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.

“Professional, caring and a passionate educator, Charlie has recently tutored my daughter towards successfully completing her 11+ exam. He is an outstanding English teacher and passionate historian. He rapidly established an excellent rapport and put her to work immediately, expertly coaching her on interview techniques, as well as verbal and non-verbal reasoning. He has similarly tutored my son towards his Common Entrance in English. My son is quite dyslexic and finds English difficult. Charlie has been consistently patient and understanding. My son's writing and confidence in English have improved significantly.”

Parent

“Charlie's lessons are very useful for overseas students like my daughter, not only for English lessons but also for learning about British manners. He is able to give his students a lot to learn in a limited amount of time and is very good at instilling confidence in his students. Most importantly, my daughter really enjoys his lessons and feels that she is improving her English by applying what he teaches her. She happily tells me that her teachers at school have praised her progress and positive attitude. It is also thanks to his lessons that she received an offer from the school of her choice.”

Parent

“I'm extremely grateful for Charlie's interview coaching. He is an experienced teacher who excels at guiding children to showcase their strengths. During his sessions my child gradually became more talkative and started to build confidence - something that cannot be learned from books. This is especially valuable for children who are more introverted! If we have similar exams in the future, we will undoubtedly seek his help again.”

Parent

“Charlie is a lovely teacher and has engaged well with X. He has been incredibly helpful, and we very much appreciate how adaptable he has been, changing topics and schedule at short notice. Even though we had limited time available, we are certain that sessions with him really helped, and boosted her confidence to make her feel calm and confident entering her exams.”

Parent

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.