Richard

I am a fully qualified teacher with nearly 10 years of teaching experience. I originally trained in the primary sector and have taught in primary schools across Leeds and Bradford for 7 years. However, in 2019 I moved into the Further Education sector and retrained as a maths specialist, which is what I do as my day to day job.

I have extensive experience working as a personal tutor. I first started in 2015 with home tuition. However, as my reputation grew and my progression results for pupils became demonstrably exceptional, I was able to take on more students, helping them to achieve their personal academic potential and offering value for money for the services I offer.

When the pandemic and the closure of schools hit, I was too busy with balancing my tuition business with my own day job. As a result, I was unable to take on more pupils. However, I am glad to say that I am now in a position to offer more of my services. Therefore, I am now taking on pupils for personalised tuition for KS2 and KS3 Maths, GCSE Maths (for all exam boards), as well as those pupils wishing to take the 11+ grammar school entrance exam.

My approach is always to have high expectations of pupils.

All pupils can (and must) make progress, regardless of ability. Personal tuition is not like school. Pupils need to be coached in their mindset and approach to their academic studies. This means that I allow pupils to proceed at a pace they feel comfortable with and not overwhelm them with procedures in order to build their confidence. After all, tuition should be seen as a means to an end - with the ultimate goal of improving their academic ability in school, so that they can approach different situations with confidence and flair.

Lessons are one hour long and will be both a mixture of pupil and teacher dialogue and demonstrations. I aim to coach pupils in “how” to approach certain situations and questions as well as teaching specific, tried and tested methods. Therefore, I will include regular assessment type questions and scenarios to help improve overall academic and technical ability – this is especially true for pupils taking tuition for an 11+ assessment.

I am able to offer face to face lessons in the greater Leeds area. However, I can also offer online tuition if this is what parents prefer - this takes place via Microsoft Teams.

Additionally, I set homework and I am always available for telephone conversations and emails whenever it is needed. This includes homework help, advice for pupils on their academic studies as well as advice for parents. I am glad to say that many parents, carers and clients who were anonymous in the beginning have become personal friends over the years! I provide all resources and teaching materials completely free of charge. However, your child may need some stationary prior to tuition taking place.

All of your child`s needs and your own expectations can be discussed during the initial telephone contact. I also offer the first session for free, following an initial assessment and discussion with parents/carers as to what I will do to work with the student. Inquiries are coming in quick, so I look forward to hearing from you.

I am able to offer references and testimonials on request.

Availability: Tuition can take place during weeknights and weekends. I am very flexible with personal arrangements.

Willing to travel: Home Only

Experience: I qualified with a PGCE in Primary Education in 2013 after an 11 year career working with offenders in the prison service. As a result, I have extensive experience of public service and teaching, which includes management roles in subject and curriculum leadership.

I am acutely aware of the needs of young people, having taught across all sectors of state education. This includes those pupils who have at times found some aspects of school difficult, those who just need a little push here and there and those who need to be challenged. I have two children of my own (one in state primary education and one I state secondary education) so I am aware of the challenges pupils face and the expectations that parents and carers have. My approach has always been to balance the two of these together.

I am pleased to say that of the pupils I have tutored, all have made progress and all are now performing at a considerably higher level then they were when they started. Of those who I have tutored for the 11+ entrance exam, I have a high achievement rate of success. Many others have gone on to gain high grades, both at Year 6 SATS and at GCSE level, from low starting points.

I am fully DBS checked and my credentials are freely available both online and in person, upon request.