Jenny

Having had a change of career six years ago, I trained as a teacher and so have come to this profession with a wealth of life experience. I previously worked predominantly as a riding instructor, in this country as well as a number of years teaching abroad in South Africa and America. Once back in the UK, my teaching revolved around bringing up my three children and completing my English degree at Warwick University. I spent many years in the schools attended by my children, working in various roles within the classroom and latterly, this included some tutoring . Having intensely disliked school as a teenager, I have always ensured that a large dose of good humour and verbal sparring are a feature of my lessons - if a pupil wants to come into my room, they will work well, whatever their ability.

Tutoring Experience

I have been teaching for five years and during that time have seen and dealt with many changes within the English specification. I have successfully navigated pupils through the many changes of specification in recent years and these have all ranged in ability from the highest level to borderline students and have consistently maintained a pass rate within the upper 90% range. This year with the new specification, 66% of my literature students attained level 7 - 9 and 24% of language students achieved a level 9. I now run the whole school literacy which is aimed at raising literacy levels, particularly through reading, throughout the school to allow better access to all subjects. Having taught AQA for a number of years, I also became an examiner for them this year which has benefitted my understanding further of the new specification and the skills required to be successful.

Tutoring Approach

I strongly believe that teaching and learning should be enjoyable for both and have made this an essential feature of my lessons. I understand that not all students find this subject easy and therefore a patient and structured approach to each individual skill is required to achieve success and I will take as long as is needed to embed these skills before moving on. Exam preparation is vital in this new English specification and I believe that familiarity with the specific exam board material is vital for success as well as a complete understanding of the demands of each question. Therefore, exam skills will form a central part of my tutoring, ensuring that all texts are thoroughly studied and understood.