---
title: Holly
url: https://owltutors.co.uk/tutor/4070/
type: Tutor profile
audience: parents
published: 2020-01-28
updated: 2020-02-07
subjects: [11 Plus, 13 Plus, English]
compiled: 2026-11-13
---

# Holly

- From £110.00 per hour
- Enhanced DBS checked
- English teacher
- Qualified to teach in 2009
- Teaches: In person, Online, Residential
- PhD, Masters, Examiner, Russell Group

[Watch a video from Holly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UDU0j7Vd5w)

## About Holly

Holly specialises in 11+, 13+, GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and IB English Language and English Literature tuition. She studied at Durham University where she gained a degree in English Literature and Music, and then moved to London where she gained a Masters at King's College. After this she worked at Middlesex University, whilst studying for her Ph.D which was awarded in 2004. She has over fifteen years' experience teaching in the independent school sector at both prep and senior level, and over twenty years' teaching experience in total. She is passionate about helping children to love English, and particularly loves tackling creative writing. She is committed as an educational professional to identifying and achieving each child's full potential. She has recent experience working with high-achieving children to achieve excellent results in GCSE and IGCSE English examinations, and also extensive experience working with neurodiverse children including those with ASC and anxiety to help them achieve their goals, often using a trauma-informed approach learnt through her safeguarding and child protection expertise. Holly is also available for school consultancy to help you find the right setting for your child.

## Availability

Availability as of 13 November 2026: fully booked. More availability from 4 January 2027. Contact Owl Tutors to join the waiting list.

## School entrance experience

Holly has experience of preparing pupils for the following schools:

- [Alleyn's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/alleyns-school/)
- [Bedford Modern School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/bedford-modern-school/)
- [Benenden School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/benenden/)
- [Brighton College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/brighton-college/)
- [Caterham School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/caterham-school/)
- [Cheadle Hulme School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/cheadle-hulme-school/)
- [Cheltenham Ladies' College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/cheltenham-ladies-college/)
- [Christ's Hospital](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/christs-hospital/)
- [City of London Junior School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/city-of-london-junior-school/)
- [City of London School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/city-of-london-school/)
- [City of London School for Girls](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/city-of-london-school-for-girls/)
- [Cranbrook School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/cranbrook-school/)
- [Dame Alice Owen's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/dame-alice-owens-school/)
- [Dulwich College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/dulwich-college/)
- [Eltham College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/eltham-college/)
- [Epsom College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/epsom-college/)
- [Eton College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/eton-college/)
- [Haileybury and Imperial Service College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/haileybury-and-imperial-service-college/)
- [Hampton School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/hampton-school/)
- [Harrow](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/harrow/)
- [Highgate School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/highgate-school/)
- [James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS)](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/jags/)
- [Kingston Grammar School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/kingston-grammar-school/)
- [King's College School Wimbledon](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/kings-college-school/)
- [Latymer Prep School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/latymer-prep-school/)
- [North London Collegiate School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/north-london-collegiate-school/)
- [Oundle School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/oundle-school/)
- [Pembridge Hall School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/pembridge-hall/)
- [Putney High School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/putney-high-school/)
- [Queen's College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/queens-college/)
- [Radley College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/radley-college/)
- [Reed's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/reeds-school/)
- [Royal Grammar School, Guildford](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/royal-grammar-school-guildford/)
- [Royal Masonic School for Girls](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/royal-masonic-school-for-girls/)
- [Sevenoaks School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/sevenoaks-school/)
- [Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/simon-langton-girls-grammar-school/)
- [Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/simon-langton-grammar-school-for-boys/)
- [South Hampstead High School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/south-hampstead-high-school/)
- [St Catherine's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-catherines-school/)
- [St Edmund's School Canterbury](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-edmunds-school-canterbury/)
- [St Paul's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-pauls/)
- [St Swithun's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-swithuns-school/)
- [Surbiton High School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/surbiton-high-school/)
- [Sutton Valence School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/sutton-valence-school/)
- [The King's School Canterbury](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/the-kings-school-canterbury/)
- [The Perse School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/the-perse-school/)
- [The Stephen Perse Foundation](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/the-stephen-perse-foundation/)
- [The Tiffin Girls' School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/the-tiffin-girls-school/)
- [Tonbridge School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/tonbridge-school/)
- [University College School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/university-college-school/)
- [Uppingham School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/uppingham-school/)
- [Westminster School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/westminster/)
- [Westminster Under School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/westminster-under-school/)
- [Wetherby Senior School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/wetherby-senior-school/)
- [Whitgift School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/whitgift-school/)
- [Winchester College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/winchester-college/)

I am an experienced teacher both IGCSE and GCSE English, and also English A-Level and IB exams, with success at all these stages. My GCSE and A-Level English experience also extends to examining, and my students regularly achieve top grades at all levels. I am now a professional entrance exam tutor, having been a member of Senior Management at two Kent-based independent schools. Recent school entrance success includes 16+ to Trinity School, 13+ to Whitgift, 13+ to Harrow, 11+ to Sevenoaks School (including two recent Academic Scholarship awards), 13+ to Cranbrook School, 11+ Kent Test success, 13+ to St Catherine's Bramley, 13+ to Cheltenham Ladies College, 13+ to Brighton College, 13+ to Oundle, 13+ to Dulwich College, 13+ to St Thomas's London, 7+ and 9+ to Bedford Modern, 7+ to Surbiton High School (prep) and 8+ to Eltham College. I also specialise in overseas entry to UK boarding schools at 11+, 13+ and 16+, recently and/ or currently working with international clients in UAE, Hong Kong and Qatar.

