BACKGROUND
Educated at prestigious Alleyn’s School, Tristan went on to study Geography and English at Durham University where he achieved first-class honours in all 18 modules. He was awarded the vice-chancellor’s scholarship – the highest academic award at undergraduate level – based upon his impressive exam results.
Tristan is a full-time qualified teacher with a PGDE and QTS from University College London’s Institute of Education. In his spare time Tristan relaxes by running, reading and watching sport – any sport, but mostly cricket and football.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH
Tristan knows how to teach. He has tutored dozens of students over the past 8 years (over 500 hours in total), receiving countless positive testimonials (see examples, below). As a trainee teacher, Tristan was nominated for the Transforming Lives Award (held across the 52 Harris Academies) based upon ‘the rigour of his lesson planning and positivity’. The nomination read: ‘Tristan really cares. He cares first and foremost about the students and is meticulous in his planning to ensure students’ progress’.
Tristan has a track record of getting students top GCSE geography grades. Tristan currently teachers at the world-famous Michaela School, as part of England’s best Humanities department as measured by progress 8 (the value-added metric). He has a track record of getting students the best GCSE grade in geography they are capable of, using his experience as a qualified GCSE examiner to get the most out of every child. Tristan’s latest year 11 class achieved exceptional results, with many students achieving grade 8 and 9s, up to two grades higher than their ‘target grade’.
Tristan’s teaching philosophy is simple. Sufficient grounding in the essentials enables students to feel confident and to understand concepts, case studies and writing in more depth. He believes that pupils feel successful when the know lots of stuff: the more they know, the more confident they feel! It is this virtuous circle that Tristan aims to get students feeling through his tutoring.
WHY TUTORING?
Geography is an inherently interesting subject and I want more pupils to learn about it and its potential. Above all, I enjoy motivating and engaging students.
My favourite authors are Bill Bryson, Theodore Dalrymple, Malcom Gladwell and Jonathan Haidt.
TESTIMONIALS
“Tristan has helped Zara cover the WJEC Geography syllabus for her upcoming GCSE exam. Zara joined her Geography GCSE class late (at the beginning of year 11) so he needed to cover the entire specification to prepare her successfully. Zara loves working with him and finds he explains things in a clear and concise way. Zara truly has enjoyed her lessons with Tristan so much so that she is now considering doing Geography for A level!”
Parent of Zara (aged 16)
“My son Graydon arrived from Canada recently where he studied a completely different curriculum. He had limited time to prepare for his common entrance exam to Winchester, and he found himself struggling in lessons at school as he had missed out on so much content. Tristan helped Graydon prepare for his Winchester entrance exam in May 2023 which he passed with flying colours. Tristan is now helping my 16 year old daughter prepare for her Geography A levels even though she hasn’t done the GCSE!”
Parent of Gradyon (aged 13)
“Tristan, thank you so so so much for your help tutoring me geography in year 11. I was lost at the start of the year. I’m delighted with my grade 7 (an A) which I simply could not have got anywhere near without your help. Thank you.”
Bayan (aged 17)