James

I am a passionate teacher of English literature and language who has recently gained QTS with a PGCE from King's College London. I gained a Master's degree with Distinction from University College London in English Literature, and a Bachelor's degree from King's College London with First-class honours. Outside of English I have studied fine art at Central Saint Martins and continue working as an illustrator and writer. For five years I lived and taught in Japan, an experience unlike any other! Day to day I combine teaching with creative practice and sports (as a teenager I lived and played football in Brazil!).

Tutoring Experience

Having just completed my PGCE I have taught at two London schools, one a mixed academy trust school in Hillingdon, the other an all-boys independent free school in Fulham. Throughout both placements I developed a deep understanding of KS3-KS5 specification while tailoring lessons to the individual needs of the pupils I had the privilege of teaching. Prior to my PGCE I taught English as a foreign language for four years in Japan in both public schools and English language centers. While completing my MA I tutored through Holland Park tutors.

Tutoring Approach

I believe in a pupil-centered approach to learning, with lessons adapted to the individual needs of each pupil. Central to this is a dialogic approach rather than learning by rote instruction. The key, I feel, is to engage with the material learned in order to truly use it in the key settings, whether in the classroom or during formative/summative assessment. Having taught pupils of all needs and backgrounds I feel it is vital to thoroughly assess the needs of pupils in order to give them exactly what they are looking for. Reading and thinking conceptually are key to my approach, with a focus on a pupil's strengths as a way "into the text(s)" studied. I specialize in KS3, KS4, and KS5 literature, including poetry and prose. Overall, learning should lead to a greater understanding not only of the core content for study, but English literature and language as a whole as dictated by the needs of the individual.