Jack

I am a North-West London based tutor of Politics, alongside my other profession as a creative.

Having studied Government and Politics at AS/A2 level (A* Grade, alongside History and Maths, both A Grade) I then went on to the Degree course in Politics and International Relations at the University of Bristol, being awarded the SPAIS prize in my second year and graduating in my third with a high 2:1.

I then decided to follow my passion of Musical Theatre, and gained a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music on their 1 year Performance (Musical Theatre) course, graduating with a Master of Arts (Distinction) and being awarded a Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music.

I am now a professional actor/singer, writer and director, alongside my career as a tutor of Government & Politics.

Tutoring Experience

I have been a 1-1 private tutor of Politics and then Drama & Singing for the past 6 years, helping student gain confidence, maximise their potential and achieve their goals. Aims of students range from getting the best grades in exams and gaining entry to their 1st choice Russell Group Universities, to having a better understanding and enjoyment of the subject through bespoke tutoring.

Students I have previously tutored have ended up with top grades and gained entry to prestigious institutions including King's College London, University of Manchester, University of York & Newcastle University, to name a few.

I am highly experienced with both the AQA and Edexcel examination board courses for A-Level Politics, including their mandatory and optional units.

Tutoring Approach

I take a student-led approach to tutoring Politics, identifying the areas where focus is requested and needed, relating this back to the wider framework of the exam specification. For many students, Politics can be stagnant or difficult to understand, particularity the more intangible aspects studied (ie. political theories); with this in mind, I put an emphasis on accessibility, bringing clarity to concepts which students can find confusing. I also try to create a relaxed environment where the student feels they can put forward ideas and bring their own knowledge in discussions, opening up the possibilities of Politics being interesting, relevant and fun.

For Government & Politics A-Level specifically I always approach tutoring with an effort to relate the more 'boring', textbook-aspects of the subject back to the real world. So much emphasis is placed on using 'Contemporary Knowledge' and examples in exam questions, and I pride myself on making sure I'm up-to-date in terms of knowing the status of political institutions and issues that change at a rapid pace. I also encourage students to keep on top of national and international political stories, asking them to present a few news articles each week so over time they have an extensive list of their own contemporary examples to use in exam questions. I supplement this with my own videos and articles brought to the lesson, which students find particularly engaging and can help explain particularly confusing topics or issues.

Similarly, my approach is also question focused; I have found in my experience that vital time can be wasted, or marks lost in exams because students might not answer exactly the question being put to them. Identifying what is being asked, and figuring out how to form a balanced argument to produce a succinct answer are important aspects of improving technique, as well as refocusing attention to question dissection, essay planning and time management. As exam season gets closer I increasingly utilise past papers & essay questions to ensure students feel prepared with answering challenging questions under timed conditions. I also offer a marking system whereby students can be set a unique essay question and receive detailed feedback from myself; this supplements the weekly lessons and is a great option for students looking to really push themselves to achieve the highest marks.