Sarah E
"Sarah was a wonderful support in maths as my son worked towards his 11+ examinations. She was very clear in her expectations but was also very encouraging so that he increasingly believed in his own ability and I could see him improve every day. She is very experienced and knows how to get the best out of every child. I would highly recommend her."
Parent of 11+ student
11+
13 +
Maths
Non-verbal Reasoning
Academic History
PGCE in Primary Education, with a specialism in Mathematics (2011-2012) Institute of Education, University College London. Grade: ‘Outstanding in all areas’: teaching, dissertation and action research.
PhD in Theoretical Inorganic Chemistry (1988-1992) Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. Thesis entitled, ‘Spectral Intensities in Planar Copper II Complexes’. Three academic papers published in 1992 in the Journals of Molecular Physics and Inorganic Chemistry.
MA (Cantab) awarded in 1992. Conferred by right on holders of the BA (Hons) Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge.
BA (Hons) Natural Sciences, Part 1A, 1B & II (1985-1988) Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. First Class (3rd highest in the University). I studied Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, History and Philosophy of Science and Computing. In Part II (final year), I studied Inorganic, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry.
A Levels (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate), Worcester Grammar School for Girls, 1984: Chemistry (A), Physics (A), Mathematics (A), Further Mathematics (B).
GCE O Levels (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate), Worcester Grammar School for Girls, 1982: English Language (A), English Literature (A), Mathematics (A), French (A), Latin (A), Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), Geography (A).
About Me
A former prep Headmistress and Deputy Head Academic, building on more than a decade of Mathematics teaching in leading prep schools at KS2, KS3, 11+ and 13+, I focus on tutoring Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning at KS2 and KS3, including the ISEB pretests and other entrance tests at 11+, 13+ Common Entrance and 13+ Scholarship to leading senior schools. I equally excel at and enjoy teaching children of all aptitudes from the most able (e.g. King’s Scholars at Westminster and Eton and in my former life Chemistry undergraduates at Cambridge) to those who have previously struggled with Mathematics or felt unconfident in the subject and all in between.
With an engaging, energetic, kind and positive style, I deliver personalised learning highly tailored to the needs, skills, character and personality of each individual pupil to ensure that they make progress as fast as possible and achieve of their very best. Using an approach rich in questioning and dialogue, I assess each pupil’s progress continuously and adjust on an ongoing basis to teach each pupil at the ‘sweet spot’ of their learning. I believe there is no limit to what each pupil can achieve and I strive every day to drive learning. Happy children learn. I therefore ensure that I engage with each child and get to know them well and ensure that the experience of learning is fun.
Understanding, confidence and a Growth Mindset are all critical to my approach:
Understanding – I focus on decoding for pupils the understanding and reasons behind mathematical operations and approaches as well as how they link to other learning in mathematics. I break down and share the steps involved and help pupils to remember the steps with memorable words and mnemonics. My pupils understand WHY they do the steps and the operations they need do, not just HOW to do the steps. Understanding is vital as it is much easier to remember how to do something if you really understand what you are doing, and from that deep understanding progression comes more easily.
Confidence – Similarly confidence is essential in learning Mathematics and for pupils to achieve of their very best. My approach builds confidence in spades by celebrating progress and being clear and encouraging about the next steps for each pupil in their learning, as well as scaffolding next steps.
Growth Mindset – All children can learn Mathematics. There is no limit to what any child can achieve. It is all about unlocking the learning for each child and practising to aid retention. I celebrate mistakes and misconceptions as they are opportunities for learning. I encourage pupils to reflect on what they do well and on what they find more difficult or have misconceptions about. Reflecting like this in a structured way (e.g. vs. curriculum objectives) helps pupils to focus their learning going forwards and also to celebrate what they have learnt.
Recent tuition
My experience is primarily in KS2 and KS3 and for 11+ and 13+ but I also have experience in KS1 and to GCSE.
KS2, 11+ and Year 6 Entrance Tests (including for 13+ schools)
Students in KS2 that I have tutored for the ISEB Pre-Tests and other entrance tests in Year 6 (-7) have been successfully achieved places at 13+ at schools including: Westminster, St. Paul’s, Eton, Winchester, City of London, Dulwich College, Harrow, Merchant Taylor’s, Mill Hill, Oundle, Radley, Tonbridge and University College School.
11+ students I have tutored have gained places at schools including Highgate, The 11+ Consortium (Girls’ London Day Schools) and Grammar schools. I have also prepared pupils for ISEB Common Entrance exams at 11+.
KS2 students I have tutored have achieved places at a wide range of senior and secondary schools.
KS3 and 13+, Common Entrance and Scholarship
At 13+ I have tutored children to achieve of their best at Common Entrance and other school specific entrance tests (e.g. Winchester Entrance) and to prepare to join Westminster, St. Paul’s, Eton, Winchester, City of London, Harrow, Tonbridge, Dulwich College, Mill Hill, Merchant Taylor’s, Radley and Oundle in Year 9.
