ABOUT TARA WHITESON TUITION

Having always had a love of learning, of words, stories, communication and a general fascination with how language works, I was inevitably drawn to a career in teaching English and English Literature.

Tara Whiteson Tuition was borne out of a desire to have more freedom and flexibility in my working life and to achieve a better balance for looking after my son.

Online tutoring has enabled me to focus on what I love: teaching. Remarkable academic progress occurs when working one-to-one or in small groups because the pace and style of the learning is dictated by the needs and ability of the student. Tutoring is teaching at its best because it is truly bespoke. 

MY TUTORING STYLE

Tara Whiteson Tuition was borne out of a desire to have more freedom and flexibility in my working life and to achieve a better balance for looking after my son.

MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

Freelance Tutor at Tara Whiteson Tuition (July 2023 – present)

Working with individuals and small groups online and face-to-face to improve students’ English and English Literature skills. Closely aligning my teaching resources and tailoring my support to specific student needs and to suit relevant GCSE specifications or examination papers for entrance to independent and grammar schools.

Roedean School for Girls (2016-2023)
An all girls’ day and boarding school in Brighton. 
Second in the English Department and Master Teacher.

The Harrodian (2008-2016)
A mixed independent day school in SW London.
Second in the English Department. 

Isleworth and Syon School (2004-2008)
An all-boys state school in Hounslow, London.
Head of Media Studies and Second in the English Faculty .

Grey Court School (2000-2004)
A co-educational comprehensive in Ham, London. 
Teacher of English and Media Studies.

GROUP TUITION COURSES

Carefully designed schemes of work that facilitate close and careful revision

Maximum 6 students per class

Delivered via Zoom and Google Docs

£25 per hour

Testimonials

Thank you! You are one of the best teachers I've ever had. Your passion and fast talking and love of literature are so wonderful. I've genuinely had a lot of fun in your classroom. You're kind and dedicated and your comments on my work are always so thoughtful. You put so much effort in and I'm really lucky to have been taught by you. Thank you

Tara (I knew her as Miss.Whiteson!) was one of my favourite teachers at school. She is truly brilliant! I greatly looked forward to my English lessons with Tara, and always walked away feeling enriched and inspired. Her excellent teaching also ensured I achieved top results at GCSE and A Level. I am forever grateful to Tara and have only the fondest memories of her lessons; she is the kind of teacher you will never forget!

Tara has been an absolute godsend for my son. Having struggled with English for a long time, her encouraging and measured approach to teaching means that he has actually enjoyed some of the prescribed texts. I was initially apprehensive about Zoom tuition but it has worked perfectly and we have felt so supported every step of the way. Tara is a fantastic teacher with a real gift for breaking down previously inaccessible texts into manageable, buildable parts. We are so grateful to have found her

Working with Tara has been a really positive experience for me. I find English difficult but she breaks down the texts and explains how to analyse  the differing parts in order to gain as many marks as possible. This exam technique has been so helpful to me and I’ve been able to understand and discuss plays and poetry in an away that would have seemed impossible a year ago. I’ve been lucky to work with her

Tara is completely brilliant in every way – she has transformed my son’s attitude to English Literature. A gem.

TUITION SERVICES

11+, 13+, IGCSE, GCSE, and A Level English exams. English and English Literature tuition, where the focus is on improving writing and analytical reading skills. Bespoke, personalised tuition that will meet the needs of mainstream, international or home-educated/schooled students. Teaching resources are customised to reflect the interests, learning styles and academic needs of your child, to ensure their focused engagement and progress is at the heart of each session.
Year 7/8/9 - preparation for 13+/ Common Entrance and/or improving general English comprehension and creative writing skills. All schools assess the same reading and writing skills but in slightly different ways. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt each student’s scheme of learning to ensure they understand, and are familiar with, the style of exam questions they will face.
Year 10/11 – English Language and Literature IGCSE and GCSE exam skills. Teaching resources, including modelled answers and supportive scaffolds are adapted to reflect the specific exam board specifications and mark schemes for your child. I have been an examiner for Eduqas and AQA and teach all major UK exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR, Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IGCSE.
Year 12/13 – A Level English Literature and English Language courses. Teaching resources, including modelled answers and supportive scaffolds are adapted to reflect the specific exam board specifications and mark schemes for your child.
Year 12/13 – A Level English Literature and English Language courses. Teaching resources, including modelled answers and supportive scaffolds are adapted to reflect the specific exam board specifications and mark schemes for your child.

Unlocking Academic Potential

FAQ

How can I book a tuition session?

You can book a session by filling out the enquiry form on my Contact page or by contacting me directly via phone or email.

What qualifications do your have?

MA in Twentieth Century Literature from Kingston University, P.G.C.E Secondary English: Middlesex University, Extra-mural Certificate in English Literature, Birkbeck College, University of London (Distinction), BA(Hons) Philosophy : Sussex University

Do you offer online tuition?

Yes, I specialise in online tuition sessions for students. Online sessions are conducted via Zoom.

Can you help with specific exam preparation?

Absolutely. I am experienced in preparing students for various exams, including 11+, 13+, iGCSE, GCSE, and A Level English exams. I tailor my sessions to focus on the specific requirements of each exam.