testimonials
Testimonials from previous employers and past pupils
Sting and Trudie Styler – parents
“Matt Hogden worked as a tutor to our son and daughter from 2004 until 2009. He would tutor one or both children most days after school, as well as some weekends and during school holidays.He travelled with the family frequently, to the US and to Europe when the children were missing school, and provided invaluable learning support to the children throughout that time. Matt was able to approach his work imaginatively and creatively in order to address each child’s individual needs. He was extremely skillful in developing their ability to concentrate, and instilled in them a strong sense of achievement from working hard.
Matt is an extremely kind and supportive tutor. He is good fun, yet still maintains a strong sense of discipline when necessary to get the work done. He was always diligent about reporting the children’s progress to us, and was happy to take part in school parent-teacher meetings with us when appropriate. The children enjoyed their time with Matt very much and we would have carried on with him for a longer time had we not made a permanent move to the US.”
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Ian Hoskin – Colleague and Head Tutor to Supporting Artists on the Harry Potter movies
"Matt worked as a member of my tutoring team over the period 2000-2002.He was responsible for teaching small classes of children ( supporting artists ) on the Warner Brothers film sets for both "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Matt was an asset to my team and ensured that the children completed their work whilst absent from their regular schools.
He created a magical and creative environment for the children to learn in which was quite a task, considering the difficult nature of tutoring in an environment as fluid and pressurised as a film studio."
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Debbie and Dan Beacock – parents
“We had the pleasure of meeting Matt during filming of Our Kind of Traitor.Matt tutored my twins during location shooting in the French Alps and Morocco. Not only did Emily and Rosanna benefit from Matt’s teaching in the classroom but they also thoroughly enjoyed their field trips to explore the local flora and fauna and took great delight in the search of the Marmot! The whole filming experience was enhanced by Matt and we would love to have the opportunity for the girls to be taught by him again.”
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Jo and David Gill – parents
“Matt offered my son the academic and emotional support that he needed through an extremely tough time in his life.He is an exceptional tutor who approaches all subjects with enthusiasm and knowledge and at times when a child is struggling Matt supports and understands the child's difficulties. Matt can draw on his experience in challenging situations be it school refusal, pressure of exams or learning differences, added to that his genuine kindness and concern makes him one in a million. We owe him a lot.”
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Todd and Lisa Hallowell – parents
“Our family moved from Los Angeles to London for ten months, as our son Henry was about to begin second grade. We were fortunate enough to have Matthew recommended to us, and he quickly became an integral part of our lives throughout our stay in London. Henry was excited to see Matthew every day. In addition to creatively teaching traditional schoolwork, Matthew also organized frequent field trips to museums and historically significant spots throughout London.Matthew made learning fun, and Henry will remember his time with him forever.”
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Lyn and Jim Desmarais – parents
“In 2007, our 11 year old son had been diagnosed with learning differences- dyslexia, possible ADHD, possible autism spectrum and high IQ. It was at Fairley House School that we first heard of Matthew. I was impressed by him from the start. Children with learning differences often feel marginalised no matter how we try to shield them. Our son struggled with all sorts of feelings and had so much to work on that he always felt tired and confused. All that changed the day Matthew walked in our door. He is professional, an absolute treasure. Kyran looked forward to doing work with him every session. Matt was able to stretch Kyran's thinking and to get him to actually understand reading and writing. I am tearing up writing this. Matt changed my son's life. I was soon recommending Matt to everyone I knew. I feel that every student with or without leaning challenges should have Matt. We cannot speak highly enough of him. My son, through Matt's help, got almost all As on his GCSEs including science, maths and English. The fundamental work Matt achieved with him is the reason my son is now thriving at university.Anyone can contact me about Matt. He is a miracle worker.”
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Kyran – former pupil
“I have dyslexia, so structuring and presenting my written ideas has always proven to be a challenge.
Before working with Matt, I was virtually clueless about how to think clearly. Initially, from the age of thirteen to sixteen, Matt encouraged me to expand upon my lexicon, because words really interest me. Through our exploration of word-use and structure, we established a creative partnership where I never felt lectured to, or patronized. Whenever I would work with Matt, I felt as if I was involved in an invigorating collaborate project, instead of an informational, or instructional session.
I really looked forward to working with Matt every week, and Matt's general enthusiasm for learning is extremely contagious. I am currently a physics-mathematics student at Reed College in Portland Oregon, Matt helped me to discover a passion for literature that has persisted, and continually enriches my life.
Thank you Matt!”
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Annabel – former pupil
“My tutor, Matt, was a very good tutor. He was fun yet serious at the same time.
He helped me through two downfalls in my life. When I was eleven, I was sick and off school. He helped me to get back into school by helping me with maths that I was finding hard at that time. Another time, when I was just ten, I was being bullied and finding things hard at school.
Matt helped me build up my self-esteem and also tutored me in the subjects I was finding hard at that time. My favourite activities were writing and performing drama role plays. We played fun games that I learnt from without even realising that I had!
The last thing that Matt helped me with were my 11+ exams when my mum was very sick.
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Bart – former pupil
“Without the academic and emotion support given by Matt, I would not have been able to both excel academically and emotionally.
The skills that he taught me from the age of ten to thirteen, have enabled me to get back into the structured environment of school and have enabled me to excel in my academic studies and gain emotional maturity both inside and out of the class room.
I can honestly say that without the support both academically and emotional of Matt, I would not be in the position that i am in today, and I am forever grateful for that.”
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Louis – former pupil
“Wow where to start, Matt completely turned my life around.
I was a seventeen year old kid who had a life changing experience where I was no longer able to go to school. Matt helped me through my anxiety that was keeping me prisoner by being a teacher, mentor, gym partner but more importantly a friend.
He was a shoulder to cry on and a person who listened and guided me through my year out. Matt made my goal reality and it because of his help that I have reached my goal of getting to A2 with a offer from Oxford Brooks to study primary education.
Many thanks bro.”
