About me
After taking early retirement from classroom teaching in 2019, I realised how much I missed it and have continued with the work I love as an English Tutor. I am a member of the government recognised professional body for tutors, The Tutors' Association, and have an enhanced DBS certificate.
I have twenty six years' classroom experience in outstanding state and independent schools. My early teaching career was spent in successful comprehensives in London and the Midlands. Since the late 1990s I have lived and taught in the North East, first at the top performing Royal Grammar School in Newcastle and, for thirteen years until 2019, at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington, one of the country’s leading inclusive sixth form colleges.
I gained my BA in English Literature from Oxford University and have worked as an A Level English Literature examiner.
Over the years, I have loved working with students with many different goals. Some parents are just looking for a bit more support to help their child keep up in years 7-9. Other students need to pass school entrance exams or the GCSE they are finding a challenge. My sixth form students need to do their very best at English A Level and to secure places at a wide range of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. I also have a steady stream of adult students working for Access courses, professional exams and university entrance exams.
My Approach To Tutoring
My first lesson is always free
I make a point of meeting students and parents online for the first free session, so we can be sure that I am the right tutor for their needs, that they are comfortable with the interactive classroom and that I have a good understanding of the support they need.
Every course of tuition is unique
All my teaching is tailored to the unique needs of the individual student. In my initial free lesson, I talk to parents and students together, carefully investigating what they have achieved so far, their levels of confidence, areas of concern and ambitions.
Regular feedback between me, the student and the parent
As teaching progresses, I encourage a two way conversation so we are always monitoring what is working well and what needs reinforcing, adapting learning methods as we go to work towards short and longer term targets. Parents value the regular feedback I give them on their children’s progress. My students have always told me that the detailed and constructive comments I make on their work help them to see very clearly how to improve.
This is an anxious time to be facing exams
As a mother and professional who has worked with teenagers for twenty six years, I am very aware of the anxiety many young people today can feel about their studies. The disruption to education caused by the recent pandemic has only intensified this stress. Although I think like an examiner and am always working to stretch and challenge, I teach like a human. My ex-students have overwhelmingly reported that I am good at boosting their confidence by helping them to relax and enjoy English. This gives them the mindset to think for themselves and achieve their very best.
Need to find out more about how I can help you or your child? My contact details are here.