Matthew

I am a motivated Oxford University History graduate and am now studying for a Master’s in English and Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, in the hope of becoming a novelist. Having worked part-time as a tutor and a tennis coach for the past five years, I have accumulated a wealth of experience that I have used to adapt and refine my tutoring skills. When giving feedback students have described me as both friendly and approachable, but also serious, with a clear style of teaching.

I believe that every student is different when it comes to learning, and thus I adapt my approach to meet the individual student’s needs. I find it vital to make sure that students have a good knowledge of the facts, arguments and principles behind a subject, as well as encouraging a wider engagement in the subject as a whole. I like to explain the concepts underlying a subject in a simple, clear manner, and develop an understanding with the student so both of us can develop a specific style of teaching based on their needs.

While I do understand that learning some concepts can be tough for students and I know that pupils can get very stressed over exams, I believe it is important to have ambitious yet reachable goals for students to aim for. Pressure can be a key motivator for learning, but it can also have a very negative impact and I believe a key part of my role as a tutor is to help students to cope with the stress of examinations in their own way.

I have seven A*’s and three A’s at GCSE level, and achieved two A*’s and two A’s at A level. I achieved full UMS in many papers in these subjects, including in my History, Politics, and English A levels. I obtained a high 2:1 in History from the University of Oxford, and over the past year I have written a novel that I hope one day to publish. During university I was President of my College’s History Society, and organised one of the most popular talks they’ve ever had. I am, as you may have guessed, a passionate student of both English Literature and History, though I have not limited myself to these two subjects. I am also an animated musician, and achieved high ABRSM grades in several instruments; I am a keen follower of politics, and competed in my school’s 2010 mock general election. I achieved A*’s in French and Geography at GCSE and have since regularly used my French language skills both abroad and when coaching foreign students tennis. I also regularly read Geography books, and have since taught the subject to students. Overall, I enjoy encouraging a wider interest and enjoyment in the subject I am teaching, and watching the student’s curiosity and passion for the subject grow into something they can truly engage with.

I am happy to offer coaching for both the Oxbridge interview and for the History entrance exam. I am also happy to help hone personal statements for university, and to give advice on how to go about the application process. I have been DBS checked and I would be willing to offer the first session at a lower rate.

Availability: Available all days apart from Monday.

Willing to travel: 8 miles

Experience: My career as a tutor began when I taught a number of students at the Perse School in Cambridge, preparing them for university entrance. In 2014 I took a year out after school, and gained more experience in tutoring. This is where I learnt a lot of my personal teaching techniques and developed my passion for teaching, I am an LTA qualified tennis coach and taught tennis skills part-time to people of all ages from boys and girls aged three to retired people in their sixties for over five years, a form of teaching that employs many of the same skills as educational tutoring demands. Through both tutoring and tennis coaching I have taught pupils that range from Primary school students to adults.