Nicholas
School
Eton College
GCSE: 10 A*
A-Level: Religious Studies (A*) Ancient History (A)
Pre U: Italian (Distinction 3)
University
University of Oxford
BA Modern Languages (Italian and Greek)
Prelims: 1 st , Academic Exhibition Awarded
Teaching and tutoring experience
My experience ranges across all ages. I have taught young children at the early stages of their development, having been a part-time assistant teacher at a primary school, helping children at varying intellectual levels with reading, as well as in general cognitive development through games and literacy/numeracy lessons. I have tutored children between 8 and 11 in English and Maths. At this age range, I have helped non-native English speakers transition to the UK education system. Indeed, a recent student of mine for 8+ was a French native speaker, working in English, which presented its own linguistic challenges. I found his English writing, communication, and language skills to improve dramatically. I teach pupils 11+ for their ISEB pre-tests, as well as school-specific entrance exams in Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, and English, and my students have gained entrance to top UK independent schools. At 13+, I have taught students for the Common Entrance exams.
Furthermore, I tutor a multitude of GCSE subjects, as well as Theology and Italian A Levels. I help students with their university admissions (typically for Oxbridge) and am affiliated with Oxbridge Applications. This year, I took on an Oxford applicant for Modern Languages and oversaw his whole application process, from the statement and the MLAT to his interviews. I have taught many students with Special Educational Needs, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD, helping them with organisation, time-management, and concentration. My own experiences growing up with ADHD and learning how to manage its specificities and challenges is something I carry into my lessons with SEN students, and I draw on the support I had growing up from influential specialists who shaped my learning.
Teaching style and philosophy
I try to adapt my style depending on the student as I believe that the beauty of one-to-one tutoring lies in the respect for the individual. All students learn in a slightly different way, and this is why I believe that private lessons provide an excellent personalised supplement to the ‘broad stroke’ classroom learning. A teacher must be able to adapt quickly to the style of learning and thought of each new student they are faced with, from one hour to the next, holding central the individual student’s needs, and changing teaching style when necessary. This means that my teaching style varies greatly. I have had students who respond very well to interactive learning. For these I draw up colour coded flash cards and make use of mind maps and spider diagrams. Additionally, often I ask students for presentations made in their own time which they present to me in class. (I tend to ask that they use more engaging software such as Prezi as opposed to Powerpoint). If a student tends towards interactive learning, these techniques prove very effective. However, I have also had students who respond well to less interactive teaching methods in a more lecture-based lesson, where I explain information and they take notes, which works towards essay plans and in-class discussions. Also, sometimes, simply working from past papers is the best option! Given how all students are so different, I try to have an adaptable teaching style tailored to the student’s needs.
Additional information
I have experience in industries ranging from private equity to digital marketing (and I even have worked in the contemporary art world!). This range makes me well equipped to tutor students with wildly different interests, skills, and personalities as I have learnt to think both logically and laterally as I have a multitude of interests myself! I’m also a pet-lover and a keen sportsman, musician and actor, having continued these pursuits throughout school and university. I am based in Pimlico, am willing to travel to most parts of London, and can teach online lessons too.