David

Experienced prep school teacher - former Deputy Head, Director of Studies and Head of Scholars. Specialist in 13+ Common Entrance and 11+ ISEB Pre-Test preparation.

I have successfully prepared hundreds of pupils for entry and scholarship exams to top senior schools throughout the United Kingdom, as well as helping to advise parents on school choices and entry requirements. I have extensive experience as a private tutor both in the UK and overseas.

Please do not hesitate to make contact if you would like any further information or for an informal discussion about how I might be able to help. I am always very happy to receive speculative enquiries whether or not these lead anywhere.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught various subjects at 13 Plus Common Entrance including English, History, Latin and Religious Studies (TPR). I have also helped more generally with academic preparation, helping pupils to develop good study techniques across the board and overseeing individual revision programmes.

Furthermore, I have prepared pupils for scholarship examinations to many top senior schools. I have taught English, History and Religious Studies at scholarship level, and also helped with current affairs and General Paper preparation, essay writing, and interview technique. As well as preparing candidates for the Common Academic Scholarship exam I have also helped them work towards school-specific papers such as the Eton King's Scholarship (most recent scholarship in 2022), Winchester Election and Radley Scholarship.

In addition, I have helped pupils to prepare for 11+ entry assessments. These include the widely-used ISEB Common Pre-Test as well as school specific assessments such as the Eton List Test and the Harrow Test. I also have significant experience of assisting pupils with interview preparation at this level. To this end I am happy to consider taking on pupils in years five and six, although the majority of my teaching is at year seven and eight level and that is really my specialism.

I have an excellent record of pupils earning top grades and winning scholarships to major senior schools at 13+. My former pupils, many of whom won awards, have moved on to schools including Eton College, Radley, Harrow, Wellington, Sherborne, Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Bradfield, Charterhouse, Ampleforth, Milton Abbey, Stowe, Rugby, Oundle, Winchester, Uppingham, Sedbergh, Fettes, Glenalmond, Cheltenham, Strathallan, St Edward's, Culford and elsewhere.

Tutoring Approach

Academically rigorous whilst at the same time patient and positive. As an experienced prep. school Director of Studies I have a strong understanding of the academic requirements and demands at this level. As a former Head of Scholars I am familiar with 13+ scholarship routes and requirements at a significant number of senior schools. As a former Head of Boarding and Deputy Head Pastoral I understand the "bigger picture" - good teaching by itself is not enough to guarantee success.

Please note that, given my school commitments, I currently tend to be available for private teaching during the major holidays only. My diary also fills several months in advance. Therefore, I am unable to take on long-term roles and my tutoring tends to be relatively "concentrated" - interview preparation and mock interviews (at both pre-test and scholarship level), subject specific revision and reinforcement, focused exam paper preparation and more general academic mentoring - helping to devise and oversee individual revision and study programmes to guide pupils' preparation in advance of exams. That said, even if I am unable to schedule any teaching I am often able to assist on a consultancy basis should this be required. Therefore, please do get in touch if you would like to discuss how I may be able to help.