Meet Your English Tutor
Hi! I'm Catherine
I'm an experienced English tutor, former secondary school teacher and a busy wife and mum. I know exactly how it feels to juggle schoolwork, deadlines and everything life throws your way...which is why I’m passionate about making English feel less overwhelming and more achievable for both students and parents.
My lessons are designed to be friendly, encouraging and tailored to each child, focusing on building confidence as much as grades.
At home, I’m kept on my toes by my two amazing kids, our two cheeky cats and a lively cocker spaniel...but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Bio
Since qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 2003, I’ve had the privilege of teaching students from some of Hampshire and Surrey’s top private and state schools, as well as in a Pupil Referral Unit, supporting teenagers who had been excluded from mainstream education.
These experiences taught me that every child’s story and learning journey is unique and that, with the right encouragement, they can all make progress.
In 2019, I set up English Home Studies to provide tailored English tuition that helps students thrive in reading comprehension, essay writing, SPaG and exam preparation.
Before Covid-19, I taught both face-to-face and online, but now I work almost entirely online, giving me the chance to connect with students not just across the UK, but around the world.
Why did I become a tutor?
I have always loved the English Language but had no plans to become a teacher until I moved to France in 2000 and started working at Disneyland Paris. This was the beginning of my teaching career as several of my French and Italian colleagues asked me to help them with their English skills, particularly pronunciation and grammar.
A few months later, I became Head Receptionist at a prestigious English Language School in central Paris and, whilst there, completed my TEFL Certificate. Once qualified, the language school offered me a job teaching English to individuals and small groups of French business people.
After returning to the UK, I qualified as a teacher and enjoyed a decade of teaching children from Year 7 - Year 11. However, with large classes of 30+ children, I became frustrated that I was not able to provide tailored English support to every student in my class so, when I had my own child, I decided not to return to mainstream teaching and set up my own tuition business.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Secondary English)
2003
City & Guilds Diploma in Teaching Basic Skills (Literacy)
2002
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate)
2000
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English
1998