Jessica

Jessica is a published, professional historian and an engaging and dedicated tutor. She is patient and encouraging and equips her students with the confidence and skills to tackle their academic obstacles. She has taught over 3,500 hours with Keystone.

Jessica teaches: 11+ English, 13+ English, 13+ History, GCSE English, GCSE History, AS/A Level History, AS/A Level History of Art, History Admissions Assessment (HAA), History Aptitude Test (HAT), Undergraduate & Graduate Academic writing, Undergraduate & Graduate Dissertation, Undergraduate & Graduate English, Undergraduate & Graduate Essay, Undergraduate & Graduate History, Undergraduate & Graduate History of Art, Motivation, Exam Preparation and Study Skills, Oxbridge Preparation

''You are an absolutely amazing tutor. Your level of teaching is so high. I'm going to keep your details so that I can have lessons one day!''

Mother of a GCSE student

About Jessica:

Experience
Biography
Approach to Tutoring
When not tutoring

Experience

• A Level/IB History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• A Level/Pre-U: History of Art: AQA, Edexcel, CIE

• A Level/IB/Pre-U History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• GCSE/IGCSE English & History: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC

• 11+/13+/14+/16+ English, interview skills, History, History of Art: ISEB and public school entrance exams.

• I have successfully prepared students for admissions at a range of schools including Eton, Winchester, St Paul's, Westminster, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, The Dragon and St Edwards.

I have been a professional tutor with Keystone since 2018, working with students of all levels who need support or stretch with writing and a range of humanities subjects. My areas of expertise lie in History, English, History of Art, interview skills and essay writing in all subjects. I have extensive experience teaching students of a range of abilities and at a range of levels, from 11+ to Postgraduate, and understand the key criteria for admissions at a range of competitive schools and universities. I am familiar with the syllabi and marking criteria of all major exam boards with qualifications in History, History of Art, and English, as well as the criteria applied by university markers. I also have extensive experience helping students to master essay writing and research skills for numerous other subjects, from Religious Studies to Management. Another major area of my work as a tutor is interview skills, in which I have supported numerous individual students and run group courses for Keystone.

Before joining Keystone, I taught undergraduate students studying History at the University of St Andrews and worked as a private tutor in History, English and essay writing.

Biography

I grew up in south west Cornwall and completed my secondary schooling with A-Levels in History, History of Art, Art, and French. As an undergraduate, I studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute before taking an MA in Cultural and Intellectual History. After working in the antiquarian book trade in London, I did a PhD in History at the University of St Andrews, where I also taught undergraduates and tutored privately, focusing on History, English, essay writing, and interview and communication skills.

I spent a year as a fellow at the British School at Rome (British Academy) and published my first history book, on the Roman Inquisition, in 2020. My most recent book, City of Echoes, is on the history of Rome and the popes and was published in 2023. I have worked as a professional tutor for Keystone since 2018.

Approach to Tutoring

My teaching approach is based on two principles: individual engagement and method.

Engagement: Students are individuals. They learn more quickly and energetically if they are interested in the topic or skill that they are trying to master and have a positive relationship with their tutor. Therefore, I assess each student not only on their academic abilities but also their motivations and personality and adapt my lessons and approach accordingly. Ultimately, my aim is to motivate my students to learn during our time together and long after our lessons have finished, which leads to real transformations in both their approach to learning and the results.

Method: I believe that all academic subjects and skills can be mastered with a methodical approach and consistent practice. For this reason, I plan individual lessons and programmes of study with clear short and long-term objectives, as well as giving students concrete advice on what they can do to maximise results between our lessons. With a clear plan, my students and I can track and celebrate our progress as we go, as well as identifying any areas that need extra work. This approach produces clear academic results and demystifies challenging subjects and skills, building confidence and resilience.

When not tutoring

When I am not tutoring, I am researching, writing or lecturing on the history of religion and politics, predominantly in early modern Europe. I publish my work in academic journals, history magazines and some popular magazines. My first book, on the Roman Inquisition and the Jesuits, was published in 2020 and, City of Echoes, my popular history of Rome and its popes, was published in 2023.

The rest of my spare time is devoted to my family and my naughty Jack Russell, Ludo.

What clients say about Jessica:

"I write to express my thanks to you for your help to my daughter with her history study... she has told her dad and me for many times that the knowledge and skills she learned from you are absolutely helpful for her further study, so we are really grateful for your patient guidance."

Mother of an A Level History student

"Jessica is just brilliant! She tests, gives tasks and exercises and then checks. My son got 83% in the History exam. He has not only gained confidence but really enjoyed the lessons."

Mother of a 13+ History student

"We went for a walk in the afternoon and she was telling me how much she was looking forward to her lesson with you. She could not stop talking about how much she enjoys her class."

Mother of a GCSE student

"Jessica's tutoring this year has been very helpful indeed, her analytical approach, patience, and engagement has really helped me to achieve academic goals that I likely would not have alone. Furthermore, her tutoring has allowed me to learn how to research efficiently and in a manner that I have no doubt shall come in useful in the coming years."

A student tutored at A-Level and Undergraduate level

"Jessica is an amazing teacher, we are delighted with her. Her knowledge, her attitude, her diligence, her interest, her focus and her analysis are all very much appreciated."

Mother of an A-Level History student

"Yesterday I received answers from all of the schools. I was accepted at both schools! At Charterhouse I was even given one of the Headmaster’s Leadership scholarships...Thank you again to much for your help, I really do feel like it helped me and strengthened my applications a lot."

16+ English student

"I asked my children which tutor is the best and your name is top of their lists. My daughter who usually hates getting up early has said she would get up early if she has to for your lessons."

Mother of two GCSE English and History students

'I'd like to especially point out that, Jessica Dalton, my son's History tutor, is an amazing tutor, an amazing person - she is knowledgeable, diligent and kind, helping him until the very last minute.'

Mother of a 16+ History student

"I got accepted into Brasenose!!! Thank you so much for your help in bringing me in this position - I achieved my dreams, I made it to the university I wanted to go to, I have the freedom to live my life how I want...each minute spent during our lessons was so valuable in enriching my skill as a candidate and historian and I'm sincerely grateful for your guidance."

Oxbridge History applicant.

"My daughter is so happy to have found you. Thank you! Thank you very much again for your help. Meeting you has had a massive impact on both her studies and her perspective."

Mother of a 16+ History student

'Just to let you know that my son has gained a double scholarship to St Albans School...For the academics he came in the top 3-4 of all scholars in his results. I have no doubt, at all, that Jessica has greatly contributed to his success with her excellent tuition. We are ecstatic with the result and forever grateful.'

Parent of a 13+ student

'First of all, I wanted to say how pleased I am with your teaching! He is loving it and thriving, I can tell! He is getting recognised at school by his new history teacher for his work and energy so thank you. I can tell you are doing an amazing job with him.'

Mother of a 13+ History student

"My son has benefitted so much from your sessions...a huge thank you for turning things around for him."

Mother of a GCSE History student

''I have nothing but praise for Jessica and her tutorage. She has been incredibly focused on addressing my specific areas of challenge as well as strengthening my overall historical skills. She is always punctual, organised and helpful.''

A Level History Student

‘’Thank you so much for arranging Jessica who has been fantastic. My son and I were delighted with her guidance and input and he now has a Personal Statement he is really proud of. Thank you again. I will be recommending Keystone Tutors to my friends!''

Mother of A Level Student

‘’Jessica is just brilliant! She tests, gives tasks and exercises and then checks. My son has got 83% in History exam. He has not only gained confidence but really enjoyed the lessons.’’

Mother of Year 9 Student

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