Jack

My name is Jack. I hold a BA in History and an MPhil in Film and Screen Studies from Queens' College, University of Cambridge. At A-Level, I studied English Literature, History, and Government and Politics, and achieved in A* in all three.

Tutoring Experience

During my A-Levels, I tutored GCSE students in English Literature and English Language. Since leaving secondary school, I have tutored students taking A-Level History, with a particular focus on coursework. Alongside this, I have tutored Oxbridge applicants through the admissions process, from personal statement drafting, through admission exam revision, to interview practice. This is part of my broader engagement with access work over the course of my time at university; in both second and third year, I spent a week visiting secondary schools in Bradford to encourage and advise students interested in applying to Oxbridge.

Tutoring Approach

Experience has shown me that a tutoring session is most effective when its starting place is determined by the student. Encouraging the student to talk through what they’ve found easy or difficult about that week’s school or homework, or about a particular topic, not only means that I can better address whatever they are struggling with at that time, but that in planning future sessions I can adapt my approach to ensure that the same difficulties are not run into repeatedly.
Once any gaps have been filled and the foundations of a student’s understanding are strong, I think it is important to build on those foundations rather than stopping there. It is important that the student feels confident in employing ideas and concepts within their work, rather than just being able to define them. In subjects like English (both Literature and Language), History, and Government & Politics, the highest attaining students are able to offer arguments and interpretations of texts or evidence that go beyond that which they have been taught in the classroom. I work with students to ensure that they are able to offer new and original insights in their coursework and exams.