Melanie

My students regularly go from D/E in Year 12 to A/B in their final exams.
Best results ever: U in AS English literature to full ums (100 per cent) at A2 in 2015. Well done David! And A* in biology taken independently outside school in just one year in 2019. A stunning achievement Sarah, and good luck at vet`s school.

I have a doctorate from Oxford in English Literature and a Natural Science degree from Cambridge, where I specialised in Biology. I am an experienced tutor in both English and Science and can offer students a solid grounding in English literature and Biology to AS and A level.

English
In English, I specialise in two types of tutoring. Depending on pass grades at GCSE, I can offer a structured approach to English literature students, focusing on basic grammar and textual analysis. In the past I have helped students to move up five grades, from E to A, largely by going back over core skills and by teaching them how to analyse written text in quite a formal way.
I help students to produce eye-catching essays which will impress the examiners. Whether they are hoping for a C grade or an A*, every candidate can improve their score by honing their essay skills. It`s simply a matter of knowing how to structure the answers and write analytically.

Biology
Biology A level is probably the most demanding and unforgiving of all subjects. The specification is vast and every exam question is compulsory, so students must understand all aspects of the syllabus and be able to apply their knowledge quickly and accurately. This is tough, and means that every paper is as much a comprehension exercise as a test of factual information. I provide an individually-structured learning programme tailored to each of the three major specifications: AQA, Edexcel A and B and OCR. I take students through all the theory that they will need to gain an A* but I also expect them to do questions for themselves. Success comes through hard work in Biology and sadly there are no short-cuts.

Oxbridge:
It is always a pleasure, and a challenge, to teach Oxbridge candidates. At Oxford, I was lucky enough to observe the admissions procedure for several of the colleges. I know what the admissions tutors are looking for, and, though I cannot guarantee success, I can give would-be undergraduates the skills they need to tackle the entrance tests and interviews with confidence.

Availability: Weekdays and weekday evenings

Willing to travel: Home Only

Experience: Trained as an undergraduate tutor at Oxford University
I have over ten years of tutoring experience at A level in both English literature and Biology

DBS Check: Yes