35+
years of teaching English
32
years of private tuition
28
years of marking for Cambridge and OCR examining boards
Success Stories
For several years, the Rotary Club of Chichester and District had run a poetry competition but my school had never taken part. With my love of poetry, I decided to enter a number of pupils from my lunch-time poetry club. We were up against several other schools, including private schools, and pupils who were home-tutored. For five consecutive years, my pupils procured not only recommendations but top prizes and the resulting financial benefits.
Matt was a keen student but found English a difficult subject. Being a keen member of the Cadet Force in his Chichester school, he dreamt of joining the RAF. However, he needed a C-grade for English Language, but was only predicted a D. After 2 months of tuition, not only did he pass, but he exceeded all expectations and gained a B. He is currently training with the RAF.
Veronika and Ondrej were immigrants from the Czech Republic who took on school cleaning jobs in my Southampton school earlier this millennium. They were so friendly and really keen to improve their English. One day, they asked me if I could help them gain GCSEs in English because they wanted to secure some British qualifications before they returned to their native country. I willingly offered and they faithfully arrived every Sunday afternoon for several months. Both of them gained C-grades having never taken exams before.
This brother and sister went to a Fareham school but lacked confidence. The older brother, Stephen, shied away from reading but after I made his teaching fun, not only did he gain an A-grade in both English exams, but went on to study A-level in a local 6 th -form college. Kerry, his younger sister, also gained top GCSE English grades and has since gained a degree in Nursing
"Since both of my boys have had Mr Old, their confidence has grown and although reluctant to read, both of them have taken up reading for pleasure. This is unbelievable."
Nicola Jones, Gosport
"Mr Old, I just wanted to text you to say how much Zach enjoys your lessons. He speaks very highly of you and often comes home telling me about his English lessons."
Louise Evans, Fareham
"The Enrichment Literature Group excursion to Dorchester was a great success. Mr Old had planned his Thomas Hardy walk with precision and even we parents learnt something."
Gill and Kevin Thomas, Southampton
"As well as being a great teacher, you supported me when I felt helpless. Even when my own parents didn’t understand me, you were there when I needed a shoulder."
Luke, Southampton
"Thank you, Sir, for 1. Being a great tutor, 2. Being a huge support in English, and 3. Being a good friend when I needed somebody to listen."
Simon Clarke, Southampton
"Thank you for helping me achieve an A in my English Controlled Assessment on T.S. Eliot poetry"
George Pook, A-Level Student, Portsmouth
"Mr Old – you’re the best!"
Cams Hill English Class
Fareham, Hants
"Mr C Old is a remarkable teacher. He knows when to have a laugh but also when to take control and get teaching."
Lauren Powell
"Mr Old, Oldy for short, is someone who cares more about the pupils than himself."
Brandon Harper
"Mr Old is a life saver. He goes out of his way to help not only me but the entire 27 pupils in our English class"
Will Southwell
"OCR Examining Board is writing to you personally to thank you for the valuable contribution you have made to recognising the outcomes and attainment of thousands of young people over a twenty-year period."
OCR Chief Executive
"I have been advised by the external assessor for Threshold Applications, Mr Douglas Wright, that you have demonstrated the quality of teaching for promotion to Upper Pay Spine, Point 3. The Chairman of Governors, is delighted with your success and looks forward to working with you and the English Department in the future."
John Freeman
Head Teacher, Grove Park School
"I was asked by the Board of Governors to write to you and personally thank you for the outstanding results achieved by the boys in your class in last year’s summer GCSE examinations for English Literature. Your diligent approach to teaching is a real asset to the school."
Jennifer Machin
Chair of Governors, Weston Park Boys’ School
"Mr Old, thank you for allowing me to observe your English lesson today. I thought that many of the questions you were asking pupils were both stimulating and challenging. Even more impressive was the high level of response from the students. I was also encouraged by the amount of preparation you put into the lesson and it was delivered with confidence and sincerity."
Deputy Head, Lesson Observation
"The teacher and students have fostered a wonderful learning environment which in turn, enables each student to feel comfortable, to feel confident and to flourish. What was a GCSE revision session with a very able group felt more like an A/S Level study tutorial."
Dr Michael Staples
Deputy Head
"I could see from the start that you were the English Department’s greatest asset."
Pam Wheeler
AQA English Advisor
"I consider myself very fortunate to have met Mr. Old as he helped me so much with my English. Due to him I have improved my vocabulary a lot and he patiently showed me how to spell or pronounce every word I found difficult. Due to my fluent and confident use of English, people were surprised to know that I have been in this country for one year only."
Ionut Boghean