PASS GCSE, iGCSE & A LEVEL English Lang. & Literature Tutor. All texts covered. REACH YOUR POTENTIAL - FORMER EXAMINER GCSE / A Level. 30+ years experience; fully qualified teacher. Top results.

Find out more about Elizabeth

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I fell into private tutoring after completing my first degree, after being asked to help a student with their English GCSE and an undergraduate who was struggling with her assignment, when I signed to a tutor agency in 1991. I found the experience very rewarding, especially when my GCSE student achieved a top grade from a low beginning and the undergraduate was so delighted with my help. This inspired me to teach and led me to complete a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). I have subsequently had a very successful and rewarding teaching career of over thirty years, including examining work for major exam boards, the role of Head of English and Whole School Literacy Coordinator. I now tutor privately because I recognise the huge difference one to one / small group class input can make to an individual, be they struggling with a subject or aspiring to achieve top results.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach English and Psychology to all ages including GCSE and A Level in both subjects. My first degree is in English & Drama, my MSc being in Psychology. I cover all exam boards, including International GCSE / A Level and IB qualifications. I like to facilitate independent thought, allowing originality and flair to come from the individual as opposed to teaching to the test. All my students have surpassed expectation and I find that my approach leads to outstanding results which stems from thirty years of teaching experience and examining work at GCSE & A Level standards.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  For me there are many role models in life. However, those who have inspired me and continue to, have the same 'I can do this' positive attitude. It is the 'I can do it' approach to all life's obstacles which makes the difference between success and failure. Sometimes one may not succeed the first time, but I admire the 'I will try again' approach. Don't be afraid of failure but learn from it and if it matters...try, try again.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  For me, the qualities of a good tutor are reliability, subject knowledge and effectiveness. Now ask me what the qualities of an outstanding tutor are...all of the above, with the ability to think outside the box; the ability to switch pre planned lessons on the demand of the client according to immediate student need; the ability to engage with and understand the individual differences of each student; the ability to differentiate and create bespoke lessons; and most importantly the ability to add humour to sessions, facilitate confidence and always maintain the highest professional standards.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was seventeen, I made the faux pas of pronouncing Rudyard Kipling as 'Rood...eee yard'...instead of 'Rud yard' ... the whole A level class fell about laughing including the teacher! Rest assured; I never made the same mistake again! 😳😂

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  The biggest challenge for me in my subjects has never altered...there are simply not enough hours in any life to read everything I wish to read.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I am passionate about all aspects of teaching. We never stop learning and I love it when a student teaches me something new, whether it be a word I haven't come across before (Brobdingnagian was one example) or general knowledge trivia.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I am a Superprof as I have a 100% success rate of students passing 11+/ 13+ Entrance Exams; a 100% success rate of students surpassing expectation; many of my students achieve the highest Level 9 at GCSE and A / A* at A Level; all have shown significant improvement, with one very famous renowned London public school commenting to an eleven-year old student's parents that they had produced the best literary / poetic analysis they had come across at that age. This was a skill we had spent much time on. If you want results, I believe I will get them for any student who is willing to engage.