Online English tutor & more
Joanna
20+ years' experience, English KS3/GCSE Specialist, GCSE Examiner, Dyslexia qualified, 1st Class Degree, Grade A CELTA
Hourly rate
£45/hr
Online English tutor & more
20+ years' experience, English KS3/GCSE Specialist, GCSE Examiner, Dyslexia qualified, 1st Class Degree, Grade A CELTA
About
20+ years of global teaching experience, with an extensive background in UK education (including HE) and international schools. I am a GCSE examiner with a first class in English and Politics - I love English and I want you to love it too! I am passionate about enabling everyone to reach their potential. I specialise in KS3; GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Literature; adults who are returning to education after a break; academic skills for Higher Education; and students who are learning English as a second language.
I have a PGCE and I became CELTA qualified, graded Outstanding in all areas, in 2014. I also have an Understanding Dyslexia qualification. This is a particular area of interest to me and I have taught many dyslexic students who have successfully achieved their qualifications. I teach a wide range of exam syllabuses which include: AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, Eduqas and OCR.
Tutoring Experience
I have been tutoring online (in addition to my classroom teaching) since 2016 and have helped hundres of students achieve at least their target grade, often 2+ grades higher. I really enjoy what I do and I aim to build confidence and study skills, alongside qualifications. I always assess a student's skills and identify areas of strength, as well as key areas for development.
GCSE student feedback examples from AQA English Lit & Lang, Y11 students. Each student received 1 hour's weekly Zoom tuition for 1 academic year (references available):
'Before Joanna started helping me with my English I was set to fail my English GCSEs, but with her help she helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities with English. She is a lovely, kind, funny person and her teaching methods definitely helped me to get passes in both English literature and language. I honestly couldn’t be more grateful for help and her patience in getting me through some very tough months.'
‘I finished bottom of my English class at the end of year 10 and Joanna helped me turn things around by moving up 6 entire grades and surpassing most of the other students in my class. Joanna's friendly, knowledgeable approach to tuition has really helped me this year and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone.’
'Before Joanna I lacked confidence in my English abilities and I was predicted a grade 6. However, Joanna really turned things around for me and I received two 8s in my English GCSEs. I would strongly recommend Joanna as she helped me to feel exceptionally prepared for my exams and I looked forward to her sessions every week.'
My availability:
I teach Mondays to Fridays. I can offer tuition sessions of one, two or three hours on a regular basis.
Intensive lessons during the holidays or exam revision is also possible, on request. I can deliver a bespoke course if you would like; please be aware the price is dependent on what you require.
If you would like a quicker response, please let me know:
the education stage you are enquiring about i.e. Year 10
the exam board you are studying and set texts
why you are interested in arranging English tutoring
how often you would like lessons
when you are available
£45/hr · 3 subjects · 9 levels
Subjects & pricing
Languages
- English Native
- Spanish Conversational
Qualifications
Higher education
- BA Honours English Literature Certificate checked · University of York · First-class (1st) · 2003 University of York · First-class (1st) · 2003 Certificate checked
- PgCert Understanding Dyslexia Certificate checked · London Southbank University · Pass · 2009 London Southbank University · Pass · 2009 Certificate checked
Teaching qualification
- CELTA Certificate checked · University of Cambridge · Pass A · 2014 University of Cambridge · Pass A · 2014 Certificate checked
- PGCE Certificate checked · University of Greenwich · 2007 University of Greenwich · 2007 Certificate checked
Reviews from Tutorperch
No Tutorperch reviews yet. Students can leave a verified review here after a lesson.
Reviews from First Tutors
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The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.
- Sept 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna has been an excellent tutor for my son over the 2024-25 academic year. As a foreign student preparing for his English GCSE, he faced many challenges, but Joanne’s patience, skill, and ability to connect with young learners made all the difference. She helped him gain confidence and real progress in a non-native language. I highly recommend her.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much. He was an absolute pleasure to teach and I looked forward to our lessons. I wish him so much success with his new course; he should be extremely proud of his achievements.
- Jun 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I cannot recommend Joanna enough. My Grandson had lost a significant amount of schooling due to an illness and in his mocks he did so badly that we thought he was going to have to do the whole year again. At the last minute Joanna found time in her busy schedule to tutor him in Language and Literature. She was able to give him confidence to feel that he could get his GCSEs in these subjects and she was able to give him the relevant skills to approach his exams in a competent manner. In addition, because she was so encouraging, it enabled him to have belief in himself and this has led to him being able to approach the other humanities subjects with more rigour and confidence. He is just finishing his examinations at present but we all feel he will do much better due to Joanna's intervention.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much for the feedback. I have really enjoyed working with him and I wish him so much success in his next steps.
- May 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna is an excellent tutor, she explains topics clearly and concisely, always showing remarkable patience.She is exceptionally kind and consistently offers thoughtful, constructive feedback to help improve my answers.Her guidance has been incredibly helpful and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking support with their English GCSE. Theo
Joanna replied
Thank you so much Theo. It's been a pleasure working with you and I'm confident the hard work will pay off.
- Nov 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna is very professional tutor. She is very flexible to the students' needs and can adopt a programme for the specific requirements. She is kind and patients when our child is late for a few minutes. We started out learning process with her not so long time ago, but hope we can continue till the end of school year!
Joanna replied
Thank you so much. I'm enjoying teaching her and I look forward to helping her develop her skills this academic year.
- Oct 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna is an excellent teacher. She has been teaching my son for a few months, and I’ve already noticed great progress. She’s always well-prepared and provides useful resources. Her exam tips and writing techniques have really boosted my son’s confidence and skills. Since starting lessons with Joanna, his improvement has been remarkable. My son really enjoys her lessons and feels more confident now in preparation for his exams. I highly recommend Joanna.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. He's hardworking and bright, and I'm really enjoying working with him.
