Thomas Vallely

I believe learning should feel achievable and fun! For me, the essence of tutoring is to make that a reality. I use my academic and storytelling skills to make that possible whatever topic you need to study.

I always start with a friendly chat about what you want to learn, what you're learning for (be it an exam, an interview, or just to impress your friends at the pub or dinner!), and also what milestones are useful for you.

I then prepare the course material and break it down into lessons of easy bitesize pieces that help you understand quickly, within a wider lesson structure that builds your knowledge and understanding each session.

I have spent a lot of time in education and academia so I understand how to study rigorously. I have 3 degrees: a BA and MSt in History from the University of Oxford, and an MA in Theatre Directing from Royal Holloway University of London.

I currently work in theatre and film as a director, working with writers and actors to tell a story that thrills audiences. So I have the academic chops to tackle any material and the communication and storytelling skills to make it understandable whatever your prior knowledge level.

Technique-wise, I'm a big believer that the greatest test of whether you understand something is trying to teach it to someone else. So I like letting my students teach me to build their confidence and show how far they've come. Concise writing (200-500 words) is also a good test of not just cramming everything in a lesson but knowing how to select the key info when you need it. And nothing beats a past paper!