Peter

I have over 15 years’ worth of tutoring experience across the social sciences, and I specialise as an exam coach and writing tutor. In this capacity I have helped dozens of students over the years gain entry to their first-choice university with many opting for Oxford, Cambridge and the Russell group, providing key assistance with improving coursework, devising revision strategies and preparing for end of year examinations. Over the years I have taught History and Politics as my main subjects alongside Economics, Philosophy, RS and Psychology. In History I cover the Early modern era in Europe right up to the French Revolution (which was the focus of my undergraduate dissertation as part of my History Bachelors) - with a particular focus on Tudor and Stuart England, France under the Bourbons, the Dutch Revolt and the Hapsburg/Valois rivalry. I also cover modern History in which I offer British, American, French, German, Italian, Russian and Chinese history (much of these I studied to Masters level alongside Politics). I have been tutoring all the above topics in recent years and am currently tutoring 7 A level students in a number of these topics. For Politics I offer Feminism, Ecologism, Anarchism and Nationalism as additional ideologies and tutor both the politics of the USA and Global Politics. For Religious Studies I cover Christianity, Islam and Judaism as well as Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics. I am experienced using all the exam boards for Economics, Psychology and English Literature, where I specialise in Gothic, Dystopian, Post-Colonial and Shakespeare.
I have operated as a tutor for both private clients and Oxfordshire and London councils, working with many home-schooled pupils, excluded or referred pupils, and those considered at risk and in care - as well as high achievers looking to get into elite universities and students looking to improve their grades to open up a wider choice of university options. While working at a university I taught students and sixth form pupils writing techniques and was able to build confidence in their abilities so as to make the step up from A levels. I have designed a bespoke student-centred approach to tutoring where I conduct full assessments of each student’s interests, strengths and weaknesses. This is so I can teach to their strengths to help negate the weaknesses while filling each tutorial with subject matter that the student is interested in and would find relevant. I attempt wherever possible to ground the tutorial in a contemporary setting, bringing in examples from everyday life and current events to ensure the learning aims are achieved and can be easily committed to memory. I do not have a designated writing technique that I try to teach pupils, instead I opt for an approach that assesses the student’s strengths and weaknesses and works on making small improvements incrementally over time to peak at the critical moment when exams are being sat, targeting the assessment objectives laid out by the exam boards.
In addition to my tutoring work I maintain an active research portfolio where I focus on the current political, economic and social significance of environmental issues, especially climate change and sustainability - as well as the energy transitions that are required. I work mainly with schools in this capacity offering curriculum enhancement expertise as well as assisting in extracurricular activities. I also have clients in the private sector who draw on my experience as a consultant. For me research and teaching are two sides of the same coin; I find that by doing one I also strengthen the other. Indeed, by researching and writing, I am able to stay engaged with the changes occurring in contemporary society and work this into my teaching approach.

Availability: I work full-time, 6 days a week except for Bank Holidays. Happy to work mornings, afternoons or evenings depending on my current workload.

Willing to travel: 30 miles

Experience: 15 years of experience teaching private and public sector clients, home-schooled pupils, SEN/ABS students and at University of London. I specialise as an exam coach and writing tutor having worked as a freelance editor for the past decade, giving me insights into what constitutes high level academic writing and how students can achieve this in their studies.

DBS Check: Yes