Charlie C.

Hi, my name is Aoife, I am 18 years old and currently a first year law student at the University of Leeds (and an aspiring human rights lawyer!). My special subject is English, primarily English literature. My highest academic achievements are my 3 A levels (A* in politics, A in history, B in English literature). I am willing to tutor the English subject to all ages, especially primary and secondary as I believe this is when that extra boost in confidence is so important! My passion for English is reflected in my GCSE grades too - achieving a grade 9 in English language and grade 8 in English literature. I have previous experience with children with SEN needs such as autism and ADHD, shaping my teaching style as one of patience and prioritising clarity without exerting pressure on a student. I personally struggled with confidence in both primary and secondary school, and going through tutoring myself helped with this enormously. My personal hobbies include reading and creating artwork in my free time. I look forward to helping you/your child with English and literacy skills! For secondary school I attended Carr Manor Community school, achieving GSCEs all grade 7 and above. I excelled in humanities subjects, with a grade 9 in both history and English language and a grade 8 in English literature. My academic passion carried on into my A levels which I completed at Notre Dame Catholic VI Form College. I achieved an A* in A level politics, A in A level history and a B in English literature. I have gone on to be accepted to study law at the University of Leeds, a Russell group university. I remain open to constantly improving my skills and developing new ones and therefore significantly look forward to tutoring new students, sharing my knowledge and developing my own. I specialise in English and literacy, hoping to develop the skills of younger students to provide that extra boost in confidence.

I am a first-year university student studying Computer Science, with a strong academic foundation in both mathematics and computing. I specialise in teaching Mathematics and Computer Science, and I have hands-on experience supporting and teaching students within a primary school setting, helping them build confidence and understanding. I successfully completed the 11 Plus examination in Year 6, which reflected my strong academic ability from an early age, particularly in English and Mathematics. I then went on to attend Bartley Green Secondary School, where I studied a wide range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Triple Science, Religious Education, Geography, French, and Computer Science. Studying such a broad curriculum helped me become well-rounded and develop important skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and clear communication. After secondary school, I attended King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, where I studied A-Levels in Mathematics, Law, and Computer Science. These subjects allowed me to strengthen my logical thinking and analytical skills. Mathematics deepened my confidence in tackling complex problems, Law improved my ability to form structured arguments, and Computer Science further developed my technical knowledge and passion for computing. Overall, my educational journey has been consistent, focused, and driven by a genuine interest in analytical and technical subjects.

I have worked as a lecturer at De Montfort University for over 15 years. I hold a PGCE in further Education, an MA in English Language Teaching, and a BA honours in English. I taught English for Academic Purposes at university. This enabled me to develop various teaching approaches at different levels of English usage. I have also taught KS3-KS5 in the UK and abroad during which I have been observed several times and demonstrated that I was outstanding. I have used various teaching aids ranging from pictures, flash cards, to a variety of IT techniques. I have also used peer interaction and assessment to develop learners. Teaching at university enabled me to teach presentation skills. This has enabled me to do the same during training, coaching and mentoring sessions with colleagues. I have mentored a number of tutors. In my experience as a university lecturer I have used a variety of online platforms to teach students during the Covid-19 pandemic. I began my journey into English in 2002 when I did a BA (hons) in English at Demontfort university. Following this I did an MA in Children’s Literature in 2005 due to my immense love of reading. However, it was only when I landed a job at a resources centre that I decided to specialize in teaching and so I did a PGCE in education and an MA in English language teaching both in 2007-2009. I absolutely love teaching since then - as cliche as it sounds it is truly my passion and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I love my students and to see them excel truly makes me content. I’ve been told that I have a gift for building a rapport with learners and I to feel this is something that comes naturally to me because as a student I myself struggled with being misunderstood and branded as a ‘bad student’. I feel as a result I can relate to students and their struggles more easily. I’m also very patient and an excellent listener.

I’m currently studying Health Sciences at the University of Worcester, progressing onto a Physiotherapy degree, which has strengthened my understanding of how people learn, communicate, and develop confidence. I completed my GCSEs and A-levels at a grammar school, where I built strong academic foundations and effective study habits that I now help students develop themselves. Alongside my studies, I’ve played rugby, which has developed my teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills — qualities I bring into my tutoring style. I also have ADHD and dyslexia, which has given me a strong understanding that every student learns differently, allowing me to adapt my teaching approach to suit individual learning styles and support students who may lack confidence or feel overwhelmed. I also have a strong interest in music production, which has helped me develop creativity, patience, and problem-solving skills. I aim to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and building confidence in their abilities. I attended Gravesend Grammar School after successfully passing the 11+ entrance examination, where I studied from Year 7 through to Year 11 before continuing into the Sixth Form. At GCSE level, I completed Higher Mathematics, English Language and English Literature, Geography, Physical Education, Business Studies, French, and Higher Combined Science. I achieved Grade 7s and strong passes across my core subjects, including the sciences, English, Geography, and Physical Education, with Grade 5s in my remaining subjects. I then completed A-levels in Biology, Psychology, and Physical Education, developing a strong understanding of human science, behaviour, and performance. Following my A-levels, I applied to the University of Worcester, where I am currently in my first year studying Health Sciences and progressing onto a Physiotherapy degree pathway.