Simon

Hello! I’m Simon. I’m an enthusiastic and easy-going English tutor with over three years’ experience helping students at all levels of the Scottish curriculum to achieve their learning goals. I would love to use my passion for literature and the English language to help you in any area of your coursework, from getting to grips with the reading material and writing essays to organising your portfolio and preparing for the exam period.

Tutoring Experience

I have a first-class BA in English Studies and a Masters (with distinction) in Creative Writing, both from the University of Stirling. I've been tutoring since December 2018, supporting students at all points of the curriculum from S2 coursework to preparation for the Higher exam.

If you haven’t had a tutor before, it might help if I gave an example to illustrate just how useful it can be. In 2019 I was approached by a student who was determined to sit the Higher English exam but whose busy timetable meant he was unable to fit structured English classes into his week. He and his family asked if I could, in effect, take on the role of his English teacher. We agreed on a learning plan for the year, and after only a couple of hours’ tuition each Sunday he went on to achieve an A, with no “classroom time” at all. Of course, this was an extreme situation, but I hope it shows something of how valuable it can be to have some additional, personalised support to help guide you through the syllabus.

Some testimonials from previous students:

"I can honestly say that I looked forward to every session with Simon. Everything we did in the lessons was always fun and engaging but, more importantly, extremely informative on the subject. It felt like I learned more about the subject in a couple of hours with him, than I would have in a couple of weeks of school lessons. Simon is such a nice, funny and friendly guy. He was able to plan out the entire learning year quickly and was always adapting the plans to make them more focused and personalised to me. I couldn’t recommend Simon more highly as a tutor and I wish there had been someone like him for all my subjects. Not only did I gain an A in my Higher English, but I enjoyed achieving it." Rory S

"Simon provided excellent tutorial support for my daughter prior to her English Nat 5 exam. He has a great easy-going personality which made the lessons fun and relaxed. Working with him for 2 months prior to the exam greatly increased my daughter’s confidence. As a result, she was very well prepared by the time of the exam. I would not hesitate to use him again in the future and would recommend him to others for English tuition." Lynda S

"Simon has been an excellent tutor for my 15-year-old son. His passion and interest in his subject is infectious and engaging, and I think would inspire even the most uninterested tutee - going wider than purely attaining exam results." Maria H

"I booked Simon for two hours for some last-minute revision before my Higher English exam. I was feeling very unconfident and was struggling with my revision. When he arrived he had already planned our session to make the best use out of the little time we had and he had also brought loads of revision material for me to complete. Over the two hours we covered everything I struggled with, he gave me valuable tips for the exam and left me with tons of helpful worksheets that I utilised over the weekend before my exam. After my session with Simon my confidence and morale was boosted and I felt much more secure in my abilities. I wish I’d had Simon as a weekly tutor over the course of the year!" Amy S

"Simon assisted my son in passing his Higher English exam. He was very methodical in dealing with Cailean, who has dyslexia. They covered a lot of work in each lesson, that enabled Cailean to understand and retain the information needed to go confidently into his exam. Simon puts an extraordinary amount of work into each lesson, with planning, revision and discussion on what they will work on the following lesson. Highly recommended. Absolutely 5 stars." Elizabeth L

Tutoring Approach

I think it’s much easier to study something if you can find a way to relate it to your own experiences. With this in mind I’d be keen to get to know your interests and outlook on life so that we can frame the coursework in a way that feels relevant and – fingers crossed – enjoyable! It’s also important we work at a pace you’re comfortable with, so at each stage I’ll make sure we aren’t skipping over anything you don’t completely understand or wasting time on a topic you already know in-and-out.

Everyone has a learning style that suits them best and I would make sure to use the methods that work for you. I would plan our sessions around your requirements, covering any part of the syllabus. This might involve a general conversation about the texts you’ve been given, looking over specific issues in your homework and essays, or focusing on exam preparation. In addition to the material you’re given in class I’ll be able to arrange exercises specifically tailored to your individual needs. Whichever approach we decide to take, my knowledge of the subject and fun but focused approach to learning will help to build your skills and confidence and ensure that you achieve the best possible grade at the end of it all.