Cristy
"She was very clear and consistent in her teaching and focused a lot on exam technique as well as understanding the content properly."
Parent of 13+ Science student
11+
13 +
Early Years
English
History
Philosophy
Primary
Religious Studies
Science
Academic History
Philosophy BA, King’s College London, 2:1
A Levels – Francis Holland Sloane Square: Religious Studies: (A*), French (A*), Spanish (A*), Psychology (A)
About Me
My approach is very much centred on the individual student. I aim to build both confidence and independence, as I’ve found that students make the most progress when they feel secure in their abilities and start to take ownership of their learning.
With younger children, I tend to take a more exploratory, Montessori-style approach—encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a genuine engagement with the material, while building strong foundational skills. With older students, particularly those preparing for exams, I introduce more structure, focusing on exam technique, critical thinking, and clear written expression.
Across all ages, I adapt my approach depending on the student’s personality and needs. Some benefit from a more structured, goal-oriented style, while others need time to build confidence through smaller, incremental steps. I place a strong emphasis on creating a calm, supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and are encouraged to think for themselves.
Recent tuition
I prepare students for 11+ and 13+ entrance examinations. I have supported applications to highly selective schools including Wycombe Abbey, St Paul’s School, and Westminster School. I tutor students across English, mathematics, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and tailor preparation to both the individual student and the specific schools they are applying to. Alongside developing subject knowledge and exam technique, I place particular emphasis on building confidence, so that students feel calm, prepared, and able to perform at their best under pressure.
I also support students with interview preparation, helping them develop the confidence, clarity, and ease needed to communicate their ideas effectively. This often involves working on articulation, structuring responses, and encouraging a natural sense of flow in conversation. In addition, I help students refine their essay writing skills, focusing on structuring arguments, developing ideas, and writing with precision and confidence.
Alongside entrance exam preparation, I provide broader academic support for younger students (approximately ages 5–14), strengthening core skills and building a solid academic foundation. I adapt lessons depending on whether the focus is long-term development or targeted exam preparation.
Below is a snapshot of my recent tutoring experience.
Early Years English and Maths
I tutored this student (Pembridge Hall) in early English and maths support. Sessions focused on foundational numeracy, early literacy, and confidence-building within the school curriculum. I also worked on articulation and communication skills. Over time, she became noticeably more confident in class participation and showed steady improvement in early maths and reading skills.
KS1 English & Maths
I tutored this student (Knightsbridge School) in general English and maths support, alongside homework assistance. Sessions focused on early reading, basic numeracy, and developing strong learning habits. Over time, she became more independent in her work and noticeably more confident when approaching new classroom tasks.
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning 11+ preparation
I tutored this student in 11+ verbal and non-verbal reasoning as part of preparation for Wycombe Abbey. The focus was on exam strategies, speed, accuracy, and confidence under pressure. She initially found the format challenging but gradually became far more confident with unfamiliar question types. I also supported interview preparation, helping her develop clarity and ease in responding. She is now in Year 8 at Wycombe Abbey.
13+ Science Preparation
I tutored this student (Westminster-prep background) in 13+ science. He was initially working at a C/D level and struggled to fully grasp core concepts in chemistry and physics. We focused on building understanding alongside exam technique and applying knowledge under timed conditions. Over three months, his confidence and accuracy improved significantly, and he achieved an A in his final exam, gaining a place at St Paul’s.
GCSE English & Chemistry
I tutored this student (Putney High School) in GCSE English Language and Literature, as well as Chemistry. In English, we focused on essay writing, structured responses, and tackling comprehension questions with precision. In Chemistry, we worked through key content and exam technique, with particular attention to understanding and applying the mark scheme. Over time, her performance improved significantly, progressing from a B grade to consistently achieving A/A* standard work.
A-Level Philosophy (Eduqas)
I supported this student (sixth form at Queen’s College) with A-Level Philosophy, focusing primarily on essay structure, argument development, and clarity of written expression. She initially struggled to organise her ideas under exam conditions. Over time, her work became more structured and analytical, and she progressed from mid-range attainment to achieving an A* in her final examinations.
Hobbies
I’ve always been naturally curious, so I spend a lot of my time reading, particularly fiction, and I also enjoy exploring psychology, philosophy, and health. I enjoy engaging with different perspectives and ideas, which also feeds into how I support students in developing their own thinking and expression.
Music is also an important part of my life (I sing and play the piano), which I find both creative and grounding. Alongside this, I have a strong interest in languages: I speak Spanish, have a working understanding of French and Italian, and am currently continuing to develop my Italian. I enjoy the challenge of learning languages and the different ways of thinking that come with it.
I also enjoy film and other creative pursuits, and generally value activities that combine creativity with discipline.
Testimonials
“Cristy has been fantastic with our daughter. She helped her across general homework and really focused on building her confidence, which was our main concern. Our daughter was quite shy at first, but Cristy was incredibly patient and encouraging, and we’ve seen a real change in how she communicates and expresses herself. Her early maths has also come on nicely. She made learning feel fun but still kept things structured, which worked really well for us.”
General support (age 5)
“Cristy worked with my son for his 13+ science preparation. When she started, he was around C/D level and was not confident in the subject at all. She was very clear and consistent in her teaching and focused a lot on exam technique as well as understanding the content properly. In a short period of about three months, we saw a big improvement. He became much more confident and ultimately achieved an A in his exam. We were very happy with her support.”
13+ Science Entrance Exam preparation
