Alex read for a Master’s degree in Mathematics at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he was also a scholar. He then undertook doctoral research in Mathematical Physics, specialising, in particular, in the geometry of space-times. He initially joined Greene’s as a tutor, and has taught and tutored extensively at sixth form, undergraduate and Master’s level. Alex’s educational research interests lie in the use of new and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to support and enhance learning processes.
Sixth Form College
Welcome to Oxford’s oldest tutorial college.
What we do
Design your education. Transform your future.
Greene’s College Oxford is a university-style sixth form college and, founded in 1967, the oldest tutorial college in Oxford. In 2015, we established the first tutorial college in Portugal, and are now the premiere A level provider in Estoril.
The curricula in both locations is synchronised with regard to both content and timetable. This allows you complete flexibility to spend part of your Greene’s education in Oxford as well as Estoril, or from anywhere online. An education at Greene’s provides the opportunity for cultural exchange and the invaluable experience of living and studying in a different country for a few weeks or a few terms.
Spending some time in Oxford as well as Estoril can be particularly beneficial for students on the foundation year who are looking to improve their English.
We concentrate on preparing you for university destinations globally, specialising in U.K. education, and welcome students of all ages and levels.
We offer a unique blend of high-quality individual and small group tuition, in a close-knit community, face-to-face or online.
As a tutorial college, we fit into your timetable; you are not squeezed into ours.
- Individually designed programmes of tuition for all levels, stages, and ages;
- Specialists in U.K. education – especially GCSE & A levels first time and retake;
- Authoritative on Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell group university entry;
- Experts in pre-university tests and interviews for destinations globally;
- A unique blend of high-quality, individual, and small group tuition;
- A close-knit community, face-to-face or online, Oxford and Estoril.
So, ask us, and we will help you create a practical plan to achieve your objectives.
Meet the team
Our managing partners.
Alex Gray
Christopher Upton
Christopher’s passion for the natural world was fostered during his undergraduate degree in Agriculture & Forest Sciences at the University of Oxford. Having then obtained an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, his enthusiasm for education and the environment has taken him throughout the world, working extensively for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In 2005, he joined Matthew Uffindell as one of the new owners and partners of Greene’s, succeeding Edward Greene.
Matthew Uffindell
Matthew is a scholar and graduate of University College, University of Oxford. Gaining an M.A. from Oxford in English Literature & Language, he has taught in a number of prestigious independent schools, and lectured at universities in the U.K. and the U.S. He was a director of one of Oxford’s premier independent schools, and for many years tutored school and university students in the U.K. and Europe. Matthew has over 30 years experience in the further and higher education sector, teaching and developing courses.
Examination results 2020 and 2021
Oxford:
- Summer 2021 examination: 80% of the grades achieved by Greene’s students were A* or A (96% A*-C)
- 2.Summer 2020 examination: 72% of the grades achieved by Greene’s students were A* or A or A (94% A*-C)
Estoril:
- Summer 2021 examination: 64% of the grades achieved at A level by Greene’s students were A*- B (96% A*-E)
- Summer 2021 examination: 100% of the grades achieved at IGCSE level by Greene’s students were A*-C
Why we are different
One size does not fit all.
GREENE’S SKILLS-BASED LEARNING
- Individual learning plans created
- 100% individual or shared tutorials
- Flexible timetables for choice & convenience
- Emphasis on independent study
- Many tutors have university research interests and teaching specialises in degree subject
- Development of independent thought through critical and constructive Socratic questioning
- Programmes planned according to needs & aims – regardless of age, level, or stage of learning
- Choice of blended online & in-person learning
TRADITIONAL SCHOOL LEARNING
- Pre-existing common learning plan
- Class sizes vary (often 10-20)
- Fixed timetables to fit school schedules
- Emphasis on classroom learning
- ‘Career’ teachers often generalists, teaching outside their degree areas.
- Whole class emphasis on direct transmission of information.
- Students are required to fit into school ‘year groups’ according to age
- Face-to-face learning is standard
What is a tutorial college?
The tutorial college
Over the last century, tutorial colleges have been established throughout the United Kingdom as an alternative to the traditional school. The oldest is thought have been founded in 1931 to provide private tutoring for Oxford and Cambridge entrance and Colonial Service entrance examinations. The growth of such colleges focused mainly on providing private tutors and offering intensive revision courses and so led to them being variously referred to as ‘agencies’ or ‘crammers’. Many were perceived as last-minute examination preparation institutions for students who had not adequately prepared for their pre-university examinations.
Many tutorial colleges have now evolved into accredited independent schools and private sixth form colleges that ironically parallel the traditional school. Some colleges still offer tutorials but often it is mixed with traditional classroom teaching. A few, like Greene’s, still consider the tutorial central to the philosophy of education for the individual. The tutorial, based on the Oxford tradition of the tutorial system, still forms the foundation of all student learning at Greene’s and is central to the idea of an alternative education that is individual, flexible, and aimed at cultivating independence.
