I hold a First-Class Honours degree in History and a Master’s degree, and I am currently studying towards a PhD with a strong focus on Political Science. I teach History at GCSE, A-level and undergrad

Find out more about Supriya

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I think my love for history started the same way it does for a lot of people: stories. Not just the big, dramatic ones about wars and revolutions, but the smaller ones too, how ordinary people lived, what they believed, what they left behind. As for tutoring, that came later. While studying at university, I started helping younger students revise for their history exams and realised how much I enjoyed seeing the moment when something just "clicked" for them. That’s when it became more than just a side thing, it felt genuinely meaningful.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach history across a range of topics, from ancient civilisations and the Middle Ages to 20th-century conflicts and revolutions. I especially enjoy teaching modern history, things like the Cold War, the rise of fascism, or the world wars because they connect so directly to the world we live in today. Students often see the relevance straight away, which makes for great discussions. That said, I’m less excited about teaching topics that are too heavy on memorising dates without context. I think history should be about ideas, not just timelines.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Yes, there was one teacher at school who really changed how I saw history. She didn’t just lecture; she made history feel alive, like we were stepping into the past rather than just reading about it. She was also the first person who really encouraged me to question sources and think critically about different perspectives. That approach stuck with me, and I try to bring the same spirit into my tutoring sessions today.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Patience is huge, but so is adaptability. Every student learns differently, and a good tutor can switch gears when something’s not working. You also need to be encouraging. A lot of students come into tutoring with low confidence, and it’s our job to build them up, not just drill them on facts. And finally, enthusiasm counts for more than people realise. If you genuinely care about the subject, students tend to catch that energy.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I remember once in school, we were doing a module on World War I, and we were handed the usual textbook summaries, trenches, dates, casualty figures. But then the teacher brought in a letter written by a 17-year-old soldier to his mother, and suddenly everything changed. The whole class went quiet. That letter did more to teach me about the war than any page of stats ever could. It taught me that empathy is just as important as information when studying history.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still face in your subject?

  One of the biggest challenges is dealing with oversimplified versions of the past. Whether it’s a textbook that glosses over complexity or a popular narrative that ignores certain voices, history often gets flattened. I have found myself having to un-teach myths or help students see the nuance that gets lost. Another challenge, more personally, is resisting the urge to go down rabbit holes when researching. There’s always one more book, one more source… and sometimes you must know when to stop!

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Teaching has become a passion but what drives me most is the idea of making history accessible. I love the challenge of taking a dense or difficult topic and breaking it down so that someone who thought they “hated history” suddenly finds it fascinating. I also have a real soft spot for helping students prepare for exams, not just the content, but the strategy. Helping someone turn a topic into a top-grade answer is hugely satisfying.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  I would say it’s the combination of passion and personalisation. I care about getting it right for each student, whether that’s building their confidence, improving their essays, or helping them find a topic that really excites them. I bring energy, structure, and a sense of humour into my sessions, and I’m not afraid to tweak my approach if something isn’t landing. I want students to feel like they’re learning with me, not just being taught. And honestly, I never stop learning myself, which I think is one of the best qualities a tutor can have.