About Dr Clancy

My academic career began when I studied Law and German at the University of Dundee, before pursuing my lifelong love of English and gaining a BA in English Language & Linguistics (First Class with HONS) at York St. John University.

I then trained at the University of Oxford between 2008-2014, where I gained a MSc. in Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition (Thesis Distinction). Having been awarded a highly competitive ESRC scholarship, I then completed a MSc. in Education Research Methodology (Thesis Distinction) and, in 2014, was awarded my D.Phil. (PhD.) in Education, under the tutelage of Professors Sylva and Murphy. In 2016, I completed the Developing Learning & Teaching course at the University of Oxford and was accredited as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, qualifying me to teach at this level.

I have been a Child Literacy Specialist for more than a decade and have been privileged to work with hundreds of children, of wide-ranging abilities, on their literacy journeys – both in my capacity as a researcher and as a practitioner. Most recently, I ran literacy interventions at Magdalen College Junior School, an academically selective prep school. In addition, I lecture university students (undergraduate to doctoral level) in the International Programmes Department at Hertford College, University of Oxford, on a seasonal basis – a position I have held since 2017.

I now offer tailored English classes that follow the curriculum, whilst nurturing a genuine love of stories, language and learning. I work with children who have diagnosed dyslexia; those who have emergent literacy skills; children who require challenge and ‘stretch’, and all points in between. I am also experienced in adapting my approach to suit children who may exhibit traits of perfectionism and/or who may require resilience support. During my training at Oxford, I specialised in working with children for whom English is an additional language, and currently teach a number of international students from Asia and Europe.

I have helped numerous children prepare for entrance exams at 7+, 8+, 11+ and beyond, securing places at some of the UK’s leading prep schools and independent senior schools, including Eton College, Harrow School, Westminster School, Winchester College and Magdalen College School.

Tuition

A close-up of a colour-coded phonics board laid out on a smooth light oak table, with large magnetic letters grouped by sound patterns and simple word cards placed underneath. Next to it, a tidy row of reading scheme books with bright, clear covers sits in a low wooden tray. Diffused afternoon light from an unseen window gives everything a soft, even glow, with mild shadows adding depth. Shot from a slightly elevated angle in photographic realism, the composition follows the rule of thirds, making the letter groups the focal point and creating a precise, professional, child-friendly atmosphere without any clutter.

Systematic phonics lessons that help to establish emergent literacy skills in the youngest learners, and which also close early reading gaps, using evidence-based activities to secure decoding, spelling and blending skills.

A photographic close-up of an open comprehension exercise booklet on a smooth white table, with a short story printed on the left page and carefully structured questions on the right, each numbered and spaced with clear lines. A fine blue pen rests diagonally across the margin, and beside the booklet lies a small stack of flashcards labelled with key skills such as ‘inference’, ‘vocabulary’, and ‘analysis’. Soft, overcast window light from the side highlights the texture of the paper and ink, creating subtle shadows along the page edges. Captured at a shallow angle with the text in tack-sharp focus, the mood is calm, studious, and reassuringly professional.

Secondary English coaching focused on close reading, analytical writing and discussion, building the critical thinking needed for modern curricula.

Primary literacy support covering comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation & spelling and handwriting practice. Working with engaging texts and activities to keep younger learners motivated and achieving real progress.

A quiet, secondary-level English study scene featuring a dark wooden table with a well-used paperback classic English novel open to a marked passage, surrounded by sticky notes containing neatly written themes and character names. A slim laptop nearby displays a clear, uncluttered essay planning template. A single reading lamp casts warm, focused light over the pages, contrasted by cooler ambient room light that softly fades into the background. Photographic realism, three-quarter view, with moderate depth of field so the central paragraph and notes are in clear focus while the laptop and background gently soften, evoking thoughtful, serious study in a professional tutoring context.

Targeted entrance exam preparation, with practice papers and essays, examiner-style feedback and strategies for managing time and exam nerves.

