Bill

Hi, my name is Bill and I grew up around Winchester.  I got my passion for tutoring from my uncle who was a gifted teacher and something of a polymath.  He helped me so much when I lacked confidence and struggled with school as a child.  This personal attention rebuilt my confidence and made me want to help others, which I've now been doing as a teacher for more than 30 years.   

I started as an English specialist, but also took Sciences at university.  My interest in how people learn led to a Master’s degree, which qualified me as a Special Needs Coordinator (SENDCo), and then a PhD in Educational Assessment at Southampton University, where I worked at a senior level with Examiners across the curriculum.  I gained a deep understanding of how examiners compile questions, and a firm grasp of what they expect from learners.  As a manager in such a big organisation, I understand what employers look for when recruiting.

I’ve always loved music and am learning the cello, which takes much of my free time.  I was a keen runner until my knees wore out, since when I do the occasional Parkrun.

Our two children have special needs and really taught me the importance of patience and adapting my approach to fit peoples’ strengths, and to work around their weaknesses. I love tutoring, and find the first thing I have to do when working with youngsters is help them rebuild their confidence, which has often been damaged.  I'd like to think the one thing all my learners have in common when they leave me, is that they’ve rediscovered what it’s like to be able to solve problems for themselves.  And nothing succeeds like success!