Charlie A - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

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“Charlie prepared my daughter for one of the top and most academic boarding schools in the UK. They were doing interview practice, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. All I can say is that Charlie is absolutely brilliant.”

Parent

11+ English/VR/NVR
13+ English
13+ History
GCSE History
GCSE English
GCSE Classical Civilisation

I taught in some of the country's top prep schools for 20 years. In that time, I was Head of History, Head of Humanities, English teacher, Activities Co-ordinator, Able Child Co-ordinator, Head of Boarding, Houseparent, tutor and a coach of various sports and teams.

Academically, I have taught children of a variety of abilities (from those with SEND to potential scholars). I taught 13+ English and History (including scholarship), helping hundreds of children gain a place at numerous independent senior schools, including: Eton, Radley, Bryanston, Harrow, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Marlborough, Canford, Downe House, Wycombe Abbey, St Mary's Ascot and Cheltenham Ladies' College. I have a 97% success rate of my pupils passing English 13+ with A-C grade and a 95% success rate of my pupils passing History 13+ with A-C grade.

I also have 5 years' experience of teaching 11+ English. In my last school, I ran an 11+ Club to tutor pupils through the English, VR and NVR sections of the 11+ exam.

Furthermore, I have coached numerous pupils through the interview process for both 11+ and 13+ entry to many independent schools.

I was brought up in London and attended Sherborne School in Dorset, eventually gaining 4 A-Levels (in Politics, Ancient History, English and French). I then read Ancient History at Newcastle University and was awarded a 2:1. I then went out to Australia to teach English and History at Sydney Grammar School and Newington College after which I returned to go to Sandhurst and then spent 4 years in the Royal Artillery.

I then relented and became the teacher everyone said I was going to be.

I have since been teaching in some of the country's top prep schools for 20 years. I started off as a Humanities teacher at Sandroyd and then have been Head of History for 15 years at Ludgrove, Hazlegrove and Forres Sandle Manor, where I also taught English. In addition, I have also been a Head of Boarding, Able Child Co-ordinator, Activities Co-ordinator, sports coach and tutor.

To further my expertise, I took a sabbatical in 2016-17 to study for a Masters in Education at Bristol University, specialising in contemporary teaching and learning theory and practice, and was awarded a distinction. This degree equipped me with a superior knowledge and understanding about how children learn and how to teach them so they develop the confidence and ability to be independent learners and effect their own progress.

“I highly recommend Charlie and would give him 10 stars if I could! My daughter worked with him for just four months, and the improvement was incredible. She went from a fairly low level in both English Language and English Literature to achieving an A* in one and an A in the other, very close to an A*. His way of teaching is exceptional. He is incredibly knowledgeable, motivating and passionate, with so much energy and enthusiasm. At the same time, he is realistic and honest, and from the very beginning we felt completely guided and knew exactly where we stood. He is also a genuinely lovely and polite person. We are extremely happy with the results and would recommend him without hesitation. The time, effort and money invested in his lessons are absolutely worth it.”

Parent

“Charlie helped my daughter, who is naturally introverted, become more confident and articulate, enabling her to expand her responses and showcase her strengths effectively. This played a significant role in her securing an 11+ Academic Scholarship at an independent school in Oxford, which was a huge achievement for her. Additionally, Charlie supported her with essay writing techniques, something entirely new to her in preparation for an upcoming 11+ Academic Scholarship at Stowe. His approach is supportive, encouraging, and tailored to each child’s needs, which makes all the difference. I can’t recommend Charlie highly enough and wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again in the future.”

Parent

“I first connected with Charlie in 2023 when I reached out for support for my eldest daughter as we considered an Academic Continuation Award at Stowe. That initial experience was so positive that I contacted him again in 2024 to help her prepare for her 13+ Academic Scholarship Assessment. Now, I’m back once more, this time for my youngest daughter, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Charlie’s interview coaching was transformative.”

Parent

“He was very adaptable in his approach, ensuring that my daughter was at all times comfortable throughout the process, and establishing an excellent rapport with her. Charlie’s excellent interview coaching guided my daughter - an introvert - to be more talkative, helped boost her confidence in being able to expand her responses to interview type questions and be able to showcase her strengths. He also helped her with English and essay writing techniques. All this contributed to my daughter’s success in being awarded an Academic Scholarship to Stowe.”

Parent

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Informed by contemporary educational theory and research, I believe that each pupil should have agency and ownership of their own learning and I achieve this through giving them choice, challenge and differentiation.

I see myself not as a teacher but as a learning instructor. Just as the expert driving instructor sits in the passenger seat and informs, guides and challenges the learner in the driving seat, so too I put my pupils in the driving seat of their own learning, guiding, supporting and challenging them to make their own progress.

Initially, I conduct diagnostic assessments to see where my pupils' strengths, weaknesses and gaps lie, and then provide guidance and encouragement to help them develop both subject skills and personal confidence.

In addition to tutoring, I am also a fly-fishing instructor, teaching people how to fish for trout and salmon and then take them fishing.

I also enjoy living the rural life with my family, whether walking the dogs, managing our small-holding or just 'being' in the countryside. My favourite passions are sport, travelling and salmon fishing.