Testimonials

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Independent English literacy tutoring for children
Average rating:  
 4 reviews
 by Chelsea

Our son has received the most outstanding care and interventional shift in his willingness to learn and advance with his literacy under Dr Clancy’s guidance. She is inspirational in her approach he is advancing and progressing far better than we ever thought possible. Her ability to have come in and encourage him forwards has been transformative I can not thank her enough for what she has done with our 7year old.

 by Angela
The Best English Teacher We Could Have Asked For

Dr Clancy is an exceptional teacher who has truly inspired my son’s love of learning.

Every week, my son looks forward to Dr Clancy’s lessons more than anything else. Her classes are engaging, enjoyable, and thoughtfully planned, allowing children to learn naturally while having fun. Even more impressively, he never needs reminding to complete the homework she sets. He always finishes it independently, carefully, and to a high standard because he genuinely enjoys the work. As a parent, I think this is the clearest sign of a truly inspiring teacher.

Dr Clancy’s lessons are not only enjoyable but also incredibly effective. The progress my son has made has been remarkable. When he first started, he was scoring only 4/10 in his spelling tests. He now consistently achieves 10/10, and his grammar test results have improved from 43% to 90%. His writing has developed enormously as well. One of my favourite moments is when he suddenly stops what he’s doing and excitedly says, “I’ve got an idea!” before running off to write it down. Dr Clancy has not only taught him how to write but has also helped him discover a genuine love of writing and expressing his own ideas.

We were absolutely delighted when our son was placed in the Top Set for the new academic year, something we had been hoping for. His improvement in spelling, grammar, reading, writing, confidence, and study habits has been remarkable, and we truly believe Dr Clancy’s expert teaching, patience, and encouragement have played a significant role in making that possible.

Dr Clancy is far more than an outstanding English tutor. She builds children’s confidence, nurtures their curiosity, and helps them develop a genuine love of learning. Rather than simply improving test results, she develops the skills and mindset that allow children to thrive in the long term.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Dr Clancy, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for exceptional English tuition. The progress our son has made has exceeded all our expectations, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact she has had on both his academic development and his confidence.

Dr Clancy 是一位真正能够激发孩子学习兴趣的老师。我儿子每周最期待的就是 Dr Clancy 的课程。她的课堂总是充满趣味,孩子在轻松愉快的氛围中学习,不知不觉就掌握了知识。更难得的是,她布置的作业,孩子从来不需要催促,总是主动完成,而且每次都会认真、高质量地完成。作为家长,我觉得这是孩子真正喜欢一位老师、享受学习最好的证明。Dr Clancy 的教学不仅有趣,更重要的是非常高效。孩子的进步体现在方方面面。刚开始时,他的拼写测试成绩只有 4/10,而现在几乎每次都能拿到 10/10;语法测试成绩也从最初的 43% 提升到了 90%。写作能力的提升更是让我惊喜。现在他经常在做其他事情的时候,突然停下来兴奋地说:“我有灵感了!”然后马上跑去把自己的想法记录下来。Dr Clancy 不仅教会了他如何写作,更让他真正爱上了写作,愿意主动表达自己的想法。
最让我们开心的是,新学年孩子如愿进入了全年级的 Top Set(最高组)。从拼写、语法到阅读、写作,再到学习兴趣和学习习惯,每一个方面都取得了令人欣喜的进步。这一切都离不开 Dr Clancy 一直以来专业、耐心且充满热情的指导和鼓励。
Dr Clancy 不仅是一位优秀的英语老师,更是一位能够帮助孩子建立自信、培养学习兴趣、激发潜能的老师。她不仅关注成绩,更关注孩子思维能力和表达能力的培养,让孩子真正享受学习、爱上学习。能够遇见 Dr Clancy,是我们全家的幸运。我会毫无保留地向每一个希望孩子真正爱上英语、取得长远进步的家庭推荐她。孩子取得的进步远远超出了我们的预期,我们由衷感谢 Dr Clancy 对他学习能力、自信心以及成长所带来的积极影响。

 by Yan

从第一节课开始,Dr. Clancy在很短的时间里就明白家长和孩子的需求。她针对性的为孩子安排学习的计划。每一次授课都在孩子能接受的范围内给出挑战。即让孩子提高兴趣点,又为自己的进步提高信心。让我的孩子对曾经头疼的写作和阅读理解变得很容易下手。孩子的压力大部分来自家长。同时,家长在对待自己孩子的问题时总是过渡地焦虑。Dr.Clancy 不仅帮助了孩子,同时也疗愈了家长。在改善了我和孩子之间的沟通方式的同时又能真是地看见孩子的进步。非常感恩能遇上亦师亦友的Dr. Clancy
I can’t recommend Dr. Clancy highly enough.

