Michelle

PGCE qualified teacher and English language GCSE examiner. With over 15 years spent 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.

As an approved and experienced examiner for the English Language GCSEs for the past seven years, I can provide advice on how to prepare students for the English language exams. Being an examiner enables me to pass on my specific knowledge of the exam system to prepare students in readiness for their exams. I work with students to support them in understanding the process of answering the individual questions. This process enables students to improve their grades. It has been my pleasure to work with some outstanding students who have improved from a grade 4 and 5 in their mock exams to achieving a grade 9 in their final year 11 exams.

Additionally, I hope that I can pass on my interest and appreciation of great fiction and non-fiction texts to enable my students 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. In addition, 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 a wide range of educational settings including independent schools, state secondary schools and grammar schools during my 15 year career as an English teacher. I have taught the majority of the literature texts (Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Jekyll and Hyde, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, An Inspector Calls etc.) 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 focusing on the exam questions and mark scheme that I can help my tutees to develop and improve their responses.

It is particularly satisfying that many of my students have improved their English results by two or more exam grades following 1:1 tuition. However, it is important to remember that this takes time, commitment and effort. Students and parents should recognise that tuition is a long term process. Through 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. Using my knowledge of the curriculum and experience as a GCSE examiner, I am able to guide students through the exam papers. 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. 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. Thank you.

Please 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 for those students who are available during the daytime. Availability for evening tuition is limited. Please contact me for further details.