Sarah Th
"Sarah joined us for three two-week stints over the course of a year, supporting our twins in their preparation for the 11+. She was a wonderful presence in our home and did a brilliant job of building their confidence for the task ahead."
Parent of 11+ students
11+
13 +
7+/8+
Early Years
English
Geography
History
Maths
Primary
Academic History
Goldsmiths, University of London, MA in Twentieth-Century Literature and its Contexts: Distinction
University College London, BA Hons in History: 2:1
About Me
My approach strikes a careful balance between three things: the goals and brief set by parents, the skills required by the curriculum and age group, and — crucially — the individual personality of the student in front of me. After fifteen years of working with children across a wide range of ages and abilities, I’ve developed a natural rapport that allows me to intuit quickly what a student will respond to and how best to engage them.
I always aim to build a warm, trusting relationship with each student. My style is upbeat and energetic, and I work hard to make sessions feel encouraging rather than pressured — while also being gently firm when the moment calls for it. Whether a child thrives with structured practice, responds better to a more exploratory approach, or needs patient, step-by-step support to build their foundations, I adapt my methods accordingly.
Parents can expect clear communication about their child’s progress, honest assessments of where focus is needed, and a consistent commitment to bringing out the best in their child — academically and in terms of self-belief.
Recent tuition
7+ English and Maths Preparation (Alleyn’s School)
I worked with this student on a long-term programme of twice-weekly sessions, covering English and Maths in preparation for 7+ entry to one of London’s most selective day schools. The focus was on building core literacy and numeracy skills alongside the confidence and stamina required for the assessment process. The student successfully gained entry to his desired school.
11+ English — Intensive Preparation, Confidence Focus (St Paul’s Girls’ School)
This student came to me during the Christmas holiday period ahead of her 11+ examinations, having struggled with confidence following some disappointing practice results. We worked together daily in 90-minute sessions, concentrating on exam technique, written composition and rebuilding her self-belief. She went on to gain a place at St Paul’s Girls’ School.
11+ English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning — Residential SEN Support
I worked with this family over the course of a year across three extended residential stays, supporting their twins — one with dyscalculia and one with ADHD and processing difficulties — in preparation for the 11+. Sessions were carefully tailored to each child’s individual learning profile, with a strong emphasis on confidence-building. Both children successfully gained places at their desired schools (Sherborne).
13+ English — Long-Term Preparation (Eton College)
I supported this student throughout the academic year in preparation for his 13+ English examinations, working on close reading, analytical writing and the particular demands of the Eton English paper. Progress was steady and sustained across the year. The student successfully gained a place at Eton College.
UK Independent School Entry — International Family, Residential Programme (Harrow School and Downe House)
I worked with two siblings from a Beijing-based family across two summer residential stays, preparing them for entry into the UK independent school system. The programme covered the full range of 13+ Common Entrance subjects for the boy — English, Maths, Sciences and Humanities — and 11+ English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning for his sister, with sessions adapted throughout to bridge the gap between the Chinese and British curricula. The boy was successfully offered a place at Harrow and his sister at Downe House.
Tutor and Mentor — Enrichment and Academic Support
I was engaged by this London-based family on a summer mentoring brief, working with their twelve-year-old daughter each morning on English and Maths before accompanying her to a programme of afternoon activities — museums, galleries, theatre and a range of social outings. The role combined academic consolidation with broader cultural and personal development, and the student made excellent progress across both dimensions.
Long-Term English Support — Ongoing Online Programme
I have worked with two siblings from the same family entirely online since they were in Years 3 and 5 respectively; both are now in secondary school and continue to have twice-weekly sessions. Based in Nigeria, the students have never required face-to-face tuition — the programme has remained consistently effective online, focusing on keeping both engaged with English, supporting their school work and developing their wider literacy skills. This case reflects my commitment to building sustained, trusting relationships with students over time.
GCSE English and Humanities — Long-Term SEN Support and Exam Preparation
I supported this student across the full two-year GCSE course, working with him in English, History and Geography. The student had processing difficulties which required a carefully adapted approach throughout — both in building understanding during the course and in developing effective exam technique as assessments approached. He achieved grades 8 and 9 across all of his subjects.
GCSE English and Humanities — Homeschooling, Confidence Focus
I worked with this student on a homeschooling basis after she was withdrawn from school following a period of bullying. The brief called for a warm, gentle approach with a strong emphasis on rebuilding confidence alongside academic progress. We worked together in English, History, Geography and Religious Education across the GCSE course, and the student went on to achieve grades 8 and 9 across all of her subjects.
16+ English, Written Testimony and Interview Preparation — Online (Oundle School)
I worked online with this China-based student who was applying to UK boarding schools at sixth form level. Alongside English tuition, I supported her in crafting a compelling written testimony and preparing for the admissions interview — helping her present herself with clarity and confidence to an unfamiliar panel. She was successfully offered a place at Oundle School.
Hobbies
Literature and language have been lifelong passions of mine — I am a published author, and my love of both reading and writing informs everything I do in the tutoring room. I find that a genuine enthusiasm for the English language is infectious, and I enjoy sharing that with students in ways that go beyond the purely academic.
I have a deep love of the visual arts, particularly painting, and many of my tutoring roles have included a mentoring and enrichment dimension alongside academic preparation — visiting museums and galleries with students, helping them develop a broader cultural curiosity and an eye for the world around them.
Outside of work, I’m happiest in the outdoors — walking and wild swimming — and I love animals. And games of all sorts!
Testimonials
“Sarah started working with our boys when they were in Year 3 and Year 5 respectively, supporting them in English. They are now in Years 7 and 9 — and still going strong! Both have benefited from their twice-weekly online lessons (we live abroad), which have kept them on top of the subject. We recommend Sarah as a tutor.”
Primary English tuition
“Sarah joined us for three two-week stints over the course of a year, supporting our twins in their preparation for the 11+. She was a wonderful presence in our home and did a brilliant job of building their confidence for the task ahead. Our daughter has dyscalculia and our son has ADHD and some processing difficulties, and Sarah adapted her approach to each of them with real skill and sensitivity. They both gained places at their desired schools, and we couldn’t have been happier.”
11+ Preparation
“While we are based in Saudi Arabia during term-time, we spend each summer in London and hired Sarah as a tutor and mentor to our twelve-year-old daughter. Each day began with an hour and a half of English and Maths, followed by afternoon activities — from the fun (mini-golf, escape rooms) to the educational (museums, galleries and plays). Our daughter had a wonderful summer — we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sarah.”
Preparation for Year 8 and Enrichment
