Christine

Academic History

Manchester Metropolitan, MSc Psychology (conversion) with Merit

Institute of Education, University of London, PGCE

School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, BA (Hons) Geography and Development Studies 2.1

About Me

My patient, calm, approachable demeanour is what clients say makes me a good tutor, especially combined with vast, diverse experience leaving me with endless ideas for explaining varied topics in an understandable way. Additionally, students respond positively to the fact I clearly enjoy working with them – nothing is better than helping someone to achieve their goals or to watch the moment when a concept they have found difficult finally becomes clear!

While I have worked with all ages, abilities and confidence levels, I specialise in working with anyone who finds their learning difficult. This could be from being new to English, or academic English; having a specific learning need (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or being on the ASD spectrum) or simply from having anxiety about study or exams. I have also worked with students who have Sensory Processing disorders, this has varied from students who are unable to cope with routine changes, noise above a certain level or particular textures, or students where it is barely noticeable. Whether challenging a high achiever to extend their expectations, or supporting someone who has previously had difficult experiences of learning, I find it important to create an open, positive, enjoyable learning environment to enable the student to feel confident to try new things, being unafraid to learn from mistakes along the way.

As a qualified and very experienced primary school teacher with extensive in-depth subject knowledge, I am able to tutor across the curriculum from pre-school up to Year 9. Beyond this, I tutor English and Business Studies to A Level and Maths to GCSE, including working to help prepare adults returning to study.

Additionally, I tutor several subjects to degree level, depending on exact topics: Geography, History, Sociology, Politics, Economics, Religion, Psychology and Education Studies are all included. I am also able to support the development of a high standard of academic writing in a broad range of fields.

Recent tuition

Current students include:

Year 4 girl with English as her third language, supported in English and Maths development.

Year 5 girl, with English as her second language, supported to prepare for 11+ in English and Verbal Reasoning.

Year 6 & 8 girls, one with ASD, who I have worked with since they were 4 & 6 years old and had no English. The first two years were spent as their governess focusing on English, etiquette and social skills development; later weekly support with 11+ and now supporting transition from International Baccalaureate to UK curriculum, particularly in Maths.

Year 7 boy, with severe anxiety, supported through 13+ pre-tests and continuing to work on supporting exam technique in English and Maths to prepare for Common Entrance expectations.

Year 7 boy, with ASD and English as his third language, supported through 13+ pre-tests and continuing to work on developing essay writing and exam technique in English, Geography and History to meet Common Entrance expectations.

Year 11 girl, with ASD, anxiety and English as an additional language, supported with full curriculum learning and developing study skills in preparation for GCSEs, currently predicted to achieve 8 GCSEs at grade 5-8.

Y13 girl with ADHD and anxiety supported to develop essay writing in English Literature and Sociology. We began working together in Y12, when she was achieving D grades. Her final results were B in both subjects, despite being ill through the A Level exam period. She is now reading English Literature at Reading and in her first year we had a couple of sessions to help her adjust to the new essay writing style and learn how to access internal university support and guidance. I have heard since that her second year was extremely successful.

Y12 girl with ADHD, anxiety and high absence from illness supported in Geography and History. This role involves filling gaps from missed lessons, essay technique development and mentoring to both help her balance her work load (across all three subjects and their coursework) and develop effective revision habits. We have only been working together for three months and her school reports have already improved from D to B in both subjects.

Y13 boy with ADHD and associated processing issues supported in Economics and Business Studies. He switched subjects in Y12 so needed all the gaps teaching. Additionally, as a Maths specialist, he found essays difficult, especially those relying on case study analysis in exams. He is predicted A in both subjects (results pending). From coaching/ mentoring guidance through our lessons he has also become much more independent in his work habits and needed far less support towards the end of his courses.

Hobbies and Interests

I am, and always have been, an avid reader, so my favourite activity is to curl up with a fascinating and engaging book in a cosy corner, although a seat on the tube is a just as effective! Recent reads have included Amy Tan, George Orwell, Anne Rice, Bill Bryson and a book on attachment theory in Psychology. I also particularly enjoy visits to the theatre and exhibitions.

The recent theatre visits has been especially enjoyable with Glenda Jackson’s King Lear, a return to 1984, the Hackney Empire subverting pantomime traditions and the wide and outstanding selection broadcast by NT Live enabling me to enjoy performances I could not otherwise attend.

When possible, I enjoy travelling to varied destinations to explore exhibitions, museums, culture and language. Over the past couple of years this has included many places in France, Germany and Italy, both returning to old favourites and discovering new locations. In the near future I hope to finally make a long anticipated trip to East Africa.

I have recently taken up yoga and hope to shortly return to Tai Chi as well. I enjoy walks exploring the countryside, coast and cities and as a result have found many new interesting and beautiful places in locations I thought I knew well.

While I have no children of my own, I am a very involved aunt and often spend extended periods of time with my nieces and nephew sharing their hobbies and interests – as diverse as horse-riding, ballet, science experiments, language learning and comparison, adventure and imaginative play, huge Lego constructions, football and dinosaur discovery: I always learn a lot from time with them!

Client Testimonials

“I am delighted at A’s rapid progress in English – it has really helped her make friends in school and her teachers are so impressed with her development that they assumed she had daily support and were shocked to learn she has just 2 lessons a week! A really looks forward to Christine’s lessons and misses her when we are away.”

Mother of 4 year old girl new to English

“H– is in Year 12 this year. He has turned into a terrific student and has great study habits. I always credit his turnaround and confidence as a learner to your marvellous tutoring.”

Year 4 & 5 tuition, two year period

“In just a few lessons, my understanding of my course greatly improved because Christine helped me to target my writing more carefully to answer exactly what the exam questions asked. She is very kind, patient and clear in her explanations and I just wish I met her earlier in my course!”

Adult Learner of GCSE English