Experienced 11-plus tutor. My students have gone on to secure positions in some of London's and the UK's top independent secondary schools.

Find out more about Ben

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

  I first discovered my love for teaching during my year abroad in the South of France, where I taught English in a secondary school. One afternoon, a student approached me and asked if I would tutor them one‑to‑one; and genuinely, I’ve never looked back. Since 2020, I’ve worked with over 30 students in English and French, helping them grow in confidence and ability. Tutoring has been the perfect complement to my academic journey through my Undergraduate degree, my Master’s, and now my Doctoral research.

• 2) 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 genuinely believe English Literature is one of the most important subjects a young person can study. Through literature, students can explore politics, history, psychology, identity, and the world around them. I love helping students find both their creative voice and their analytical one; showing them that essays aren’t just about structure, but about having something meaningful to say.

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

  Absolutely. Two teachers in particular shaped my entire academic path. They took an eleven‑year‑old who struggled with English and helped me grow into someone now completing a PhD in literature. Their patience, passion, and belief in me completely transformed my relationship with the subject. I try to bring that same energy to my own teaching: the idea that a great teacher can change the trajectory of a student’s life.

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

  A good tutor needs strong subject knowledge and the ability to explain concepts clearly; however, especially for English, it is about connecting what they are learning to the real word.
  
  Of course, Patience, empathy, and adaptability are essential. I always try to remember what it felt like to be a learner myself; it keeps me grounded and helps me meet students where they are.

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

  I often share my own journey with English. I wasn’t a natural reader, and I certainly wasn’t the best speller. For a long time, I found the subject difficult and frustrating. But once I discovered books and writers that genuinely interested me, everything changed. That’s why I’m so passionate about showing students that English is for everyone. It’s just about finding the right doorway into it.

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

  At school, I struggled with spelling and didn’t enjoy reading, which made English feel like a mountain I wasn’t equipped to climb. Over time, and with the right teachers, I learned how to approach texts in a way that made sense to me. That experience now shapes how I teach: I know what it feels like to find the subject overwhelming, and I know how transformative it can be when someone helps you break it down.
  
  Even now, as a tutor, one challenge is ensuring that my teaching complements the very different approaches taken by primary and secondary schools. Every student comes with a different foundation, so I tailor my lessons to support what they’re learning elsewhere.

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

  Alongside teaching, I’m deeply passionate about my research. At PhD level, I work at the intersection of Windrush literature and working‑class writing. My interest in this area began at school when Alan Sillitoe’s brother, who was a famous author and part of the angry young men movement of writers, gifted me a set of his novels. This moment genuinely shaped my academic path. That early spark has grown into a full research career, and I love bringing that enthusiasm into my lessons, showing students how literature connects to real lives and real histories.

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

  I love my subject, and I believe the skills learned through English Literature (like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and interpretation) are unlike anything else. They stay with you for life.
  
  I also pride myself on results. All my students have passed their exams and have made significant improvements whilst working with me.
  
  I teach English because I am genuinely passionate about it and want to share my love of the subject and my knowledge!