Achieve Academic Excellence with a Senior Examiner | History, Critical Thinking, Oxbridge & Competitive Entrance Exam

Find out more about Amanda

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I've always loved history. I studied History and Russian at University and then Medieval Studies for my MA. I couldn't imagine not spending my time reading history so teaching was the natural step for me. As soon as I started teaching I was hooked. Private tutoring is an extension of teaching and it gives me more time to work with students 1:1.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I'm lucky enough to be able to teach a variety of subjects. I have always taught A levels and the Sixth Form College I worked in gave me the opportunity to teach my personal passion, philosophy and religious studies, at A level as well. I can't think of a topic in history I don't enjoy teaching. Tutoring gives me a great opportunity to explore topics that I don't have the chance to teach in my main teaching role, particularly American history and African history. Recently I have enjoyed teaching the American Civil War and Apartheid in South Africa. Philosophy is such a brilliant subject with so many opportunities for discussion. I love talking about ethical issues, issues of free will and topics such as the existence of God. Hearing the views of students and discussing responses and arguments gives me a great opportunity to learn and refine my own ideas.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Mr Jenkins was my English teacher at school. He was brilliant at accents and mimicry. When we were studying a particular novel he would read it aloud, taking on all the different roles, acting the novel out, it was magical. This is what inspired me to teach, I wanted to create the same magic.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor needs to listen. They need to listen to what the student needs and then they need to investigate what specific skills and support is needed to help the student reach their goals. Teaching 1:1 and getting the best out of the tutor/student relationship requires a good rapport between teacher and student and getting to know the student, their circumstance, their ambitions and fears and their level of confidence is vital. Good sound subject knowledge and skills knowledge is obviously important; I am a senior examiner for both history and philosophy, a head of department and head of faculty and have written published revision guides so I can offer the student a wealth of knowledge and experience.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  One thing I always remember and which keeps me teaching: I taught a student a few years ago, he was struggling to achieve an D at A level history and he needed a higher grade in order to go to College. He wasn't aiming for an A and he wasn't aiming for Oxbridge, he was aiming for a C and place on a marine biology course. We worked together each week through the year. On results day I was working handing out results and he came to thank me - he had achieved a B. That B meant so much to him, it changed his life. I never forget his thanks and the happiness and confidence on his face.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Covid obviously put a lot of pressure on students and teachers and in many ways, we are all still trying to catch up. The struggle for many is to get people back to studying and supporting them to work consistently after all the disruption.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My passion is writing about Philosophy and History. I have been fortunate enough to write two biographies for students one on Aristotle and one on Hannah Arendt and I am currently planning my next project which will be a history focused biography. I also give talks in libraries on local history which I really love.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  Being aware of the subject in terms of skills, changes, exam developments; Being open and available to the students, getting to know them so that they can have confidence in you and your ability to support them to reach their goals. A Superprof is a great communicator with students and with parents. A Superprof has a sense of humour and fun and inspires a passion for learning.