Mark

⭐ Help your child get the grades they need in GCSE English Language & Literature. I focus on taking the test – helping children gain the confidence to know what each question is looking for, and how to manage time under pressure. With a degree in English from Oxford University, I create bespoke, flexible lessons to prepare pupils for mock and final English GCSEs.

I specialise in working alongside a student's current schooling, by offering short, fully-flexible blocks of 'top up' tuition with the sole aim of improving their grades. My goal is to help struggling students achieve passes they can be proud of, and to help more able students fulfil their potential.

I offer remote teaching throughout the UK via Zoom, and in-person teaching for students in East Sussex who are able to make travel arrangements to our TN22 home (between Nutley and Uckfield).

I am a former school parent governor, and am fully DBS checked. (I am new to the First Tutors platform, hence the lack of reviews so far.)

Tutoring Experience

I have an MA in English Language & Literature from Oxford University – consistently ranked as the number-one Department of English in the world.

I have over a decade's experience running face-to-face and remote training, including training company leaders in better business communication.

First-hand experience of the challenges facing children studying English as they emerge from the pandemic, and face the pressures of large class-sizes; impersonal 'app based' learning; and the distractions of social media, have brought me to tutoring.

We have two school-age children at home. Our youngest is currently studying towards GCSE. Our eldest achieved Grade 9s in both English Language and Literature.

Tutoring Approach

I focus squarely on helping children maximise their potential – in the shortest time possible – when it comes to passing English Language & Literature GCSE exams and GCSE mocks.

I use recent past papers to familiarise students with the structure and content of the exams they will face, and to coach them in examination technique.

(A large part of success at GCSE level comes from understanding how to interpret the question and how to manage time under stress. I give students a clear plan for each exam paper we cover.)

Lessons are £45 for 60 minutes, with payment to be made online on the day of the lesson. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are charged at the full rate.

There is no minimum number of sessions, nor are students obliged to sign up for a specific number. That said, I would recommend at least 6-10 sessions for any student hoping to see a marked uplift in their exam performance.

Face-to-face sessions are carried out at our home. These are relaxed and informal, and there is always a can of Diet Coke or glass of apple juice on hand to perk up tired learners who have already done a day's schooling. (Our labrador, Westie, two cats and two teenage daughters may also make an appearance.) We have plenty of parking space, and parents or guardians are welcome to join, or to wait in the next room and use our internet/have a cup of tea.

Remote sessions are carried out over Zoom. (Children are not obliged to have cameras switched on.) I use AQA examination papers, and as AQA is the most widely-used GCSE English exam board in the UK, am happy to coach children nationwide and internationally.

The first session – which is used mainly to help me understand a student's current performance and any challenges – is charged at the reduced rate of £30.

I am also happy to connect with a student's schoolteacher, as I find liaision with their school (in terms of understanding which part of the curriculum a student is focusing on, and their teacher's perspective) can be very useful.

If you have any further questions, please do ask through the First Tutors portal.