Jim - English tutor - Eastbourne

One of our best tutors. Quality profile, experience in their field, verified qualifications and a great response time. Jim will be happy to arrange your first English lesson.

Jim

One of our best tutors. Quality profile, experience in their field, verified qualifications and a great response time. Jim will be happy to arrange your first English lesson.

  • Hourly rate £63
  • Response Time 4h
  • Number of students 50+
Jim - English tutor - Eastbourne
  • 5 (18 reviews)

£63/hr

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  • English
  • English Literature
  • Creative writing
  • 11 plus
  • School Entrance Exams

Oxford MSc and PGCE Proven results @ 11+/GCSE/AL/IB English/Drama/Creative Writing/Presentation & interview coaching

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One of our best tutors. Quality profile, experience in their field, verified qualifications and a great response time. Jim will be happy to arrange your first English lesson.

About Jim

Hello there! I am a warm, committed and approachable tutor - good at puns. In spite of this I've been reassured my sense of humour isn't cause for concern.

I am an Oxford postgraduate (St Anne’s College) and a fully qualified teacher (School Direct PGCE) and I am currently a Head of Department at an independent school in Sussex and an associate examiner for AQA. I was recently awarded a masters in Creative Writing (with distinction) from University of London. I originally trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) before training to teach in the state sector. I was graded outstanding for my PGCE and after two years was made second in department at Wellington College, one of the UK's leading co-educational public schools. I now live in Sussex and I am a father to two boys.

I offer online lessons for 11+ - GCSE - AL/IB English/Drama and sessions in creative writing, public speaking, communication/presentation skills, drama school admissions and interview technique. I also offer a marking and feedback service for undergraduate and postgraduate assignments and dissertations. For a more detailed breakdown - read on!

I am a curious person and think fostering genuine enquiry in my tutees is inseparable from the learning process, consequently I educate by aiming to instil deep interest and unfettered enthusiasm. I have a wide-ranging knowledge of all major syllabi including common entrance (11+) preparation for English (this year I helped a student achieve three offers, one an academic scholarship to Godolphin and Latymer school). I'm available for SATS support for KS2 & 3; GCSE/iGCSE and AS/A2 Level English Literature & Drama (Cambridge, AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas and OCR). In addition I have successfully tutored the international baccalaureate in both English and Theatre.

I coach acting, audition technique, diction, voice, elocution, public speaking, interview technique and presentation/communication skills from a beginner to an advanced level. (I can support tuition of LAMDA, Trinity Guildhall and the RADA Shakespeare Certificates.)

I studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) graduating with a first class degree accredited by King's College London. I hold QTS and have a PGCE (Master's level) from Goldsmiths, University of London, for which I was graded 'outstanding'. I was recently awarded distinction in my master's in Creative Writing and Education from Goldsmiths. I am now Director of Drama at Eastbourne College. Prior to training to teach I taught LAMDA at St Paul's Girls' School (13 - 18) for two years and also at Magdalen College School in Oxford before that.

I offer an editing and proofreading service for academic essays/dissertations at BA and Masters level. I am able to provide an edit and full report on your undergraduate essay. (Please note I only offer this service to undergraduates/graduates who are studying arts-based degrees.)

I have led presentation workshops and individual sessions for employees of large companies such as BP, Pfizer and KPMG, or for youngsters who may benefit from confidence building. I have had a number of interview technique tutees whose prudent parents are keen to prepare them for future internships and entry-level positions in industry. I also specialise in the coaching of prospective drama school entrants: students of mine have gone on successfully to obtain places at RADA, Guildhall, LAMDA and Central School as well as achieving recall auditions at most major drama schools, including the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

My devotion to teaching ran in parallel with directing, acting and production work for many years and I find my experience as a professional artist has enriched my practice. As artistic director of UrgentTheatre, a company dedicated to the production of short drama. (Feel free to Google!) I was hosted by all leading off-West End venues including RADA Studios, Theatre503, Southwark Playhouse, The Arcola and Finborough Theatres.

