Matt Elgin
GCSE and A Level English tutoring
in Chesham, Amersham and the Chilterns
Meeting each student where they are, I help them grow in confidence and skill as readers and writers, teaching the knowledge, steps and thinking behind strong exam answers. Lessons at your home or online.
About Me
I'm Matt, an English specialist with over ten years of private tutoring experience and more than twenty years in the classroom. I have been a Head of English, and I have examining experience with major exam boards. I currently work across a number of schools, supporting students, teachers and school leaders to strengthen English teaching and learning.My approach starts with finding out where each student is now. From there I build their confidence with clear, achievable next steps, and teach the knowledge, processes and ways of thinking that help them respond to any question, whether it is an unseen Language extract or a Literature essay on a set text. I also make sure their knowledge of the texts is secure, so they can use it under exam pressure.I teach GCSE and A Level, both English Language and English Literature, and I'm happy to support any exam board or specification. Most of my students come to me through recommendation from other families, which is how I prefer it.I hold an enhanced DBS certificate.
WHAT I TEACH
GCSE English Language and English Literature. Essay writing and responding to unseen texts, approaches to creative and transactional writing, and the set texts. I have thorough knowledge of all the exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.A Level English Literature. Close reading, independent critical thinking and essay technique, with an eye on the contexts and critical views that lift an essay into the top bands. My knowledge of the texts at this level is comprehensive, so I am confident tackling whatever a student is studying.A Level English Language. A strong grounding in linguistics, and a deep understanding of the language levels and frameworks that students need to apply skilfully to any text.Coursework. I support students with their coursework, helping them plan, develop ideas and refine their thinking. Coursework is designed to show a student's own ability, so I uphold the standards and expectations around it: I guide and challenge, but the work is always the student's own.Exam boards. I have thorough knowledge of all the exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.Also useful for: students who are capable but unsure how to structure an argument, those aiming for the top grades, and those who need to rebuild confidence before mocks or finals.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Get in touch. Send me your child's year group and what you would like to improve, and I will reply within 24 hours. Don't worry if you are not sure of the exam board. If it would help, I am happy to arrange a 20-minute phone consultation to talk things through.2. First lesson. We look at recent work together so I can see where marks are being won and lost.3. A clear plan. Each lesson is built around the student's next steps, with short, targeted practice between sessions.4. Regular updates. I keep parents up to date with regular chats about progress and what we are working on next, in person or by phone.
FEES AND WHERE I TEACH
| Level | Fee per hour |
|---|---|
| GCSE | £50 |
| A LEVEL | £60 |
I teach at your home in and around Chesham, including Amersham, Berkhamsted, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth and Chalfont St Giles, or online anywhere. If you need to cancel or rearrange a lesson, I ask for at least 24 hours' notice where possible. Payment is made at each lesson, by bank transfer or cash.
QUESTIONS
Do you teach online or at home? Both. Online lessons use a shared screen and digital notes, and work as well as in-person ones. Home lessons are available in the towns listed above.How many lessons will we need? It depends on the student and the goal. Many families start with a half-term and review from there.Is there a minimum commitment? No. There is no block booking: you pay lesson by lesson and can stop at any time.Can you help close to the exams? Yes. Places are limited, so please get in touch early.
CONTACT ME
Send me a message with your child’s year group and what you would like help with, and I will reply within 24 hours. Don’t worry if you are not sure of the exam board, as I can find that out. If you would prefer to talk things through first, I am happy to arrange a 20-minute phone consultation.