Gabriella Rose Shennan
I am a top Cambridge History graduate, achieving a Double-Starred First, ranking 2nd in my cohort of 184, and receiving seven academic prizes during my degree, and professional humanities tutor, specialising in History, English and Drama. I prepare students for their GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level examinations, as well as Oxbridge admissions preparation for History applicants.
I completed much of my schooling in Dubai within the British international education system, achieving all 9s at GCSE, including the Highest Mark in the World (Edexcel) for GCSE History and IGCSE English Literature. I later returned to the UK to attend North London Collegiate School for Sixth Form, where I achieved all A s*, before going on to study History at Newnham College, Cambridge.
Alongside my academic studies I have always loved theatre, film and performance. After Cambridge I trained professionally as an actor at Drama Studio London, receiving an MA with Distinction in Professional Acting, which strongly inform my approach to teaching drama and analysing literature.
I'm incredibly passionate about tutoring - I love showing students that subjects like History, Drama and English are not just about exams, but also about ideas, debate, and gaining a richer understanding of the world around them.
Teaching Experience
I have 3+ years' experience tutoring, teaching between 8-10 students per week. I have prepared students for the 16+, GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level exams in History, English and Drama, as well as supporting KS3 students and applicants applying to study History at Cambridge and Oxford. I have taught extensively with tutoring agencies as well as privately, and hold an enhanced DBS.
I have experience working with learners across a wide range of academic levels, from students building confidence in essay writing to high-achieving applicants preparing for Oxbridge. I have also supported students with SEN, including dyslexia, ADHD and narcolepsy. My teaching places particular emphasis on developing analytical thinking and the construction of clear, well-supported arguments. Alongside covering course content, we work on essay planning, analysing sources and texts, and developing strong exam technique. Lessons are structured, interactive and discussion-based, tailored to each student’s learning style, and supported by resources such as PowerPoints.
Students I have taught have gone on to achieve strong outcomes, including Cambridge and UCL offers, Grade 6–8 improvement at GCSE, 100% in a History assessment after six weeks of teaching, and an A in A Level History coursework*.
Recent feedback from parents and students includes:
“Gabriella achieved what school teachers couldn’t - transforming my daughter’s essay writing and showing her exactly how to improve” - Parent of A-Level History student (2025)
“Gabriella’s sessions were engaging and tailored to my needs, with excellent guidance on essay writing and source analysis” - Cambridge History applicant (2025) - has a received a conditional offer for Cambridge and an unconditional UCL offer
“Excellent teaching skills, patience and professionalism. My daughter greatly enjoyed working with her and made significant progress over the summer” - Parent of KS3 English student (2023)
“An outstanding tutor who immediately identified weaknesses and significantly improved my daughter’s essay writing and analytical skills” - Parent of A-Level History student (2025)
Education
University of Cambridge: Double Starred First in History (BA), ranked 2nd in cohort of 184. Awarded seven academic prizes including the Gladstone Memorial Prize, the Faculty Prize Award, the Margaret Spufford Prize, the Anne Jemima Clough Prize (x2), the Winkworth Third‐Year Scholarship, and the Newnham College Prize
Drama Studio London: Masters with Distinction (MA) in Professional Acting
North London Collegiate School: A-Levels: History (A*), English (Distinction One in Pre-U - A* equivalent), Drama (A*), EPQ (A*)
Dubai College: GCSEs: All 9's in History, English Literature, English Language, Drama, French, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Music. Highest Mark in the World (Edexcel) for GCSE History and IGCSE English Literature.