---
title: Gareth
url: https://owltutors.co.uk/tutor/6389/
type: Tutor profile
audience: parents
published: 2020-09-17
subjects: [7 Plus, 8 Plus, 11 Plus, 13 Plus, Other School Entrance, English]
compiled: 2026-11-11
---

# Gareth

- From £100.00 per hour
- Enhanced DBS checked
- Primary education teacher
- Qualified to teach in 1996
- Teaches: Online

## About Gareth

Gareth is one of the few educators to have combined almost thirty years of classroom teaching with sixteen years as a Headteacher and Head of School, more than twelve years as an international school inspector, and a career dedicated to driving school improvement. An internationally respected Overseas Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), COBIS Lead Improvement Partner and Peer Accreditor, Gareth has worked with leading British international schools across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, helping schools, leaders and young people achieve the highest standards.

Alongside his tutoring, Gareth offers independent educational consultancy to parents seeking expert advice on choosing the right school for their child and navigating the increasingly competitive admissions process. Drawing on his extensive experience as a Headteacher, Head of School, international inspector and entrance-examination specialist, he provides personalised guidance on school selection, entry requirements, applications, entrance assessments, interviews and scholarship opportunities, helping families make informed and confident decisions about their child's education.

Few educators have experienced British education from so many perspectives—as teacher, Head of English, senior leader, Headteacher, Head of School, international inspector, accreditation adviser, executive coach, consultant and tutor. Having both led schools and inspected them against the highest British standards, Gareth understands not only what educational excellence looks like—but how to build it. Throughout his career he has strengthened teaching, developed leaders, improved governance and transformed schools into ambitious, high-performing learning communities. During sixteen years of school leadership he has influenced the education of almost 14,000 young people, leaving a lasting impact on the schools and communities he has served.

Gareth studied Education at the University of Durham, specialising in Primary Education with English Literature and Classical Studies. He later completed postgraduate qualifications in educational leadership, achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), and is a Fellow of both the Chartered College of Teaching and the Royal Society of Arts.

A recognised specialist in English and literacy, Gareth served as English Subject Adviser for IAPS, supporting hundreds of independent schools through professional development, curriculum innovation and leadership programmes. He is also trained in both the Talk for Writing and Visible Learning approaches, combining creativity with evidence-informed teaching that enables pupils to make exceptional progress.

As a tutor, Gareth has successfully prepared pupils for entry to some of the UK's most prestigious independent schools, including King's College School, Wimbledon, Brighton College and Bromsgrove School, as well as highly selective grammar schools. He also supports pupils preparing for Common Entrance, GCSE English and scholarship examinations. Every programme is individually tailored, combining academic challenge with warmth, encouragement and an unwavering belief that every child can succeed.

Alongside tutoring, Gareth has led British international schools in Greece, Belgium, Tunisia and Serbia. Most recently, as Head of School at the British International School, Belgrade, he successfully led the school through its first British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection, achieving full compliance across every standard. His leadership has consistently focused on raising standards, developing outstanding teachers, building exceptional leadership teams and creating cultures where pupils and staff flourish.

His work as an international inspector has taken him into outstanding British international schools across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, giving him first-hand experience of the teaching, leadership and pastoral care that distinguish the very best schools. This insight shapes every aspect of his tutoring and consultancy, allowing him to bring proven educational practice directly to every student, teacher and school he works with.

Above all, Gareth believes that great teaching changes lives. Whether helping a child secure a place at their first-choice school, inspiring a love of English, mentoring an aspiring Headteacher or supporting a school through transformational change, his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others achieve more than they ever believed possible.

## Availability

Availability as of 11 November 2026: taking new students. Gareth can currently accommodate 9 more students. Usually available (UK time): Monday: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM; Tuesday: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–6:00 PM; Wednesday: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM; Thursday: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM, 4:30 PM–6:00 PM; Friday: 7:00 AM–11:00 AM, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM; Saturday: 7:00 AM–8:30 AM, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM; Sunday: 7:00 AM–9:00 AM, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM.

