Toby

Tutoring Experience

I have been tutoring one on one since 2012. As a private tutor, my work has concentrated around 11+ and 13+ preparation, English A Level and GCSE, and Maths GCSE. I have helped failing students go on to get 5s and 6s, I have helped other students achieve top grades, and I have successfully coached students who have been accepted at some of the top schools in the country. In addition, I have worked extensively with SEN students, especially those with ASD diagnoses. In total, I have over 4,000 hours of one on one tutoring experience.

I have taught English literature extensively to A Level and Pre-U. I have taught all aspects of the exam, including support with coursework, and have seen many students get top grades, (A stars at A Level and D1s at Pre-U), and then go on to take up places to study English at Oxbridge and other Russel Group universities. I have taught across several different exam boards, and have worked as an A Level examiner for OCR across several different papers, which gave me a precise idea of what is expected of students at A Level.

Working at the John Roan School, where I trained as an English teacher, I taught Years 7, 8 and 10. I designed creative writing lessons that were taught by myself and other teachers to students in Years 7 and 8.

During my masters degree and shortly afterwards, I taught in higher education in the US. At NYU, I taught an undergraduate creative writing course, where I had to design my own syllabus introducing students to the craft of both fiction and poetry. And at CUNY, I taught essay writing to adult learners, some in their late teens, others in middle age.

Overall, I have worked with a great range of ages and ability levels, which has helped shape me into a flexible tutor who can get the best out of all my students.

Tutoring Approach

Lessons are split between delving into the content of set texts and honing the skills for essay writing. In exploring book content, we analyze key passages, discussing themes, ideas, and authorial devices.

Spot quizzes reinforce crucial knowledge, and open-ended questioning cultivates critical thinking. For writing skills, I evaluate students through writing samples or essay planning, identifying areas needing support and providing feedback. I advocate a segmented approach to essay writing—addressing planning, introductions, and analytical commentary in separate lessons. Independent practice is integral for application and subsequent feedback.

Regarding the 11+, approaches to Maths, Comprehension, and Creative Writing mirror those in Maths and English. Notably, more time is dedicated to acquainting students with exam paper formats and timings, instilling confidence. There's a gradual transition from collaborative paper work to solo practice closer to the exam date.