BA Hons MA Hons
PGCE (Dist)
Society of Authors
References are available upon request

Subjects

(click subjects to see other tutors in this area)

Personal Message

English taught to the highest standard at all levels.

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
English. In collaboration with a maths teacher colleague, I also do assessments for 11+ entrance candidates. We normally conduct these assessments 12-18 months before the entrance exams. I teach English to all levels.

In addition, I undertake educational consultancy work. This usually means discussing with parents the kind of education/school they want for their children, researching schools according to their preferences and guiding them through the application process if they so wish. This is a private consultancy with a set fee, available on request.

Tell me about your qualifications.
BA Hons English, MA Hons and PGCE (Distinction). I also hold a Certificate in Couple Counselling from Relate.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have over thirty years of teaching experience in both the state and independent systems. The majority of my school teaching was in academic girls’ independent schools. I was head of English and drama in a girls’ independent school. I have been tutoring at home for twenty years. I have taught literature classes at The Questors Theatre, Ealing, to adults for fifteen years. Despite all that, I am actually not all that ancient!

I have written widely on education and especially on the 11+ stage. My book (written under my second name Katherine Hamlyn) 11+ English: A Parent’s Toolkit is the acknowledged leading book used by families at this stage. (See website.) I have written copious articles, essays, educational materials of all kinds. I have been for the last ten years the Senior Editor of The Good Schools Guide. I am currently writing another book called 11+ English Study Guide for Galore Park and am also series editor for the entire 11+ Study Guide project. I am also a widely published poet - even for children! - see attached poem.

How much do you charge?
My fee for an hour’s lesson for 11+ preparation is £40. Other classes are usually charged at £40 or £45 - please see list. Assessments are charged according to level and need but, for example, an 11+ English assessment usually takes one hour and a half and the fee is £80. Assessment for Common Entrance is £95 and takes between 90-120 minutes. A written – as opposed to verbal discussion - report is charged extra.

Where do you teach?
I teach exclusively at home in central Ealing. Parking is possible outside my house and I live within a few minutes’ walk of three tube stations. I will travel to a pupil’s house only in cases of a child at home due to long-term ill-health. I will then make an extra charge for the time. I only teach at home because I have a huge range of materials on hand which I like to raid as and when needed!

For consultancies I will travel in and around London.

When are you available?
I teach Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school plus lessons for AS and A level students according to their timetables. I don’t teach at weekends unless in exceptional circumstances.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach children from the age of 9 – generally half way through year 5. I specialise in preparation for the 11+ entrance exams and for secondary school. I teach all senior school levels and university undergraduates. I am an academic teacher and enjoy GCSE and A level teaching along with essay planning and structuring, and general English language work. I’m a bit of a hot-shot revision planner! I also help A level students with personal statements for UCAS.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
No.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
I belong to The Society of Authors.

Where and with whom did you train?
I took both my degrees and my PGCE at The University of Birmingham.

Tell me about some of your current students.
My students include several 10-11year-olds who are preparing to sit entrance exams to academic senior schools. I teach senior school pupils who receive general support with their English work and who make huge progress with individual attention. I have GCSE and A level pupils and various university students who receive help with essay writing and structuring. I also have one or two pupils who are applying for drama school.

Do you have a personal message for students?
I am always happy to meet potential pupils – and their parents – on the phone or in person to see if we like each other.