Roy

I have recently returned to FirstTutors after a number of particularly busy years at work. I have been in teaching and lecturing for 40 years, many of those as a successful Head or Deputy Head of Department or Senior Manager. I have lived in the Bournemouth area with my family for more than 35 years. I am married and have two children, both of whom have graduated from university and are also now teaching.

I am currently Deputy Head of Department at a university here on the South Coast. I am an English Language and Literature graduate, and also hold an MA in English and American Literature, and a PGCE qualification. I am studying for my PhD (on American poet Robert Lowell). I have also had a long and successful career in Further Education, and have been judged as 'outstanding' by OFSTED teaching criteria. I am energetic, creative, effective and efficient as a teacher, tutor and lecturer; I'm focused, enthusiastic, thorough and pay close attention to detail. I am down-to-earth, calm, and friendly.

Subjects and sessions offered:
• English Literature at A Level, and undergraduate and Masters levels
• Preparation for entry to university
• Coaching for Oxbridge entrance, both application and interview
• Study Skills and revision tutoring at all levels from secondary school to undergraduate – the techniques for effective learning, including research, note taking, assignment writing, referencing, presentations, and how to revise.
• Conversation lessons for those looking to develop their understanding of English as a second or foreign language.
• Helping people of all ages improve their reading.

Tutoring Experience

I have been teaching since the mid 1980s, and have taught English and Study Skills to students of all levels and ages from GCSE through A level up to postgraduate Masters students. I have been an Advanced Teaching Practitioner, as well as a Senior Examiner for GCSE English.

As well as teaching at universities, I have run and managed a number of courses, written degree programmes, been a Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, am a published author, and have taught in an inner-city literacy project for ex-offenders. This range of experiences has shown me that everyone is an individual in terms of their own learning style, and that there are always different ways to work on a subject or topic to give everyone the best opportunity to understand, and to develop their subject knowledge and skills.

Tutoring Approach

I am currently offering mainly online tuition only for health reasons, although can offer some sessions close by. I am thorough in approach, and set a gentle and calm tone in my tutoring; I make sure that my tutees see one to one sessions as their own personal support, so they feel confident to ask whatever questions they want. I am good at getting results, and am clear in how you can achieve your target grades.

Your lessons are for you, so they are designed around your personal needs. My first lessons are always focused on seeing what strengths and areas for development that a student has, and then on planning to develop performance and grades. I explain things clearly, spend time preparing carefully in advance, and am down to earth in my teaching. I make sure you understand at each stage of what we’re doing together. You will always get clear and up to date syllabus information and exam board advice. I do find that those students who are able to produce written work between sessions (when needed) are able to show more significant progress so will always suggest that this is a part of the tuition that I offer.