MA (Oxon) Theology (2:1)
PGCE (Distinction)
Enhanced CRB
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, The General Teaching Council
References are available upon request

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
13+ Common Entrance: English, Religious Studies, History, Latin.

13+ Scholarship: Religious Studies, General Topics/Current Affairs, Interview Preparation (particularly Eton King's Scholarship, Winchester Election and Radley Scholarship, as well as the Common Academic Scholarship).

Additionally, I am happy to teach a wide range of subjects from year five upwards, as well as to help pupils who are taking assessment tests to public schools (such as the Eton pre-assessment taken in year six) and to assist them in preparing for verbal / non-verbal reasoning tests (as found in the 11+ exam, and elsewhere).

Tell me about your qualifications.
MA (Oxon) - Theology (2:1)
PGCE (Distinction) with QTS - Middle Years and RS, University of Gloucestershire

What kind of experience do you have?
Following a Theology degree from Oxford University (2:1) and a P.G.C.E. teaching qualification (passed with distinction), I spent several years teaching at Horris Hill - an academic, full-boarding boys' prep. school - as head of an academic department, a resident deputy housemaster and latterly Head of Middle School. In my final three years over 90% of my pupils gained A or B grades in Common Entrance Religious Studies, across mixed ability groups. In addition, I taught English and Latin, as well as helping successfully to prepare pupils for 13+ scholarship general papers and interviews.

Since September 2010 I have been putting my prep. school experience to good use by working as an academic tutor and adviser, continuing to prepare pupils for entrance and scholarship examinations to the major public schools (including Winchester, Eton, Radley and Harrow). I have also worked as a G.C.S.E. examiner, and at the other end of the spectrum I have helped with Oxbridge interview preparation. I have held resident tutor posts with families in the U.K. and abroad; furthermore, I have experience of teaching via Skype.

How much do you charge?
I charge £45 per hour (plus expenses) for individual tuition. As a token of thanks I offer a discount of 10% to anyone whose friends book me to teach as a result of their kind recommendation.

My scale of fees for resident tutor posts is available on request.

Where do you teach?
At your house; I am happy to travel any distance (within reason). However, such travelling needs to fit in with my other commitments and so may not always be possible.
Public work spaces and cafes.
International work possible.
Internet tutorials available via Skype.
I have also worked as a resident tutor for families in the UK and abroad.

When are you available?
In principle I am available at any time throughout the week and at weekends. Please contact me if you would like to check my availability on a specific date.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3
13+ Common Entrance/Scholarship (or equivalent)

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
Primarily 13+ Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations and interviews to public schools.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
Skype - although this is certainly second best when compared to teaching in person. I would recommend this form of "distance learning" only as a last resort if no local tutor were to be available.

I am also happy simply to set/mark questions or exercises that reinforce specific areas of the curriculum, or to offer general advice via email.

Do you have a personal message for students?
The best teachers won't talk down to their pupils. Rather than a "them and us" mentality, the most successful - and enjoyable - teaching and learning takes place when there is a collaborative effort between pupil and teacher. It is a shame that, all too often, both groups forget that they are actually on the same side...

I am always happy to receive speculative enquiries - even if they don't eventually lead anywhere. Please feel free to get in touch.

Articles

13+ Common Entrance: Useful Revision Websites
Subject: 13+ exam (Common Entrance)
Tags: 13+ exam (common entrance), common entrance, weblinks
Created: 07/02/2012

Common Entrance – an insider’s view
Subject: 13+ exam (Common Entrance)
Tags: 13+ exam (common entrance), common entrance
Created: 11/03/2011

Is Common Entrance Religious Studies Important?
Subject: 13+ exam (Common Entrance)
Tags: 13+ exam (common entrance), 13+ religious studies
Created: 01/03/2011