Kevin

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FIVE TUTEES WHO ACHIEVED OR EXCEEDED ALL THEIR TARGET GRADES IN ENGLISH LIT AND LANG GCSES, ENGLISH, FILM A LEVELS AND MEDIA GCSE THIS SUMMER. 100% SUCCESS MEANS THEY CAN ALL PROGRESS TO THEIR FIRST CHOICES.
REMEMBER, ENGLISH GCSE GRADE 4 OR ABOVE IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENTRY TO COLLEGE, SIXTH FORM OR OTHER COURSES. I OFFER SUPPORT TO HELP YOU THROUGH, WHETHER IT IS Y10, Y11, OR EVEN EARLIER.
STRUGGLING WITH A LEVELS - I CAN HELP GET YOU BACK ON TRACK WITH ENGLISH LIT, ENGLISH LANG AND LIT, FILM, MEDIA OR CRIMINOLOGY.
I ALSO SPECIALISE IN OXBRIDGE PREPARATION, AS AN OXFORD GRADUATE.
LOWER DOWN THE SCHOOL - GET HELP WITH THE BASICS SO YOU START TO FEEL POSITIVE AND CONFIDENT ABOUT ENGLISH.
I currently tutor children I previously taught in school, who asked me to continue supporting them through Years 10, 11 and 13. Even after 'retiring' I still want to support people to succeed. I have been an educator my whole life. After Oxford University I co-wrote and directed plays for Firebird, an acclaimed theatre company for people with learning disabilities. The day my first son was born, I felt a 'calling' to teach, immediately enrolled on a PGCE, and never looked back. It has been a privilege to support children through the formative years of their lives. I play sport, have coached football and now am a qualified referee, with Junior Academy level specialism. I love watching films, sinking into a good box set, or going on a sea walk (especially with a dog.) I am married with 2 grown up boys. I can cycle or drive to your home, or teach online.

Tutoring Experience

I have a degree and Masters in English from Oxford University. I worked with people with learning disabilities for ten years. After a PGCE I taught English Literature and English Language, specialising in GCSE and A level. I taught Media GCSE and was Head of Film and Media at A level. At St Brendan's Sixth Form College I was Curriculum Manager for Performing Arts and Media (including Drama) and then Director of Faculty for Humanities, (including Criminology and Sociology.) I was Media A level Assistant Principal Examiner (2005-18), and currently examine for both English Language and English Literature GCSE, and Media GCSE, and as a Senior Examiner for Film A level. More recently I worked at Wellsway and St Mary Redcliffe state schools, teaching English, Media and Film at A level and GCSE. in 2025-26 I am currently tutoring children in: GCSE English Language, English Literature and Media; and A level Criminology, English and Film.
I support children and parents with study skills, progression advice, personal statements, Oxbridge interviews and Sixth Form and University choices and applications.
I have also helped professional adults (NHS workers) seeking greater confidence in written or spoken English.

Tutoring Approach

My focus is child / person centred. I take time to know a child well, so I can communicate more effectively, building up a good understanding of them as a person and their educational needs. I believe everyone can succeed, if they have confidence and clear guidance. From positive attention, students can feel progress and gain motivation. I guide students, give them knowledge, work alongside them, check understanding with questioning, then offer frameworks and bite sized tasks, before finally testing how they can apply their knowledge through independent work. I find, use and explain / unpick actual exam papers and mark schemes, which I feedback on in detail. I also listen carefully to parents, and keep them closely informed.
Being a teacher for twenty five years, I recognise the pressures that young people experience. The beauty of tutoring is being able to tailor and adjust sessions according to a child's energy, urgency and emotional states. I can work alongside a school's timescales (eg towards mocks etc). I am very patient, and will also persevere to help the learner in the way they need.
Being a parent myself, and having navigated my own children from early years to Masters, I can fully empathize with what a confusing and stressful journey education can seem. I'm very inclusive, and will support anyone to achieve their potential, and feel hugely proud of getting desired outcomes for students of all abilities.