Hilary

I am now only accepting tutees from September 2024.
I graduated in 2019 from Exeter University with a Masters degree with Merit in Literary Studies. I am a very experienced professional, having taught English Language and Literature at GCSE, A level and the IB for 25 years and Film Studies for 7.

Tutoring Experience

My first degree is in English with History. I introduced and was in charge of GCSE and A Level Film Studies in my last school. I have extensive experience of all UK exam boards, having been an examiner for English and Literature GCSE, A level and the International Baccalaureate for the last 20 years. I am currently a Team Leader for the Cambridge International exam board. I have tutored for ten years at all levels and across the globe, face to face and online, GCSE to the IB in English Language, English Literature and Film Studies, as well as adult tuition for those who wish to gain the English qualification in preparation for teacher training. Having been a Sixth Form tutor for 13 years in my last teaching post, I can offer my experience in writing the university entrance personal statement. I was also the English staff member on the Oxbridge Mock interview panel and can therefore provide prospective university applicants the opportunity to practise their interview skills. All of my 2021 tutees have been successful in making significant and measurable progress. GCSE results in 2021 range from levels 6-9 in English Language and Literature, while my last IB tutee gained the highest Level 7 in English. Update February 2022 -my GCSE student, for whom I was the only teacher and who sat both exams in November 21, has gained a Level 9 and my English Language A level tutee who also sat exams in November 21 gained an A.
Update: summer 2022 -my A level English Literature tutee has just gained an A* and will go on to study English Literature at her first choice of university. All of my GCSE tutees gained levels 6-9 in English Language and all achieved levels 7-9 in English Literature. All tutees were taught on Zoom.
Update August 2023 - my A level tutee has gained an A* and has been accepted by her first choice of Russell Group university, Warwick. In a year in which grade boundaries were raised to pre-Covid levels, this is an outstanding achievement. Update GCSE. All tutees gained levels 6-9 in English Language and levels 7-9 in English Literature as well as level 7 in History.

Tutoring Approach

I believe my empathic approach to a tutee is a key characteristic of my approach. Making good relationships with students is vital in encouraging their growth of confidence. Please take the time to read my references; they will reassure you about my experience and style. A successful teacher/tutor cares about their students and wants them to feel they can approach their exams knowing exactly what they must do to achieve to their best. My depth and breadth of subject knowledge at GCSE and A level, combined with my wide experience of examining, ensures that a tutee will feel reassured that they are in safe hands and will be patiently and enthusiastically guided towards their goals. My lessons are exceptionally well prepared and resourced. I ensure that my tutees are provided with comprehensive revision resources that are tailored to their individual needs. I would also add that, as my referees state, more often than not I mark a student's work outside of lessons for no extra charge. Preparing an A level lesson often takes up to 2 hours; the slides I prepare for individual lessons are then supplied for revision. Please look at the resources I have provided for examples. This additional work, plus my MA, means that my parents are getting excellent value for money. I also offer a free introductory lesson. This offsets the finder's fee charged by First Tutors.