Owen
"His knowledge of the independent school entrance process, particularly in English and interview preparation, is outstanding, and pupils thrive under his guidance both academically and personally."
Pastoral Lead at London day school
11+
7+/8+
English
Interview Preparation
Maths
Non-verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Academic History
Oxford Brookes University, PGCE Primary Education (QTS) – with Primary Languages specialism
Royal Holloway, University of London, Bachelor of Arts, European Studies with French (Upper Second)
About Me
With over seventeen years of experience teaching across KS1 and KS2 in leading independent schools, including extensive 7+ and 11+ preparation, I aim to create lessons that are structured, engaging, fun and supportive while maintaining high expectations. I believe the most effective tutoring begins with building confidence and trust. Every child learns differently, so I adapt my teaching style carefully to suit each pupil’s personality, strengths and areas for development.
My approach combines strong subject knowledge with a calm and encouraging manner. I focus particularly on developing children’s understanding rather than relying solely on repetition.
Having held senior pastoral and safeguarding roles within schools, I understand how important emotional wellbeing is to academic success. I work hard to ensure pupils feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks and developing resilience. I am experienced in supporting a wide range of abilities, from children needing additional reassurance to highly able pupils preparing for competitive entrance examinations. Above all, I want pupils to leave sessions feeling more confident, capable and motivated.
Recent tuition
I have extensive experience preparing pupils for 7+, 8+ and 11+ entrance examinations for leading London independent schools including Highgate School, City of London School, Westminster Under School, St Paul’s Juniors, King’s College School Wimbledon, UCS, Latymer Upper School, Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Channing School and South Hampstead High School. I understand both the academic expectations and the pastoral pressures surrounding these processes, and I aim to help pupils and parents feel calm, confident and well prepared throughout.
Below is a snapshot of my recent tutoring experience:
7+ Preparation
I supported a Year 2 pupil preparing for 7+ assessments and interviews for London preparatory schools. Tuition centred on early comprehension, creative thinking, communication skills and confidence-building through discussion-based learning. Following four months of preparation, this student successfully gained entry to their first-choice preparatory school.
Year 4 Maths, Reasoning and English
I provided one-to-one support for a Year 4 pupil aiming for selective independent school entry. Tuition focused on Maths fluency, reasoning and vocabulary development, alongside building resilience and confidence under timed conditions. After six months of support, this student demonstrated accelerated progress and later accepted a place at Highgate School.
Year 5 English
I worked with a Year 5 pupil who lacked confidence in reading comprehension and extended writing. Sessions focused on vocabulary, inference skills and planning techniques through engaging and structured activities. Over two terms, this student made strong academic progress, became far more independent and began contributing more confidently in school lessons. This pupil received improved ‘value added’ CAT and CPI data, allowing her to feel more confident with ISEB entrance exams.
11+ Preparation
I supported a Year 6 pupil preparing for competitive London independent school 11+ examinations, focusing on comprehension, creative writing and interview preparation. Weekly sessions developed confidence, exam technique and written structure. Over eight months, this student progressed significantly and successfully secured offers from Latymer and Dulwich College.
Year 6 Mentoring and Comprehension Support
I provided pastoral mentoring to a Year 6 pupil transitioning to senior school. Support focused on organisation, written expression, comprehension and managing academic pressure. This pupil had already received an offer but was feeling overwhelmed with the required jump to Year 7. Over the course of a few months, this student developed greater independence and successfully transitioned to UCS with increased confidence and strong assessment outcomes.
Hobbies
Music has always been a significant part of my life. I play both the piano and clarinet and enjoy composing and arranging music on the electric piano. I find music incredibly rewarding because it combines creativity, discipline and expression, and it has always provided a healthy balance alongside the demands of school life and leadership roles.
I also have a strong interest in sport. In my younger years, I represented Wales A in badminton and gained junior county honours in cricket, football and badminton. I completed the London Marathon while raising money for the Meningitis Research Foundation, which was both a personal challenge and a meaningful experience. I enjoy the resilience, teamwork and sense of perspective that sport brings, and I think many of those qualities translate naturally into teaching and tutoring.
Alongside this, I genuinely enjoy working with young people and helping them discover confidence in their own abilities. Seeing a pupil overcome a challenge, develop independence or begin to enjoy a subject they previously found difficult is one of the most rewarding aspects of education for me.
Testimonials
“Owen has an exceptional ability to build both confidence and academic rigour in his pupils. I worked alongside him supporting children through competitive 11+ preparation and was consistently impressed by his calm, thoughtful approach and high standards of teaching. He develops strong relationships with pupils very quickly and understands how to stretch more able learners while also supporting those who need reassurance. His knowledge of the independent school entrance process, particularly in English and interview preparation, is outstanding, and pupils thrive under his guidance both academically and personally.”
Pastoral Lead at London day school
