Hello, I'm Nigel.

But sometimes children call me Mr Porter!

 

I'm a teacher, a tutor, and someone who genuinely believes that every child deserves to feel good about themselves and what they can achieve.

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're looking for a little extra support for your child.

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Perhaps they're struggling with English or Maths. Maybe their confidence has taken a knock, they're worried about exams, or they've started saying things like "I'm rubbish at maths" or "I can't do it."

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Or perhaps they're doing well at school, but you know they're capable of more and would benefit from a little extra encouragement and challenge.

Whatever has brought you here, I understand how important it is to find the right person to help.

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Because when it comes to our children, we don't just want someone who knows their subject. We want someone who will listen, understand, be patient, and genuinely care about how they're getting on.

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That's the kind of teacher I've always tried to be.

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Why I do what I do

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I didn't become a teacher simply because I love English and Maths, although I do!

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I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference.

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Over the years, I've worked with hundreds of children, all with their own personalities, strengths, worries and ways of learning.

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Some have found school relatively straightforward. Others have struggled with dyslexia, anxiety, additional learning needs or simply feeling that they're not as clever as everyone else.

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And one thing I've learnt is that how a child feels about themselves can be just as important as what they know.

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I've met children who are frightened of getting an answer wrong. Children who would rather say "I don't know" than risk making a mistake. Children who have quietly decided that they're just not very good at learning.

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That always makes me a little sad, because I know how much potential is sitting there, waiting to be discovered.

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One of my favourite moments as a teacher is when a child who has been struggling suddenly looks up and says, "Oh! I get it now!"

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But an even better moment is when they start believing they can work things out for themselves.

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That's what keeps me doing this job.

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A little more than just tutoring

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Of course, I want the children I teach to improve their reading, writing and Maths. I want them to do well in their 11+ exams, achieve their GCSE grades and make progress at school.

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But I want something else for them, too.

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I want them to walk into a lesson feeling comfortable. I want them to know it's absolutely fine to get things wrong, to ask questions, to have a difficult day or to need something explained five different ways.

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I want them to laugh, enjoy learning and feel proud of themselves.

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And, perhaps most importantly, I want them to leave each lesson feeling a little more confident than when they arrived.

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Because a child who starts believing "I can do this" is a child whose world begins to open up.

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Sometimes progress is a better test result. Sometimes it's a child putting their hand up at school for the first time. Sometimes it's simply hearing them say, "I'll have a go."

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To me, all of those things matter.

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Every child is different. That's what makes teaching interesting.

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There's no magic worksheet or teaching trick that works for every child.

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Some children need a quiet, gentle approach. Others enjoy a challenge and a bit of friendly competition. Some need to talk things through, some need to see things visually, and others need to get hands-on with practical resources.

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My job is to get to know your child, find out what makes them tick and work out how to help them learn.

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I take time to build relationships. I listen. I notice when something isn't working, and I'm happy to change direction when needed.

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I also believe learning should be enjoyable. There's room for humour, conversation and a bit of fun, even when we're tackling something difficult.

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Over time, this approach has developed into what I call The Mr Porter Method, built around four simple ideas:

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Belong. Learn. Grow. Achieve.

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It starts with helping children feel comfortable and understood. From there, we build their skills, confidence and independence, and help them achieve things they might once have thought impossible.

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Working together with you

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You know your child better than anyone.

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You know what makes them smile, what worries them, what motivates them and what can turn an ordinary homework task into a difficult evening.

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I bring my teaching experience, but you bring an understanding of your child that no qualification can replace.

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That's why I believe the best tutoring happens when parents and teachers work together.

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I'll always try to be approachable and honest about how your child is progressing, where they're finding things difficult and what we can do to help.

And if you're worried about something, or simply want to talk through how things are going, I want you to feel comfortable getting in touch.

We're on the same side, after all.

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A little about my background

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For those who like to know the qualifications behind the person, I'm a fully qualified teacher with a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

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I also hold two honours degrees, including English Language and Children's Literature, and a Master of Education specialising in Applied Linguistics and Functional Grammar.

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I've spent years developing my understanding of how children learn, particularly those who need a different approach or a little more support.

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But while my qualifications have given me the knowledge to teach, it's the children I've worked with who have taught me the most about being a good teacher.

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They've taught me patience, flexibility, the importance of listening and, above all, never to underestimate what a child can achieve when someone believes in them.

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Welcome to Mr Porter Tutoring

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What started as me helping local children with their learning has grown into our Learning Hub in Newton Abbot, where I work alongside other dedicated teachers who share the same values.

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Although the business has grown, the reason behind it hasn't changed.

I want every child who comes through our door to feel welcomed, understood and encouraged.

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I want parents to feel reassured that their child is in caring, capable hands.

And I want children to discover that they are capable of so much more than they might think.

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If you're looking for someone to support your child, I'd love to hear a little about them.

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You don't need to know exactly what help they need, or have everything figured out before getting in touch.

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Just tell me a little about your child, what's going well, what's proving difficult and what you're hoping we might achieve together.

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We can take it from there.

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Nigel

Mr Porter Tutoring

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Building Confidence. Achieving the Extraordinary.

 

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Qualifications & Experience

 

Education has always been my passion, and I have continued to develop both my teaching practice and academic understanding throughout my career.

 

My qualifications include:

• BA (Hons) English Language & Children's Literature

• BA (Hons) Leisure Studies & Environmental Sciences

• PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

• Master of Education (MEd) specialising in Applied Linguistics and Functional Grammar

• PATOSS Level 2 Supporting Learners with Dyslexia

 

Over the years I have supported hundreds of children across primary and secondary education, including learners preparing for the 11+, GCSE English and Maths, Functional Skills, and children with dyslexia, additional learning needs and those educated outside of mainstream school - and I remember every single one.

 

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Because every child deserves someone who believes in them.