About me

Background and Career

I am a highly experienced English teacher who has been working in Essex schools for 29 years.

I went to school in Chelmsford, getting A Levels in English Literature, History and Geography at The Boswells School, where my children went too. I studied English Literature at the University of Leicester, graduating in 1994 and stayed there to get my PGCE, training at schools in Leicester and Kettering. I moved back to Chelmsford in 1995, and have lived here since then, bringing up my two daughters.

I got my first teaching job at Great Baddow High School, staying there for 14 years as an English teacher and Head of Year, and then worked at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form for 15 years as an English teacher, Head of Key Stage 5 English and, later, Head of Sixth Form.

Starting Tutoring

I have recently left the profession to set up a small business offering English tuition, plus other services which utilise the skills I’ve gained in my 29 years of teaching.

I can provide face-to-face or online tuition to individuals and small groups from Year 7 to Year 13, to support with assessment, skills development, exam preparation and NEA (coursework) in English.

My Expertise

As an English teacher and Head of Key Stage 5 English, I have worked extensively with secondary school students to achieve and exceed predicted grades in GCSE English Language, GCSE English Literature, A Level English Literature, A Level English Language and Literature as well as teaching English to International Baccalaureate students.

I have always enjoyed inspiring a love of reading, sharing my appreciation of language and encouraging students to develop an individual voice in the subject.

When I asked some of my students how they would describe my teaching style, their responses included “explaining things clearly”, “pointing out the interesting bits”, “smiling a lot”, “marking work quickly” and “being friendly”. I hope these qualities make me a good tutor too.

Assisting university entry

As a former Head of Sixth Form, I have co-ordinated the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) programmes so can also offer support with personal statements and EPQs in the form of one-to-one work with students or group sessions within schools.

OFSTED recognition

OFSTED recognised that, under my management, the sixth form “students benefit from consistently high-quality teaching and support…The environment is inclusive and welcoming… Students are confident to be themselves and are well supported by staff.”

Assisting Teachers and Schools

I am also available to help where needed in local English departments. This could be marking assessments or internal examination papers, planning and resourcing schemes of learning or holding intervention sessions.

My favourite part of teaching has always been delivering to A Level classes so I am available to cover short-, medium- or long-term absence for A Level English Literature or English Language and Literature classes where I will ensure planning and marking is carried out so that students would not be disadvantaged by their teacher’s absence.

Bespoke Tailored Tutoring

All the lessons I deliver will be tailored to the needs of the individual student using discussion, modelling, practice, revision, active learning techniques and past papers. I will identify what the needs of each student are and ensure each session focuses on exactly what they need, rather than following a pre-prepared programme.

I have a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring service), and up-to-date certification on Safeguarding/Prevent Awareness (HM Government Level 2); Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ACAS); Child Protection for Tutors (NSPCC) and Suicide Awareness (Zero Suicide Awareness)

Testimonials