I am a private academic tutor with 10+ years of experience working both in the UK and internationally and I am also a professional opera singer. Having tutored primarily in London, pupils of mine have achieved places at many of the UK’s top independent schools. I have prepared students for scholarship tests and general entry to schools such as: Eton, Westminster, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey, Harrow, Winchester, St. Paul’s Boys, Radley, Wetherby and Latymer Upper. I have also relished becoming part of numerous families on diverse residential jobs for international families all over the world, from Monaco to The Bahamas. On each I enjoyed becoming part of the family and a mentor/guide to my young pupils.
My philosophy on education is one based on the belief that schoolwork or preparation for an exam can be done without any stress or anxiety by adding to and building on an arsenal of mental tools with the aim to focus the mind. Learning how to approach an exam and what examiners are looking for, how to communicate, how to think clearly and objectively are skills as important to absorb as the subject material itself. I believe I am a good tutor in this regard because I aim to act as a mentor and guide, encouraging my tutees to be inquisitive and to expand their scope of thought.
I am confident in my ability to relate to and befriend children and I enjoy working towards finding a common language with them. I am their friend and buddy but also someone they must listen and answer to; a mode of relating I have found to be highly effective as it results in a relationship based on trust and respect between tutor and tutee. I have a kind, gentle and compassionate nature and use this to good effect when building a rapport with my tutees. Enjoying and trusting one’s teacher is essential to feeling open and willing to learn from them. I am from a close yet independently-minded family which has always valued education and communication; values which serve me well when integrating into a family. Coupled with that is a high level of attainment at school, university and in the arts so I am very familiar with the discipline it requires to achieve and aim to instill this in my students.
I grew up with tutors and nannies myself and look back fondly on the time they spent with me in my formative years. I realise how instrumental an instructive figure can be. Aside from singing and teaching I love to play tennis, ski and spend time with friends.
I offer tuition to children aged 7-13 years preparing for internal school exams, the 11+ and Common Entrance as well as 13+ entry and Scholarship tests to the UK’s top independent schools. I also offer interview preparation, revision support as well as general after-school support for any age. I teach English, maths, reasoning, French, Latin, Science, interview preparation, CAT4, piano, singing and music theory.