About Me

I studied French and Italian at Cambridge University, before working in publishing for Macmillan, then in accountancy for Deloitte and Touche.

I left the City in 2003 to train to be a teacher, and over the last 15 years worked in top-performing independent senior schools in London and Berkshire as Head of Italian, Head of French, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Deputy Head of Sixth Form and American Universities Admissions tutor.

I have been an examiner for Edexcel A-level so have a clear understanding of what is required to attain the highest grades necessary for university entrance.

Throughout my teaching career, I have taught IGCSE, IGCSE, A-level, IB and Pre-U. As Head of Department, I devised and examined entrance and scholarship examinations for 11+, 12+, 13+ and 16+ and marked Common Entrance papers.

TUTORING

I am able to offer the following lessons, either individually, in groups, or via skype.

• Common Entrance preparation
• 11+, 12+ 13+, 16+ scholarship preparation
• GCSE/ IGCSE French, Italian and Spanish
• A Level/ Pre-U/ IB French
• A Level/ Pre-U/ IB Italian
• Oxbridge preparation for French &  Italian

Oxbridge preparation

I am able to offer tutorial support with the following:

• Support with how to draft a stand-out personal statement
• Rigorous and challenging interview practice and techniques for Oxbridge languages (French and Italian)
• Grammar lessons specifically focused on preparation for the MLAT (Modern Language Aptitude Tests) for Oxford and entrance tests for Cambridge in French & Italian
• Language aptitude lessons (essential for the ab initio language MLAT test)
• Literature and poetry lessons tailor-made to individual students to prepare for the Oxbridge interview (and to foster a life-long love of literature).

“I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you for everything you have done for me and my French! I really had no confidence at the beginning of the year but thanks to your endless help and support I really feel I have progressed hugely. You have no idea how much I appreciated the one on one sessions we had. I really loved having you as a teacher and I hope I will be able to do you proud in August.” Louisa

“I have loved our French lessons over the last year. Our lessons and discussions in our Oxbridge preparation sessions have inspired my love of French literature and left me looking forward to reading more!” Livia

“Thank you so much for all you have done for me over the last two years. I have thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed being taught by you and have learnt so much-Romain Gary will probably remain my favourite author for a long time (perhaps forever?).” Ella

“I would just like to thank you for all that you have done for me and my French over the last 2 year. I feel that I have improved so much and this is down to you. You’ve also supported me through the Oxford application which was an experience from which I learnt huge amounts. Some of my favourite memories of Pre-U French are of sessions reading La Vie Devant Soi. It has become one of my favourite books and will always remind me of Saturday mornings!” Matilda

“Thank you so much for being the most amazing French teacher ever! I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt in just a year. I used to absolutely hate essays but now I actually really like them. It’s crazy! I can’t believe French A-level is now over. I actually enjoyed it so much this year that I’m thinking of doing it as one of my other subjects alongside linguistics when I get to uni.” Emma

“Thank you for being such an inspirational tutor. You have given me so much support and I have grown so much in confidence in my French.” Jessica