Our Story
Born from a Passion to Change Education for the Better
Grade Accelerator Academy was created in response to a deep understanding of what many students struggle with in traditional education settings: confidence, tailored support, and belief in their potential.
Founder Natasha Shirman, an Oxford postgraduate and seasoned Head of English, founded the academy after witnessing first-hand how mainstream education often failed to nurture individual talents. With her own school experiences fuelling her desire to make a difference, Natasha set out to create an environment where students feel safe to grow, supported to succeed, and inspired to love English.
Since launching in Amersham, Grade Accelerator Academy has grown into a trusted hub for online tutoring, supporting learners nationwide with high-level GCSE and A Level preparation, private entrance exam coaching, and specialist interventions across Key Stages 2–5.
Our Values & Vision
At Grade Accelerator Academy, everything we do is shaped by our core values:
- Empowerment through Expertise: Every tutor is a qualified, experienced teacher with a deep understanding of curriculum and assessment.
- Individualised, High-Impact Support: We never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Lessons are responsive, reflective, and rigorous.
- Holistic Learning: Academic excellence meets wellbeing. We believe confidence is the cornerstone of progress.
- Lifelong Learning: From students to tutors, we all continue to grow. Our team actively pursues further study, training, and innovation in teaching practice.
Our Vision:
To be the UK’s most trusted English tutoring provider—where every learner, regardless of background or ability, feels confident, capable, and prepared to succeed.
Meet the Team!
Natasha Shirman - Founder & Senior Tutor
Natasha Shirman - Founder & Senior Tutor
Natasha Shirman - Founder & Senior Tutor
Qualifications: MSt Literature and Arts (Oxon), PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: Diploma in Life Coaching and Mindfulness, P4C Level 2b
Natasha’s passion for education arose from her own negative experiences at school, she was driven by the desire to ensure that every student has access to the
Qualifications: MSt Literature and Arts (Oxon), PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: Diploma in Life Coaching and Mindfulness, P4C Level 2b
Natasha’s passion for education arose from her own negative experiences at school, she was driven by the desire to ensure that every student has access to the support and expertise that they deserve, believing that no student should have to go through what she did at school.
Natasha has over fifteen years’ experience as an English teacher in both private and state schools and was Head of English for eight years. She has a wealth of experience with students of all abilities and prides herself on her ability to adapt her teaching approach to best suit the individual, instilling confidence and knowledge in her students.
Natasha’s particular areas of tutoring expertise include: A Level English Literature, A Level Lang/Lit, IGCSE English Language and English Literature, GCSE English Language and Literature, helping students to fill knowledge gaps at Key Stage 3 and preparing students for private school entrance examinations (11+,12+,13+).
She has recently completed a Masters at the University of Oxford and this has reminded her that you are never too old to learn, and perhaps more importantly, it is never too late to chase a dream. This is a lesson that she wants to share with all learners who study with the Grade Accelerator Academy
Amy Bacon - English Tutor
Natasha Shirman - Founder & Senior Tutor
Natasha Shirman - Founder & Senior Tutor
Qualifications: PGDip Victorian Literature, MA English Literature, PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Unplug Meditation Teacher
Amy’s passion for education came from her desire to inspire the next generation of learners. She wants to instil the same enthusiasm, eng
Qualifications: PGDip Victorian Literature, MA English Literature, PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Unplug Meditation Teacher
Amy’s passion for education came from her desire to inspire the next generation of learners. She wants to instil the same enthusiasm, engagement and curiosity in her subject that she herself experienced throughout her school years.
Amy has over fourteen years’ experience as an English teacher in both private and state schools and was Head of English for four years. She was also responsible for leading literacy across the school and draws on her wealth of experience to ensure that learners of all abilities are challenged and supported to be the best that they can be.
Amy fosters a joy for learning, encourages confidence in her students and promotes a culture of scholarship in her classroom, and is dedicated to ensuring that her learners with the Grade Accelerator Academy have the same high-quality experience.
Amy’s particular areas of tutoring expertise include: A Level English Literature, A Level Lang/Lit, IGCSE English Language and English Literature, GCSE English Language and Literature, and helping students to fill knowledge gaps at Key Stage 3.
