Sophia

Sophia is a diligent and knowledgeable tutor. Alongside her tutoring work she writes poetry and is training to be a psychotherapist.

Sophia teaches: 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 13+ English, GCSE Drama & Theatre Studies, GCSE English, GCSE History, AS/A Level English, IB English, IB History, Special Educational Needs, UKISET, Verbal Reasoning & Non-Verbal Reasoning

''Thank you so much for playing a huge role in increasing our son's Language GCSE from a 6 to an 8! We were absolutely thrilled with the result and I know we couldn't have done it without you.''

Mother of GCSE Student

About Sophia:

Experience
Biography
Approach to Tutoring
When not tutoring

Experience

I have been tutoring English across all age groups since 2015. I then expanded to tutoring History and Drama as well up to GCSE, and also Maths as part of 11+. I especially enjoy homeschooling and have helped students boost their grades by several boundaries over a few months multiple times over my time as a tutor.

I have also worked with dozens of students who have dyslexia or ADHD. In my opinion just because you have one of these labels doesn't mean there is a one size fits all approach. Each person learns differently, so I often bring in some of my skills from my training as a therapist to observe the detail of what is hindering someones learning, and that can sometimes be the key. As a tutor specialising in homeschooling, I have also worked with many students who were experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. With these students, I hugely valued the relationships we formed together and found that was created the foundation for them being able to get back into their educational journey.

I have a lot of experience with students who speak English as a second (or third) language. In 2018 and 2019 I also spent the summer tutoring in Beijing and Shanghai respectively, which was a fascinating experience and involved the challenge of looking at the UK system from a different perspective which improved my skills as a tutor in general.

For English, as my specialism, I have experience with the following boards and qualifications:

• 7+ Exam Entrance (also 8+, 9+ and 10+)

• 11+ Common Entrance (including ISEB)

• 13+ Common Entrance

• iGCSE English Language and Literature (all boards)

• GCSE English Language and Literature (all boards)

• UKiset 16+

• IB English

• A Level English Literature

• A Level English Language

Biography

Born in London, went to Kensington Prep and then to boarding school in Worcestershire. After taking A-Levels in English, Latin, History and Art History I took a gap year and travelled in Africa, South East Asia and India. I studied my primary degree at Trinity College Dublin, and then went on to do a masters in English Literature at Edinburgh University. Upon moving to London I combined tutoring with work for a number of children's literacy charities and organisations, including First Story, The Royal Society of Literature and Give a Book.

I am currently training to become a psychotherapist, ultimately specialising in working with children. I am also a qualified GCSE examiner during summer holidays.

Approach to Tutoring

Tutoring is about getting a student to become inspired by a subject by really getting through to them and finding out how they can connect with it. It is my belief that if a student doesn't understand what you are saying, you aren't tutoring them properly! That said, there are somethings that usually always work. Therefore I try to keep a good balance between tailoring lessons to a student's individual needs and using the reliable tools for learning that create results.

Whether the student wants help with Literature, Language or both, certain tricks of the trade are always useful. For example the P.E.E formula for approaching linguistic analysis (Point-Evidence-Explain) is useful in comprehensions and essays. My lessons are detailed and structured, as I think a logical approach is key for students' understanding. I also think that it's important to introduce variety in order to make learning interesting, constructive and fun.

When not tutoring

When I am not looking after my son, who is three, I enjoy yoga, running, and a bit of baking. I also find my work as a therapist really rewarding.

What clients say about Sophia:

"Sophia tutored our son for his GCSE resits in both English language and literature and, thanks to her diligent mentoring and patient guidance, within three months for language and within nine months for literature, he went from a 6 to an 8 in each subject. These were incredible results that were achieved in very busy times during our son’s lower sixth curriculum and with almost no support from the school for the resits. Thank you so much to Sophia for steering our son through this journey!"

Mother of GCSE student

''Thank you Sophia for supporting my son’s gcse English and literature exams. We are very new to the UK exam system and she is patient to guide us through and tailor support to suit my son’s needs. She is also very accommodative, willing to discuss and adjust the priorities of the class whenever needed. We are very grateful to have Sophia’s professional support.''

Mother of GCSE student

"My daughter did amazingly well in her English. Got a 7 in the language paper and a 9 in literature. She was over the moon. Thank you so so much for stepping in last minute. These grades are all down to your direction so thank you. She could not have done it without you that’s for sure. Hope you are well & have had a lovely summer. Thanks again."

Mother of GCSE student

“You were super helpful, and I know for a fact, that my son has enjoyed all his IB History sessions with you. You’ve not only helped him review his knowledge on Fascist Italy before the finals in IBDP Y1, but also guided him in the early stages of his IB history extended essay during the summer – forming what became the foundation of his final draft. Thank you so much!”

Father of IB History student

''Sophia is super - she has hit the ground running with my son and he likes her very much - thank you for organising this for us I think they will work really well together.''

Mother of Student

''I know my son has thoroughly enjoyed your lessons and found you most inspiring and fun as a tutor. This means a lot to me and to him and I really do know that you will have made an enormous difference to build his confidence this summer.''

Mother of GCSE Student

''My son got his results back. He got 9 in Maths and 9 in Physics 8 in Chemistry, 8 in Spanish French first language 8 Biology 7 Geography 6 English language 6 English lit 5 - so super happy! We should have brought you in a lot earlier, but we are delighted. I think this means X will not be taking English for A levels, but thank you for getting him decent grades - Thank goodness we did get you in though as I feel he would have had to do resits if we hadn’t.''

Mother of GCSE student

''We appreciate your teaching and comment on work done. Your teaching is really helpful and efficient. It helps a lot in a short period of time.''

Mother of Student

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