Tim

NB Please READ CAREFULLY
My main focus is on A Level English Literature for the coming school year, beginning as soon as possible.
But this year I'm also prepared to take on a few French and Spanish students. That would be GCSE students estimated at 6 or above, or beginning A Level students (that is, new Year 12 in September 2025).
I'm a retired English teacher, holding BA Hons Literature Upper Second Class, PGCE, and a DBS clearance (it used to be called CRB) and have now been tutoring for nine years, to more than 100 students, with only excellent feedback. As you'll see under Introductory Discount (below), you won't pay for the first session; it's an introduction.
I have tutored English and English Literature at all level, but the number of pure A Level English Literature enquiries I'm now getting means I'm specialising there.
I was responsible for the administration of A-level English Literature at Wilmslow High School over many years. We sent many students to Oxbridge - but, perhaps more importantly, we achieved very high grades generally, and enthused almost every student we had. The same, I think, was true of GCSE.
I have many additional interests, for example in music (guitar/singer/songwriter), in fitness work, and am qualified as an amateur boxing full coach.

Tutoring Experience

I taught English as a classroom teacher, at all levels, for 38 years, specialising in A-Level English Literature but having covered all ages and abilities at secondary level.
I have A Level Spanish and French, and have taught English in Spain. I'm offering them again this year, but currently I'm planning to restrict those particular subjects to new Year 12 A Level students, and to GCSE students estimated at 6 or above.
I've also tutored French and Spanish.

Tutoring Approach

I'm enthusiastic about A Level English Literature, and I work as a private tutor because I wish to succeed on a one-to-one basis in the same way that, as a classroom teacher, I knew collective success with colleagues.
It's vital, in my opinion, that the tutee trusts the tutor: not simply trusting in the tutor's subject expertise, but having confidence also in the tutor's concern for, and assessment of, the student's progress. Simply put, that means that an enjoyable working relationship is an absolute essential.
I do what I think needs doing. If I think confidence is the issue, or written expression, or a basic knowledge of what the subject is about, that's what I focus on. I hope my many reviews indicate that what I do usually works. And I never, ever want a student to do a single session without expecting it to be a little bit enjoyable. Everything else follows from that.
Of course, there are times when a lesson might not go ahead, but in the event of either party needing to cancel an appointment, I'll always try to add an extra lesson at the earliest possible opportunity, if required.
So my approach is, I hope, sympathetic, informative and thorough. In short, I enjoy teaching.
I also hope the comments on my teaching, which you'll find here on the site, are informative and encouraging.