- Oct 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna is a really helpful teacher. I know what i want to do each week and she explains everything really well. Shows me how to do something and lets me try it afterwards. In school, we just wizz through how to do it and then we focus a lot timing, but Joanna really looks at if i can properly answer questions. Would recommend her to anyone that i know. Amazing teacher.
Joanna replied
Thank you for the lovely feedback! You're working really hard and already improving.
- Oct 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna was so engaging when i approached her for my daughter. She was not reluctant to take her on board. Even though my daughter presently doesn't have any area of weakness in English language being an exceptional & bright student in ALL subjects, i did not just want to engage any teacher for her… So iam very glad that she tells me that Joanna is excellent and she's enjoying it. I have no doubt she will meet her target of 9 when she writes GCSE in 2026. I will highly recommend Joanna as an English tutor if your child needs help in any area of language.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much. She is indeed an exceptional student and I have every confidence she will get a 9! She's a true pleasure to work with.
- Oct 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna took the time at the outset to understand the areas my daughter needed guidance and help with. Joanna was a great help- instilling confidence in my daughter and taking the time to ensure she understood things and how she could improve. My daughter got a grade 7 in her English GCSE Language and in her English Literature GCSE which she is thrilled with and is a testament to Joanna’s tutoring which inspired my daughter to work hard and believe in herself more and her ability! Thank you.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback - she worked incredibly hard and should be very proud of her results.
- May 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna helped my daughter with GCSE English Language and English Literature. She's a brilliant English Tutor. She's knowledgeable, very organised, and responsible. She really helped to boost my daughter's confidence.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much, she's been a pleasure to teach.
- Aug 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I would highly recommend Joanna as an English tutor. Joanna's sessions are engaging as she personalises them to my son's interests. Joanna is friendly and knowledgeable and really easy to work with.
Joanna replied
Thanks very much. I look forward to our lessons!
- Jun 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Joanna has been a great help to our Daughter who is currently taking her GCSE . She has had one hour a week with Joanna on zoom since February and is having an hour lesson Before each exam currently. Our daughter has found Joanna so easy to get along with and has found the lessons really helpful as they are tailored to what she specify needs help with.
Joanna replied
Thank you! She's so hard working and committed. It's been really lovely to work with her and I wish her so much luck with her next steps :-)
- Nov 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I highly recommend Joanna. I have found Joanna to be very helpful, very knowledgeable and professional - she is an excellent teacher who has engaged and inspired my 13-year old son in the way she teaches English. She is highly skilled in assessing and working with his strengths and areas that he struggles with. Joanna makes lessons very stimulating and fun, and starts with topics that he has an interest in. I feel confident that the extra tutoring support he is getting from Joanna will pay dividends in the long run and enable my son to reach his full potential in English. He always looks forward his weekly lesson … what more can I say!
Joanna replied
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. I also look forward to the lessons as he has such an incredible imagination.
- Nov 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
My son has had a couple of lessons with Joanna. She is extremely friendly and has put my son at ease right from the start. The one to one support allows my son to focus on the areas of English he feels unsure of and together they have worked together to decide on their next steps. I would definitely recommend Joanna.
Joanna replied
Thanks so much for the feedback. It's a pleasure to work with him!
- Sept 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Excellent so far - just what we've been searching for. Very professional.
Joanna replied
Thanks Darren! I'm really looking forward to working with your son.
- Nov 2020 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
"I have rated Joanna as excellent because I believe she deserves this rating. She does not only have the knowledge to support my son but an amazing delivery approach that made my son enjoy English classes. Since working with Joanna, I have been assured that my son is getting the needed support, and his confidence has definitely been boosted because he is improving at school." Enas Dahadha
Joanna replied
Thank you! It's a pleasure to work with him.
- imported from First Tutors
Garima
Joanna is really helping my child a lot. I have seen him improving in a good pace. After joining her classes he started loving English Language paper. Hopefully he will be same way start loving English literature as well once he will start with it. It's really lucky to have a teacher like Joanna for parents and students. Thanks so much for all your support !
Joanna replied
You're very welcome - he's hardworking and a pleasure to teach.
- imported from First Tutors
Morgan
Amazing tutor who pays great attention to my son’s educational needs and takes a holistic approach in teaching him. Joanna has a unique style of teaching, is patient while at the same time delivering a great lesson! My son enjoys lessons with Joanna and always looks forward to them. I would highly recommend Joanna as she is an excellent teacher. Morgan’s mum.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much - he is an absolute pleasure to teach and I very much look forward to my lessons with him.
- imported from First Tutors
Charlotte
Joanna has been tutoring my daughter English and we have found her to be very well organised with excellent bespoke resources. She has provided my daughter with lots of support & great exam preparation & technique which has resulted in her improving her grades already. The lessons are really well tailored to her individual needs and Joanna is really engaging.
Joanna replied
Thank you so much - she's a pleasure to work with and I enjoy our lessons!
- imported from First Tutors
Yvette
My daughter has been having GCSE English tutoring with Joanna for a few months. We’ve noticed a big improvement in our daughter’s work and also her confidence levels, and we attribute this to the enthusiasm and knowledge that Joanna has imparted in her.
Joanna replied
Thank you very much - she's an absolute pleasure to work with :-)
- imported from First Tutors
Ally
Extremely professional and understanding to work with individual interests and needs to bring out the best on my son
Joanna replied
Thanks very much for the lovely feedback. I'm looking forward to working with him.