Information About Philip - Nottingham teacher

Personal Description:

I am a gardener and trainee Gestalt psychotherapist, but creative writing is my main passion. I have been writing seriously for over 20 years and currently working with an agent on my first novel. At the moment I am concentrating on Young Adult fiction, exploring ecological and social issues. I admire YA authors such as David Almond, Philip Pullman and Celia Rees.

I have an A in A Level English literature and a distinction in an MA Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University.

Teaching Experience:

I taught English for 6 months in a Tanzania Secondary School.
I taught National Standards Cycling Levels to people of all ages, both in and outside school, for 4 years.
I have much experience workshopping and editing creative writing for peers and have also edited PhD theses.

Teaching Approach:

I believe in a person-centred approach to teaching. Everyone has different abilities and goals. A good teacher is open to this. They work on building a good relationship with their student and encouraging self-actualisation, as well as challenging them and signposting them to other kinds of support.

I think learning should be engaging, fun and thought-provoking.
I also think a teacher can learn a lot from their students.