I have prepared pupils for 13+ Scholarships including the King’s Scholarship at Eton, The Westminster Challenge, ISEB Common Academic Scholarship and scholarships at St Paul’s, Tonbridge, Dulwich College, City of London, Harrow and Oundle. My pupils have achieved scholarships at schools including: Eton, Westminster, St. Paul’s, Tonbridge, City and Oundle.
Please see below a snapshot of my recent tutoring experience:
Mathematics, Year 5
After an Autumn Mathematics exam, this student and her parents were very concerned about big gaps in her understanding and in her paper. She was also unhappy, anxious and told me that she avoided questions that “looked difficult”. I tutored her to build KS2 numeracy skills, to fill gaps, flush out and correct her misconceptions, as well as to build her confidence and growth mindset. I gave her the scaffolding, skills, confidence and encouragement to try. After a few months she was transformed, telling me “I find maths so much easier now”. She would take on challenging questions and her summer exam result was in in the middle of her Fulham Prep School year group.
Preparation for the ISEB Pre-Tests in Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Years 5-6
I tutored a pupil who was in Year 5 and 6 at The Hall prep school. He was a bright, interesting boy but was underperforming as he was preparing (in Year 5) for the ISEB Pre-Tests. He tended to struggle with concentration at times, rush to (the wrong) answers and was keen to work out everything in his head. I developed a good relationship with him and kept his concentration through delivering a variety of shorter tasks. I taught him tools to help him slow down (step 1, step 2, ask yourself …) and helped him to see why he needed to show his working out. It took time but this student grew in confidence, maturity and attainment.
Mathematics and Preparation for the ISEB-Pretests, Year 6
This student was a diligent pupil at The Hall but he lacked confidence in Mathematics. The Year 6 entrance tests for senior schools arguably came too early for him and he did not get any offers at that stage. I tutored him 1:1 for a year to help build his skills and confidence and to prepare him for entrance tests in Year 7. We systematically worked through the syllabus trouble shooting and filling gaps as we went, ensuring the basics of numeracy were very sound and working on problem solving. By Year 7 he had blossomed in confidence and his standardised test scored increased by 12+ points opening up senior school options.
13+ King’s Scholarship, Eton
This student was young in the year at his prep school but very bright and able mathematically. However he was a really independent thinker who could be a bit of a dreamer and was adamant that he did not need to show working out. His work was inconsistent: either brilliant or poor. I prepared him for 13+ Scholarship Maths. We focused on consistency, asking “Does this make sense?” to spot errors and working out (necessary to communicate mathematician to mathematician). A year later he won a King’s Scholarship to Eton College.
GCSE Maths (Higher) Edexcel, Year 11
Over several years this student at The Chantry had developed gaps in his knowledge for his GCSE Higher Maths. I tutored him from January-June of Year 11 twice a week online. The focus was on ensuring he was exam ready across all topics and all papers and improving his fractions and algebra in particular. His skills, confidence and attainment improved substantially. He achieved a strong pass in his GCSE (Higher) which was higher than the grade he had been predicted and went on to do A levels at King Edward VI College.
Hobbies
Health and keeping fit is important to me (gym, pilates, walking).
I enjoy watching and (occasionally) performing improvisation comedy and musical theatre. I find performing very energising and have always enjoyed singing. I challenged myself to learn to act and dance in amateur musical theatre productions which I undertook as part of City Academy, a theatre school. I have liked improvisation comedy since university and have taken a number of courses from 1997-2020 – it involves quick thinking, working closely with and sparking off others and showmanship. I initially started learning improv to add to my repertoire of presentation skills.
I like everything to do with water: boats, swimming, waterskiing and scuba diving. Water, swimming and boats have been passions since childhood. I find monoskiing challenging and the speed thrilling. I enjoy scuba diving as I am interested in the environment and I also find breathing through a regulator and being underwater to be quite meditative.
Testimonials
“Thanks to Sarah, X was amongst the fourteen boys to achieve the Eton King’s Scholarship this year!! You are not only the best at Maths teaching but also patient, considerate and kind. X says, “You make every lesson go like a dream. Thank you for persevering especially with my working out!””
13+ Maths Scholarship, Prep School
“Thank you for the wonderful and inspirational teaching you have given to B–.”
Year 6 Maths and ISEB Pre-Tests, Prep School
“I contacted Sarah for tutoring support when studying for my higher, calculator and non-calculator, maths GCSE exams. The main focus of these twice weekly online sessions, was to enhance my exam technique and ability to understand certain sections of the paper. Two of these were multiplying out fractions and algebra, both of which I initially struggled with. Sarah’s patient, tailor-made approach to tutoring me in this area, resulted in substantial improvements in my ability to understand and execute questions. Sarah also dedicated her time to build my confidence when practising papers, which translated directly to my final exams, where I achieved a grade above my predicted grade. I would thoroughly recommended Sarah for anyone looking for a dedicated, high-quality tutor, who will understand the needs of their student, with their best interest at heart!”
Year 11 pupil, Worcestershire
