Michelle

PGCE qualified teacher and English language GCSE examiner. I have over 15 years experience teaching English language and literature at KS3 and KS4. I am in a good position to support students with my knowledge and experience of the curriculum at this level.

I have been marking papers as an examiner for the English Language GCSE summer exams for the past seven years. This position enables me to pass on my experience and knowledge of the exam system to prepare students in readiness for their exams.

Additionally, I hope that I can pass on my interest and appreciation of great fiction and non-fiction texts to my students to enable them to develop a love of language and literature.

Tutoring Experience

As a fully qualified classroom teacher (PGCE in secondary English) and an experienced tutor for over 15 years, I have gained a wide range of teaching skills that support my role enormously. This experience enables me to effectively tutor students in English: I am more able to understand when they talk to me about the issues they struggle with in the classroom. The limitations of the teacher's time is a particular issue for many of my students and I appreciate how 1:1 tuition can make all the difference in their confidence and grades.

I have worked in numerous and varied educational settings including private schools, state secondary schools and grammar schools. I have taught the majority of the literature texts (Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Jekyll and Hyde, Animal Farm, An Inspector Calls etc.) for GCSE and I am familiar with the poetry anthologies used by the various exam boards. I regularly work with AQA, Eduqas, and iGCSE exam boards.

My experience as an examiner means that I have expert knowledge of the exact approach to improving the quality of students’ answers in an exam. It is through this focus on the exam structure and mark scheme that I can help my tutees to develop and improve.

It is particularly satisfying that many of my students have improved their English results by two or more exam grades following 1:1 tuition (some very dedicated students have increased their grade from 4/5 in their mocks to a grade 9 in their final exams). However, it is important to remember that this takes time, commitment and effort. Students and parents must recognise that tuition is a long term process; with commitment and hard work the results of tuition will show.

Tutoring Approach

I believe that English is a subject that requires the ability to explore, develop and expand on personal responses. Hence, students should feel involved and confident in the tutoring sessions to enable them to make the most of their time. I encourage students to believe that they have worthwhile and interesting contributions to make.

I often work on exam skills practice as I believe this to be the most beneficial approach for students in KS4. Students need to understand the wording of questions, how to structure written responses, and what examiners are looking for; through practice, students can build confidence and skills for their exams. This is the approach that I undertake with all GCSE students, I modify this for younger students in KS3 depending on their ability. I also work with younger students in KS3 to support them with schoolwork and to build confidence and enjoyment. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing students develop their confidence and improve their grades.

I have a set of T&Cs that I send to all new students for agreement before tuition; I will ask you to agree to the T&Cs before starting tuition. These cover cancellations and help you to understand how the arrangement will work. Before agreeing, please ensure that you understand how it works and your role in creating a positive working arrangement which is hugely beneficial for everyone involved.

Note: my lessons are online via Zoom for the majority of students; local students can attend face-to-face meetings if a mutually agreed time is available. I have more daytime availability on weekday mornings and afternoons for those students who are available during the day. Feel free to contact me for updated availability and more information. I have a couple of spaces available. Availability for evening tuition is limited but more spaces are available from May and June.

ALTERNATIVES TO ONLINE TUITION:
I am currently offering alternative options for those students preparing for GCSE exams who may not have space for 1:1 tuition. Options include remote learning with exam practice papers, marking and feedback (at a reduced rate). This would involve correspondence via email, provision of exam practice papers, full marking and feedback with areas of strength and targets for improvement clearly annotated.
Please state your interest in this option when contacting me and please include details of the student’s exam board, academic year, current and predicted grades.