Andrew

• I offer English tuition for 11+, 13+, 16+, GCSE and A Level.
• Passionate, qualified English teacher with 11 years teaching experience at 'Excellent' selective schools
• St Andrews graduate (MLitt with Distinction); currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Reading
• Published poet with three books from a leading press
• Pre-U, A Level, and Admissions Examiner for 6 years and counting
• 4 Excellent references from leading academic professionals
• Degree, PGCE, QTS and DBS certificates available upon request
• Group tutorials available on request

I’m a highly experienced classroom teacher, passionate about inspiring students and dedicated to helping them make progress. Having taught in a range of schools, I have a proven record of boosting attainment and adding value to students of all abilities.

A doctoral candidate, published poet, and examiner, I bring a unique blend of academic rigour, awareness of exam technique, and creativity to sessions, with a view to making them lively, engaging and purposeful.

My sessions will involve a range of activities and tasks, some written, some discursive, all with a view to what works best for the individual. My experience as an examiner also lends unique insights into the marking process and what examiners look for at all stages.

Whether you seek preparation for an English entrance exam, help with GCSE or A Level, you can take comfort in the fact that I have up-to-date, working knowledge of all of these stages, with much examining experience of the former and the latter.

Whether you need to: achieve a better grade or simply get a pass; gain or regain confidence in English through 1-2-1 learning; rekindle a love of English that has died out from a restrictive school curriculum; reach new heights in your essay writing; be pushed further in your pursuit of a place at a prestigious public school or Oxbridge, I’d be delighted to work with you.

TESTIMONIALS

"Andrew is an exceptional English tutor, and prepared our daughter extremely well for her 16+ exams. Andrew is a talented, experienced and engaging educator, and our daughter thoroughly enjoyed his clear and focused lessons, which were fully tailored to her specific learning goals. After every lesson, Andrew emailed me a detailed recap of what was covered, with an action plan for the next session. If you are looking for an excellent English teacher who can also encourage a student and impart confidence, look no further than Andrew."
Alexandra (16+ Entrance Exam to renowned public school)

"Andrew is an excellent tutor for my son. My son has benefited enormously from lessons with him."
Michael (13+ Entrance Exam Scholarship)

We have been very impressed with the way Andrew has transformed our son’s approach to learning. In the few short months that Andrew has been supporting our son, we have seen a systematic change in both our son’s approach to learning, as well as his actual attainment. Andrew is very professional and clearly very passionate for his work, inspiring and empowering our son to challenge himself. We have seen our son transform from a rather dispassionate and reticent learner to a more confident and empowered student. This has likewise been reflected in his academic attainment which has been nothing short of remarkable. 
Adriana (GCSE English)

"Andrew is an excellent tutor. He checks what the learning needs of the student are, their level of abilities and understanding of the material and then tailors a study plan accordingly. Always leaves constructive feedback and closely monitors the completion of tasks within a deadline. I am very pleased with his approach and my daughter is enjoying her study sessions and finds them very helpful."
Valeria (A Level English)

"Andrew has been an excellent English tutor for our daughter who requires additional help with the subject. Andrew is thoroughly organised, well planned and delivers outstanding, well-paced lessons. He provides detailed feedback to Lily and is very prompt at providing feedback to myself as parent which is always most appreciated. Andrew is extremely professional, calm and very flexible should sessions need to change. Andrew has established a lovely working relationship with Lily and her confidence in the subject is now getting much better. Andrew is well liked by the family and we have no hesitation in recommending him."
Julia (Key Stage 3)

"Andrew prepared our 15-year old for his GCSE in English. Andrew’s tutorials have always been highly structured, of very high quality and dedication, and very specific to the needs and weaknesses of our son. Parent feedback has always been detailed, which allowed us to follow up within the family and ensure best possible outcome. We do strongly recommend Andrew."
Apostolos (GCSE English)

Andrew has been working with my twins separately as they prepare for the IGCSE English Literature exams in May.  Andrew has been invaluable to us. He explains difficult texts in an easy to understand way, which is particularly important for one of my sons who has ADHD. My sons come away from each lesson, telling me that they understood the materials. Andrew's lessons have instilled confidence in my boys and it is already showing in their mock results. Andrew is also highly communicative and responsive. It is without hesitation that I recommend Andrew.
Alex (GCSE English)

"Andrew is a fantastic tutor who gauges the level that the student is working at and then tailor’s the tutorials to concentrate on weaker areas, whilst making sure to cover the entire syllabus. He sends detailed feedback promptly after each tutorial and sets work to help to consolidate learning. Highly recommended."
Year 11 (GCSE English)

"As the parents of a non-native English speaking GCSE pupil, we are very grateful to have Andrew's help, as he set the highest standards in his field and helped our son to have a great success in his mock exams and we believe he'll push even further next year with Andrew's help."
Erkan (Year 10 GCSE English)

Andrew is helping our son with his GCSE English. He is an excellent tutor and I highly recommend him. The sessions are individually structured and planned - as are the homework tasks. The progress our son has made with Andrew is very impressive in terms of content and confidence, the latter of which was the key goal. We are hugely grateful to him.
Jenny (Year 11 English)

Tutoring Experience

My teaching career began on a prestigious teacher graduate scheme in 2010, where I gained my PGCE and NQT working with disadvantaged students in a challenging academy in Bradford. I then moved to Bristol Grammar School, the leading selective co-educational day school in the South West, where I worked for five years, before relocating to Oxfordshire with my young family where I worked for six years at Abingdon School. I'm now a full-time private tutor alongside completing a part-time PhD at the University of Reading (currently completing my third year).

I've worked with learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For example, I've been 'Poet in Residence' at the University of Bristol, taught sessions at the University of Reading, taught three terms of night classes to adult learners for the Poetry School, and run an online creative writing course for adults by request of The Gallery Press, the leading poetry press in Ireland.

Tutoring Approach

As an experienced teacher, a published author, and doctoral candidate in contemporary poetry, I'm passionate about my subject, and whether you need a better GCSE grade, help with exam technique, or you're preparing for Oxbridge, I will provide sessions which are inspirational and practical.

With an emphasis on supporting you, I will offer constructive but thorough feedback on essays and practice papers, with efficiency, following a personalised schedule which meets your needs. A poet published in a range of UK and international journals, I’m also keen on using creative writing as a way of building your confidence, while improving your skills and writing style.