Online 11+ Tutor Ashley

I have over 16 years of teaching experience, specialising in English, History and competitive school admissions. I teach 11+ and 13+ English, GCSE English Language and Literature, GCSE and A-Level History, as well as study skills, critical thinking and interview preparation.

A major part of my work is preparing students for entrance to highly selective independent schools. I have extensive experience with 11+, 13+, Common Entrance, school-specific assessments and admissions interviews. Students I have prepared have gained places at leading schools including Winchester College, St Paul’s, Hampton, Abingdon and St Mary’s Ascot. I have also prepared students for Westminster, Harrow, KCS Wimbledon, and other highly competitive schools.

Alongside tutoring, I have worked as a Senior Examiner, mentoring teams of examiners and developing extensive experience of assessment, marking and standardisation. This informs my teaching: I help students understand what questions are testing, how marks are awarded and how to construct precise, well-supported answers. I have also taught at university level and have extensive experience working with international students.

My lessons are individually planned around each student’s strengths, weaknesses and objectives. I combine clear explanation, modelling, guided practice, questioning, discussion and regular review, with a particular emphasis on analytical reading, essay writing and exam technique.

My aim is not simply to improve individual pieces of work or examination results, but to develop confident, independent learners with strong analytical and communication skills.

11+ & 13+ English / School Admissions
Specialist prep for competitive independent-school entrance, including Common Entrance and school-specific examinations. I teach comprehension, vocabulary, creative and persuasive writing, grammar, literary analysis and exam technique, alongside interview prep.

GCSE English Language & Literature
I teach GCSE and IGCSE English, with a strong emphasis on close textual analysis, effective essay structure, developing and supporting interpretations, creative writing and examination technique. I help students understand exactly how to move from competent answers towards the higher mark bands.

History
I teach History from secondary level through GCSE and A-Level. My academic background includes a BA in History and an MA in Cultural History, as well as university-level teaching. My particular strengths are analytical essay writing, source evaluation, interpretation, argument and the effective use of evidence.

Study Skills & Critical Thinking
I help students develop transferable academic skills including analytical reading, note-taking, revision, essay planning, argumentation, independent study and critical thinking. Rather than relying on memorised formulas, I teach students how to identify what a question requires, organise their thinking and communicate complex ideas clearly.

Exam & Assessment Skills
My experience as a Senior Examiner gives me particular expertise in assessment, marking and standardisation. I teach students to recognise what examiners are looking for, interpret assessment criteria and turn their knowledge into focused, high-scoring answers.