From our very first lesson, she took the time to understand not only my child’s learning needs but also my concerns as a parent. She quickly developed a personalised learning plan that was perfectly suited to my child, providing just the right level of challenge in every lesson. My child was constantly encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, but never to the point of feeling overwhelmed.

What has impressed me most is how naturally she builds confidence. She makes learning engaging, celebrates every achievement, and helps children believe in themselves. Subjects that once caused so much frustration—especially writing and reading comprehension—have gradually become enjoyable and far less intimidating. My child now approaches them with confidence instead of anxiety.

As parents, we often place enormous pressure on ourselves because we want the very best for our children. Dr. Clancy understands that. She didn’t just transform my child’s learning experience—she transformed mine as well. She helped me see my child’s progress more clearly, eased much of my anxiety, and gave me practical ways to communicate more positively and effectively at home.

The progress we’ve seen has been genuine and lasting, not just in academic skills but also in confidence, motivation, and our relationship as a family.

Meeting Dr. Clancy has been a real blessing. She is an exceptional educator, an inspiring mentor, and someone our whole family deeply appreciates. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and would recommend her without hesitation.

 by Camm

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Clancy for her outstanding support in helping our Year 2 son overcome his difficulties with writing. Before working with her, writing was a major hurdle for him. However, Dr. Clancy’s academic and research background makes her a truly exceptional educator. She does not just teach; she understands the science of how young minds learn to communicate. Her immense patience, evidence-based methods, and genuine passion have completely transformed our son’s learning journey. Thanks to her guidance, his confidence has soared, and he is now highly motivated and incredibly positive about writing. We couldn’t have asked for a more professional or inspiring mentor. Thank you, Dr. Clancy, for making such a profound, lasting difference in his life!

Fees

Flexible tutoring options for busy families, with simple hourly rates and bundles designed to grow with your child.

Starter Support

£55 per 45‑minute lesson

· Half‑term block: £300

(6 lessons)

· Full term block: £600

(12 lessons)

✓ 3+ years old

✓ Phonics

✓ Reading

✓ Writing practice & spelling

✓ Conversational English

All block bookings are payable in advance to secure your child’s place and assist with logistics

Progress Plan

£75 per 60‑minute lesson

· Half term block: £450

(6 lessons)

· Full term block: £900

(12 lessons)

✓ 5+ years old

✓ Phonics-plus

✓ Reading Fluency

✓ Comprehension

✓ Writing skills

✓ Grammar, punctuation & spelling

All block bookings are payable in advance to secure your child’s place and assist with logistics

Entrance Exam & GCSE Preparation

£95 per 75‑minute lesson

· Half term block: £570

(6 lessons)

· Full term block: £1,128

(12 lessons)

✓ 11+, 13+ and beyond

✓ Advanced texts

✓ Essay writing

✓ Literature & Poetry analysis

✓ Past paper practice

✓ GCSE preparation

✓ Study skills

All block bookings are payable in advance to secure your child’s place and assist with logistics

October half term workshops

Enquire now

Share your child’s age/year group, goals and preferred times, and I’ll be in touch with available slots and pricing details.

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Useful Information

📋 How lessons work

Lessons are offered on a 1:1 or small group basis and are tailored to your child’s/children’s individual needs. Lessons take place online via video call (Zoom or Tencent) or in person in Oxford — whichever works best for your family.

🎓 What to expect in a first lesson

The first lesson is an informal assessment to understand your child’s current level, learning style, and goals. It’s a relaxed, friendly introduction — a chance to get to know each other. From the results of the informal assessment, I will then design a bespoke plan of proposed study for your child.

❓ FAQs

  • How often should my child have lessons? 1–2 times per week is recommended for consolidation and steady progress.
  • How do I pay? Lessons are invoiced half termly or termly, dependent on tuition plan, for your convenience.
  • Can I cancel a lesson? Yes, of course — cancellations are accepted with 24 hours’ notice.

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