What updates do parents/guardians get and can we communicate with you between sessions?

I will give you access to the Google Folder that contains my notes, work completed during session, and results of any diagnostics/tests.

Yes, we can communicate via email or messages and I will give you my personal contact details.

Detailed feedback reports are provided each term.

Yes. I like to run multi-part assessments that are exam-board specific and cover different aspects of the curriculum. I spread them out over the first few sessions so that our first tutoring session does not feel like a test.

Assessment results are available to parents/guardians and allow me to plan and tailor sessions specific to the learner.

Diagnostics may include: reading skills, writing skills, structure, analysis, language devices, comparison, evaluation, and (if relevant) English as a Foreign Language.

This will depend on your goals and the subjects covered (e.g., GCSE English Language, English Literature, English as a Foreign Language).

We use a video meeting platform and will share different types of documents and resources, as well as utilising teaching/tutoring platforms and official exam board content.

Learners are expected to engage fully with a range of teaching and learning methods. While I can deliver a more traditional lesson, I typically expect learners to participate in all sorts of tasks (e.g., reading, writing, annotating, comparing, answering questions). Sessions are very interactive.

An enhanced DBS is the highest level of criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in the UK.

It’s usually required for formal roles that involve working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults (e.g., teaching, healthcare, social work). It’s not required for tutoring but as a professional English Tutor I uphold the highest standards.

I am registered with the DBS Update Service. This means employers can check my record. If you, as a parent/guardian would like to see the certificate please let me know. My certificate number is: 001916825675. I am a former Police Officer so I take safety very seriously. I also stay up-to-date on safeguarding training.

Yes. Good handwriting techniques are an underestimated skill. Legible handwriting is important for exams and writing clearly and confidently is an important skill for people of all ages.

Learners may struggle with handwriting due to dyslexia, insufficient coaching in good techniques, or other reasons not related to academic ability.

Children and adults may wish to learn cursive writing for appearance or speed of writing. Neater handwriting is also a great confidence boost.

As well as helping learners in class with handwriting this topic is of personal interest to me. I practice cursive handwriting and calligraphy as a hobby.

As a left-handed writer (who can also some script-styles right-handed) I am familiar with extra challenges to left-handed writers, such as smudging. I can teach correct pen-holding techniques and hand positions to improve handwriting.

We can meet first to have a chat, discuss goals, and answer questions. This will ideally be a video call or in person so that we can get to know each other (tutor, learner, and parent/guardian). This usually takes about 15 minutes and is complimentary.

I use this meeting to answer questions and ask questions. I will also show you how the tutoring sessions will work, and all of the files and resources you will have access to.

You can then choose to pay as you go or in a block booking.

Yes, if we agree that it will be beneficial.

Homework is an opportunity for learners to apply English skills to their interests. While we must study certain topics within the curriculum it can be beneficial to practice reading or writing tasks that are related to learner interests.

Regular homework also helps reinforce learning, encourages self-responsibility for learning, and offers the opportunity to stretch and challenge learners further.

I send you an invoice which contains a link to secure payment via Stripe.

You will not be asked to share your card details with me or any other individual.

Payment methods accepted: major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and bank transfers.

As a private English Language tutor I’ve worked with learners from all over the world, but recently I’ve worked extensively with Cantonese-speaking families from Hong Kong, families in Abu Dhabi and other locations in the United Arab Emirates, people from Spain, Portugal and France, people from Ukraine (including voluntary work to help Ukrainian teachers who are teaching English), and people in the United States of America. I also work with GCSE students in the UK.

As a qualified teacher I have extensive experience (and CPD) supporting learners with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.

I have worked extensively with learners in alternative education settings who are resitting prior stages of their education in small group settings, with more extensive support than they had in mainstream education, in order to better meet their needs.

I also do some work for local authorities, in which I mentor learners with SEN as they transition through different stages of their education.

I have completed SEND and safeguarding training.

GCSE English Language (and (GCSE):

English Language GCSE: AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas

English Language IGCSE: Cambridge, Edexcel B

English Literature Texts:

Poetry - AQA - Love and Relationship Anthology

Poetry - AQA - Power and Conflict Anthology

Poetry - Edexcel - Power and Conflict Anthology

19th Century - A Christmas Carol

19th Century - Jekyll and Hide

Modern Text - An Inspector Calls

Modern Text - Blood Brothers

Modern Text - Animal Farm

Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare - Macbeth

Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet

Years 7 to 9:

English Language - Key Stage 3

Secondary Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar

Reading: Fiction & Non-Fiction

Literature: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Handwriting improvement

English as a Foreign Language:

IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English

CERF (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages):

A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2

ESOL GCSE Tutoring

Not necessarily. For international learners at GCSE level, it is far more important that a tutor is trained in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and understands how English works beneath the surface. Native speakers often use grammar, idiom, and tone automatically, without being aware of why they work. A TEFL-trained teacher can explain these features explicitly, helping bilingual and international learners understand how English functions and what GCSE examiners are looking for, regardless of the student’s first language.

It depends on the learner and their family; I’d be happy to discuss the unique benefits of each approach with you. Typically, I find parents/guardians chose online (even if they were initially considering in-person).

Use of premium resources and platforms means that online tutoring can include everything that could be done in-person and more. Online sessions are just as interactive, if not more so, as is it easy to work on documents collaboratively.

A shared folder means parents/guardians have access to work completed in sessions and can easily monitor progress (or see my notes and progress reports).

However, some learners may benefit from face-to-face in-person communication.

For a detailed review of the differences between online and in-person tutoring please see my blog post on this topic.

Yes. Cambridge iGCSE and Person Edexcel iGCSE English (Language and Literature) both have coursework options. This is a fantastic opportunity to secure high marks before even thinking about exams. It’s best if coursework support is part of ongoing tutoring and skills development, but I can also offer separate coursework grading/feedback if needed.

Yes. While I’d rather work with a learner over a period of time to build a solid foundation and strong skillset, if your child needs intensive revision for end of year exams, or a few sessions to help them produce their best coursework, then I am happy to help, as long as I have the availability. It is more likely that I will have the time to offer this service during half-terms and school holidays. Weekend sessions may be available on an ad hoc basis.