Fiona Thomas

I am a retired English school teacher who has also given private home tuition for over 15 years. I have taught many, many children with ages ranging from 9 to 16. I tend to specialise in the English and Verbal Reasoning part of 11+ preparation, but am also experienced in KS3 and GCSE English Language teaching. I am also happy to undertake intense periods of revision prior to exams. The last minute learning of exam technique can be very effective and may realistically boost grades.

I consider that I am very approachable and feel that it is very important to form a good relationship with anyone I teach. In the first lesson, I carefully assess the pupil in order to discover their strengths and weaknesses; discuss what they hope to gain from lessons with me and give them an honest idea of what I consider to be achievable. I believe strongly in well directed and individualised learning which is thorough but good fun. I always try to reinforce the positive and show pupils how much they have learnt. I nearly always set homework which is marked scrupulously and this often forms a part of the next lesson.