This week as part of our regular UP CLOSE WITH in Kingston feature, we caught up with Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath tutor and Director David Impey, who is planning to open a new education centre in our borough.

Kingston Nub News is also welcoming Kingston Kip McGrath as a sponsor and you can learn more about our partnership with them below.

Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath teacher David Impey has led schools for 16 years, but one of his proudest teaching moments happened when he was working as a tutor in Dubai.

His student, a girl from Kazakhstan, had arrived in the country speaking no English.

Within a year she achieved a B in IGCSE Literature and was socialising happily with other children at her international school.

David now tutors children living in Kingston upon Thames, as part of his new franchise with Kip McGrath.

He is passionate about bringing out the potential in every student and does this with an inclusive teaching philosophy that builds on children's strengths.

"It's a delight to teach capable students, but another important and real measure of a teacher is getting through to someone who doesn't get it," he says.

Seeing their eyes light up when they do is his favourite part of the job.

To the former headteacher, teaching comes naturally - he started coaching other kids in sport at the age of 10, he reveals.

David, who hails from South Africa, has taught abroad and in the UK during his career, but is excited to now be working in Kingston borough.

He praises the area's "strong community spirit", good infrastructure and general liveliness, while also being small enough to wander around.

David relocated to London a year ago, and since February 2021 he has been providing online tutoring to children in the borough as part of the highly respected education franchise Kip McGrath. Providers with Kip McGrath offer English and Maths teaching in small groups.

Lessons are highly personalised, and each student has their own education plan which they work through. This suits David's style of teaching perfectly.

Looking ahead, David will be setting up an in-person Kip McGrath centre in East Kingston soon.

He is particularly keen to find a place in or near the Norbiton area, which he has come to know and value for its friendliness and community feel.

David praises the work of groups such as OneNorbiton and the Cambridge Road Estate Resident Association to enrich the area.

He is still looking for premises and would be most grateful for anyone who could help him with the search - see details here.

Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath and Nub News

Kingston Nub News is thrilled to be launching our new partnership with Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath.

With their support we can keep delivering the high-quality journalism that our town deserves.

Responding to the news, Nub News CEO Karl Hancock said: "I am pleased that Kingston Nub News will be partnering with Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath.

David is a fantastic addition to Kingston's community and I can't wait to see how our partnership develops."

Next to all our articles you'll see the Kingston upon Thames Kip McGrath banner, which you can click on to learn more about their work.