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

Subjects

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.

Articles

Of Mice and Men
Subject: GCSE English
Tags: gcse english, worksheets
Created: 23/08/2009

To Kill A Mocking Bird
Subject: GCSE English
Tags: gcse english, worksheets
Created: 23/08/2009

Attila Takes A Hand - a poem plus an exercise
Subject: 11+ exam
Tags: 11+ exam, worksheets
Created: 20/08/2009

How to Prepare Your Child for a Selective School
Subject: 11+ exam
Tags: 11+ exam, advice (for parents)
Created: 20/08/2009