Leif

Tutor profile - Leif

Leif

Other School Entrance, University Admissions, French, Geography, German, History, Philosophy, Politics, RE, Sociology & Theory of Knowledge

Like all our tutors, Leif is a qualified teacher Like all our tutors, Leif holds a degree from a top University Like all our tutors, Leif holds a full, clean criminal records checkLeif holds a degree from OxbridgeLeif holds a PhDLeif holds a Masters degreeLeif holds a First Class degreeLeif either works or has worked as an examiner for an exam boardLeif holds a degree from a Russell Group University
Leif tutored my daughter for sixth form entry to several London schools. We have lived outside the UK for a few years, so my daughter needed insight into how to approach the personal statement part of the schools application process, and in understanding what to expect during the exams. Leif provided practical advice and moral support, and in just two sessions, boosted my daughter's knowledge and confidence. She has since been offered places at all the schools she applied for. I'd highly recommend Leif to anyone looking for expert knowledge and familiarity with the competitive London school entry process.

Parent of 16 Plus student

Leif's biography

Leif has been a highly successful teacher and tutor in history, politics, geography, RS, philosophy, French and German at (I)GCSE/MYP, A-level, IB and Pre-U for more than seven years. He also has a proven track record of helping students at 16+ for some of the most rigorous schools - including Charterhouse, Oundle and City of London.

His success is based on excellent academic foundations (1st from Oxford, PhD from Manchester) and a unique approach to each student’s needs, ranging from overcoming demotivation and falling behind, through revision and essay writing skills, to ensuring that ‘sprinkle’ of stardust’ for the 8/9 at GCSE, A/A* at A-level, 6/7 at IB or Oxbridge application.

Leif is also a fully qualified TEFL teacher, able to guide students at school entrance, and IELTS/TOEFL. He worked as an English teacher for the British Council in Germany, so he has a thorough awareness of how to enable non-native speakers to express themselves in elegant, fluid, precise academic English.

Leif knows exam boards’ expectations inside and out, having examined, consulted or trained teachers for AQA and OCR history A-level, the IB and Pre-U. He currently examines history for AQA and IB, including the internal assessment and extended essay (and, for the IB, examines in English, French and German languages).

This near 20-year experience as a senior lecturer at Cambridge and Manchester (professor in the US system) also gives him unparalleled insight into the admissions system, and Leif has organised every step of the admissions process at Cambridge and Manchester. He has also been Oxbridge & Russell Group lead at a state 6th form. He knows the UCAS process inside out, from the perspective of the teacher, the sixth-former and the admissions tutor.

IB Experience

Leif has extensive IB tutoring experience over the last 7 years, and is an examiner and moderator for the IB in history, including the internal assessment and the extended essay. He examines for the IB in three languages of instruction: English, German and French. He has tutored widely in the IB, in ToK, independent investigation, politics, philosophy, sociology and geography.

He understands the IB examination systems well, and how to help students maximise their attainment in history, geography, politics, sociology and philosophy.

Leif's availability

All times are displayed in UK time.

Generally: Mon - 9am-8pm Tue - 9am-8pm Wed - 9am-8pm

School entrance experience

Leif has worked with children aiming to attend the following schools:


Leif has prepared students for the 13+ 16+ at a range of selective schools, including Charterhouse, Oundle and City of London. He offers clear guidance on thinking skills, verbal reasoning, essay-writing, scientific reasoning, and subject-specific tuition for history, politics, geography, sociology, philosophy, RS/ethics, French and German.

Leif's qualifications

Leif qualified to teach History in 2019, and holds a PGCE from Manchester Metropolitan Unviersity.

University name Name of degree Year of graduation
University of Manchester PhD - History/geography 2001
University of Kent MA in History 1996
University of Oxford BA in History 1991

Subjects tutored:

Other School Entrance (12+ Verbal Reasoning and 16+)

University Admissions (Oxford Admissions, Cambridge Admissions, BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), Classics Admissions Test (CAT), English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT), History Admissions Assessment (HAA), History Aptitude Test (HAT), Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT), Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) and Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA))

French (General, GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, A Level AQA, A Level Edexcel and A Level OCR)

Geography (KS3, GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, IGCSE (Cambridge), A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR, IB Standard Level, IB Higher Level, IB MYP and Undergraduate)

German (General, GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, IGCSE (Cambridge), A Level AQA, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR and Undergraduate)

History (KS3, GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR, Pre-U, IB Standard Level, IB Higher Level, IB MYP and Undergraduate)

Philosophy (A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, IB Standard Level and IB Higher Level)

Politics (GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR, Pre-U, IB Standard Level, IB Higher Level, IB MYP, Advanced Placement and Undergraduate)

RE (GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR, Pre-U, IB Standard Level, IB MYP and Undergraduate)

Sociology (GCSE AQA, GCSE Edexcel, GCSE OCR, IGCSE, A Level AQA, A Level Cambridge International, A Level Edexcel, A Level OCR, IB Standard Level, IB Higher Level and Undergraduate)

Theory of Knowledge