Alexander R
"We are absolutely delighted -- got into St Paul’s. Alex's help was invaluable."
13+ - Successful St Paul's Boys applicant
11+
13 +
English
GCSE
Maths
Science
Academic History
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Qualified doctor)
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry: MSc (Distinction) in Clinical Endocrinology
Westminster School: Pre-U French (Short Course) Distinction (D3) – equivalent to AS-level A, Pre-U English (Long Course) Distinction (D2) – equivalent to A-level A*, A-Levels Biology (A), Mathematics (A), Chemistry (B)
IGCSE French (A*), Certificate in Further Mathematics A^ (A**), GCSE Mathematics (A*), GCSE Music (A*), IGCSEs Biology (A*), Chemistry (A*), English Language (A*), English Literature (A*), German (A*), History (A*), Physics (A*)
About Me
I have worked with children for the last eight years and has been tutoring extensively for the past five. I have taught children aged 6 to 18 and offer expert support for both Independent Schools admissions tests and public examinations. I have helped students gain places at top schools including St Paul’s Boys, St Mary’s Ascot, and Tonbridge. Current pupils of mine attend other leading institutions such as Harrow, South Hampstead High School, Eton, and Westminster. I have also taught several international students based in Dubai, Istanbul, Beijing, and Hong Kong.
My approach to tutoring is student-centred and adaptive. When first meeting a pupil I assess their strengths, challenges, and learning style to tailor lessons to meet their specific needs. I create my own resources and combine these with past papers for students who are taking examinations. I emphasise building a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts before moving on to more complex topics and am flexible, adjusting the pace and style of teaching based on the student’s progress. I strive to create a supportive and enjoyable learning environment, and encourage students to actively participate in lessons.
Recent tuition
St Mary’s Ascot entrance, 11+
I tutored a pupil at Bishopsgate school in preparation for her entrance examinations at St Mary’s Ascot. English was not her first language, and her parents were anxious that this might affect her prospects. Despite her love of reading, she struggled with creative writing and often found herself distracted during lessons. To address this, I gradually introduced her to more challenging reading material, encouraging her to engage and step out of her comfort zone. Additionally, I provided tailored support to improve her creative writing skills, focusing on structure, vocabulary expansion, and storytelling techniques. As she progressed, we also worked on interview preparation, helping her to present herself more professionally. Through consistent guidance and encouragement, she developed greater confidence in her language abilities and interview skills, paving the way for her eventual admission to St Mary’s.
St Paul’s entrance, 13+
I helped a student at the Hall gain entrance to St Paul’s at the competitive 13+ entrance stage, having been placed on the reserve list. I assisted him in his preparations for the English and Mathematics papers and provided some intensive coaching for the interview. To his parents’ relief, he was one of the few boys on the reserve list selected for admission. He particularly valued our work on creative writing and enjoyed being challenged during the mock interviews I arranged.
St Paul’s entrance, 13+
The student was an academic boy who had recently moved from China to the UK. His parents were very keen that he attend St Paul’s boys but were worried that he might struggle with the interview process. Over the course of several weeks, he and I worked on interview techniques, focusing on some of the creative and unconventional methods St Paul’s use to identify highly intelligent and creative individuals. Knowing that the school valued out-of-the-box thinking, I devised a tailored interview preparation plan that included creative exercises designed to stretch his cognitive abilities. Understanding the importance of estimation tasks in assessing his analytical skills, I incorporated various estimation exercises into our sessions. Despite his young age, I encouraged him to approach these tasks with curiosity and openness, fostering a mindset of exploration and creative problem-solving. He was eventually offered a place at St Paul’s, and several other leading independent schools.
Tonbridge entrance, 13+
Over the span of two years I tutored a student at Arnold House in Mathematics and Science preparing him for entrance to Tonbridge School. Despite struggles with attention, we implemented strategies such as structured, engaging lessons, interactive materials, and collaborative efforts with his parents. Through consistent effort and dedication, he not only overcame his attention difficulties but also ultimately secured a place at Tonbridge School, showcasing his academic prowess and determination.
Science and Mathematics GCSE
I tutored a student at South Hampstead High School who needed help preparing for her science and mathematics GSCEs. She was an intelligent and conscientious student who favoured and art. Despite her evident intelligence, she faced a significant obstacle: a lack of confidence in science and maths. Recognising that her self-doubt was the primary barrier to her progress, I focused our sessions on nurturing her belief in her abilities. Once she gained confidence and embraced challenges, her potential soared. With each lesson her self-assurance grew, transforming her from a hesitant learner into a confident, capable student who achieved 9 in all four subjects.
CAT4 prep
I tutored two children studying in Istanbul whose family were moving to Dubai. Their father asked if I could help prepare them for the CAT4 exam, which many international schools in Dubai required. Despite having relatively weak English, I prepared an intensive two-week course which helped the boys gain places at a Sunmarke school.
Hobbies
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and going to the theatre.
Testimonials
“My daughter speaks very positively about her lessons with Alex. We are all very grateful to him for taking her onboard so close to the exams and navigating so smoothly through preteen moods. Will definitely recommend him to friends when they look for a good English tutor.”
13+ – Successful St Mary’s Ascot applicant
“We are absolutely delighted — got into St Paul’s. Alex’s help was invaluable. — gained a lot from his interview prep!”
13+ – Successful St Paul’s Boys applicant
“Alex helped tutor our daughter over the GCSE period. His weekly lessons helped her gain some much needed confidence, and as the months passed she transformed into a much more mature learner. — got an 8 in her GCSE Maths and was very glad!”
