Why My Experience as an English Teacher and Examiner Matters for Your Child’s Tutoring

When parents get in touch with me about English tutoring, one of the first things they often say is: “There are so many tutors out there. How do I know who is the right one for my child?”

It’s a fair question. Many people now offer English tutoring, but the reality is that experience makes all the difference. My background as both an English teacher and a senior GCSE examiner shapes every single lesson I teach, and it’s the reason my sessions are so carefully matched to each individual student.

Why My Teaching Experience Helps Your Child

I’ve taught English in schools for over twenty years, working with students across the full range of abilities. That means I’ve explained Macbeth to high-ability GCSE students aiming for a Grade 9, and I’ve also helped Year 7 students build confidence in their basic reading and writing skills.

Because I’ve worked with so many different learners, I know how to adapt lessons instantly,  whether that means breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, or pushing a student further when they’re ready for a challenge. This flexibility is one of the things parents tell me they value most in my tutoring.

How Examining Experience Gives My Students an Edge

My years as a GCSE examiner mean I know exactly how marks are awarded. I understand where students commonly go wrong, and I can show them how to avoid those pitfalls.

For example, I’ve marked countless answers where students have lost marks because they focused on retelling the story instead of analysing the language. When I work with my own students, I can show them precisely how to phrase their answers to hit the assessment objectives and impress the examiner.

This inside knowledge often makes the difference between a Grade 4 and 5, or turning a strong Grade 7 into a top Grade 9.

Supporting Students with SEND

Another part of my experience that parents really value is my work with students who have additional needs such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. Because I’ve taught in fully inclusive schools for many years, I know how to adapt my sessions so that every student feels supported, comfortable and able to succeed.

Whether that means building in movement breaks, using coloured overlays, or simply pacing the lesson differently, I always make sure my tutoring fits the student, not the other way around.

Why Experience Really Matters

Of course, there are many tutors who don’t have the same teaching or examining background. While they may be knowledgeable, they often can’t provide the same level of targeted support. The danger is that students don’t always get the right messages - and their sessions can feel unfocused or repetitive.

With me, you know your child is learning from someone who has taught in classrooms, marked for the exam boards, and worked with hundreds of students just like them.

My sessions are personal, responsive and evolve as your child makes progress.

Final Thoughts

I know how important English is for your child’s future, whether it’s reaching that all-important Grade 4/5 to secure college entry, or pushing for the top grades to open doors later on. With my experience, I can guide them every step of the way.

I currently have a limited number of tutoring spaces available both online and in-person in Stockport, Manchester, Trafford and surrounding areas. If you’d like to talk about how I can help your child, please do get in touch through my Contact page.