Clarissa

Academic History

2012-2013: History PGCE: University of York

2010-2011: Master’s degree – History – Distinction: King’s College London

2006-2009: BA Hons – Politics and History – 2.1: University of Nottingham

2005: A-Levels – History (A), Politics (A), English (B): Cheltenham College

About Me

My specialist subjects are History and Politics to degree level. I also teach Geography, R.S., English, Sociology, Maths and prepare students for 11+ and 13+ exams.  I have been tutoring for over ten years. I am passionate about the subjects I teach and I think this is very important. I am very adaptable in terms of teaching style and strategies having tutored pupils of all abilities.

Recent Tuition

Please find below a snapshot of my tuition experience.

11+ Preparation

English sessions for a current Year 5 pupil who will be applying to schools including Lady Eleanor Holles, City of London Girls, Godolphin and Latymer, Putney High and Wimbledon. She is very academic so we are focussing on critical reading, time and interview technique.

ISEB Pre-Test Preparation – Harrow & Wellington

Weekly sessions preparing a pupil for the Pre-Tests (focusing on Maths, English and Reasoning). Initial sessions focused on subject knowledge (particularly with regard to Maths problem solving skills before moving onto test technique). The pupil gained a place at Harrow.

Sessions focusing on Maths in preparation for Wellington Pre-Test.

13+ Preparation

Intense revision sessions covering geography, RE and history for a pupil sitting the Scholarship paper at Dulwich College. The pupil gained entrance into Dulwich College.

16+ Preparation

Online weekly sessions for a pupil currently at an international school in China applying to Brighton College and St Pauls. Sessions are focusing on English skills such as writing technique and analytical skills.

History GCSE (Edexcel)

Weekly sessions for a pupil with ASD who is being home schooled. Topics include the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.

Geography (Cambridge IGCSE)

Twice weekly sessions for a pupil being homeschooled. Topics included rivers and tourism along with intense focus on exam technique.

R.S. GCSE

Weekly sessions with one pupil and intensive Easter revision with another pupil, covering all topics.

Sociology GCSE

Weekly lessons and more intense revision sessions for 5 pupils on a 1-1 basis. This included a long term homeschooling role following the GCSE Sociology course (AQA). This pupil achieved an A grade.

English IGCSE (Cambridge)

Fortnightly sessions covering the poetry anthology for the literature section along with essay structure for the language paper.

Geography IB (HL)

Weekly sessions which focused on covering course material (for topics such as Oceans and Population and working on exam technique. The pupil achieved a 6.

IB Middle Years Programme – Individuals and Societies

Weekly tuition for an academic year, covering the different aspects of this broad course. We focused on re-visiting content the student had covered in school to consolidate his learning, and on improving his question technique as this was an area of weakness for him. He made fantastic progress while we were working together and performed well in his school assessments.

English IB (HL)

Weekly sessions assisting a pupil prepare for an oral presentation on Thomas Hardy’s poems and ‘Down and Out in Paris and London.’ The sessions focussed on presentation structure and key themes and issues form the texts. Sessions also the pupils coursework essay on ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold’.

Sociology A Level

Tutoring the AQA Sociology course to an A Level student. I saw significant improvement in their understanding of the syllabus and answer technique over the course of our tuition.

History A Level (AQA & Edexcel)

Weekly tuition covering the modern China unit. We worked through key topics such as Mao’s consolidation of power, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and changes in Chinese society and the economy, alongside regular practice of AQA source, interpretation and essay questions.Intensive revision sessions for two pupils studying an AS Level paper (AQA – Britain 1815-1865) with a particular focus on exam technique.

Currently tutoring a pupil studying AQA units on the Tudor period and Russia.

Taught the Edexcel A Level History course, with a focus on Mao’s China, 1949–76.

Ancient History A Level (OCR)

Small-group school sessions (3 pupils) covering the Greek period study. Topics included the Greek states and the rise of Macedon.

Weekly tutoring sessions with an A Level student. The main focus was the Roman period study covering  the Julio-Claudian Emperors.

Weekly tutoring sessions (with more intensive work over the holidays). Covering both the Greek and Roman elements. The pupil gained an A (which was their target grade).

Politics A Level

Weekly one to one tuition for several A Level students taking the Pearson Edexcel exam. One attended a UK boarding school but had previously been educated in the US, so focused work on bringing him up to speed on the UK Politics curriculum was required.

Revision sessions preparing a pupil for an A2 American Politics examination. The pupil achieved an A grade.

R.S. A Level (AQA)

Weekly one hour sessions for a pupil following the AQA course, focusing on Christianity and religious thought. The pupil gained an A, which was their target grade.

Home Schooling

General tuition (English, Maths, Humanities, Sciences and French) for a Year 7 pupil with ASD awaiting a school placement.

AP – US History

Weekly sessions covering 19th and 20th century US History for a pupil preparing for the summer AP exams, for US college application.

Oxbridge Entry Support

I ran a sixth form history club which involved debating various topics and looking as issues such as historiography. This club was aimed at Oxbridge/Russell group applicants. I also conducted mock interviews for potential applicants.

Undergraduate History and Politics

Support for a pupil studying at Birkbeck. I provided guidance for essays on conservatism, European federalism and German unification and in the last academic year I gave guidance for their dissertation on World War One veterans. The pupil achieved a 2.1.

Hobbies and Interests

I am currently tutoring full-time; I’ve recently started learning Russian which is challenging but rewarding. I also enjoy cooking, tennis and reading.

Client Testimonials

“Clarissa was a great help in preparing G– for his 13+ exams. She was always well prepared for sessions and G– really benefitted.”

Parent of 13+ student

“A– couldn’t have got there without your super teaching so thanks again!”

Parent of A-Level History student