James R
"He was thoughtful and kind and managed to maintain my son’s interest and significantly boost his performance."
Parent of 13+ student
11+
13 +
Creative Writing
English
Maths
Oxbridge Applications
Theatre Studies
Academic History
MSt, Creative Writing, St Edmunds College, University of Cambridge. Merit
MA (Cantab), Clare College, University of Cambridge.
BA English Literature, Clare College, University of Cambridge. II.i
A Level/Pre-U: D1 (A**) – English Literature A* – Theatre Studies D3 (A) – German
GCSE: A* – English Literature, English Language, Maths Methods, History, Geography, Latin, German, Physics, Chemistry, Biology. A – Maths Applications
About Me
I create a flexible style of teaching tailored to the student’s interests and needs, in constant communication with both the parent and student in order to both achieve tangible goals and fuel a lifelong passion within the subject. I am passionate about Literature and reading and hope to ensure that this same drive is mirrored within every student I teach.
I’m a big believer in the maxim ‘work smarter not harder’ (well maybe ‘and’), especially with regards to exams. I know how to fulfil exam requirements and how to treat it as a game to enjoy rather than a trial to fear. Hopefully this is something I can pass on. This is something which has helped me and past tutees successfully navigate through the Oxbridge admissions and ace the ELAT exam and interview process.
Recent tuition
11+ English and Verbal Reasoning (Wimbledon High School Preparation)
Confidence was the central challenge for this student when we began working together on 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning. She found creative tasks daunting and lacked security in core grammar principles. Over several months we built her foundations steadily and developed her instinct for verbal reasoning. She received offers from every school she applied to.
11+ English and Reasoning (Entrance Exam Preparation)
Across a full academic year, this student and I worked together on 11+ English and Reasoning. He understood the material well but struggled to perform consistently under exam pressure. Regular structured practice helped him build both technique and confidence, and he completed his entrance exams with strong results.
13+ Common Entrance, All Subjects (The Hall School)
A student at The Hall School approached me for support across all Common Entrance subjects for six months, preparing for 13+ entry. English was a particular priority, and he moved from a failing mock grade to a Grade 7 over the course of our sessions. He exceeded predicted grades in every subject, won the school Geography Prize, and secured a place at Merchant Taylors’ School.
Creative Writing and Reading, Online Tuition (Harrow School / Hong Kong)
Based in Hong Kong and studying remotely, this student worked with me online for two months. Despite the distance and time difference, engagement remained high throughout our sessions. The focus was on developing creative writing skills and fostering a genuine love of reading, both of which grew noticeably over our time together.
IGCSE English Literature (Brighton College)
This student came to me seeking support in IGCSE English Literature and we worked together for five months. Already a strong performer, her goal was to push for the highest possible grade. We focused on refining close reading and sharpening analytical writing under timed conditions. She achieved a Grade 9, missing a perfect score by a single mark.
GCSE English Language (City of London Girls’ School)
Working with this student at City of London Girls’ School for five months, my focus was on preparing her for GCSE English Language exams. She arrived with a predicted Grade 6, struggling to structure essays and apply analytical skills consistently under pressure. Through systematic work on writing technique and exam strategy, she finished with a Grade 8.
GCSE English Literature and Language (Devonshire House School)
This student at Devonshire House School worked with me through GCSE English Literature and Language largely in his second language. We worked together for nine months. Essay construction and comprehension under exam conditions were his greatest challenges. Through sustained and tailored support, he made exceptional progress, improving from Grades 4 and 5 to Grades 6, 7 and 8 in his final examinations.
GCSE English Literature, Language and Drama
Predicted low Grade 4s and below across all three subjects, this student worked with me from for nine months in English Literature, Language and Drama. Building both his skills and his belief in himself was central to our approach. He achieved a Grade 7 in Literature and Grade 6s in Language and Drama, significantly surpassing expectations.
GCSE English Literature and Language, Intensive Support
At genuine risk of failing and considering dropping his subjects entirely, this student began working with me. We built a programme of tailored lesson plans around his specific gaps in English Literature and Language, and worked through them consistently over the course of the year. He achieved a Grade 6 in both subjects, a genuinely transformative outcome.
ELAT, Oxbridge Entrance Exam Preparation
With only a short window to prepare, this student came to me seeking support for the English Literature Admissions Test. We worked intensively on close reading, comparative analysis across unseen texts, and the discipline required for timed essay writing. She performed strongly enough to earn an interview placement.
Hobbies
I have worked in the creative industry as an actor, singer and am keen to bring a sense of creativity, exploration through performance and fun to my lessons. For example, I performed in an international tour show of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors attempting to bring it to new heights to crowds of Mid-West American schoolchildren! I love literature and am passionate about inspiring a love for reading and writing in my students. I’m also a passionate football fan and captained Clare College Football Club during my time at University.
Testimonials
“I engaged James to tutor my 14 year old son a few months ago: in that short time he has developed more of an understanding of literature, comprehension and grammar than in his previous 10 years of (private) education. For the first time he comes home discussing what he has been studying with actual enthusiasm and is beginning to appreciate the value of books and plays. This is quite remarkable in light of his previous failure in – and fear of – English, and this is entirely due to James’ ability to ascertain what my son/a pupil needs to both be stimulated and to progress – whether simply to obtain a higher exam grade or to ignite an interest in reading. I will therefore endeavour to sabotage any other ambitions James may have in writing or acting as I believe he can have a life changing impact upon both my son’s education and – perhaps more importantly – an appreciation of literature for the rest of his life.”
Parent of English Literature student
“James supported our son with his preparation for common entrance exams. He helped him cover the material itself, as well as study and exam skills. James also provided English tutoring (which is one of his areas of expertise). James is an excellent tutor who clearly enjoys getting to the heart of what his tutees need from him. He was thoughtful and kind and managed to maintain my son’s interest and significantly boost his performance. We would definitely have James back again and other students would be lucky to be taught by him.”
Parent of 13+ student
