Charlotte

A FEW PLACES LEFT FOR YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 2024

I have been working as a private tutor for 12 years and offer one-to-one carefully targeted support in English. As well as teaching GCSE students for English Language and Literature, I guide years 5 and 6 through SATS support and years 7 through 9 for entrance tests to grammar or independent schools. I'm proficient in the syllabus for KS1, KS2, KS3 and GCSE English. Learn with me and you will have practice in the essential components: creative writing, directed writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, a flourishing vocabulary, a real understanding of how to tackle comprehension as well as developing a fluency in reading modern and Victorian texts. English is my passion and I aim to instil this in you!! . I love all aspects of it: reading, writing, composition, narratives, imaginative stories, plays and films. Personally, I achieved the top grades in English 'O'level, 'A' level and a degree in English from a Russell Group university (Exeter). I enjoy the process of teaching, gaining real personal satisfaction from inspiring students and watching them progress and start to engage with the subject. I believe every child wants to succeed in English - sometimes they just haven't been given the tools to achieve this.

Celta trained by Bell in Cambridge in 2009, I also have extensive experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language from beginner to advanced level in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, in person or via Skype or Zoom.

The Covid 19 pandemic forced me to improve my online teaching skills and I am now confident to deliver professional, organised lessons online for every level.

Tutoring Experience

I have 11 years' teaching experience at a private school in Colchester, teaching English reading, listening, writing and speaking. I have taught a multitude of classes of all ages from beginner to advanced level with some success.
** News - Stop Press! January 2016 Sebastian has just been offered a place at Ipswich Senior school after 3 months of one to one tutoring. Sebastian says he was moved up 3 sets in his English class after regular weekly tutoring sessions with me. Well done Sebastian.
** Summer News 2016 - Stop Press! - my IGCSE Language student, L, who was predicted an 'E' grade before she came to me has just achieved a 'B' grade for her English Language. Well done !!
** Similar story with student LF who has achieved Grade C for Literature June 2016, previously predicted an 'E'.
*** January 2017 Well done to Chloe who has just been awarded the All Rounder scholarship to Woodbridge school. Chloe achieved just under 100% in her comprehension!

*** January 2017 Congratulations to Layo, who after 9 months of one to one tutoring has been offered a place at St Joseph's College, Ipswich and Ipswich Girls High School.
*** June 2017 Well done Kai who achieved 118/120 for SPAG in his KS2 SATS as well as achieving impressive leaps in his comprehension and writing.

**** Well done to all my GCSE students for their results in August, 2018. Ellie, who achieved a grade 8 in language, and Victoria who scored a *7 in literature. Also to Aaron who scored a *6 in language. All worked so hard and leapt up the grades.
*** well done to my students who, in 2019, returned similarly solid results with Elspeth improving from a grade 4 mock to grade 6 result in English Literature and Anna achieving her 4, allowing her to proceed to her chosen course at 6th form. Well done - you both worked very hard.
***** Results from the class of 2020 have delivered the best results yet. Many congratulations to Robin, achieving the very top grades with level 9 in English language and 8 in literature and Maisie, who scored a 9 in both literature and language.

*****Well done also to Jonathon, achieving a 7 in both papers, Esme who achieved a 5 in language and a 4 in literature, Harvey, who is now on track to start his BTEC level 3, who worked hard to achieve his level 4 in language and 5 in literature, and Brinley who landed a 7 in literature and a 6 in language. Not forgetting Ben who gained his 4 in language and 5 in literature, who now starts in Harrogate to follow his military dreams.

I am so proud of you all and the journey we took together.

Tutoring Approach

As soon as possible, I try to identify each student's style of learning, adopting a tutoring approach to help them unlock the blocks they have in responding to this challenging subject. We need to be on the same page but also it’s essential that my students feel comfortable and able to express their views. The evidence of their improved grades (usually a minimum of one grade improvement but more often 2 or 3) proves this method works! I want my students to achieve the best they are capable of. Over time they increase in confidence, not only in English language and literature but also over many writing based subjects, as well as being reflected in general school performance and homework. I introduce and practise exam skills and techniques to prepare them for exams and tests. Students find their vocabulary enhanced, their reading and writing skills strengthen and they learn to express, order and present ideas and information competently, aligning with the assessment objectives of the exam boards. Learning with me is not an easy ride, but it will be fun - not something to dread - and it becomes a rewarding one as students see their grades improve.

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Testimonial from Chris, Royal Grammar School, Colchester, August 2017:
Charlotte's tutoring was the perfect preparation for my English Literature IGCSE. The advice and guidance that she gave me enabled me to face my exams with confidence, resulting in a grade '7' (which is definitely better thank I would otherwise have done.) I would thoroughly recommend her to anybody.

Testimonial from Denise Hatch, summer 2017
Charlotte tutored our son, Mason in his final year at school after his grades in English language were not improving. He was working at a level 2, grade E. Charlotte was a positive and enthusiastic tutor who installed confidence and self-belief into our son. It was clear to us that she genuinely cared and was determined that he would succeed in passing his exam. He obtained a Level 4 C grade GCSE. She identified his weaker areas and communicated clearly on what he needed to focus on. She supported him throughout, setting homework each week. We highly recommend Charlotte. She gets results!! We were lucky to find her.

Testimonial from Rebecca who achieved a '6' in her English Language 9-1 in August 2017.
Reviews 5 (2 reviews)

Rebecca T * * * * *
I struggled with confidence in English and went into year 10 with a grade 3 and I am now at a grade 6 thanks to this wonderful tutor. Charlotte helped me with my confidence and supported me so much. She is a good communicator and listener and, although she was my tutor, she was also a friend. She was not just there every week but right up to the exam! Charlotte taught me in fun and helpful way that helped me to remember everything she told me. I enjoyed my lessons with her so much- I did not want them to end!

Testimonial from Gerry, summer 2018
Charlotte is an excellent tutor and was a massive help with my son's English. Without doubt, she enabled him to achieve a much needed higher grade in his Eduqas GCSE.

Testimonial from Jane Rose, August 2020
“Charlotte supported our son with his English tuition through year 11. He was struggling with English language and literature and also lacked any confidence in the subjects. Over year 11, through working with Charlotte, his confidence and ability with English grew enormously. Charlotte identified his weaknesses and worked closely with him on the syllabus for both subjects giving him knowledge and confidence. Thanks to Charlotte’s superb tuition our son passed his English language and literature GCSE’s gaining him a place on his chosen college course”.

Summer 2023 Update
Congratulations to my GCSE students who surpassed themselves this summer. To George who achieved a high 6 for Language, Ted, who achieved an '8' (originally predicted a '5' from Ipswich School), Cos who achieved a '7' in language (originally predicted a 4 18 months ago) and to Ed who came to me achieving a '2' and is now starting Suffolk One with the '5' he needed for Language. Well done to all.

Summer 2024 : another great year for results. Emily went from a Grade 3 in January to grade 7 in literature and language, Joe went from grade 3 to a grade 6 in language and 5 in literature, Ben went from a grade 2 to passing with a 4 and only 2 marks off a 5. Ben went from a 3 to a grade 5. Well done to all!!