Anna

Experience

- 7/8+ English and Maths and prep school entrance exams

- 11+ English and Maths and public school entrance exams, including pre-tests

- iGCSE/GCSE History (AQA, Cambridge International, OCR)

- AS-Level/A-Level History (AQA, Cambridge International, Edexcel)

- IB History

- AS-Level/A-Level Government and Politics (Edexcel, OCR)

- EPQ support

- UCAS and personal statement support

- Oxbridge interview preparation

- Undergraduate dissertation support

- SEN provision

I am an engaging, patient and empathetic tutor with five years experience teaching children, secondary school students, Oxbridge applicants, and undergraduates. I have a keen interest in young peoples' learning and development, and enjoy working across the full age range.

During the course of my PhD, I delivered one-to-one supervisions, small group seminars and lectures for Cambridge undergraduates taking the general Historical Argument and Practice paper and early modern history modules. In 2020 I worked as a Postgraduate Mentor, running one-to-one and small group study skills sessions for new undergraduates. I have also worked first-hand in the Cambridge admissions system, marking admissions essays and observing interviews.

I also have a wealth of experience working with children. I am fully trained through Keystone’s 7/8+ and 11+ programmes. In 2022, I worked in a primary school as a Learning Support Assistant to a six-year-old with complex SEN. Focusing particularly on English and creative writing, I used tailored strategies to break up tasks, making the learning process more manageable and reducing the pupil’s frustration. I regularly dealt with challenging behaviour calmly and patiently.

Biography

I grew up in London and took A-Levels in History (A*) English Literature (A*) and Philosophy and Ethics (A*) and an AS in Government and Politics (A). I went on to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where I completed a BA in History (First Class), followed by an MPhil in Early Modern History (Distinction), winning multiple awards for academic achievement. I recently completed a PhD on emotions, objects, and the lifecycle in Renaissance Europe, passing my viva with no corrections. My research has appeared in prestigious peer-reviewed academic journals, and a chapter of my thesis won the 2020 German Historical Society Postgraduate Essay Prize.

Personal Approach

I take a creative, person-centred approach to my teaching. Every pupil has their own learning needs, whether that’s processing a tricky bit of content, improving their writing style, or building confidence in the pressure of timed exams. Working one-to-one means that I can shape my teaching to suit each pupil and their family. It’s my role to create the learning conditions that enable each pupil to flourish, become independent learners, and – most importantly – to take pleasure in their education. While my teaching style is flexible, I always communicate my expectations clearly and work with transparency regarding pupils’ goals and progress.

I particularly enjoy working with children and young people with SEN; who have challenging personal circumstances, or whose needs are not met by the conventional education system.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I’m a writer, represented by the literary agency Greene & Heaton. I’m currently working on a history of my Czech family, their house in the Bohemian mountains, and the European twentieth century. My work has appeared in the Times Literary Supplement, The London Magazine, and Englesberg Ideas among others. In 2020 I was a London Library Emerging Writer and won the British Czech and Slovak Association Writing Prize.

I never go anywhere without a book of crosswords in my bag.

Testimonials

''Our son had a great time during your session. He really liked you and said it was more fun than lessons at school, so we were thrilled'' (Parent of 7+ pupil)

''We're very grateful for your tutoring. It has sparked a love of learning and a desire to gain new skills that goes beyond passing the exams. Your approach addressed his levels of emotional and social readiness as well as his academic skills'' (Parent of 7+ pupil)

''Anna did three sessions with our son last week and he really liked her (and I quote: ‘10 out of 10!’). She took on board my requests for areas to focus on and kept his attention for all of the sessions, which was a big ask for a six year old!'' (Parent of 7+ pupil)

''She has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and gained more confidence in the subject...She finds your teaching style engaging and approachable'' (Parent of Year 4 student)

“Anna is a great tutor: smart, engaging and always well prepared” (Parent of GCSE Politics student)

''Thanks for your tuition so far, it really made a difference for our daughter. You managed to connect with her personally and academically straight away online. It didn’t feel remote, and our daughter benefited from exam strategies as well as a general boost to her approach to handling texts'' (Parent of 16+ pupil)

“Anna has been an outstanding EPQ and History A Level tutor for our son. She really helped identity the gaps and understand his needs, and very quickly I saw a huge improvement in his confidence and writing. She is very kind, flexible and patient and I can honestly say, she has pushed him towards fulfilling his potential in a way his school teachers couldn't” (Parent of A-Level History student)

“Anna was a brilliant tutor for our dyslexic son. She had great strategies for helping him absorb the necessary content and for keeping him engaged with his subjects” (Parent of A-Level History student)

''Anna really helped me to refine my ideas and to express them in the most concise way...the structure of our sessions made me feel really comfortable and prepared when it came to sitting the paper'' (Oxbridge applicant)