Amy continues to pursue her love for learning and has recently completed a PGDip allowing her to pursue her passion for her subject and use her newfound knowledge to support her delivery of the English curriculum. Her interest in wellness has led to her recent qualifications in Yoga and Meditation and has allowed her to unite the holistic world with that of education. Amy is excited about sharing her unique expertise with all learners who study with the Grade Accelerator Academy.
Charlie Fowler-Whale - English Tutor
Maggie Shirman - Primary Education Specialist
Maggie Shirman - Primary Education Specialist
Qualifications: MA Comparative Literature, PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: TEFL 150hr Certificate, Mental Health Champion Certificate
Charlie is a passionate, career teacher who is driven by the desire to inspire a love of English in all her students. She believes that every child has the pote
Qualifications: MA Comparative Literature, PGCE Secondary English, BA Hons English Literature
Additional Qualifications: TEFL 150hr Certificate, Mental Health Champion Certificate
Charlie is a passionate, career teacher who is driven by the desire to inspire a love of English in all her students. She believes that every child has the potential to succeed and wants to help learners to develop the confidence and self-awareness they need to discover their own passion and to achieve their own goals.
Charlie has been a qualified English teacher for over nine years and has held many positions of responsibility during her career. She has held the title of Gifted and Talented Coordinator/Highly Able Coordinator, has been Second in English and has also held responsibility for Key Stage 5 English.
Charlie adopts a highly successful student-focused approach to teaching and learning and prides herself on her ability to identify areas where students need further support, designing and deploying a bespoke range of strategies to support them in achieving their goals: a practice she is excited about bringing to the Grade Accelerator Academy.
Charlie’s particular areas of tutoring expertise include: A Level English Literature, A Level Language, IGCSE English Language and English Literature, GCSE English Language and Literature, helping students to fill gaps in knowledge and skills at Key Stage 3 and 11+ preparation.
Charlie has always been passionate about her subject and truly believes that teachers are eternal learners. She pursues new challenges and learning opportunities and has completed a course on Fairy Tales: Meaning, Messages and Morals which she uses to enhance her teaching whenever she gets the opportunity. She also believes in a holistic approach to education and brings together her desire to promote positive mental health and wellness with her ambitious academic goals for her learners. She is thrilled to bring her holistic approach to education to our learners at the Grade Accelerator Academy!
Maggie Shirman - Primary Education Specialist
Maggie Shirman - Primary Education Specialist
Maggie Shirman - Primary Education Specialist
Qualifications: Certificate of Education, QTS
Additional Qualifications: Diploma in SPLD, SENCo Trained
From an early age, Maggie’s ambition was to pursue a career in teaching. She loved education and wanted to imbue the next generation with the same excitement, enthusiasm and enjoyment that she had experienced herself. Maggie loved the i
Qualifications: Certificate of Education, QTS
Additional Qualifications: Diploma in SPLD, SENCo Trained
From an early age, Maggie’s ambition was to pursue a career in teaching. She loved education and wanted to imbue the next generation with the same excitement, enthusiasm and enjoyment that she had experienced herself. Maggie loved the idea of being around children in the classroom and found great joy in being able to ignite curiosity in young minds and helping the youngest learners to develop the foundational skills of literacy, handwriting and numeracy. Education and learning have, and continue to be, a life-long passion for Maggie.
Maggie has over thirty-five years’ experience in education and has amassed a wealth of experience during this time. She spent over twenty-five years in the classroom as a primary school teacher, held the position of SENCo and was a valued member of SLT.
Maggie then made the move into school improvement where she advised, trained and supported schools and teachers with the delivery of their Special Educational Needs curriculum.
Maggie’s specific areas of tutoring expertise include: Year 2-Year 5 learners who require support with literacy skills including, reading, handwriting, comprehension, fiction and non-fiction writing and spelling; supporting students with specific learning difficulties and needs, including but not limited to, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Maggie also offers generalist support for any primary school learner who may lack in confidence, either academically or emotionally, including those students who may have gaps in their learning due to health or personal reasons.
Maggie prides herself on creating an engaging and nurturing environment, enabling her students to thrive in an enjoyable atmosphere. She plans all her lessons to suit the individual and always ensures that a skill is mastered before moving on to ensure the best possible outcome. Maggie offers face-to-face sessions which means that she operates solely within the Great Missenden-Amersham- Chesham triangle. Maggie is excited about joining the Grade Accelerator Academy team and is looking forward to helping your children.