Tutor Profile

Laurence

Private French and Spanish Tutor in Chesham

Bonjour, hola, hello! I’m Laurence, a native French speaker and highly experienced, qualified teacher of French and Spanish with over 30 years’ experience in secondary education.

I have taught both languages to A-Level since 1996 across the state and independent sectors, including 13 years as Head of Spanish at a leading selective grammar school in Buckinghamshire. During this time, students consistently achieved excellent GCSE and A-Level results.

My teaching has been recognised as outstanding, and I have also contributed to professional training focused on raising attainment and improving exam performance.

Alongside my school career, I have delivered thousands of hours of private tuition, supporting students from primary level through to university. I specialise in GCSE and A-Level preparation, as well as selective entrance examinations including ISEB Common Entrance, Eton CE, King’s Scholarship, Westminster 16+.

I am committed to helping students build confidence, develop strong foundations, and make meaningful progress in a calm, structured, and supportive environment.

Teaching Experience

• Over 30 years teaching French and Spanish to A-Level

• 13 years as Head of Spanish at a leading selective grammar school

• Extensive experience with GCSE, iGCSE and A-Level across major exam boards

• Specialist in exam preparation, revision strategies, and exam technique

• Strong track record of helping students exceed predicted grades

• Experienced in preparing students for competitive entrance examinations

• Experienced in DELF preparation across a range of levels

• Experience teaching native French pupils in a UK bilingual school

• Thousands of hours of successful one-to-one tuition, including small group teaching

Tutoring Approach

My approach to tutoring is highly individual and carefully structured, reflecting the level of attention and expertise each student receives.

Students can expect lessons that are focused, engaging, and tailored to their specific needs — whether that means building confidence, strengthening grammar, or refining exam technique. Together, we work to identify the approaches that help them learn most effectively and make steady, secure progress.

Lessons are interactive and academically rigorous, while remaining supportive and encouraging throughout. We combine targeted practice with exam-style questions and clear, detailed feedback, helping students develop accuracy, confidence, and independence in their use of the language.

Alongside academic progress, I place strong emphasis on organisation, effective study habits, and managing exam pressure, as these are often key to long-term success.

At the outset, we establish a clear and realistic plan so that both student and parent understand the direction of learning and the steps needed to achieve strong outcomes.

Availability

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Qualifications

PGCE French and Spanish (Secondary)

PGCE · University of Manchester · 1995

Licence de LEA Anglais-Espagnol

Bachelors · Université de Mont-Saint-Aignan (France) · 1993

Reviews

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Extra comments3
Alka

We are so pleased that we found Laurence. She is an excellent tutor, and I would highly recommend her. My son genuinely enjoys his French lessons with Laurence, and her engaging teaching style has really helped to build both his confidence and understanding of the language. Thanks to her support, he is well on his way to achieving a Grade 8 or 9 in his GCSE French. We are extremely grateful for all her hard work and dedication.

Tutor response

Thank you for your kind review Alka.

joanna.micklem Comment

Working with Laurence has been an absolute delight. She is a fantastic tutor, extremely thorough and dedicated, and approaches every hard-working session with energy and positivity that makes it a joy to learn with her. She has given a huge amount of support and encouragement to my daughter, really boosting her confidence and helping her to achieve well and believe in herself. I can't thank Laurence enough and would highly recommend her to anyone.

Tutor response

Thank you so much for your kind feedback Jo.

cathderry

Laurence has been an absolute godsend. My daughter is doing A levels and started working with her in her second year of Spanish, when she was at a low ebb. She has loved her lessons with Laurence and always come away inspired. She has talked particularly about how invested in her progress Laurence is, her fun, kindness and generosity of time. She has learnt much more from her than the school. In particular she has gained the the knowledge and confidence to write structured essays, now understands the exam content and has efficient techniques to develop her Spanish. Her trajectory since starting with Laurence has been astonishing. We have really appreciated Laurence's professionalism, reliability and flexibility in providing lessons. And her experience of the exam board has been deeply reassuring. With thanks

Tutor response

Thank you for your kind feedback Cath.

clairedutch

Laurence has been absolutely brilliant coaching our daughter with GCSE French. She is friendly, upbeat and engaging and our daughter’s confidence has rocketed. From hating French, our daughter now looks forward to her sessions with Laurence which is nothing short of a miracle!

Tutor response

Thank you Claire for your kind review

tracy.fevertree

Laurence has been a mentor as well as an excellent tutor. She quickly identified the gaps in my daughter’s knowledge, worked strategically with her and quietly restored her self belief. Laurence has an empathetic approach and adapted her teaching methods to minimise anxiety as well as providing valued encouragement.

Tutor response

Thank you so much for your kind feedback. I am very grateful.

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