James

I focus on school applications from 7 plus to 13 plus. 90% of my students achieve their first choice of school. I have particular success with St Paul's, City of London School, Westminster and KCS. I have taught on an ongoing basis since 2000.

Originally from Manchester, I attended the Manchester Grammar School and then did a gap year in Australia where I worked on various farms in the Outback. I then received an unconditional offer to study English at Churchill College, Cambridge. After switching to Philosophy I graduated in 2005 with a high 2.1.

My academic awards include the highest score in English Literature at GCSE level in my year, the Religious Studies prize and various prizes for published fiction in the school magazine. While at Cambridge I achieved a first in the Aesthetics and Political Philosophy papers for part 1b of the Philosophy Tripos.

I am now based in West London.

Tutoring Experience

I focus on school applications from 7 plus to 13 plus. 90% of my students achieve their first choice of school. I have particular success with St Paul's, City of London School, Westminster and KCS. I have taught on an ongoing basis since 2000.

A key part of my service is an initial consultancy where I assess students and put together a comprehensive study plan.

I can also cover a wide range of subjects at GCSE and A level. My students have all achieved grade 8 or above in their GCSEs.
Additionally, I run a successful Oxbridge consultancy with clients including Epsom College.

Tutoring Approach

Key to my approach is the idea that every pupil is different. Always referring closely to the relevant syllabus and mark schemes, I create a bespoke approach depending on the needs of the particular pupil.

I start with the premise that all pupils have very high potential - it is my task to arrive at a teaching solution to best realise that potential. In my experience pupils that struggle usually do so because they are not being taught in the right way. This is in no way a reflection on their inherent ability.

I have personally benefited from the Oxbridge tutorial method, having been supervised by some of the leading academics in the world in my specialist fields. As such I have a combination of subject knowledge and teaching acumen that is very specialized indeed.

I always set tangible goals and time frames for achieving them. I also encourage regular feedback as I feel that the tutoring process works best when it is a two way one.

I have some experience dealing with pupils with motivational and/ or behavioral difficulties. Central to resolving such issues is building confidence and I have several tried and tested techniques for overcoming such challenges.