Barney

I was born in London and moved to Oxford when I was 8. I attended Magdalen College School, a wonderful and encouraging environment for learning. My love of poetry was nourished by a brilliant teacher, and the fertile libraries of Oxford provided me with a keen interest in literature. I won both school and county poetry recitation competitions, and was lucky enough to play some brilliant roles in school plays. I won the English prize 3 consecutive years in what was a particularly competitive school, and went on to study it at Oxford in 2010. At Oxford I captained the college football teams and honed my love of poetry with a dissertation on Louis MacNeice and 1930s poetry, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adore football, and follow Oxford United religiously (which is a fairly harrowing experience), and am a keen Theatre goer, which is one of the main reasons for residing in London, the best place for Theatre in the world. I am a personable and enthusiastic character, who makes friends very easily!

My approach to Tutoring is developing enthusiasm and interest in the chosen subject. Both supported and independent studying are far more succesful when the student is engaged and interested in the material. I find a mixture of encouragement and enthusiasm, as well as lots of questions and allowing the student to speak their mind, helps develop their interest in what they are studying. I am a young tutor, and it wasn`t that long ago that I was sitting these exams themselves, and this allows for a good working relationship between tutor and tutee that is built on trust and mutual respect. I know that when I was sitting my exams it helped to mix conversation up with teachers - maybe half an hour on Shakespeare, then five minutes on what your desert island discs would be, or who is going to win the Premier League. The right mixture of enthusiasm and hard work yields fantastic results.

Availability: Weekdays/Weekends

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: I began teaching when I was in my second year at Oxford, with the wonderful and highly renowned Oxford Individual Tutors. My enthusiasm for learning, not just in my specific field but in all humanities, was very transferable and my first student achieved an A* at GCSE in both English and History, having been predicted an A and C respectively. My private tuition has yielded fantastic results, with several of my GCSE students last year achieving 7-9 and one A Level student leaping from a C to an A under my watchful and encouraging gaze. This year I have primarily focused on younger age groups in an attempt to broaden my teaching horizons, and have had much success there too. My 13+, while initially struggling, achieved entry to all of the schools he had applied to and will be starting at St Albans in September. My key skills are not only my own education but also my personality. I find that enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, and being personable really helps in one on one tuition. Students have warmed to my relaxed but academic style, which gives them an opportunity to voice opinions on subjects they otherwise would not be able to or have the confidence to, which helps their interest and aptitude in the subject grow. It explains why I have been able to do so much free lance tuition, all through word of mouth, as my students have not only achieved high results but have really enjoyed the lessons. Many have kept me on as a tutor well beyond the day they sit their exams, as parents have often commented on how good an influence they feel I am on their children. I have also been curating a series of workshops on Shakespeare at Harris Westminster Sixth Form, which has combined my love of teaching with my love of theatre. The workshops are voluntary, and teach the kids how to explore their academic work on Shakespeare through performing it. The whole process has been amazingly rewarding! Since leaving Oxford, I have tutored both privately and in schools and in the far flung corners of this world.