Annie

Many years ago, my English teacher told me, “Education should teach us how to think, than what to think- to improve our minds and enable us to think for ourselves. I am here to teach you to think.” This inspirational statement remains within me, underpins my teaching philosophy and shapes every lesson. I believe education should equip students with open minds- the ability to think for themselves and empathise with others as well as achieving exam success. My personal mission is to ensure the well-being of all students in my care, emotionally and physically.

My high level of personal integrity, good communication and listening skills (as well as a sense of humour!) enable me to relate to young people and understand the challenges they face. I am rated as outstanding by Ofsted across all aspects of teaching.

For me, English is the skeletal network underpinning the curriculum. The key concepts equip young people with communication, comprehension and analytical skills essential to understanding and involvement in the classroom, workplace and beyond. I choose topics relevant to students’ interests alongside the classics ensuring my lessons are appropriate for students of all abilities and enable them to achieve (e.g. Twilight, CSI in crime and horror). My use of graphic novels (Pride and Prejudice with Zombies) inspire low ability students to read for pleasure and build the self-esteem essential for examination success. My range of teaching styles incorporate music, drama, media and ICT to add variety and support a variety of learning styles.

All students complete ‘getting to know you’ surveys that provide me with initial insight into their lives enabling me to choose resources that interest and involve them. I want to communicate how both literature and language are important in our daily lives and show my students how the writing and critical analysis skills that they learn in my class can be used in any discipline. I also invoke philosophical debates to value opposing viewpoints and scaffold the development of independent higher order thinking skills.

My love of English extends beyond traditional literature and language to include film, media studies, philosophy, sociology, creative writing and PSHE. My involvement in book and film groups outside of school and creative writing, photography and film making projects ensure I lead students by example. At Exeter University I specialised in feminist prose, war literature, beat generation literature and film studies. In Philosophy I focussed on morality, ethics and the natural philosophy of science.

I am a passionate, professional and well-equipped English teacher with the ability to inspire and teach skills for life in and beyond the classroom context. Combined with my work and life experience (including international travel and charity fundraising) I am confident that my skills in industry and solid academic achievements have prepared me for making an immediate contribution to your child.

Availability: Thursday after school and evenings.
Sundays by arrangement.

Willing to travel: 10 miles

Experience: I achieved my Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing in 2019.
I have tutored students privately for over 1 years.
I have taught KS3,GCSE and A level for 10 years.
I have a full enhanced CRB.
I teach ages 11-18 inclusive specialising in GCSE and A level preparation (Edexcel and AQA boards).
I have very high success rates at both GCSE and A level.
I have also worked tutoring students with specific SEN and EAL needs: dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodivergence etc. and was commended by Ofsted for my adaptation of resources and teaching methods to meet every individual’s needs.