I have been teaching students since 1991 and have always found that the best method for learning is through learning with a pupil rather than through classroom teaching. Classrooms certainly offer economies of scale - one teacher can broadcast information to many students which means that the cost of delivery can be cheaper, but also it means that the teacher can never know whether the students understand the material; the material has to be delivered at a given pace which means that the more capable students may become bored while the less capable (or more distracted!) lose the plot and quickly lose confidence in the subject. One-to-one tuition removes the often deleterious psychology of the classroom and allows the pupil to 'be him/herself'. Classrooms and lecture halls certainly have a place in education, but for children and those wanting to improve the quality of learning, one-to-one tuition cannot be beat.

My role is to work with pupils (and parents for the younger ones) to assess general and specific needs; the pupil may be 'falling behind' in maths, for instance, but we may find that there is a general lack of interest in or application to school work. Logical and analytical skills may need improving, but we may also find that comprehension skills have not be developed and that the pupil is guessing what questions say (a problem that goes right through undergraduate courses too - in fact, when it is never addressed, the individual often ends up in politics!).

Although I have many pupils who come on board for regular tuition to prepare them for exams such as the 11+, independent school entrance exams, GCSEs, and A-levels, the best kind of tuition is long term. The earlier a child starts, the better the results are in terms of overall educational development and achieving personal potentials and ambitions.

For long term pupils, I generally cover mathematical skills and English but also the pupils are introduced to world history and to science; the breadth provides them with a good foundation for general learning in any subject later on. If the pupil has other skills that he or she wishes to develop such as a foreign or ancient language or art, say, then I am more than happy to guide and/or work with them unless another specialist skills educator is required!

My wife teaches piano, cello and music theory and my colleague Ed Hodgkinson teaches piano and music theory. We work as the Classical Foundations team to help develop teaching approaches and to resolve individual pupils' problems that may arise.

My philosophy on pedogogy is individualistic and contextual. That is, I generally work with the individual pupil's talents and concerns, not what the 'National Curriculum' requires. I encourage pupils and parents to think about their child's longer term skills that can translate into life skills or skills that will be invaluable in higher learning, as well as seeking to rekindle that joy and confidence for learning that schools can at times be guilty of squashing. We cover, of course, schools' and exam requirements but only incidental to the main task of empowering the pupil to confidence through thinking clearly and applying his or her mind analytically and appropriately. That means working with the student's general abilities as well as the mood or mindset that they bring to the tutorial!

Tutorials are generally for an hour and are best on a weekly basis. Rates at present (Sept 2009) are £28 per hour or £26 per hour for two siblings. Presently (Sept 09), I am running a waiting list for when spaces clear - this usually happens when pupils finish their GCSEs in June or 11+/entrance exams in January.

I work from home in Stathern Monday to Thursday and Saturday mornings. Times are from 3.30 to 9.30 (the last slot obviously only for those who are night owls like myself!). A-level students may be able to book up during the daytime however.

I work in Southwell at our piano studio on Friday afternoon from 3.45 and Sundays.

I also offer individual sessions on college and university applications. Applying for college or university can be a very confusing experience, and I have had many years of successfully helping pupils get into the programmes of their choice as well as sorting out what direction the pupil could be taking. Sessions, which can be arranged for holiday times, involve getting to know the pupil, his or her ambitions, and tailoring their personal statement and college or university choices. Getting the personal statement right is critical: schools (independent and state) often do not get these right (they have other pressures to deal with and a cursory glance at a cover letter is not sufficient in this day and age).

However, I do not offer this service via email - personal sessions are critical to ensure that the pupil is applying properly and effectively. Rates for external clients (ie those who are not already pupils with me) are £100 for an hour's interview/discussion and for follow-up advice on personal statements and choices. This small investment can pay huge dividends in terms of higher education access and potential careers. These sessions can take place at either studio outside of my normal teaching hours, or in the case of holiday time at the client's home.