## Qualifications

- PGCE (English), Goldsmith's College, University of London, 2009
- PG (cert.) Child Protection, University of Kent, 2023
- PhD, Middlesex University, 2004
- MA, King's College London, 2000
- BA, University of Durham, 1999

## Subjects and levels

- 11 Plus (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Science, Kent Test, CSSE)
- 13 Plus (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning)
- English (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, Undergraduate)

## What parents and students say

Average rating: 4.6 stars from 37 reviews, 100% would use again.

> "Holly is an outstanding tutor. Her in-depth knowledge of the exam specification and expert subject knowledge means her classes are always clearly focused on student understanding and attainment. Our child had a crisis of confidence before their mocks. Holly could not have been more supportive, insightful or encouraging. Our child thinks she is wonderful. So do we." ★★★★★
> — Parent of English (A Level Edexcel) student, 7 September 2026

> "Holly had a tough task of helping to prepare our daughter for 13+ tests at Haileybury in less than 4 weeks (and with only a budget for 4 sessions). She was immediately relatable to us and our daughter and helped create a sense of confidence and understanding of the independent system and simple strategies in maths and English to deal with the pretty daunting task of such an 11th hour decision to go private. Whatever the results of her tests we would wholeheartedly recommend Holly." ★★★★★
> — Parent of 13 Plus student (Haileybury and Imperial Service College), 1 May 2026

> "Thank You Holly, for All Your support Tutoring our daughter. Holly, listens, understands the child and finds out how they best learn and builds on there strength. She is encouraging, enhances a Can Do attitude - to learning Our Daughter benefited from the lessons, learned to be a better learner and came out of the lessons upbeat. Thank You Holly" ★★★★★
> — Parent of 11 Plus student, 30 October 2024

> "Very friendly and helpful, and flexible to the times for sessions and emotional needs of the pupil." ★★★★★
> — Parent of KS3 English student, 2 August 2024

> "Holly has quickly developed a positive relationship with our daughter, who loves how Holy helps her to make progress." ★★★★★
> — Parent of 11 Plus student (Dame Alice Owen's School), 21 June 2024

> "The feedback received from students this year has been excellent. We have had more engagement from students since moving to Owl Tutors." ★★★★★
> — School dept leader (English and Maths GCSE students), 7 June 2024

> "The children found Holly approachable and she made learning fun. We found Holly to be professional and helpful in identifying key areas of focus." ★★★★★
> — Parent of 7 Plus and 9 Plus student (Bedford School), 12 March 2024

> "Holly is a great tutor. My son enjoyed the sessions with her!" ★★★★
> — Parent of 11 Plus and 13 Plus student (Thomas's Battersea), 16 February 2024

> "Holly has been a fantastic tutor. She is extremely engaging and positive and my daughter looks forward to her lessons. I have seen a significant improvement in her abilities and I am confident she is well prepared for her 11+ exams." ★★★★★
> — Parent of 11 Plus student (Sevenoaks School), 15 January 2024

> "Holly is an intelligent and wise tutor. She takes time and effort to understand the cognitive abilities of a child and adjusts her pace/depth and level of tuition accordingly. My daughter really likes Holly and has built a good relationship with her." ★★★★★
> — Parent of 11 Plus and Maths student (The Tiffin Girls' School), 10 January 2024

[Read all of Holly's reviews](https://owltutors.co.uk/tutor/4070/)

## From this tutor's blog

- [Which Entrance Exams Do UK Private Schools Use?](https://owltutors.co.uk/which-entrance-exams-do-uk-private-schools-use/)
- [Why study IGCSE Biology?](https://owltutors.co.uk/why-study-igcse-biology/)
- [Why IGCSE History should be in your choices for Year 10 and 11](https://owltutors.co.uk/why-igcse-history-should-be-in-your-choices-for-year-10-and-11/)

## Where Holly can teach

In-person lessons available across these areas:

- **Kent:** Birchington (CT7), Canterbury (CT1), Canterbury (CT3), Canterbury (CT4), Herne Bay (CT6), Sandwich (CT13), Westgate-on-sea (CT8), Whitstable (CT5)
- **Canterbury:** Sturry (CT2)

## Next steps

Ready to discuss tuition with Holly?

- Free 20-minute consultation: [make an enquiry](https://owltutors.co.uk/contact-us/)
- Phone: +44 (0)20 3457 8474
- Email: enquiries@owltutors.co.uk