In my spare time I love nothing better than to read. I write poetry and children's fiction. I'm in the process of submitting poems to magazines for publication. Oh - and I'm unbeatable at crosswords! (and puns).


Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

University :
- King's College London - BA (Hons) Acting [1st]
- University of London (Goldsmiths) - PGCE [M-level pass]
- Goldsmiths - MA Creative Writing and Education [Distinction]

School :
History
AS Levels
- History [A]
A Levels
- English Literature [A]
- Drama [A]
- Psychology [A]

Prizes and Scholarships :
Won scholarship to RADA to complete degree (above, accredited by King's College).



Other Qualifications :
Former member of NYT (National Youth Theatre of Great Britain)

Fully Qualified Teacher

MA student 2019-21 (Education and Creative Writing)

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About the lesson

  • All Levels
  • English

All languages in which the lesson is available :

English

English teacher at London.

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Rates

Hourly rate

  • £63

Pack prices

  • 5h: £315
  • 10h: £630

online

  • £63/h

Jim's Video

Find out more about Jim

Find out more about Jim

  • When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

    My chosen fields have been passions of mine since I was at school and branch into three - creative writing, theatre and English literature. I have found they inform each other perfectly. I originally trained as an actor at RADA then I completed a Masters in Creative Writing with a specialism in poetry after finishing my PGCE. My love for teaching runs deep and as such I am currently pursuing an MSc in Learning and Teaching at St Anne's College, Oxford. I am fascinated by the intersection between the individual and the learning process and how harnessing the power of a person's interests elevates progress. My subjects allow for freedom of thought and expression, which aids this process beautifully. It's all about truly knowing your tutees and, fundamentally, being driven by their particular passions.
  • Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

    What makes great writing and great theatre is its ability to 'hold a mirror up to nature'. We feel part of society, less isolated. I believe everyone should be able to access and enjoy great literary works and my role as a tutor is to shine a light on great writing to make it less intimidating. Romeo and Juliet is a study in love, something we all know and understand. I believe in discussing plays, books and poems with my tutees from the get-go, no matter how little is yet known of whatever is being studied. It's far easier to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) if it's been spoken about first.
  • Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

    Yes. I had wonderful drama and English teachers at school. They were not only devoted and dedicated but they were fun, warm and knowledgeable. As far as the public realm goes, I love TS Eliot, Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath, Lavinia Greenlaw, Don Paterson, Raymond Carver, Harold Pinter and Francis Bacon to name but a few!
  • What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

    It's a combination of many skills and qualities I think. The most important, I would say, are: patience, humility (a willingness to find your tutee knows lots that you don't!), an ability to challenge, an interest in modern culture, flexibility (a plan is essential, but so is being able to veer from it). The list is endless! But these are critical - alongside excellent communication
  • Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

    A teacher friend once told me that once I've asked the class a question I should wait five seconds before choosing someone. This is because many deep thinkers aren't always the first to stick their hand up, in fact, they're usually the last. It taught me to balance my attention between the quieter, more introverted students and the more extroverted ones.
  • What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

    Schools in the state sector use Progress 8 as their most valuable metric, which excludes the arts. It's a frustrating situation and especially since I think, with the advent of AI and ChatGPT, it's the creative subjects we need more than ever - the essence of human artistry is difficult to recreate using a bot.
  • Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

    Teaching is my passion. I am specifically interested in the importance of well-being when it comes to subject mastery. I think they're interdependent. Beyond tutoring and teaching my interest lies in writing poetry, upcycling furniture, bringing up my two boys and DJing.
  • What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

    I think my experience - I've been working with young people for over a decade now. I also think the range of my experience - I've taught common entrance, presentation skills, GCSE and AL English literature and Drama - I've even proofread a dissertation for a Fashion undergraduate! I ensure all of my tutees achieve both results and a sense of accomplishment. Nobody can take away your education, as my mum used to say!
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