Gavin Fiddler - Private Tutor in South West London
I am an empathetic and enthusiastic tutor with over 1000 hours of experience and a member of the Tutor’s Association. Parents have consistently commented on my ability to inspire and build excellent rapport with their children. In all my tutorials, I endeavour to cultivate the untapped potential that is can be difficult to unlock in the very formal and hierarchical school environment. What is more, my experiences as a tutor and observations in schools have also given me a strong insight into how to develop a form of pedagogy that is congenial to tutorials but not irreconcilable with classroom teaching.
Subjects I Teach
My Education & Qualifications
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University of Oxford, 2018 – 2020
Literature and Arts (MSt): -
University of Cambridge, 2014 – 2015
Modern European History (MPhil): -
Birkbeck, University of London, 2011 – 2014
History (BA):
My Tutoring & Teaching Experience
Entrance Examinations
7+ - 11+ - I have student who have gained offers from the following schools: Alleyn’s School, Epsom College, Emanuel School, James Allen’s Girls School, Streatham High and Clapham High School and Trinity School. In addition, I have experience preparing students for the following independent and grammar schools: City of London School, Hampton School, Highgate School, King’s College Wimbledon, Kingston Grammar School, Latymer Upper School, St. Paul’s School, Sutton Grammar School, Tiffin School, University College School, Wallington County Grammar School, Westminster School, Whitgift School, Wilson’s School and Wycombe Abbey. This has been a combination of examination and interview preparation. In addition, I have experience preparing Year 6 students for the Independent School Examination’s Board Pre-Test in order to qualify for independent schools at 13+.
Assisted a student with preparation in the 2017 – 2018 Christmas break prior to 11+ exams. Her mother remarked that she ‘surpassed all expectations’ and gained an academic scholarship from Streatham and Clapham High School, a sports scholarship from both Emanuel and James Allen’s Girls School, and a sports exhibition from Alleyn’s School.
13+ - I have helped a student gain an offer from Royal Russell School and St. Dunstan’s College. Currently, I am preparing students for Dulwich College, Alleyn’s School and Whitgift School at this level. In addition, I have experience preparing students for the ISEB Common Entrance exam in History. One such student is being prepared for 13+ exams in English for Dulwich College, Trinity School and Whitgift. In two terms, his assessment card went from a C in English to an A. The student informed me that his teacher was surprised by how much he had improvement in a short space of time.
Public Examinations
GCSE/IGCSE – I have tutored numerous students for English Language, English Literature and History. My experience has covered both the Edexcel and CIE exam boards. I have assisted a GCSE student in History from April 2017 who was struggling in History. In only a couple of months he was awarded a Senior School Reward for ‘Excellent analysis of the impact of the different terms of Treaty of Versailles on the German people’. In January, after an excellent performance in his mock exams, he is now being predicted an A*.
A-Level – Tutored students in English Literature, History and Politics for various exam boards. I also provided guidance on a personal statement for Law and the student was subsequently granted an offer by LSE.
General Tuition
Key Stage 2 – I have tutored numerous students at this level with varying tuition goals. One, for instance, was working in preparation for their admission to a preparatory school, whilst another student was tutored predominantly in Mathematics but predominantly in English in order to raise their confidence in preparation for Year 5 by making English enjoyable and inspirational. At this level, I have also gained experience in developing strategies for teaching pupils with learning difficulties such Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia.
Key Stage 3 – Worked as a tutor on a pro-bono basis for a comprehensive school on their scholars’ programme by proving extra English tuition to their ablest students. I have also helped students to demonstrate notable improve in their English compositions.
My Approach to Tutoring
In my view, the purpose of tutoring is to assist the student to uncover insights into learning that would be missed in the classroom or private study. While independent learning is, of course, something to be promoted, education also exists for the current generation to transmit their tried and tested learning to the next generation. In the last year, I have also made the decision to be an exam-based tutor because I have realised that the backbone and purpose that exams provide are necessary to secure the focus of a student who has had to commit to the long and demanding days of school. That said, I remind my students that education also exists to prepare students for the challenging expectations of adult life. If they employ regular and deliberate practice in their studies to preclude regression, then they will have established an excellent foundation.
Fun Facts About Me
Acting
- Participating in a drawing course at the Art Academy.
- Participating in an acting course at City Academy.
- Attended a ten-week course at RADA on improvisation and have performed long-form improvisation publicly.
- Attended a stand-up comedy course and delivered a performance at a public house.
- Cooking: Attended an intensive course at the Cordon Blue School, learning a variety of French Cuisine techniques from a Michelin star chef.
- Martial Arts: An associate of a London Chinese Kung Fu school. This has involved not only instruction in Chinese martial arts but participation in their Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe. In addition, a former member of Cambridge University’s Lion Dance Troupe, which involved performances at numerous venues in Cambridge.
- Languages: French (Limited Working Proficiency). Attended the Institute of French for a four-week immersion course in August 2016.
My Client Testimonials
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11+ and 13+
"Thanks for recommending Gavin. He was a fantastic tutor for both my kids. His calm approach was certainly appreciated by both, and I have no doubt that the work they did with him has been of great benefit. Gavin is very personable and easy to have in the house and the kids seemed to be very happy in his company, which is key." -
8+
"Gavin was perfect and I would definitely recommend him. R. has said that he teaches better methods than he learns at school, and he has really gained confidence. R.s words were that Gavin was very informative and helpful. R. enjoyed the classes, and I noticed a huge improvement in R. in a short time. Gavin communicated via email and Whatsapp with me and R.’s tutor in Malaysia so even before class he had an idea about R.’s personality, strengths and weaknesses; I felt that was excellent."
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