Approach

I believe my eight years’ experience as a classroom teacher have made me a rigorous tutor, and I work hard to familiarise myself fully with exam specifications, mark schemes and exemplar material so that I know exactly what my students need to do in order to succeed.

However, the journey will be different for each young person, and I pride myself on my ability to engage and motivate students of all abilities: from those who lack confidence in English, perhaps due to SEND, to those who thrive in the subject and want to take their learning to the next level.

My years of teaching have taught me that students tend to learn best when they are active, so my tutorials usually feature a variety of activities for them to complete, and I take pride in the resources I create to this end. But at the same time, of course, I give them detailed guidance and support them every step of the way.

I am passionate about the transformative power of literature and creative writing, so I always seek to instil a love of English in my students, marrying this with a pragmatic approach to meeting exam requirements.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Since the start of 2022, I have combined tutoring with working as a supply teacher in a variety of Bristol secondary schools. The flexibility of this arrangement – compared to my former life as a full-time teacher – enables me to dedicate more time to developing my craft as a scriptwriter.

Testimonials

Tutoring:

- ''Ed is a very enthusiastic & thorough tutor. He has made sure that my daughter understands what the exams are asking for & breaks down the long questions into manageable sections. My daughter’s grades have noticeably improved whilst she has been tutored by Ed & she is much happier & more confident about her forthcoming exams.'' (Mother of Y11 student, 2022)

- ''Just wanted to let you know that [our son] got a 7 in English Literature - we're super happy and so is he! Thank you so much for all your work with [him], it definitely helped him achieve this grade.'' (Mother of Y11 student, 2022)

Teaching:

- “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me over the past two years of English. Your passion has been infectious and you have encouraged me to get involved in debates and explore new arguments – things which I initially resisted but have learnt to hugely enjoy. Your constant belief in me and determination for me to achieve my best have been invaluable, and you have given me a confidence in my abilities which I will always be incredibly grateful for. Because of your lessons I really fell in love with literature, from Eliot to Webster. Once again, thank you for everything.” (Year 13 student, 2021)

- “Thank you for being such a brilliant teacher over the last two years; I have learnt so much and you have truly inspired me to pursue English after A Level. I am excited for my English degree but sad and apprehensive that I won’t have you by my side.” (Year 13 student, 2021)

- “Thank you so much for your endless support over the last two years. You have continuously been there through my English A Level – and without you I honestly don’t think I would have been able to do it. Your kindness and urge to help me really made improving and learning enjoyable, and for that I can’t thank you enough. You are an inspirational teacher and your passion for the subject really made the course enjoyable and made me excited to learn. Thank you!” (Year 13 student, 2021)

- “I am writing to express my thanks for your excellent teaching and to tell you how much your support of [my daughter] this year has meant. You are the first teacher to encourage her and to inspire her. After years of struggle, this year she has hit her academic stride, and your interest in her work has played a decisive role in helping her to think of herself as a capable student. [...] Thank you again for the impact you’ve had on [her]. It has been deeply influential.” (Mother of Year 12 student, 2019)

- “Thank you so, so much for getting us through the GCSEs and making so many months of English so enjoyable!” (Y11 student, 2019)

- “Thank you for being such a wonderful and supportive teacher who has made English a lot of fun.” (Y11 student, 2019)

- “Thank you very much for your English lessons. You reinvigorated my love for the subject and for literature in general.” (Y11 student, 2019)

- “Thank you very much for teaching me English this year, I have really enjoyed your lessons and for the first time in my life I have enjoyed English lessons.” (Y8 student, 2017)

- “Thank you for a wonderful English year and thank you for being a great teacher.” (Y6 student, 2019)