Catherine P.

Clear, engaging, imaginative tutor with a Double First in English from Oxford! Over 30 years' teaching experience. PGCE. I don't just teach to the test. I boost creativity, confidence and skills for the future, far beyond the exam hall. Key Stage 3 to GCSE. The apostrophe to Shakespeare, and everything in between!
I mostly teach in person, at my home, with all my amazing books, papers and creative teaching materials to hand. This way, I can find the right resource in the moment. I like to build trust and rapport, and find out what is troubling a student about English. Then I give a task that helps the student make progress from the first lesson. My teaching can be quirky and memorable, because language techniques are everywhere. There's a simile on a can of soup and metaphors in the names of cars!
Please Note: Regular lessons take place at my home in Teddington, which has good transport links. Short-term online bookings are possible, subject to availability, e.g. in the final few months leading up to GCSE Exams. Longer-term, regular lessons are all face to face. Occasional online lessons may be booked in place of the usual face-to-face lessons - if a child has a sneezy cold but still wants the lesson, for instance!
I read a student's work to see what is already strong and doesn't need to change. This is why I mark with three pens: green for good, red for wrong and purple for advice and next steps.
I draw cartoons to make ideas clear, memorable and fun. Meet the Essay Dinosaur, the Grammar Octopus and the Poetry Flower! Shakespeare comes alive when you see the Model Globe Theatre I made, complete with Playmobil knights, devils and ghosts. You'll see how Shakespeare's plays are scripts: words onstage, not words on a page!
I always aim to send students home knowing what to do next and confident that they can do it. My favourite comment from a student: 'I'm making my own discoveries now, instead of learning someone else's.' From a parent: 'When I drove my daughter to her lesson, she was so stressed she was in tears. When  she got back in the car after her lesson, she was laughing.' Great to hear!

Adults: CELTA Certificate from Kings College University of London. Women only, at my home. English Conversation and Writing to Intermediate/Improver/Advanced speakers. I can help you to express yourself more clearly, accurately and idiomatically in the subject areas that you want to talk and write about. Strong focus on social life, all the arts and humanities.

Some Reviews I have received:

Hannah:

Catherine is an excellent tutor and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is thorough in her teaching and uses creative techniques - indeed my son felt that he had learnt more in one hour with Catherine than he had all year! She is passionate and enthusiastic about her subject which comes across in her teaching and this definitely engages her students!

Alexis:

Perfect! We asked for help with English language for our daughter, who did abysmally in her mock. Catherine helped her with the specifics of her GCSE course. She helped our daughter write speeches, stories and opinions. She was very patient and encouraged our daughter who thought she wasn't very good at English. Our daughter achieved 9s in both English Language and Literature- so we were very happy! We highly commended Catherine.

Toake:

Catherine has been tutoring my sons in KS3 for six months now and I couldn't been happier with the result. One of my sons was recently complimented by his English teacher at school on how well he is doing in class, which came as a surprise for both my son and me, but boosted his confidence which is quite needed as he heads to the GCSE.

Caroline:

I would highly recommend Catherine as a tutor if - above all - you want your child to develop a love of English literature as an art form in all of its different manifestations. Catherine's ability to instil a passion for, and appreciation of, English is quite unique and will definitely help your child to perform at the highest level possible.

Urangua:

Perfect! Catherine was very encouraging and helped my daughter feel more confident before the GCSEs! She really enjoyed discussing poetry with Catherine and helped her achieve a grade 9 in English Lit.

Chrissie:

The results have been amazing, not just in English but in all the essay-based subjects my daughter Issey did for GCSE. Catherine did so much to help Issey improve her writing style, understand and interpret literature and proof read her work in an effective way. Issey has become a far more confident writer and has learnt skills that will carry her through school and beyond. There is no question that she would not have achieved as she did without Catherine's help. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Stephanie:

I am delighted to be able to act as a reference for Catherine; she made a very positive impact on both my children. After sessions they returned home uplifted and inspired, confident to continue to study alone with an interested and positive attitude.