Sana

Like many women my age I am currently decorating my first owned home and perfecting my hosting skills! Not always the easiest task as I have a young son, but the challenge adds to the fun. I’ve recently made the move from London to Kent so am still in the ‘oh my goodness the public transport is awful but there is so much open green space’ stage of it all.

A little bit about my past!

A levels
During my A Levels I threw myself into learning to cook. A highlight for me back then was
my contribution to a barbeque in June 2012. I was in the middle of a weight loss regime most of the food I ate low fat and low salt and sometimes not a dish many would choose. However, the Chicken Tikka I made for the gathering went down a storm. It was a lovely dish of grilled chicken that had marinated all night with yoghurt, spices, herbs, lemon alongside roasted and crushed seeds. It was served with a ‘masala’ sauce, mint rayta, pea pilau and a salad that was dressed simply with olive oil, lemon juice, chilli flakes and roasted cumin seeds. Delicious! (I wrote this section soon after the event and oh how naïve and young I sound!)

During A Levels I was kept quite busy and there wasn’t as much time socialising as they’re had been previously. However, I did keep up with a few things including losing weight (gradually), taking part in charity events such as WOHAA, doing the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, flying out to visit family, trying (and failing) to get over my fear of swimming, reading (helped by a broken IPod and a long, daily commute) and of course, going out with friends!

Gap Year
I undertook a gap year and had more time to do some things that I couldn’t during the previous few years. I had my first driving lesson booked for late July and I couldn't wait to finally get behind the wheel. Unfortunately it took two attemps to pass! I also got into sewing as a lovely seamstress that has been making clothes for my family for years had agreed to teach me the basics of sewing, though she is very traditional and didn’t let me get near the sewing machine until I had learnt to cut and measure cloth properly!

University
After my gap year I began my degree in the Biological Sciences and graduated in 2016. During my first year of university I met my (now) husband and we married in March 2015. Whilst at university I also worked full time as a support for children with special needs. During this time I was able to partake in training in Speech and Language therapy, Hydrotherapy and Physiotherapy. I learnt a multitude of skills and gained many qualifications in the field such as tissue viability, manual handling and ARCOS.

After University
After University I was head hunted to go and work in Dubai for a VVIP family. Their daughter had a very rare genetic disorder and they had launched a centre with a 30 million pound budget which would be open to the community for children with a variety of disorders. I went there in the capacity of a consultant.

On my return to the UK I went back into the educational world. I worked with the Department of Education and retuned to tutoring, including leading a tuition centre for nearly three years. I left this role when I had my son and am now back to tutoring privately!

Tutoring Experience

I personally got into tutoring when I was only in Year 9 and began teaching Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children during the weekend to provide an income. Initially it was only help with homework as I lived in an area where many parents couldn’t speak English and were unable to help. Over the years I began familiarising myself with the National Curriculum and increasing the ages of the children I tutored. I only tutor children a subject at GCSE level if I have an A Level in the subject and only tutor KS3 subjects if I have a GCSE in them. Biology is the only subject that I tutor at A Level due my undergraduate study of it. Alongside academic knowledge of a subject, knowledge of the subject’s specification, grade boundaries and the child’s learning style is important in maximising success.

I have worked with the Department of Education and have an in-depth knowledge of the curriculum. I have tutored over 40 children and 10 adults on a 1:1 basis. I have worked extensively with SEN children including those with Cerebral Palsy, ABI, Autism, ADHD, Blindness, AACs and more. This year is my 12th year in the field!

Tutoring Approach

I enjoy teaching. Simple. Standing in a classroom and having no personal connection to a student does not. Therefore, tutoring is the world for me. I enjoy the rapport that develops between student and tutor and this relationship gives way to a better understanding and hence, better learning! A child should feel comfortable and at ease around those who teach them. Feelings of nervousness and hesitation impede a child’s learning. Authority and respect is vital in the relationship between tutor and tutee. However, so is trust and understanding. A child should never be made to feel that they are ‘stupid’ or that a question is ‘too dumb’ or ‘too embarrassing’ to ask.

Many schools have a fantastic teaching system. However, tutoring is vital to supplement this. While at school most children and busy socialising as well as learning and great teaching can only go so far when dealing with a large group of children. Alongside this many children are hesitant at asking questions as they fear a backlash from their peers, especially if it is a about a topic that was quickly grasped by the rest of the class. There are occasions when a child may fall behind or excel at a topic but cannot get the individual support they require at school as there is simply not enough time. Tutoring provides this one on one support in the comfort of their own home.

PLEASE NOTE: I am currently ONLY accepting GCSE and A Level students