Emma Br
"With Emma’s help, we identified maths as a source of anxiety and stress and as soon as it was given a bit more attention, our daughter’s confidence and happiness soared."
7+ Preparation
11+
7+/8+
A Level
English Language
English Literature
GCSE
Academic History
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts: PGDip Theatre Directing
Durham University: BA Music 2.1
King’s College Taunton (AS / A Level): AS English Literature (A), AS Music (A), AS Theatre Studies (A), AS History (C), A-Level Music (A), A-Level Theatre Studies (A), A-Level English (B)
Wentworth College Bournemouth (GCSEs): Biology (A*), Chemistry (A*), History (A*), Drama (A), English Language (A), English Literature (A), Maths (A), Music (A), Physics (A), Spanish (A)
About Me
I am a compassionate and enthusiastic tutor who values building confidence, a passion for the subject and attainment equally. I have a genuine love of teaching, and aim to support and educate my pupils not only by teaching them the facts and figures, but also by inspiring them to look past the essentials and develop their own love of academic and creative discovery. My approach to tutoring is supportive and pupil led, believing that trust, empathy, and lessons specifically catered to individual pupils will always get the best results.
I bring an extensive toolbox of methods and teaching approaches from my 13 years of tutoring experience, meaning I can always find a way into something for every student, however difficult they find a topic, or however much they feel they don’t want to tackle it!
Recent tuition
My 7+ students have successfully gained places at schools including Westminster, St Pauls, King’s College School Wimbledon. For 11+, UCS, Highgate, Westminster, City of London, North London Collegiate, Ibstock, Mill Hill, Forest School and Haberdashers. For 13+, schools including King’s Canterbury.
Here is a snapshot of my recent tuition:
Primary English and Maths, year 2-year 7
I worked with a student from January of year 2 until the end of their year 7, having achieved a place at their first-choice secondary school of Mill Hill. I was able to identify that the student showed signs of dyslexia, which was then diagnosed and I adapted my tutoring style accordingly. We built up spelling and grammar skills and approached learning from a more creative, colour and picture led angle.
Primary English and Maths, year 2-Year 11
This student’s parents were looking for someone to support their son when he was falling behind in year 2. As he got a little older, I was able to identify that he showed signs of dyslexia, which he was diagnosed with in early year 4, and the additional support at school and in my lessons was put into place. I built an excellent report with both the student and the family, additionally taking on lessons with his younger brother. The student was able to gain a place at King’s College Canterbury and I continued to support him in English up to his GCSEs (CIE IGCSE).
7+ English
I began working with a 7+ student in early spring 2024, who had had no tutoring and did not have the skill base to attain places at the school he hoped to join at 7+. Within the nine months I worked with him he grew in both skills and confidence and gained a place at St Pauls and is on the waiting list at Westminster.
11+ Preparation
I worked with a student to grow his skill level and confidence in 11+, specifically for his first choice school of Forest school. He began lessons with limited confidence and a lack of skill in managing his time during exams. He also struggled with pressure in timed conditions. We worked on these areas and he gained his 11+ place.
Primary leading to 11+ Preparation
I worked with a student based in Germany through two residential placements and online lessons. They spoke and wrote basic English and I helped develop their skills enough to consider 11+ at an English boarding school. This was essential an English as a foreign language placement, developing into an 11+ placement. Once this student achieved a standard where they could be entered for exams, I passed their lessons on to a tutor who could move out to Germany for six months to work with them in person.
Year 9 then CIE IGCSE English Literature and Language, then A-Level
I was head tutor on a homeschooling program for a student with dyslexia and ADHD, tutoring both in executive skills and English Literature and Language. This student started their programme having found it difficult to access formal education for several years, and having never written as essay. They sat GCSEs in 2023 and achieved a 6 in both English Literature and Language. I was additionally responsible for helping the student with their time management and revision, working through systems until we found one that worked for them. We scheduled their time together, and I worked to instal a love of learning and passion for achieving their potential. The student was ultimately able to return to school, with enthusiasm, to continue their A-Levels.
GCSE English (Cambridge IGCSE English Literature & OCR English Language)
When I started with this student they were not very confident in English and believed themselves to not be great at the subject. After six months of lessons they gained two grades higher than their predicted GCSE English Literature Grade achieving an 8.
GCSE English Literature (Edexcel IGCSE) and lead tutor (ongoing)
This student’s first language is not English, and he is in the UK training with a youth team of a prominent football club. I am working with him to build his skill level and confidence for GCSEs. He has developed his essay skills beyond recognition (having never written one before starting lessons) and we are hopeful for a solid grade in the summer. I also organise his homeschool programme, keeping on top of his timetable, reports and grades.
Homeschooling GCSE level academic coach
Executive skills tutor and academic coach for a student who was homeschooling due to tennis coaching. Responsible for helping them plan their week’s private study and homework as well as teaching time management and organisational skills. We additionally worked on techniques for and tips for self-motivation.
A-Level English (OCR)
This student was struggling at school to engage with their teacher and get the support they felt they needed. They were predicted a C when I started working with them, but they grew in confidence and essay writing skill and attained a B at the end of their GCSE course.
Hobbies
I am also a theatre director, which I believe supports my teaching, developing my creativity toolbox and concurrently building skills in helping people feel confident, safe, willing to take risks and be their best selves.
Gardening is my greatest hobby. I am restoring an orchard allotment plot in North London, where I spend a lot of my free time growing fruits and vegetables. I love being in nature, growing both food and plants to help the local wildlife. Eating my own produce is such a joy!
Hiking is another nature centric hobby of mine, and one I am often found doing at weekends and holidays. I love to watch the changing seasons and find it both relaxing and great exercise. Living in North London means I can get out into the countryside easily, and I’m often further afield in the Lake District or Welsh boarder country.
My other great love is reading, and I am a passionate bookworm. My home is full of bursting bookshelves! For me, reading is about escaping into other worlds and lives and becoming enthralled in their stories.
Testimonials
“Emma’s impact on our daughter’s KS1 education was immediate – she was able to quickly identify gaps in learning and push for improvement where we were already seeing success. Emma was candid about the amount of work necessary to achieve strong 7+ results and provided example papers early on and talked through the progression plan. After the first 8 weeks, –’s teacher pulled me aside to compliment Emma’s techniques and praise — for her incredible progress – she was now a top performer in the class. With Emma’s help, we identified maths as a source of anxiety and stress and as soon as it was given a bit more attention, our daughter’s confidence and happiness soared (and she started sleeping through the night!). After a particularly challenging tutoring session last month, — told me that Emma “makes me feel like I can do anything – that anything is possible!” Emma’s sessions are fun and effective, so much so that –’s 4 year old brother has asked to start tutoring with Emma when he begins Reception in September.”
7+ Preparation
“Emma has been an excellent tutor to my daughter. She has taught her English grammar (which was new to her as English is her 2nd language) to the point where my daughter is now quite good at it, and she has broadened her interest in literature. Emma has gone the extra mile to help her overcome her mental block in writing essays. She has good sense of humour, and it is a pleasure working with her.”
English GCSE
“Emma is a thoughtful, confident, and calm tutor. She is able to quickly assess her students and plan a framework of learning that takes into consideration, their age, personal characteristics, learning ability and the expectations of the parents. She is gentle, kind, punctual and polite with a real passion for her students’ success and progression. She speaks to her students in their language and brings out the very best in them. We adore her.”
Key Stage 2 English
