Honestly couldn't have prepared Willow any better for her scholarship exams.. really stretched her and taught her to think outside of the box, he's given a great foundation for the rest of her education - thank you, James!
Parent of successful scholarship candidate in Year 8
James's biography
James recently received a Masters in Education from UCL (with distinction). Before this, he received a 1st class degree in English from the University of Liverpool, followed by a distinction in his PGCE (UK teaching qualification). He completed the Teach First programme as an English teacher in a challenging secondary school (11 - 18 years old) in London over the course of two years, and has worked as a teaching assistant for 1 year where he learnt the art of facilitating progress on a 1:1 level. He has been teaching now for 10 years.
Outside of education, he cycled 15,000 miles around the world, raising £10,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in the process. He has climbed to 7000m in the Himalayas, and climbed mountains like the Matterhorn in Switzerland. He is also a UK mountain leader, and has led & assessed Duke of Edinburgh groups (bronze to gold).
James has tutored all around the world: in Switzerland, Germany, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. He now lives in London, working predominantly online, but is able to work in person.
For the past six years, he has worked exclusively as a private tutor, focusing on helping students achieve their potential in the 7+, 8+, 11+ exams (Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning & Non-Verbal Reasoning), 13+, English up to A-Level, whilst also helping students with Maths, History, Geography, RS and revision skills for GCSE. He has a depth of experience with students who struggle to independently learn effectively at school, or who lack motivation and loves the mentoring side of the role. In addition, from his time as a teaching assistant, he has experience working with students with SEN, or who speak English as an additional language. Equally, he has helped students achieve the top levels, getting into schools like Eton, St. Paul's & Westminster.
Currently, he lives in London and works full time as a private tutor; occasionally, on the side, he will lead adventure expeditions for teenagers with organisations like World Challenge and British Exploring.
IB Experience
I have years of experience mentoring students through the MYP and the IB Diploma, as well as exclusively preparing students on the English side of the exams.
James's availability
Contact Owl Tutors for availability.
School entrance experience
James has worked with children aiming to attend the following schools:
James knew how to get the best out of a 10 year old boy who wasn't keen at all on English! The aim of the tutoring was to pass an entrance exam for senior school but my son's made huge progress in english in his current school as a direct result of James' tutoring - his work has even been shown as a good example to the class (unheard of before!!)
