I have been involved in every aspect of education for most of my working life, and that includes bringing up my three children - all of whom I taught! Though I am a qualified teacher with a post graduate degree, I am equally happy working with younger students. In my spare time, I am a writer and spend as much time as I can on my boat.
Tutor Profile
Teaching Experience
Over more than fifty years, I have taught at every age level from Infants to Oxbridge candidates, in maintained and independent schools. My specialist subjects are English, English Literature, Theatre, Film and Media Studies and Classical Civilisation. I have also been a headteacher, a principal, a governor, an examiner, a teacher trainer and school inspector. I am very familiar with the demands of entrance exams, SATs, GCSE, AS and A level - and I set up and ran units to help children with special learning needs including dyslexia and English as a Second Language. In recent years I have become more and more involved in tutoring undergraduate and post graduate students in subjects as diverse as Creative Media, Engineering Management and Education.
Tutoring Approach
I believe tutoring needs three things to be successful: a clear goal, a clear plan to get there and a determination - by the student and the tutor - to make it work. A warm personal relationship is important - because that enhances the confidence of the student - and is a motivation in itself. I seek to share my enthusiasm, build confidence and maximise potential. And I always bear in mind that 'education is what is left when you have forgotten everything you were taught'.
Availability
Morning
Early Aft
Late Aft
Evening
MondayMon
TuesdayTue
WednesdayWed
ThursdayThu
FridayFri
SaturdaySat
SundaySun
Qualifications
PhD
Doctorate · University of Reading · 1992
MA English
Masters · University of Oxford · 1978
PGCE
PGCE · University of Leeds · 1973
QTS
QTS · Bedfordshire CC · 1973
BA English
Bachelors · University of Oxford · 1972
Reviews
Feedback
29
Published29
Unpublished0
Extra comments6
mvlijitha Comment
John has been a huge help for my son’s GCSE English. His guidance on essay structure, text analysis, and timing has been incredibly effective. Thank you for all your support.
Tutor response
Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with your son. It was a pleasure to have such a determined and meticulous student. I wish him all the very best in the future.
sarahn Comment
John is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and has done a great job of increasing my son's interest in the books he is studying for his English Literature GCSE. Most beneficially, John has provided a much deeper understanding of the assigned texts, including thought provoking analysis which has not been covered in class by my son's teacher. This has given my son additional insight and more to discuss during his exam.
Tutor response
Many thanks for your feedback. I am delighted that we are achieving the twin objectives of better understanding and enhanced enthusiasm for his literary texts. Your son is a pleasure to work with and I look forward to Year 11.
ciles31 Comment
John has been amazing from day one; very responsive, extremely helpful, and most importantly he tutored my daughter in a fashion that she understood, which ultimately gave her more confidence in her drama texts.
Tutor response
Thank you so much for your feedback. Your daughter's enthusiasm and energy made tuition feel like a refreshing and lively conversation. I wish her every success in the future.
edita Comment
John has been tutoring my son Tomas for 6 months. From the very first lesson, he created a supportive and encouraging learning environment. John's expertise is unmatched. His explanations of English Literature and Language topics were very clear and engaging. Thanks to John's patience and encouragement, my son's English skills have improved significantly and his confidence in writing grew. I am incredibly grateful for John's support and would wholeheartedly recommend him to any student willing to succeed in their GCSE English Literature and Language exams.
Tutor response
Thank you so much for your review of my work with Tomas. It always makes a tutor's task easier when he has the whole hearted support of the student and his family. But the key to this was Tomas' own resolve to apply himself, to think carefully and take care over the details. I felt lucky to have him as a student.
ccowen003 Comment
This is a review from my 17 year old son, who John has been supporting with A level English for the last 9 months: John has been instrumental in renewing my interest in English Literature, offering new insights and alternative perspectives on my texts. Our discussions broaden my knowledge outside of the curriculum as well, drawing on different historical, social and artistic contexts to inform my studies. I am very grateful for the help I have received from John so far and look forward to our future sessions.
Tutor response
Thank you so much for your review. Your son is a delight to tutor, openminded, imaginative and creative. I consider myself lucky to have the chance to work with him.
Tuition onlineTuition at tutor's homeDBS checked
Rating from 3 references
Reliability
Trustworthiness
Professionalism
Subjects Taught
£45.00
£50.00