Helen

I am married and have one son. I have been living in East Sussex for over 40 years. I recently retired from teaching full -time and do some cover supervision at a local secondary school.
I love going to the theatre and I like singing,
Visiting other places in the UK and abroad is a favourite pastime. My family are members of the National Trust.

At the moment I volunteer once a week with a social action project called ‘Transforming Lives for Good’. It is a charity that offers coaching to children who are struggling in school and need one to one support for anxiety or challenging behaviour.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught in secondary education from year 7 all the way to year 13.
My qualifications are: B'Ed in Drama/ Dance and English. 2;1
Post-graduate diploma in Media Education.
M.A in Education.
I taught as a teacher of Dance in the first ten years of teaching, but always taught Drama and English for the full 39 years in a secondary school. I taught Theatre Studies at A level and GCSE Drama though-out my teaching career
I have taught English from key stage 3 and up to GCSE.
Religious Education up to key stage 4.

Tutoring Approach

I love teaching one to one as you really get to know the student. I am a tutor who likes to investigate what the student already knows and find out where their gaps are. I then support the student through the actual process of learning, looking at what is required for them to achieve their best and to develop their confidence in the classroom and prepare them for any test or exam.
I like to make sure the student is relaxed and not be afraid to ask questions. I like to encourage the student to write interestingly and informatively. To be creative is key and to practise.
Before I start to teach, I would go though the exam board they will be doing, so we can plan a set of manageable topics of work. I would go through past papers, revisiting any set texts that they are working through in class. I would ensure that they are making progress by setting tasks over time. I would give positive and supportive feedback helping their motivation to succeed, getting them to see the relevance of what is being learned and being able to recognise why they need to know something. I will support them in using dictionaries, Thesaurus and any other suitable sources.
In Drama I would concentrate on the theory if it is GCSE or A level and linking this to the practical work they will be doing in the classroom. I will even rehearse lines that the student needs to learn for a practical. If they are learning about backstage areas, for example costume, lighting design, I can support their learning by looking at their designs, advising them on how to prepare for a production.
I like to set homework so that the student can show me how they are progressing, or what I, as their tutor, need to re-explain. I would encourage the student to show me any of their school homework if they need help or advice.