Nick
English GCSE, A level & KS3 Teacher & Tutor 20+ Years
About
I have worked for fifteen years as a teacher at one of the country’s most successful selective state schools for boys and at an independent school for girls. I have extensive experience in assisting young people both as an English teacher, a tutor and a mentor. I have been a full-time English tutor for the last six years.
As a full-time teacher and Subject Leader for English at Tiffin School, I was privileged to work with a cohort of students from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, many of whom did not speak English as their first language. My students’ results, as with those of my colleagues, were outstanding, and GCSE results for my final academic year at Tiffin were excellent (96.45% achieved Levels 9-5 in English Language, and 97.16% achieved Levels 9-5 in English Literature). Only 3.2% of Literature papers were awarded the top Level 9 nationally, and just 2.2% for Language, so I am particularly proud of how several of my students achieved this remarkably rare and prestigious result.
I have taught A-Level throughout the course of my academic career, and most of my students have gone on to top Russell Group universities including Oxford and Cambridge. I have a high degree of expertise in teaching literary theory, and I thoroughly enjoy teaching my students how to apply critical perspectives to texts in a scholarly and inventive manner.
I really like teaching students at Key Stage 3, and I have always found that pupils aged 11 to 14 are brimming with imagination and creativity – and these are some of the special qualities that I will always try and harness and refine whilst tutoring your child. In my role as Subject Leader of English at Tiffin School, I monitored student attainment, and strove to ensure that every KS3 student had the help they needed to flourish – and this is reflected in the ‘outstanding’ rating that my last school achieved via the government’s new Progress 8 measures.
I have extensive knowledge of teaching students with Special Educational Needs, and I have worked fruitfully with many young people with autism and dyslexia. In addition to this, I am very effective in helping students who speak English as an additional language, and I have always endeavoured to make them excellent and technically robust communicators.
The core of my approach to tutoring is about giving the student the skills and confidence to analyse texts thoughtfully and independently whilst enjoying the challenge for its own sake. I am a friendly and good-humoured tutor who will always be working on your child’s ability to speak and write with clarity, decisiveness and academic rigour.
Subjects & pricing
English Literature
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AQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
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AQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
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AQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
English Language
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AQA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
Languages
- English Native
Qualifications
Higher education
- BA (Hons) English Literature · University of Sussex · 2:1 (Upper second) · 2002 University of Sussex · 2:1 (Upper second) · 2002
Teaching qualification
- PGCE English · Institute of Education / University of London · Pass · 2004 Institute of Education / University of London · Pass · 2004
- QTS English · Institute of Education / University of London · Pass · 2004 Institute of Education / University of London · Pass · 2004
Reviews
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RICHARD
Nick did a great job tutoring our daughter for GCSE Eng Lang and Eng Lit. In her mocks in December she obtained grade 5 in both subjects. For the real exams in May she obtained a Grade 9 in GCSE English Literature and also a Grade 9 in GCSE English Language. We were all shocked and delighted. Nick has all the right experience. He knows the subject matter, what the examiners want, and how to teach effectively. The results are way beyond what we expected so I’ve no hesitation in highly recommending Nick for GCSE students who need extra help.
Nick replied
Thank you so much, Richard. It was a pleasure to tutor your daughter and I’m so happy that she achieved such excellent results! I’m sure she’ll flourish in her A-level subjects.
- imported from First Tutors
Cristina
We have had an exceptional experience with Nick. His analytical approach to teaching is of great help in improving my son’s understanding and ability in English. Nick provides feedback in a very methodical and organised manner and writes detailed notes that are extremely helpful for reviewing after each lesson. Always punctual and ready to start the session, Nick has a keen eye for picking up even the smallest details to greatly enhance the quality of writing. His feedback is very detailed and precise, making it extremely helpful in addressing specific areas for improvement effectively. Nick takes the lessons very seriously and is highly knowledgeable. He is concise and focused, making each session productive and impactful. Additionally, his prompt responses, even on weekends when we initially contacted him, were greatly appreciated and demonstrated his dedication and professionalism. Overall, Nick has been an outstanding tutor, and we highly recommend his services to anyone looking for thorough, engaging and effective tutoring.
Nick replied
Thank you, Cristina! I’m absolutely delighted that your son has had such a positive experience with me. I look forward to tutoring him and thank you once again for your lovely words.
- imported from First Tutors
Dorota
Excellent tutor! We are very happy with the style of tuition and the feedback after completing the tasks.
- imported from First Tutors
Sanchez
Nick is an excellent tutor who has enabled our son to be more confident in not only English, but in learning altogether!
Nick replied
Thank you so much, Sanchez! It was a pleasure to help your son and be welcomed by your lovely family.
- imported from First Tutors
Mozhgan
Nick started tutoring our son 1-2 times a week from July 2020 in preparation for his GCSE exams this summer. Our son always struggled with English with low confidence with predications in the 5/6 range. Nick was very precise and worked diligently & patiently on helping improve his approach and technique & our son succeeded in obtaining an 7 in English literature & 8 in English language, which a year earlier would have been considered very ambitious and aspirational! We would have no hesitation in recommending Nick very highly and will be contacting him in due course for tutoring our second son, when the time comes. Thank you Nick!
Nick replied
It was an absolute pleasure working with you, Mozhgan. Your son was a delight to teach and he thoroughly deserves the terrific grades he achieved in the summer!