## School entrance experience

Gareth has experience of preparing pupils for the following schools:

- [Alleyn's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/alleyns-school/)
- [Brighton College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/brighton-college/)
- [City of London School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/city-of-london-school/)
- [Dame Alice Owen's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/dame-alice-owens-school/)
- [Dragon School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/dragon-school/)
- [Eton College](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/eton-college/)
- [James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS)](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/jags/)
- [King's College School Wimbledon](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/kings-college-school/)
- [Latymer Upper School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/latymer-upper/)
- [Old Palace of John Whitgift School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/old-palace-of-john-whitgift-school/)
- [Queen Elizabeth Grammar School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/queen-elizabeth-grammar-school/)
- [St Mary's School Ascot](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-marys-ascot/)
- [St Paul's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/st-pauls/)
- [The Tiffin Girls' School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/the-tiffin-girls-school/)
- [Tiffin School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/tiffin-school/)
- [Trinity School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/trinity-school/)
- [Westminster Under School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/westminster-under-school/)
- [Whitgift School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/whitgift-school/)
- [Wilson's School](https://owltutors.co.uk/schools/wilsons-school/)

Over the past three decades, I have helped hundreds of pupils gain places at leading schools through my work as a teacher and school leader, and have personally tutored around 100 pupils for entrance examinations to some of the UK's most prestigious independent and grammar schools. My students have successfully secured places at schools including King's College School, Wimbledon, Brighton College and Bromsgrove School, together with highly selective grammar schools. I have an overall success rate of more than 90%, with around one in ten of my tutees securing scholarship awards. I prepare pupils for 7+, 11+, 13+, Common Entrance, scholarship examinations and GCSE, tailoring every programme to the individual child. As a Headteacher and Head of School for sixteen years, and an international school inspector for more than twelve years, I understand admissions from both the family's and the school's perspective. My aim is not simply to help children gain a place, but to equip them with the confidence, knowledge and learning habits that enable them to flourish long after the admissions process has ended.

Alongside his tutoring, Gareth offers independent educational consultancy to parents seeking expert advice on choosing the right school for their child and navigating the increasingly competitive admissions process. Drawing on his extensive experience as a Headteacher, Head of School, international inspector and entrance-examination specialist, he provides personalised guidance on school selection, entry requirements, applications, entrance assessments, interviews and scholarship opportunities, helping families make informed and confident decisions about their child's education.

Having led schools, interviewed prospective pupils, worked with admissions teams and inspected outstanding schools internationally, I know what educational excellence looks like—and how to help every child demonstrate their full potential.

## Qualifications

- Bachelor of Arts in Education with Qualified Teacher Status (Primary education), University of Durham, 1996
- ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching, Institute of Leadership and Management, 2021
- National Professional Qualification in Headship, Institute of Education, University of London, 2018
- Postgraduate Diploma in Writing and Action Research, University of Canterbury, 2000
- Advanced Certificate in Writing and Action Research, University of Canterbury, 1998
- BA (Ed) with QTS, University of Durham , 1996

## Subjects and levels

- 7 Plus
- 8 Plus
- 11 Plus (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Science)
- 13 Plus (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning)
- Other School Entrance (9+, 10+ English, 10+ Maths, 10+ Verbal Reasoning, 10+ Non-Verbal Reasoning, 10+ Science, 12+ English, 12+ Maths, 12+ Verbal Reasoning, 12+ Non-Verbal Reasoning, UKiset, CAT4)
- English (General, KS1, KS2, KS3, IGCSE, IGCSE (Cambridge))

## From this tutor's blog

- [Beyond Borders: Why BSO and UK School Inspections Have More in Common Than You Think](https://owltutors.co.uk/beyond-borders-why-bso-and-uk-school-inspections-have-more-in-common-than-you-think/)

## Next steps

Ready to discuss tuition with Gareth?

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