About Me

I am a highly experienced, UK-trained, preparatory school and primary school Teacher, with two PGCEs, one in primary teaching, the other from the highly-regarded Institute of Education, University of London, in the teaching of English at FE level.  I have many years' teaching and tutoring experience gained at several top London primary schools, leading prep schools and local primary schools, including Wetherby Preparatory School, Marylebone, St. Mary's RC Girls' Independent School in Hampstead, where I offered 1:1 support for Common Entrance Exams in Maths and English, Hill House School in Knightsbridge, where I taught 13+ English classes, Parkwood Primary School in Finsbury Park and St. John's Highbury Vale, where I ran Year 6 SATs booster classes several years ago. 


I also have 26 years experience of tutoring KS1 and KS2 primary-aged children on a 1:1 basis, in English, Maths and Reasoning skills, and have worked successfully with hundreds of children from across North and Central London over the years, securing hundreds of school places at 11 and several academic scholarships, achieved for the quality of the completed exam papers. 

I am a freelance, Professional Primary & Entrance Exam Tutor, offering general primary support and specialised, tailored tuition  in the key subjects of English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non Verbal Reasoning for 7+, 10+ and 11+ exams.  I left full-time teaching in 2008 to set up my own tuition business, having seen a huge demand for my tutoring services.  I now run a thriving, one-woman Tuition service rooted in the local community but availed of by families across London and beyond. 

To date I have secured hundreds of offers of places at 11 (and 13) in a wide variety of leading public and grammar schools including City of London Boys’ School, City of London Girls' School, Dame Alice Owen's, Queen Elizabeth Boys' School, Latymer, St. Michael's, Highgate, Westminster, South Hampstead High School, North London Collegiate School and Harrow. 

Finally, I am also a highly experienced EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher, have been hired repeatedly by several leading central London language schools, such as Frances King School of English (accredited by the British Council), over the last 15 years to teach English both to classes and 1:1 students.  I can offer tailor-made 1:1 or 2:1 EFL programmes, encompassing grammar, conversation, Business English, spoken and written English and pronunciation skills, to both adults and children from overseas (though the latter probably wouldn't want the Business English!). 

Testimonial: 

Denise Byrne tutored my eldest son in 2022-23 to help him prepare for 11+ exams at a selection of independent and grammar state schools. Her style of tutoring had a very positive effect on him, not only in terms of knowledge acquired, but in terms of psychological readiness and self-confidence to embrace this task. The journey to the exams was arduous at times but, guided by her, my son always felt encouraged, special and capable. Her feedback was very supportive throughout, and her pedagogical strategies always solved problems where they arose. My son successfully passed his exams at Highgate, Forest and Latymer, and we were tremendously pleased to accept an offer from Latymer school where my son will commence his secondary education in September 2024. My youngest son has just started his tutoring with her, and although he is very different from his brother, I can already notice the positive impact of Denise's tutoring style on his sense of confidence and the enjoyment of the classes he's had so far. Denise shows great insight and understanding of how best to stimulate your child to boost their learning. She is rigorous and knowledgeable of the 11+ exam requirements and she understands and communicates well the journey that needs to be undertaken for your child to do well in this venture. 


Eva, MA, FHEA, Stoke Newington, N16. December 2025. 



 

 

 

 

Testimonial: 

July 2022: 

I would have no hesitation in recommending Denise as a tutor. After trying a couple of other tutors who were not quite the right fit for our son, we were fortunate to make contact with Denise. She tutored our eldest son for 11+.  Under her expert exam and interview preparation,  he received offers from City of London Boys, UCS and St Mary Magdalene Islington.  He was also offered a scholarship to North Bridge House.

Denise makes a huge effort to get to know the individual student and plays to their strengths as well as identifying areas for improvement. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the various entry requirements for Grammar and Independent schools across London, and this ensures that her pupils are extremely well prepared for whatever they may face in the exams. She takes a rigorous and focused approach to lessons and sets individually tailored homework. She gives in-depth and honest regular feedback to parents and students throughout the year. She makes sure that families are fully aware that the 11+ process is a marathon rather than a sprint, so to speak.

Our son developed a great relationship with Denise and we are delighted to be able to welcome her back to tutor our younger son for entrance exams. 

Mrs M, Chartered Accountant, July 2022, Highbury Parent