Biography

I began my career as an English and Drama teacher in private schools including Ampleforth College, The Mount School and St Peter’s School, teaching children how to love words.  I have taught English and Theatre Studies, held pastoral management positions including being a Housemistress and sixth form tutor, marked for several examination boards, tutored privately, and been proud to help many hundreds of children achieve fantastic results. I went into teaching because I love literature and I love working with young people; I count myself as lucky to spend my days talking about books!

I am a strong believer in working with my students’ strengths while challenging them to improve areas of weakness in a supportive, positive manner. As well as the syllabus required I also always teach the study skills students need to continue learning between lessons.

I believe that learning should be fun and that everyone has the capacity to enjoy language, novels, poetry and plays. I aim to help all students set themselves ambitious but realistic goals, whether that is to read aloud confidently, pass GCSE English or get an A* in A level English Literature, and then to meet those goals and go on to face new challenges with positivity and determination. Recent pupil success stories include one who was predicted to fail GCSE but achieved a 6 after only half a term’s tuition with me, and several who have achieved A* grades at A level. I have always delighted in helping people meet their true potential.

As well as offering tuition sessions of one, two or three hours on a regular basis, I offer intensive day and two day long courses to pupils preparing for exams. These are during half terms and school holidays and are one on one. Please enquire for further details.

Qualifications:

• Roehampton University (2011) – Certificate of Professional Development, Boarding Education
• The Open University (2010) – MA English Literature
• The University of York (2005) – Secondary English PGCE and QTS
• The University of York (2004) – BA Hons 2:1 English and Related Literature

References and certificates are available upon request.

As well as being an English and Drama teacher, I also write poetry, short stories and flash fiction, and am writing a novel. In 2020 I was delighted to be nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and my first poetry collection will be published in 2021.