Laurence
Expert French & Spanish Tutor | Native French Speaker | 30+ Years’ Experience | Former Head of Spanish | GCSE & A-Level Specialist
About
About
Bonjour, hola, hello! I am Laurence, a native French speaker and highly experienced, qualified teacher of French and Spanish with over 30 years’ experience in secondary education.
I have taught both languages to A-Level since 1996 across the state and independent sectors, including 13 years as Head of Spanish at a leading selective grammar school in Buckinghamshire. During this time, students consistently achieved excellent GCSE and A-Level results.
My teaching has been recognised as outstanding, and I have also contributed to professional training focused on raising attainment and improving exam performance.
Alongside my school career, I have delivered thousands of hours of private tuition, supporting students from primary level through to university. I specialise in GCSE, iGCSE, and A-Level preparation, as well as selective entrance examinations, including ISEB Common Entrance, Eton CE, King’s Scholarship, Westminster 16+.
I am committed to helping students build confidence, develop strong foundations, and make meaningful progress in a calm, structured, and supportive environment.
What Students Can Expect
My approach to tutoring is highly individual and carefully structured, reflecting the level of attention and expertise each student receives.
Students can expect lessons that are focused, engaging, and tailored to their specific needs — whether that means building confidence, strengthening grammar, or refining exam technique. Together, we work to identify the approaches that help them learn most effectively and make steady, secure progress.
Lessons are interactive and academically rigorous, while remaining supportive and encouraging throughout. We combine targeted practice with exam-style questions and clear, detailed feedback, helping students develop accuracy, confidence, and independence in their use of the language.
Alongside academic progress, I place strong emphasis on organisation, effective study habits, and managing exam pressure, as these are often key to long-term success.
At the outset, we establish a clear and realistic plan so that both student and parent understand the direction of learning and the steps needed to achieve strong outcomes.
Teaching Experience
Over 30 years teaching French and Spanish to A-Level
13 years as Head of Spanish at a leading selective grammar school
Extensive experience with GCSE, iGCSE and A-Level across major exam boards
Specialist in exam preparation, revision strategies, and exam technique
Strong track record of helping students exceed predicted grades
Experienced in preparing students for competitive entrance examinations
Experienced in DELF preparation across a range of levels
Experience teaching native French pupils in a UK bilingual school
Thousands of hours of successful one-to-one tuition, including small group teaching
Subjects & pricing
Languages
- English Near-native
- French Native
- Spanish Fluent
Qualifications
Teaching qualification
- PGCE Secondary French and Spanish · University of Manchester · Pass · 1995 University of Manchester · Pass · 1995
Other
- Licence de LEA in French, English and Spanish · University of Mont-Saint-Aignan (France) · 1993 University of Mont-Saint-Aignan (France) · 1993
Reviews from Tutorperch
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Reviews from First Tutors
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- imported from First Tutors
Francesca
Laurence is a 1st class tutor who really knows her subject and has extensive experience in what is required for the examination. She is friendly and engaging and has significantly helped my daughter. My daughter always looks forward to her lessons and is hoping to continue with Laurence when she starts A level Spanish.
Laurence replied
Thank you for your kind feedback Francesca. Your daughter has been a joy to work with. Laurence
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Chris
Outstanding. Laurence is a first class tutor- knows not just her subject matter (French obviously), but a masterful understanding of the exam boards to go with it. I, simply, would not hesitate one bit (indeed I won't hesitate with my next kid coming through) to recommend Laurence and have her as a tutor. My only regret?- I wish I had found her 2 years ago. A really outstanding choice.
Laurence replied
Cher Chris, je vous remercie pour vos compliments qui me vont droit au coeur. Ça a étè un vrai plaisir de travailler avec votre fille. Laurence
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Heidi
Laurence was fantastic with my 15 year old daughter who was really struggling with both her motivation and skills for preparing for her French GCSE. Laurence was friendly, patient, kind and understanding with her, and worked at the pace that suited her to build her confidence alongside her skills. I cannot fault Laurence in her tutoring and the way she interacted with my daughter. We could not have asked for more from Laurence - I really highly recommend her as a tutor.
Laurence replied
Heidi, thank you so much for your lovely comnents. Your daughter has been a real joy to work with. Laurence
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Grace
Laurence helped me so much in preparing for my A Level Spanish speaking exam and and boosted my confidence hugely. She is such a great tutor and I would definitely recommend her.
Laurence replied
Thank you for your feedback Grace. You have been a joy to work with and I wish you all the best with your oral examination next week.
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Chunhua
Laurence was extremely helpful. She brought me up to A* for my predicted grade in four months. I did not have much hope for this to happen. It was highly influential in rebuilding my confidence and obtaining strong results. She has constantly been very reliable as well as flexible. Highly recommend!
