It is clear that Martin loves to teach. His passion for English is utterly infectious and he is one of those educators that children remember long after their school days have ended. I first met Martin at UCS where he taught my eldest son and was such an inspiration to him that he went on to study English at Cambridge. Not only did he ensure that my son achieved the exceptional grades required to be considered for such a university but he also guided him through the daunting interview process and helped him to write a blisteringly impressive personal statement. My younger son was more challenging and struggled with concentration; Martin tutored him through all of his GCSEs and was nothing short of amazing. One thing that particularly sticks in my mind was Martin declaring to me “It’s the difficult ones that I prefer to teach”. Martin accepts children… especially those that don’t fit perfectly into the box! M achieved the highest grades possible in both language and literature exams and went on to study A level English. Martin understands exactly what is required to achieve good grades in both examinations and coursework and is a reliable, methodical and thorough teacher who imparts information in a stress-free and engaging manner. I will always be hugely grateful for his unwavering support and guidance through the stressful exam process and for his exceptional approach to teaching. He is a fantastic role model and an extremely lovely person.
Mother of students at University College School and King Alfred’s
Trying to explain Martin Hitchcock’s particular skill for teaching is like trying to compose a sophisticated but clarifying simile – beyond the bounds of my own humble talents but something I’m going to try to do nonetheless. Having witnessed Martin prepare classrooms of students (initially all at varying levels of interest in the subject) for exams such that each manages to do extremely well, while also finding time and space to frame literature within its relevance beyond one-time academic qualifications, I’m inclined to attest to the hard work and talent he puts into teaching; he manages, however, to also make it look outrageously easy, somehow finding time for any and all further questions and explanations. Though I am currently still foundering in the murky waters of academia many years on, and lucky to have studied under brilliant thinkers in many fields, Martin remains the best teacher I’ve ever learned from, or heard about from others, or read about in a book; and I have – of course – no hesitation in recommending him.