Robin

I really enjoy teaching and working with young people. Having worked as an English teacher in sixth form colleges and secondary schools for a number of years and briefly as an examiner for a major exam board, I`m very familiar with the requirements for success as well as the best approaches for bringing about progress in my students. I`m also extremely passionate about English (among other things!) and flatter myself that I can inspire similar passion in even the most reluctant learners. Motivation comes more easily if you can see the value or interest in the work you`re doing, so constructing lessons that are genuinely interesting is always a priority.

I employ a target-based approach, breaking down the challenges of the assessment into manageable steps while consistently holding the highest expectations of my students. I`m able to support those with the least confidence as well as challenging those who are maybe a little over-confident.

I`m happy to offer the first lesson for free because I like to take this time to get to know a little about who I`m working with, as well as performing diagnostic assessments that will help me to tailor their future lessons to the areas that require the most work.

Availability: I have some availability every weekday evening, and am happy to work at any time during the weekend. My latest appointment time is negotiable, but generally I would hope to be home or on my way home by 9pm.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday - Available all day
Tuesday - From 1pm onwards
Wednesday - From 6pm onwards
Thursday - From 5pm onwards
Friday - from 6pm onwards

Willing to travel: 8 miles

Experience: I developed my own essay writing, analysis and creative skills while studying for my first degree in English language and literature at Jesus College, Oxford University. I gained excellent subject knowledge, a strong work ethic and a 2:1 honours degree.

Following this I moved to Bristol, where I completed a PGCE and then started my first full-time teaching job in nearby Exeter. I learned more about teaching in the 3 years I spent in the west of England than in any years since, and I`m proud to say that I was consistently being graded as `outstanding` in lesson observations during my second year in Exeter.

I then moved back to London to be closer to friends and family, and initially I taught English for speakers of other languages at a local charity. To support myself financially during this time I also worked as an `A` level examiner for a major exam board, work which was far less exciting than teaching but which nevertheless gave me a precise knowledge of the way assessment takes place and exams are marked.

Eventually I was drawn again to classroom teaching, initially at a sixth form college in Surrey and subsequently at a secondary school in Highgate. By this time I was only taking temporary or part-time contracts, as I had started an MA programme and needed to fit teaching around these commitments. I`ll complete the MA in September 2017.