TUTORING EXPERIENCE

In addition to home educating my two children through to University, and running Active Arts, my personal and professional lives led me into private tutoring and I have been a private tutor in English Language and English Literature since 2006, working alongside children and young people from age 5 upwards, whether on general literacy issues, EAL, or focusing specifically on exam work, from SATS, Nationals, GCSEs and IGCSEs, through to A Levels, Highers and Degree work. Tutees are those in mainstream state schools, leading UK private schools and in home education, following the English and Scottish curriculums, as well as IGCSEs with providers including OCR, CIE and Edexcel.

 

Some of my tutees are out of school because of severe illness or anxiety issues; some have challenges such as Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, Down's, anorexia and dyslexia; and the combination of experience, research and support work have built my knowledge and understanding in these areas.

 

I am registered with only one selected national tutoring agency and two international agencies, although the majority of my tutees come via personal recommendation. I was delighted that tutees I had worked with in England chose to continue working with me via Skype after our move to Scotland. Since moving, my online work has grown through word of mouth, to include tutees across the UK and abroad.

 

Critically, I am PVG checked, undertake Child Safeguarding training, and would be happy to provide evidence of this, together with references and qualification documentation. In the meantime, please do look at the What They Say page.

 

 

LOCATION AND TIMES OF TUTORING

I am based in Lossiemouth, Moray and work in Forres and the surrounding areas including Rafford, Findhorn, Burghead, Hopeman, Lossiemouth, Duffus, Elgin, Birnie, Tomintoul. Most of my tutoring post-COVID takes place online, with tutees currently based in mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Surrey, North Yorkshire, Kent, Moscow, Australia and France.

 

Online platforms are hugely effective mediums for tutoring. There is real focus and concentration and I have never found it a barrier, whether with UK-based or overseas tutees, to building a strong relationship and making working time enjoyable, constructive and productive.

 

I am available during the day and in the evenings, Monday to Friday. I don't tutor at the weekend. I also have availability over the holidays, whether for 'emergency' work, pre-Prelim/Mocks support or ongoing tutoring. The Easter holidays, I am fully available in the run up to the exam period.

 

In terms of how often I meet with tutees, this can vary depending on your requirements, availability and budget. Typically, it is one hour every week, although I have worked fortnightly with some tutees, and twice or more a week with others. This is all part of the discussion and getting it as right as possible for you and your child.

 

 

THE COST

My standard hourly rate for 1-1 tutoring on an ongoing basis for the 2025/26 school year starts at £45 per meeting dependent on age and exam requirements, with mileage charged at 40ppm. I would also recommend 1-1 tuition over group tuition, but if requested, the latter can be arranged with a reflective cost. Short-term, holiday-only tutoring and entrance exam preparation, or when I am brought in late in the school year in the run up to secondary level exams, are charged at a higher rate. Where I am working with a young person predominantly out of school, or delivering a subject or specification in its entirety, costs are typically higher than the standard hourly fee and preparation/feedback costs may be incurred.

 

With regard to cancellations, if you are able to give me more than 24 hours' notice, then no fee is incurred and I would hope that between us, we shall be able to rearrange; less than 24 hours' notice or a no-show incur the fee and, where relevant, mileage.