Serena

Recent Successes:
- 2024-2025: One tutee received an A* in A-Level Literature and secured offer at Oxford University. 11+ tutee received offers from Nonsuch, Wallington Girls and Tiffin Girls. One tutee with SEND received 5s in both Lit and Lang following target grades of 3s. Another student received an 8 (Lang) and 9 (Lit)
- 2023-2024: tutee went from Grade 7 to a Grade 9 in final Literature and Language exams
- 2022-2023: tutee went from 6 to 9 in both Literature and Language; English class received 100% pass rate and 75% received Grade 7+
- 11+ tutees received offers for Trinity, Whitgift and Royal Russell
- 2020-2021: 100% pass rate for previous Year 11 class (average grade went from 2.6 in September 2020 to 7.3 in August 2021)
- 6 students received a Level 9 in Literature and 7 students received a Level 9 in Language (after receiving Levels 2-3 in September 2020 when I first started teaching them. 1 student received an offer from Oxford in January 2023)
- A-Level tutees increased by at least one grade (one student went from B to A, one student C to A, one E to C, and one went from E to A*!)

Experienced English teacher, rated Outstanding. Graduated from King`s College London and UCL.

As a current Head of English in an inner London state school, I focus on planning high quality lessons and resources for the whole department. It is important to me that my lessons are engaging, and my teaching practice is supportive, research-informed and of course flexible, to meet the needs of every learner.

Therefore, every pupil I tutor makes progress and gets results!

As a pupil you can expect:
- fun in-session and post-session tasks
- lots of tips and tricks to help you progress
- a supportive but challenging atmosphere
- regular mocks and writing practise

As a parent you can expect:
- a diagnostic assessment in the first session to ascertain where your child is at
- regular feedback on progress
- sessions completely personalised for your child with their targets in mind
- regular homework (tasks can vary from vocabulary quizzes and independent work to research and presentation tasks — depending on the needs of the pupil).
- high-quality sessions based on research-informed pedagogy and vast subject knowledge
- fully qualified, experienced teacher, DBS checked, trained in safeguarding (so you know your child is well looked after)

I am also a published poet with experience in writing and editing novels, poetry and plays. I am particularly adept at grammar and spelling, but can offer support beyond written expression too, like plot development, character development, structure, narrative voice, world building, and creating suspense.

Availability: **Edit** New slots for 25-26!

My available slots:

- Sundays 8am
- Sundays 9am
- Sundays 10am
- Sundays 12pm

If you’d like a slot, do still get in touch and I can add you to my waiting list! Slots tend to come up post-exams (11+ entrance tests, January resits, summer exams).

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I only have slots for weekends.

Willing to travel: 8 miles

Experience: 2017-2019 TeachFirst Leadership Development Programme. Also completed a PGDE with the Institute of Education in the same years.

2019-2025 Head of English and PGCE mentor (I train new teachers), previously Whole School Literacy Coordinator, Head of Year 10 English, Middle Leader and KS3 English Co-Ordinator.

2025-current Head of Faculty

DBS Check: Yes