Welcome to An English Tutor

My passion for English Language and Literature drives everything I do as a tutor. I believe that with the right guidance, every student can discover a love for language and literature that enhances their understanding and confidence. Through engaging, accessible and high-quality lessons, I work to strengthen each student's knowledge and skills, and with experience teaching at all Key Stages and across multiple exam boards, I tailor my approach to suit each student's unique needs. My enthusiasm for the subject, combined with a calm, supportive manner, creates a positive learning experience where students feel inspired to reach their full potential. I look forward to the opportunity to help your child thrive and achieve their goals.

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
Sydney J. Harris

With eighteen years of experience ...

With eighteen years of teaching experience and curriculum leadership (ranging from two of the nation’s top secondary state schools, to international schools in Europe, Australasia and South East Asia), I remain flexible and adaptive in my approach. I have a history of raising attainment with students meeting or excelling their target grades and can quickly identify core skills, which require intervention or stretch and challenge, to ensure the student stays motivated and meets their best potential.

My teaching mantra has always been that the student comes first. I understand the anxiety that many students face when confronted with the curriculum, particularly those with a learning diagnosis. However, with personalised lesson plans, what seems like a mountain of learning can be broken down into small achievable steps, reducing stress and encouraging confidence to blossom. This is when great things happen, enquiring young minds are raised and goals become ever more achievable.

Mrs Helene Goldup-Martyn,

B.A (Hons), M.A, P.G.C.E, TEFL

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
Thomas Edison

What I offer

Structured lessons, pre-planned and targeted towards learning needs

Key Stage 2 English / SATS preparation

Key Stage 3 English

Key Stage 4 GCSE / IGCSE Language & Literature

Key Stage 5 A Level Literature

Lessons matched to relevant exam board: AQA; Edexcel; Eduqas etc.

Preparation for entrance examinations

English language communication skills (for non-native speakers)

Electronic resources to support learning and revision

Assignments set and marked with constructive feedback

Ongoing communication to keep parent and student up to date

What people are saying

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your support and guidance over the last year. My daughter and I really appreciated it. I will definitely be contacting you when my son starts his GCSES in a couple of years.

P. Demetri, North London

If your child achieved a 3 in his/her mock exam and their teacher said the maximum they would achieve in the GCSE would be a 4, then it's time to ask Helene to help you. My son went from a 3 in his mock exam (with his school teacher hoping for a 4 at best) to achieving a 6 in both GCSE English Language and Literature. Thank you, Helene, for all your help. He could never have done it without your help!

S. Bonfanti, North London

My kids started online lessons with Helene back in October 2021. Helene is a fantastic teacher! My kids look forward to having their lesson every week. She has helped them immensely, especially with their GCSEs. The amount of material and the way she prepares the lessons every week is great; very informative and organised. Helene also makes sure that I am involved and aware of my kids' progress. I cannot thank her enough for all her help and support. I am very grateful.

D. Fana, North London

P. Savadi, North London

I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you for all of your help and support, I really could not have got this far without you.

X. Malik Haddi, Leeds

Thank you for all your help with Edward. I know that you have made a great deal of difference in both his attitude and application to his English lessons, and I’m sure to his exam outcomes. I hope your confidence boost will carry him on well for his A levels. It shows that when he is engaged he can do it!

J. Mercer

Thank you so much for supporting Augustus for the past two years. I know he has really enjoyed your lessons and he seems to have gained confidence and maturity during this time ... we know how much work you have put in to each week and we really appreciate all that you have done for him! Wishing you all the very best and a big thank you!!

B. Davies, North London

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your continued support and guidance for Xaviera. She has grown in confidence and ability as a direct result of your input. You are a truly remarkable teacher and tutor. I am really grateful to you for all your direction, patience and kindness.

N. Malik Haddi, Leeds

Helene was wonderful for my son – she was patient and kind, and encouraged him along the way through their lessons. His creative writing skills improved tremendously with her help, and she gave him tools to make it easier and more confident in his abilities. With Helene’s help, he has successfully passed and been offered a place at his chosen senior school. Thank you very much Helene!

N.Ragjavjee, Harpenden

Thank you so much for your support with teaching my son. I agree he has grown so much in confidence and this is a massive reflection on your approach to his learning and this is something I will always be grateful for after him struggling for so long with his learning.

R. Pickett, Cambridge

I would like to say very much thank you for your help in English Literature ... I got a 9 which took me by surprise. Thank you so much.

K.Teshome

Just to let you know, I managed to get a 7 in Language and and 8 in Literature. Thanks so much for your help ; I couldn't have done it without you.

Z. Patel

Joe's really grown during his time with you and gone from trepidation to anticipation before each lesson. You've given him the best possible chance for the test. And you've awakened his dormant Dickens and his joy in writing, which will stay with him.

J.Fox, Hertfordshire

Thank you so much for fantastic tutoring over the last year; boys have really enjoyed the lessons and learnt so much! Understanding the correct techniques to use whilst analysing texts is absolutely vital to be able to perform well in exams. You have really cemented that knowledge, which has helped them tremendously also in History, Latin and elsewhere, where essay writing and text analysis is required. It makes such an enormous difference to pupils' exam results to have an inspiring, engaging and encouraging tutor who makes all the material clear, accessible and a joy to learn. Thank you again!

R.Fraser, South Shields

I wanted to say a massive thank you as you have helped me progress so much and I am very happy with how confident I am now in my writing. You are an amazing tutor and have supported me so much, even with having crazy lessons at 6 am in the morning, as well as not mentioning the amount of resources you have provided so I am able to revise on my own. I could not have asked for a better and more supportive tutor. It was very lovely having you. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. You will be missed.

A. Starovoit

I wanted to say thank you for all of the work you have done with my son. English is a chore for him (which you have probably picked up on!), but your efforts and kind, supportive manner have helped and are appreciated.

M. Christofi, Hertfordshire

I just want to say a major thank you for your help. We are so happy with the results. A big thank you once more.

C. Starovoit

Thank you for all your support and guidance to Riya during her GCES journey. She has scored Grade 8 in English Language and Grade 9 in English Literature.

S.Kumar

Prices

£50 per hour (Key Stages 2, 3 & 4)

£65 per hour (Key Stage 5 A Level)

Lesson fee is inclusive of planning, resources and one piece of marked homework.

All lessons are delivered via Zoom.

*Zoom is free to use.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats

Beyond my passion for teaching, I have a deep love of exploration and travel. This has brought so many blessings to my life, from breathing in new places and immersing myself in other cultures, undertaking planned (and un-planned!) voluntary teaching and animal welfare, to exploring the strange and wonderful fauna of places like Borneo, New Zealand, Vietnam and Laos. Laos offered much more than I expected - I met my Canadian husband there. We live with our delightful entertainer and loving cat, Pudding, in Kent. My spare time is a melting pot of cherished activities, but is often spent with a good book, tinkling the keys on the piano, taking long walks or planning another adventure.

Contact

If you have any questions, or wish to inquire about availability, please email:

helene@anenglishtutor.com

Or message me on