First Degree in English and American Literature
Journalism, CPE, LPC, Cert Ed
I am CRB'd each year by the sixth form college where I work
UCU; IfL
References are available upon request

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
My main subjects are English at all levels including ESOL and Functional Skills (up to level 4), and law from GCSE to Postgraduate Graduate Diploma in Law - formerly Common Professional Examination - to the Legal Practice Course. However I am competent to check coursework and essays for accuracy and proofreading in most Humanities subjects, up to GCSE.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have a BA (Hons) in American Studies (Literature) (1977); a Postgrad Diploma in Journalism from City University (1978); CPE (1993); LPC (1994) and Cert Ed (2006). I also have professional and vocational qualifications in journalism, law and teaching.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have been teaching at a sixth form college in Greater London since 1999, but my first teaching experience was as a volunteer helping with adult illiteracy, in 1987. I teach or have taught students with many different types of disability including deaf students, dyslexic, autistic, ADHD and gifted students, as well as wheelchair bound students with cerebral palsy. The students I am currently tutoring in English range from a gifted 6 year old Sri Lankan boy to a fully qualified science teacher from Somalia, while I also have also just completed tutoring students doing the GDL, LPC and A level law.

How much do you charge?
I am happy to arrange small groups of students, of similar ability, ie up to four students at a time, at a reduced rate which is negotiable depending on the size of the group. My fees include travel though if there is residents parking then I expect to have vouchers provided by the householder/parent.

Where do you teach?
I prefer to teach at the student's own home in case of traffic problems, but students are welcome to come to my home if they prefer. I live near Ealing Common. I am willing to travel as far west as Hounslow and as far east as Bayswater, as well as to Harrow, Brent and the Richmond/Barnes/Mortlake/East Sheen area.

When are you available?
I am available to teach most weekdays after school, and on Saturdays. For adult students with school age children I have several times during the week before school finishes. I only teach on Sundays by special arrangement at a higher rate, just before examinations.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
All ages and all levels in English and Law; up to 11+ in maths, science and other primary school subjects.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I prepare students for all qualification in English up to A2 and all qualifications in law including LPC. I also teach exam technique at all ages and in all Humanities subjects.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes - this is a statutory requirement of my job and is regularly carried out by my employer.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
Online tutoring is available by arrangement but it depends on whether it actually helps the student; generally I find that face to face tutoring is more effective, quicker and cheaper in the long run.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
The Law Society, IfL (Institute for Learning)

Do you have a personal message for students?
If you are struggling with any of your subjects, it is not your fault. Classrooms are not always the best places to learn things. I believe people can only learn new information when they are relaxed and feel happy, and this the atmosphere I strive to create with all my students no matter how old or young they are.

Articles

How to Write an Essay
Subject: Essay Writing
Tags: essay planning, essay structure
Created: 02/07/2011