Jessica C
"Jess is hugely talented and was able to motivate and inspire our daughter at her weekly lessons. She is a patient and caring individual and our daughter responded well to her tutoring technique, achieving all top grades at GCSE."
Parent of GCSE English Literature student
Creative Writing
English Language
English Literature
Senior School Entrance
Spanish
Academic History
PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing, Distinction, The University of Cambridge
BA (Hons) in Combined Honours in Arts (English Literature and Spanish), First-class Honours, Durham University
A-Levels (University College School, 2014-15) English Literature (A*), French (A), Spanish (A), Philosophy (A)
GCSEs (North London Collegiate School, 2013) Russian (A*), French (A*), Spanish (A*), History (A*), Drama (A*), English Language (A*), Maths (A*), Dual Science Award (A*, A*)
About Me
Having tutored for over a decade, I am passionate about applying empathy and curiosity to teaching, with a specialism in English Literature and Language. I’ve worked with students from diverse backgrounds, including those with SEN and SEMH needs, as well as with young people with varied mental health needs, and international students. Across all teaching, I am led by subject expertise, a deep, infectious passion for learning and education, and a tailored, care-centred methodology that supports the needs of each individual learner. I build positive and encouraging relationships with students within a clearly structured and well-organised framework. My complementary professional experience in the mental health support sector feeds into my tutoring practice, which welcomes young people to share their ideas and opinions, and build confidence in self-expression. I enjoy framing texts in ways that feel relevant to students’ own lived experience and the broader world we live in, and breaking down exam preparation into smaller scale, manageable segments to make learning feel exploratory rather than intimidating.
Recent tuition
KS3 English, Year 9 SEN
I worked with this student (SEN secondary school) over several months. She found it difficult to maintain focus and engage with written tasks, and had autism and ADHD. I used writing linked to her interests and structured sessions with regular breaks and sensory tools. She became more engaged in lessons and more able to complete written work independently, as well as more motivated about education.
English Literature GCSE, Pearson Edexcel
I tutored this student for three months in preparation for his English Literature GCSE, with the exam board Pearson Edexcel. He was studying in the UAE, and was getting 7 and 8 grades in mock exams before starting tutoring. I focused our lessons on essay-writing techniques, zeroing in on high level vocabulary and phrasing, offering detailed feedback on practice essays. This student achieved his desired grade 9 in his GCSE exam.
English GCSE, AQA
I have been tutoring this student English Literature and Language for a year, starting when he was in year 10. He was getting grade 7s in mock tests and found parts of the English papers more manageable but struggled in others. Together we have comprehensively gone over the whole curriculum with a special focus on any challenging areas, including some of the older anthology poems, and particular questions within English language papers. The student scored grade 8 in his most recent mock and has made significant strides in comprehension and expression.
English GCSE, Pearson Edexcel
I have been tutoring this student for six months, who is a Chinese international student at a boarding school in the UK. Many of the challenges that he has faced within the English GCSE course are linked to language barrier issues, which I have addressed through targeted grammar and fluency exercises. He has grown in confidence, both in spoken and written English responses, and writes clearly reasoned, well-developed arguments about literary texts.
English Literature A Level, OCR
I tutored this student for a year during his final year of school, in the subject of English Literature A-Level with the exam board OCR. We looked at the texts A Streetcar Named Desire and Things Fall Apart. The main focus was sophisticated essay-writing and incorporating context into essay responses. We worked together for a year, resulting in an increase of one grade from the previous year’s exam results and the student securing a place at his chosen university.
Hobbies
I am a playwright and poet, whose shows have been featured at Gateway Writing Festival in Edinburgh and multiple London venues. I also perform spoken word and facilitate creative writing workshops in community settings. I love writing, both for the deeper connections with others that it permits, and how playful and freeing discovering new ways of expressing ideas can feel. Alongside my creative practice, I am an avid reader (both fiction and non-fiction) and am in three book clubs. I enjoy the broadening of perspective I encounter through books, and through hearing others’ takes on them. Literary pursuits aside, I like to cook, walk in nature and visit different cultural attractions in London.
Testimonials
“I have been taking lessons with Jess for quite some time now and I find them incredibly helpful. If there is anything that I am finding difficult – it could be a certain poem or extract or even the meaning of a single line – Jess always gives me the tools to understand it on my own, instead of in school, where I am told what everything is supposed to mean. Jess gives me an idea of what something could mean, but she gives me enough room and support so that I come to my own conclusions. This has been really helpful for me when I actually write essays, because it gives me a much deeper understanding of the text, poem, book etc. Another thing I’ve also found useful is that Jess gives me lots of feedback and advice to any essays/answers I send to her. Using her feedback has also allowed me to improve a lot. Jess is also very kind and considerate. She is always happy to help me and answer any questions I have.”
GSCE English Literature & Language
“Jess tutored our daughter in English ahead of her GCSEs and was an absolute delight with her. Jess is hugely talented and was able to motivate and inspire our daughter at her weekly lessons. She is a patient and caring individual and our daughter responded well to her tutoring technique, achieving all top grades at GCSE. I cannot recommend Jess highly enough.”
GCSE English Literature
