Mira
"We found Mira to be highly professional with a lovely warm demeanour, she had a great rapport with our daughter immediately."
11+ Preparation
11+
13 +
7+/8+
A Level
English Language
English Literature
GCSE
History
Religious Studies
Academic History
Birkbeck, University of London, 2023: MA Culture, Diaspora, Ethnicity (Distinction)
Middlesex University, 2008: MA Philosophy and Contemporary Critical Theory (pass)
University of Warwick, 2005: BA English and American Literature (2:1)
About Me
My two decades of experience as a tutor with a wide range of pupils in various situations mean that I have developed a deep confidence in myself as an educator which in turn allows me to help students learn how to learn independently, how to approach problems, how to think laterally and how to use knowledge and experience from all areas of their lives to bring interest and energy to their own thought and modes of study. I find this makes learning pleasurable which enhances engagement and commitment.
I treat every student as the unique individual that they are and try to quickly yet sensitively intuit their strengths and weaknesses, worries and blockages; bring these into the light and encourage fearlessness and calm. When a student knows they are safe to ask any question or express any half-formed hunch, I find that lucid communication opens up between us wherein they can trust me to guide them gently. This builds the robustness, patience and determination that is crucial to long-term academic success and life confidence.
My sessions can vary from flexible and student-led, to tightly planned and highly-scheduled – depending on the changing needs and aims of the student and their care-givers at any given time. I’ve tutored since 2006 – as well as pursuing academic study, writing, editing and other creative work – and find it to be a rewarding and challenging career.
Recent tuition
7+ Preparation (all subjects)
I tutored this student for the year leading up to her 7+ examinations. I helped her focus and gain familiarity with the topics covered as well as an exam and interview setting. She entered St Dunstan’s, which was her goal.
10+ Preparation (all subjects)
I tutored this student for the two years leading up to 10+. I quickly ascertained the areas his state school wasn’t adequately covering – particularly in Maths and aspects of grammar – and focussed our work on those topics. He was accepted at the two schools he applied for Dulwich College and Alleyn’s.
11+ Preparation (all subjects)
I worked intensively for this students for the months leading up to her 11+. Her state primary school had not adequately prepared her for the rigour of the 11+, particularly concerning Maths. I was able to ensure she had knowledge and capacity in all relevant areas. I also familiarised her with all aspects of reasoning, some of which are quite obtuse. While her writing skills were good, they needed tightening and focus, which I was able to guide her into. We also worked on mock interviews and the self presentation required in such circumstances. She was accepted into the two schools she applied for – Sydenham GDST and St. Dunstan’s.
Confidence building and school support
I tutored this dyslexic student from Year 4 to Year 8. He was struggling in school, often not having time enough to follow his teacher which was resulting in poor confidence and poor performance. With gentle, long term support, without the pressure of exams I was able to keep him on track and help him grow his confidence, being clear to encourage his many strengths and capabilities.
GCSE English Literature, GCSE English Language
I homeschooled this student in these two subjects through Years 10 and 11 seeing him for eight hours per week. He had been excluded at an early age, lacked confidence and whilst highly capable was bored and had low self-esteem. Through building trust and finding points of interest within the syllabi we slowly worked together until he was far more engaged and more able to translate his thoughts into writing in a more focussed manner. He achieved 7s in both subjects, which was excellent considering his starting point and hurdles.
GCSE English Literature, GCSE English Language, GCSE History, A Level English, A Level Film, A Level Drama
I worked with this student for the five years from Year 9 to Year 13 and had the privilege of watching her grow into a mature, confident, capable and creative young woman. This student’s main issue was expressing her ideas in suitable essayistic formal format required for all the subjects I worked with her on. Over the years she became highly capable at developing and organising her ideas into the essay/dissertation format pertinent to each subject. She achieved two grades higher than her predictions across the breadth of these subjects.
Hobbies
As a writer my primary interest is words – I spend a lot of time reading, attending literary events, writing and running writing groups with friends. I remember falling in love with literature as soon as I could read. It allows me to imagine other worlds, empathise deeply and learn about the world in engaging ways.
I do quite a lot of exercise and movement, from cardio and swimming to yoga and dance. Movement practices, as distinct from exercise, are grounding and embodying, allowing me to be more in touch with myself and therefore others.
I have recently started a gardening course as I want to learn more about the natural world and the climate crisis.
Testimonials
“Mira is an amazing tutor who has tutored our daughter for over one year between the ages of 5-6 years old. Mira is calm, patient and kind, who has a sense of fun and uses this to support a positive and engaging learning environment.”
Primary Numeracy and Literacy
“We were so happy to have found Mira. The whole 11+ experience can be quite intimidating and stressful but she happily shared her experience and resources so we all felt better prepared. We found Mira to be highly professional with a lovely warm demeanour, she had a great rapport with our daughter immediately. We worked with Mira for in 2 hours sessions once a week for 4 months, preparing our 11 year old daughter for secondary school entrance exams. Mira’s understanding of the curriculum meant she could really target revision to the areas she needed to work on whilst also teaching totally new subjects that our daughter had yet to learn in school. She had good resource materials and lots of mock papers to share. Our daughter was always excited for her sessions and I think Mira really built her confidence. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mira to anyone looking for a great tutor. And pleased to say I– got into 3 of the schools she applied to.”
11+ Preparation
“Mira taught my daughter one-to-one for nearly five years, English and History to GCSE level, English, Film and Drama to A-level. My daughter benefited hugely from her knowledge, patience, care and good-humour. Under Mira’s guidance, my daughter became interested in texts she had found challenging, fascinated by events she had not understood, and grasped concepts that had eluded her at school. I would guess that Mira brought A–‘s exam performance up by a grade and possibly two, but she helped in far more important ways. My daughter very quickly came to regard Mira as a wise older friend as well as a tutor, a sounding-board for the to-and-fro of life, as well as learning. But purely in terms of academic capacity, Mira is absolutely first-class. She was also very accommodating to our often-changing schedule, travelling to teach at three or four different locations to fit around our plans. She has every quality needed in a tutor for a girl of this age, and more besides. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
GCSE and A Level tuition
