Tutoring Jobs

Having worked with a great number of students over the years I have found that each of them learn and makes sense of their subjects in very particular ways. As such, I always try to match my teaching style with the learning style of my student. I have a great interest in learning strategies and understanding the myriad of ways in which pupils absorb information.

I am very enthusiastic about teaching and take an approach that is both structured and flexible. I have a passion for building confidence in my tutees, and believe that this sense of confidence is integral for the development of individuals' independent learning skills. I consider that making seemingly tedious topics relatable and relevant, within the context of every day life, is the key to sparking children's attentiveness. Although my overall approach varies from student to student, I believe that igniting this excitement is of paramount importance in all lessons.

Having tutored a great number of students over the last fifteen years, in both long-term and concentrated exam revision situations, I have found that each of them learns and makes sense of their subjects in particular ways. As such, I always try to match my teaching style with the learning style of my student. I consider myself patient yet energetic. At school, I was fortunate to be taught by excellent science teachers who developed my interest in the sciences and the natural world. Sadly, the most common complaint that I receive from science students today is that they cannot connect with their science teachers, or that they fail to see the relevance of the sciences to their lives. My approach to science tutoring is to break down these barriers. Science can be both fun and interesting; the common confusions that I come across are so easily unravelled. My time as a journalist and life sciences PR consultant have helped me to develop my ability to summarize large amounts of complex information into simple, easily digestible facts, which is key to success in science examinations. One of the main reasons that so many students struggle with the sciences is that they are not taught exam technique or lateral thinking. I make it a priority to focus on these key tools, and I know that this approach works: every science student that I have tutored has raised their standard by at least a grade. I get as much pleasure from helping an A grade student achieve the A* grade that they need to study medicine as I do from helping the D grade student achieve what once seemed an impossible B. My approach to tutoring English is spirited and systematic. My first priority is to ensure that the foundations of the language are well established: I take a rigorous approach to grammar and sentence construction. Far from finding this traditional approach tedious, my pupils report how satisfying it is to master the rudiments of the English language, and therefore to be able to express themselves. Once the foundations have been laid, I encourage a comprehensive reading and writing programme. Further to this, I encourage my students to develop their own individual feel for language, and assist them in exploring their own ideas, without stifling their natural creativity. I choose as texts the masters of the English language, using them as models for my students’ own creative writing. By so doing, and in conjunction with a wide range of past examination questions, I also prepare my pupils for entrance and national examinations at 11+, 13+ and GCSE. In terms of pre-tests, I recommend building up a thorough knowledge of the 11+ Maths and English syllabus and focussing as much as possible on comprehension, grammar and cloze procedure and mental arithmetic and word problems. Schools that I have tutored for (entry to these schools and/or support for students already at these schools) include: Benenden, Cheltenham Ladies College, City of London, Downe House, Eton, Harrow, Latymer, Marlborough, Radley, Rugby, Sevenoaks, St Edward's, St Mary's Ascot, St Paul's, Tonbridge, Wellington, Westminster, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey.

There are three aspects to my approach: developing a rapport with the student, tailoring my tutoring to their needs to maximise effective learning, rather than following a set formula; focusing on understanding and engaging with the subject, rather than rote-learning exam answers, so students are well-equipped and are more thoughtful; and encouraging them to think about goals and ambitions, and how their effort in this particular subject helps achieve them.

It is imperative to set clear goals with each individual tutee and over the course of the lessons, achieve these goals in a direct and rewarding manner. The methods used to reach these set incentives will change according to the situation and needs of the student. However, there are some central principles with my approach to tutoring that do not change. I seek to inspire confidence and motivation by drawing out enthusiasms of the subject to ensure on-going interest in the lessons. I also focus on building strong and trustworthy relationships with the students which in turn make for positive and successful lessons.