Cambridge law graduate and magic circle training contract holder tutoring LNAT, Oxbridge / uni applications and solicitor training contract / vac scheme applications

Find out more about Charlotte

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  Since I didn't take law at GCSE or A Level, my interest in law initially stemmed from studying a crime and deviance module in my A Level sociology classes, which exposed me to various sociological theories of crime and punishment. After becoming fascinated by the comparative underrepresentation of women in official crime statistics, I read 'Eve was Blamed' by Helena Kennedy and the rest is history. My interest in teaching and private tutoring arose much earlier: I would ´teach' anything and everything to my teddy bears as a child, experience which proved most useful when I began teaching others how to ace the Cambridge admissions process, following my own successful application in 2019.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach LNAT and Oxbridge application / interview preparation. For the former, I most enjoy coaching students as to how to properly structure their essays and to construct thoughtful, original responses to the question asked.
  For the latter, I enjoy preparing students for Oxbridge interviews by conducting mock interviews, either online or in person. I love watching my students put the interview strategies we have discussed into practice and it is a great opportunity to explore novel legal concepts and questions with my students.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  One teacher who really inspired me was my A Level sociology teacher. Not only was she able to bring the dullest concepts to life, she valued each students' individual opinion, experience and perspective, no matter how different from her own. Her approach continues to inspire my own approach to teaching.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think the top 3 qualities required of a good tutor are strong communication skills, robust knowledge of one's field and a true passion for the subject one teaches.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  A few weeks before sitting my GCSEs, a study skills mentor came in to give us some advice about sitting exams. He gave us each an exam paper containing 10 questions, advised us to read ALL of the instructions before we started writing and informed us that we'd have 5 minutes to complete the exam. After the 5 minutes were up, I had barely finished the second question. Before anyone could raise their hand to complain that 5 minutes simply wasn't long enough to complete the exam, he pointed us to the instructions written at the top of the paper - instructions which we had all skipped in an effort to save time - which read something like´ignore all the questions on this paper and sit quietly until the time is up'. After that, I learned to always read the instructions before starting a task, especially where exams are concerned!

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  The biggest challenge I faced whilst studying law was writing my undergraduate dissertation. Although I was fascinated by my topic of choice, I had little experience writing such a long essay and even less experience of the broader field I was writing about. Thankfully, with the support of others, I was able to complete the dissertation and was awarded a first class grade for my efforts, showing that with the right support and lots of hard work, one can achieve anything one puts their mind to!

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My biggest passion is helping others to realise and achieve their full academic potential, whether that be at an Oxbridge or elsewhere. Having grown up in a very deprived area and attending a struggling state school, I am particularly passionate about helping students who come from similarly challenging socio-economic circumstances to overcome the additional barriers they face in applying to elite universities. I believe university is for everyone and hope my pricing - significantly lower than many other similarly qualified tutors - reflects this.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  My tutoring experience: I have over 4 years experience tutoring during which time I have learnt what works and what doesn't. Many of my students have gained entry into the most elite universities - including Oxford, Cambridge and UCL - something which I am almost as proud of as they are!
  My knowledge: I have first and secon-hand knowledge / experience of both the LNAT and Oxbridge application process, as gained from my own successful Cambridge application and having tutored many others through it.
  My flexibility: Be it with dates, times or even my approach to teaching, I am very flexible, thereby ensuring that any arrangement agreed upon is one you're totally happy with.