Jamie

First and foremost, I love learning, and I am told my energy and passion for this is infectious. I have a bucket-load of qualifications and a proven track record of success, having tutored primary school students into grammar schools, boosted GCSE students beyond their predicted grades, coached A level students into university, and taught undergraduates how to navigate the demands of academic essay-writing. I am an examiner as well, so I know very well the tricks of the trade required to squeeze students’ answers into the next grade boundary. Finally, on a personal level, I’m a dad of two who enjoys fitness, travel and reading.

Tutoring Experience

My academic qualifications attest to my love of history, and my twenty five years experience of teaching demonstrates my passion for education. I have enjoyed a long and successful career in school leadership and teaching. I began my career in universities, but quickly learned my talent for and love of teaching outweighed my interest in academic research. Since becoming a schoolteacher I have had many roles, including assistant headteacher for many years. Recently, however, I have returned to the classroom in order to spend more time delivering my subject. I am also an examiner, having worked for both AQA and Edexcel at different times, and an experienced tutor, having coached students into grammar schools by preparing them for 11+ examinations, GCSE students, and A level students. I have a proven track record of success in boosting my students’ grades: both my classroom and tuition students achieve well above national average and often surpass their predicted grades. I also specialise in coaching students with SEN needs, particularly those with ASD.

Tutoring Approach

My approach to teaching very much emphasises the joy of learning. It is not something to be dreaded, and it certainly is not boring! Learning should be something enjoyed by both student and teacher, and this is the key to success. Beyond this basic, fundamental rule, however, I also look to help students to unlock the keys to their own individual success. This takes a degree of learning on my part, as I work with each student to identify their particular strengths and, importantly, their weaknesses. Once identified, individual learning plans can be developed: some students may need to learn the tricks that allow them to write coherently structured exam answers; others may need to learn the detailed knowledge that will give depth to their extended writing. Every student is different, and while I emphasise a love of learning that is universal, I look to quickly identify specific needs in order to allow students to make rapid and sustained progress.