Phyllis

A Winner of teacher of the year in London (London Evening Standard) and a highly experienced tutor with over 30 years of professional experience as an Advanced Skills Teacher teacher and examiner for English language and English literature; my students make marked progress in their GCSE, IGCSE, A level and International Baccalaureate, achieving top levels for students (see my reviews). I teach all exam boards. I have honours degrees up to and including Masters level from the London University, Institute of Education and the London School of Economics (LSE). I teach all entrance exams for private schools. I support students doing resit exams who need a push to move from a level 4, 5 to levels 6 and 7 often demanded by 6th form colleges and for university places. Additionally I am a specialist in literacy issues, exam technique and motivating reluctant learners of all ages.
I also teach Cambridge IELTS.

I have had many years as an online distance learning teacher and trainer and I tutor both at home and one-to-one via Skype. I have developed online distance learning packages for students and tailor make tuition according to students learning needs. I offer students engagement and support with focused English learning to maintain and enhance English skills and I have created catch-up work so students will not feel that they have fallen behind due to absence or due to experienced teacher shortages. This is pertinent for GCSE and A level subjects as well as students in KS2 and KS3.

I love teaching and have taught in many different environments and countries across the world. I have worked at all levels from primary through to University level and I currently train teachers in the UK.

I have privately tutored clients of all ages more specifically to help get through examinations such as Cambridge, Common Entrance, 11 plus, GSCE, IGSCE, A level and Cambridge IELTS.
I work with secondary age students to improve strategies for effective learning and revision and I specialize in exam success working on exam technique and writing under exam conditions focusing on exam assessment objectives.

I work with primary age students with a focus on improving and developing literacy skills, particularly for students about to take 7+ and the 11 + and those with learning difficulties.

I understand the anxieties and barriers that learners can feel and work with students to understand those barriers and help build confidence again to enjoy the process of learning.

Tutoring Experience

I am a teacher with over 30 years experience and as an examiner for GCSE, IGCSE and A level; I have taught for common entrance, eleven plus and Y12 entrance exams as a private tutor. I have taught AQA, EDEX (IGCSE and IGCSE), OCR, Welsh Board (eduqas), CAMBRIDGE IGCSE and all in both language and literature.

I have worked in London schools for many years as a Head of English and as an Advanced Skills Teacher. I have worked in both the private and public sector. I have developed on-line teaching and learning programmes for schools, teacher training, and creating curriculum materials for English language and literature teaching, literacy and English as an Additional Language, from primary through to university both in the UK and overseas.

In 2004 I was appointed London Commissioner for literacy under Sir Tim Brighouse and in 2005 I was appointed teacher of the year in London. In 2006 I was runner-up for the Microsoft award for most innovative teacher and use of technology. I received an award from The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists as ICT teacher of the year in 2007. I have honours degrees at BA, BsC and Masters level.

I have completed several successful Education Projects overseas to train teachers and develop new and exciting teaching and learning methods and keen to use my skills to work with students who want to develop their skills in English, English language, reading, writing, literature and exam techniques.

Tutoring Approach

I work with the student to develop clear and achievable goals, providing regular feedback to both students and parents/guardians. I provide effective strategies tailored for each student. For all important IGCSE, GCSE and A levels, I work to develop an understanding of exam objectives, exam technique and knowing how to answer a question effectively. I work to engage students with their subject and their learning and I have a 100% success rate in raising achievement, raising exam grades (please read my reviews) and improving overall subject knowledge and motivation.

I have adapted all my lessons to deliver over Skype. I focus on Y5 through to Y13: prep for KS2, KS3 and study for all English exams language and literature at IGCSE, GCSE and A level. I conduct an initial assessment from which I prepare a package of Skype sessions at the end of each package we look at progress and check for areas of weakness; I supply all materials. Students send me homework and it is returned with feedback within 5 days, and where appropriate, leveled or graded. Students are supported with clear targets and regular feedback is given on progress.

I have done face-to-face teaching but I have found most parents, and students, appreciate Skype tuition as it saves travel costs, travel time, and works well in terms of available time slots, working from the comfort of home and provides a better focus on sessions without distractions. I have keep my tuition rates low to support families during present economic stresses.

With a background in Psychology I use current research into how best students learn and strategies to support the most effective methods.

I use multi-media where appropriate, humour, creativity, problem solving and a wide variety of learning strategies to tailor each students learning needs: we are all different learners. I use feed-back to help pace each session and help build and develop confidence and critical thinking skills. Above all I try and provide the right balance to achieve the agreed objectives whilst supporting the fun of learning.

There is considerable demand for my tutoring services and I have a wait list so good to let me know what your availability is and to confirm tuition as soon as you can; I also have a cancellation policy. In order that students can secure dates and times agreed I ask for advance payment to secure those dates and times a week in advance of agreed sessions. Should a cancellation be necessary then I ask for 72 hours notice so we can look at another time, however, where there is a 'no show' or a session is cancelled the day before or within 24 hours then that session is forfeited.