Sarah Downing

With over 19 years of experience teaching Film and Media Studies in Further Education, I offer personalised, one-to-one online tuition for students. I have taught across a broad range of qualifications including A Levels, BTEC, UAL, HNC and HND, and I bring a comprehensive understanding of both academic and vocational pathways in media education.

Throughout my career, I have supported hundreds of students in building confidence, improving their grades and progressing to higher education or creative careers. I offer expert guidance in a wide range of areas, including textual analysis, film and music video production, scriptwriting, storyboarding, pitching and media industries. My teaching style blends academic rigour with creative exploration, encouraging students to think critically about media texts while developing their own original ideas.

My lessons are fully tailored to each student’s needs, whether they require focused support with exam preparation, help managing coursework deadlines or want to deepen their subject knowledge. I also offer targeted assistance with academic writing, helping students to plan and structure essays effectively, improve their use of terminology and develop coherent, well-argued responses.

In addition to qualification-based tuition, I also offer dissertation support for undergraduate students. This includes detailed proofreading, structural feedback and advice on developing strong, focused arguments. I understand the challenges that come with independent study and am experienced in helping students approach their work with clarity, confidence and academic integrity.

As a qualified and approachable tutor, I aim to create a positive and supportive learning environment. I take the time to understand how each student learns best, and I work with them to set realistic goals, build key skills and make tangible progress. I also draw on my extensive experience with university applications to help students craft compelling personal statements and prepare for interviews, where needed.

All sessions are delivered online for maximum flexibility and are available during evenings and weekends to fit around students’ busy schedules. Whether you are looking for regular tuition, short-term support in the run-up to deadlines, or expert guidance on a dissertation, I am here to help.