Marion MacDonald - Professional Teacher in Shropshire and online

With 20 years of Prep School teaching experience, I am now a professional tutor teaching all subjects to children of all ages from Year 1 upwards.

I qualified in teaching at Cambridge University in 2000 and since then I have enjoyed many years in classrooms and management offices of some of the top UK Prep Schools, helping children to really achieve their full potential, a love for learning, and safe passage to the senior school of their choice.

I also mentor and teach parents to help them engage with their child's learning and play a vital part in their child's path to success.

My Education & Qualifications

• University of Cambridge, 1999 – 2000
  Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE): Pass
• University of the West of England, Bristol, 1994 – 1998
  Business Studies (BA(Hons)): 1st Class
• School: Oundle School
  Large Public School in Northamptonshire, UK. A-Levels in Biology, English and History.

My Tutoring & Teaching Experience

I have taught in some of the top prep schools in England, including Ashdown House and Cottesmore in Sussex, Northcote Lodge and St Paul's Cathedral School in London, culminating as Head of Ibstock Place Prep School - a highly competitive 11+ Prep School in South West London, preparing children for various London Senior Schools.

I teach all subjects to all ages, but specialise in Maths at 11+, both ISEB and Grammar School entry tests, and Common Entrance at 13+ for entry into the UK's top Public Schools, having had extensive experience of both in the classroom and as a tutor.

I particularly enjoy helping those children who struggle with Maths, helping them to find the confidence they need to really achieve their full potential. I firmly believe that confidence is at about 80% of the battle!

Most recently, I am on a mission to empower parents with knowledge and confidence to help their children learn, so offer mentoring, support and how-to-teach sessions for parents so they can engage with their child's learning at home. So many parents are baffled by today's teaching methods!

My Approach to Tutoring

"They can because they think they can." (Virgil)

I have always believed that a child can only succeed with confidence. That confidence comes from just the right balance of praise and challenge and a true understanding of the way in which he or she learns. I have enjoyed teaching many individual children over the years, and the fact that each one is different, and each one can succeed, makes the job especially enjoyable!

I hope to make each lesson as fun as it can be, incorporating different learning activities into the session, each chosen to be at exactly the right level for the child I am teaching. I love it when I hear a child who previously said, "I hate Maths," turn their mindset around and declare, after a few lessons with me, "I love Maths!" That is success in itself! That confidence will be with them throughout the rest of their school days (and into adulthood, for that matter)!

I am friendly, flexible, relate well to children of all ages and can't wait to get to know yours, too!

Fun Facts About Me

I run a small wedding floristry business in my spare time. It started as a hobby in my school holidays but has grown to several weekends of weddings each year! I love being with nature as I work with the flowers, and the smile on the faces of my clients when I make something beautiful for their best day ever! I also spend a lot of time outside in the countryside with my dog and my family. I played a lot of sport and played in every orchestra there was at school... but now I just go for a jog around the fields!

• Maths 11+
  "Marion MacDonald's experience as a prep-school head teacher (and teacher previous to that) gives her huge experience with 11plus preparation, and general teaching also. As a tutor, her positive and happy, yet firm, personality meant my daughter learnt whilst enjoying herself. My daughter was struggling in maths, and lacking confidence, yet Marion managed to give her the confidence and knowledge to challenge herself to harder maths topics (algebra for example). I also received excellent feedback after each session. The sessions were well prepared with 'maths packs' and small white-boards etc. She successfully filled in the gaps school had left behind and moved her up to the next level in preparation for the 11plus. With Marion's help my daughter passed every school entrance test she sat. (Parent, London)"
• Maths 11+ Grammar School Entry
  "I am so pleased with how you relate to my daughter. She really responds to you! I definitely want to continue, and I have referred you to a friend as the best tutor we have ever had! "
• Parent Advice and Support
  "I’ve been a participant in some of Marion’s webinars; the way she can explain concepts to children of all ages and ability is outstanding. During lockdown, she has given me invaluable help in homeschooling my children. She is an excellent teacher but also communicates with parents confidently, explaining how they can help their own children. To have Marion as a one-to-one tutor would offer your child an exceptional level of teaching. (Parent, London)"