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Nita
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Rebecca
Laurence is an excellent tutor who has helped me gain confidence in all aspects of my language learning. I have seen massive improvements from my lessons with Laurence and look forward to them each week!
Laurence replied
Thank you for your kind feedback Rebecca.
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Ling
Laurence is very responsible and well-organised. Both children have improved to varying degrees. She also shares detailed lesson content and reports to help children review after the lesson. Also, communicating with Laurence about the lessons was a pleasant experience, and she always promptly responded to my messages.
Laurence replied
Thanks for your feedback Ling. It has been a pleasure working with both children.
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Michael
Laurence has tutored our son for his common entrance exam in French. She has been an outstanding tutor, really engaging, with clear focus on the areas of our son's knowledge that would add most value and our son has benefited enormously from his study with Laurence in terms of gains in knowledge, tackling issues that he couldn't get to grips and a massive increase in confidence. We have always found Laurence to be highly reliable, highly professional, personally charming and we could not recommend her more highly. Thank you, Laurence. We will definitely come back to you for continuing the higher-level French as well Spanish.
Laurence replied
Thank you for your kind words Michael.
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Andrew
Laurence was the perfect A level tutor for our daughter - she was thorough, focussed and extremely encouraging. We couldn't be happier!
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Cristina
Over the last few months Laurence has helped my son prepare for his GCSE Spanish exam. She has been extremely supportive and my son’s progress has been obvious in his mocks and also noted by his school teacher. Laurence’s teaching style is encouraging and she provides constructive feedback which my son really appreciates. Her lesson are well structured to accommodate my son’s needs and Laurence always follows up with some notes after each lesson and useful handout material. Laurence provided regular feedback on my son’s progress and the areas that he needed to work on. She was also flexible when we had to reschedule the lesson. Thank you very much Laurence for all your support. It is much appreciated.
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Lisa
I approached Laurence in the lead up to the mock GCSE exams to help my son improve his ability and, importantly, his confidence. Laurence has a wonderful, personable manner with my son and is, clearly, steeped in experience. She significantly boosted my son’s grade and has provided very structured, focused support. I would recommend Laurence to anyone who is looking for a highly experienced, professional and very lovely tutor!
Laurence replied
Thanks for your lovely feedback Lisa, I really appreciate it
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Rory
Laurence is a very knowledgeable and encouraging tutor. She has been willing to adapt her teaching methods to my particular needs and has enabled me to make noticeable progress in a short space of time. I highly recommend her as a Spanish tutor and commend her for her human qualities.
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Alison
My lessons with Laurence have been really helpful and enjoyable and I have learned a lot in a short time. Laurence explains everything very clearly and her teaching materials are excellent. I am definitely inspired to continue with my studies.
Laurence replied
Thanks for your feedback Alison.
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Elisabeth
Dear Laurence, I am truly delighted by the support you have given to our son in French GCSE preparation. His level was already advanced but he had some gaps. Your kind and structured approach has helped him a lot. He appreciated your supportive teaching style as well as the clear content you provided alongside the lessons. I feel it was really the right decision for us to seek your support. From my end, as the parent, I found that you have communicated very clearly and consistently with me which I really appreciated. It was helpful and always constructive. You are an excellent French tutor with a fantastic experience. Thank you very much
Laurence replied
Thanks so much for your kind feedback Elizabeth. Laurence
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Madeline
Laurence has tutored both of my daughters: one for GCSE Spanish and one for Year 10 French. We were extremely delighted and surprised with the progress that our elder daughter made with Laurence, as well as being very happy with the grade that she achieved. I know that Laurence can take credit for my daughter's improvement as she has brilliant subject knowledge and a fantastic teaching style. My younger daughter loves working with Laurence as she is patient, kind, efficient and effective. I wholeheartedly recommend Laurence as a tutor.
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carole
Laurence has been technically my 8 yer old son Spanish. He is happy having his lessons with her on line. Laurence has a nice friendly manner and is good teaching children. Her lessons are interactive and fun. I would highly recommend Laurence.
Laurence replied
Thanks for your kind feedback Carole. Laurence
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Stephanie
Laurence has been excellent in helping my child with revision for exams. They felt she has been encouraging, kind and helpful. I feel like she has been thorough with assessing needs. Her manner is positive and she has taken an intelligent approach adapting as she saw was required. I would definitely recommend Lawrence and will be asking for more sessions.
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Peter
Really lovely teacher. Thank you !
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Y
Laurence is one of the kindest teachers we have ever met. She is so caring and loving to your child and highly experienced in her French and Spanish subject domain. She is very professional and strives to do things to perfection. We look forward to contacting you soon, next time!
Laurence replied
Thanks Yiwei. I am really grateful for the opportunity you gave me to work with your delightful and exceptionally bright daughter. Laurence