PIPPA KITCHEN
As an experienced academic support tutor, my aim is to inspire students and help them progress. In order to further support students with additional needs, I trained to become a specialist dyslexia teacher and a qualified dyslexia assessor. Enabling students to be the best versions of themselves is the cornerstone of the support I give. Having taught in a range of schools as a teacher and as a tutor online and in person, I have a proven record of boosting attainment and of adding value to students. I am also a parent of three neurodiverse boys, so I know from personal experience how important it is for students to feel happy, secure, and well-supported in order to progress and thrive.
So whether you are looking for a qualified dyslexia assessor, a dyslexia tutor, or a tutor to help boost entrance exam, KS3 or GCSE skills in English or Maths, please rest assured that I have the skills and experience to support your child, and I would love to hear from you.
Qualifications
British Dyslexia Association
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APC (Assessment Practicing Certificate)
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Level 7 PGCert – Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties – ATS (Accredited Teacher Status) & AMBDA (Associate Member of the BDA)
Other
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PGCE – English with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
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BSc Hons - Language and Linguistics
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CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
Insurance
I hold Public Liability and Public Indemnity Insurance which allows me to tutor or assess in my home, in your home or online.
DBS
I have an enhanced DBS Certificate and I am registered on the Update Service so that this can be viewed online at any time.
Tutoring
To my lessons, I bring a blend of skills, knowledge, experience, creativity, and pragmatism, along with a dash of humour and a flavour of fun. Lively, engaging, supportive and enjoyable teaching is always my aim, so whether in person or online, my sessions involve a range of activities, some written, some spoken, but always with the intention of supporting students in the best and most effective way.
In order to understand the aim of the lessons, to get to know you and for you to get to know me, my preference is to meet face to face before any lessons take place, whether in your home, in my home, or at a café halfway between the two. This meeting and consultation is offered free of charge and normally takes about an hour, during which time we can discuss any existing diagnoses and the aims of the lessons. Whether subsequent lessons take place online or in person, I believe meeting face to face is a brilliant way to start the process whenever possible.
Once we have an agreed set of objectives, lessons will be scheduled to take place in person or online, normally weekly but can be more or less often as required. I am located in Deddington, OX15 in North Oxfordshire so am happy to teach in my home or travel within a 5-mile radius free of charge. If needed, I can travel further afield but an additional charge (to be negotiated) will be added to the lesson fee to cover fuel and travelling time.
Dyslexia
Having a Level 7 Post Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties gives me Accredited Teacher Status meaning as a Specialist Teacher of Dyslexia. This enables me to design and deliver lessons that are tailored to individual dyslexic needs, whether at Key Stage 3 or GCSE.
Maths & English
As an experienced classroom and academic support teacher in multiple schools, and with over eighteen years of experience, I am able to tailor English and Maths support lessons to Key Stage 3 or GCSE needs, and for any exam board.
Revision and Study Skills
As a skilled revision and study skills teacher, I tailor and deliver bespoke revision and study skills lessons to help students discover how they learn best and to provide them with a range of revision techniques that suit their skills, their learning style, their age and their stage.
Assessments
As a qualified dyslexia assessor, I am experienced in conducting short assessments for Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) as well as full diagnostic assessments. These can be conducted in your home, in my home or at school/college, subject to permission.
Full Dyslexia Assessment
This assessment can be booked privately of through school/college. Prior to the assessment, background information is gathered, and the assessment is tailored to the student’s need. The assessment itself usually lasts about three hours and involves a wide range of tests looking at the following areas:
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Reading including decoding, speed, fluency and efficiency
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Writing speed and accuracy
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Vocabulary
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Spelling
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Verbal and visual reasoning
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Processing speed
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Memory.
Following the assessment, a detailed report is written which includes a summary of the findings as well as an explanation of the scores and recommendations for future support.
Access Arrangements
This assessment can only be booked through school/college as the school/college and assessor have to work together to complete the required paperwork (JCQ EAA Form 8). The assessment itself can last from 30 minutes to two hours depending on requirements. The assessment may involve tests looking at the following areas:
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Reading including decoding, speed, fluency and efficiency
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Writing speed
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Processing Speed
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Memory.
Following the assessment, for those students who qualify for EEA, the relevant paperwork is completed and returned to the school/college.
Testimonials
JL, Oxfordshire
"Delighted! We are so pleased we found Pippa as a tutor for our son in Year 8 who has dyslexia and auditory processing issues. Pippa has been working with him for about 8 months and has made such a difference in how he learns and his grammar and comprehension skills. Pippa has also helped us, as parents, learn how to help him learn and how to navigate the state school system so he can best access the help he needs. Pippa is reliable, consistent, has well prepared but personalised lessons, and sets appropriate homework. Above all, she is friendly, reliable and puts our son at ease and helps him thrive. Highly recommend"
MP, Warwickshire
“Pippa worked with my son while he was out of school being home schooled this term. I wanted to keep him on top of his Maths and she worked wonders on him. He enjoyed going to see her and found her teaching methods a lot easier to follow that those in the school classroom. I would highly recommend Pippa and hope she will be around to support my son over the next few years too.”
RR, Oxfordshire
“Pippa has given my son a huge confidence boost in his English ability. She has really listened to his concerns about his GCSE, broken down the mark scheme with him, given him constructive feedback on his work and manageable top tips to include in the next piece of writing. He feels in extremely safe hands and came out of one of his sessions saying "I wish I had Pippa as my teacher at school, she makes it so obvious for me and I get what I'm supposed to do". High praise from a 15 year old boy!”