Sarah S.

I am an experienced private tutor with over 20 years of teaching experience, having supported more than 100 students to achieve examination success, with a 100% pass rate. I specialise in English at GCSE, A Level, and IB, and am highly familiar with the demands of major exam boards, including OCR, CIE, and the IB Diploma Programme.

I hold a first degree in English Literature, a Master’s degree in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, and an MEd in SEND. I am a UK Qualified Teacher and also hold the National Award for SEND Coordination. This academic and professional background enables me to support a wide range of learners, including students with SEND and EAL, through carefully personalised and evidence-based teaching.

My teaching experience spans both the UK and international contexts and includes roles as a Year 5 class teacher, GCSE English Language and Literature teacher (Years 10 and 11), and IB English teacher (Years 12 and 13). As a tutor, I focus on building students’ confidence alongside academic rigour, with particular emphasis on exam technique, academic writing skills, textual analysis, and effective time management.

All tutoring is tailored to the individual student’s strengths, targets, and examination requirements. I work closely with students to identify clear goals—such as improving analytical writing, developing subject-specific vocabulary, or refining responses to specific question types—ensuring structured progress and measurable outcomes.

The most important first step in my tutoring is to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence, from which genuine attainment can follow.

I am most familiar with the OCR and CIE exam boards, but I have also taught the IB programme, including supporting students with Language and Literature Extended Essays. I have extensive experience working with students with SEND and EAL, and I place great importance on ensuring that every lesson is personalised to the individual student’s strengths, needs, and learning style.

At the start of our work together, we identify clear targets, which may include vocabulary enrichment, developing academic writing skills (such as embedding and analysing quotations effectively), or improving reading and comprehension skills. Teaching exam technique is also a key part of my approach, including how to respond to specific question types, how to consider mark weighting, and how to manage time effectively in exams.

I strongly believe that there is no “one size fits all” approach to tutoring. Every session is carefully planned with the individual student in mind — what they want to achieve, what they can already do, and what they need in order to progress confidently and successfully.