Andrew

• 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)

"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)

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.