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Natalie

Natalie

Online English and Study Skills Lessons

PGCE qualified English Language/Literature/Creative Writing teacher and examiner, graded outstanding by Ofsted. Over 15 years of experience in education, including working with SEN students. Motivational and empathetic approach. Fully DBS checked. Qualified Mental Health First Aider.


AVAILABILITY

FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL 2024:

  • Limited availability - please enquire.

MAY/JUNE/JULY 2024:

  • 2 weekly slots will be available from May.
  • Summer top up sessions available - please enquire.

SEPTEMBER 2024 onwards:

Spaces will be available at the start of the academic year. It's advisable to book early as demand is high and slots fill up fast.


Thank you for looking at my profile. I would be delighted to discuss your tutoring needs with you. After reading the information below, please send me a message letting me know:

  • who the tuition is for
  • how many hours per week are required
  • what subject area/level of course
  • which aspects of English need extra support
  • availability for tuition and when you would like it to start

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."
- Chinese proverb


About me...

I am a fully qualified teacher and examiner, with over 15 years of experience in the field of education. My teaching of English has been graded "outstanding" by Ofsted and I strive to maintain this standard in my tutoring practice. Teaching is a vocation for me and I love the buzz I get when I feel I have inspired my students. I hold an undergraduate degree in English, a PGCE specialising in the post-16 sector, and have seven years experience of working as an A level and GCSE English Language and Literature teacher in a high performing sixth form college. I also work as an English Language examiner. My additional specialism is Creative Writing; I hold both a Masters and Doctorate in this subject and am a Lecturer in Creative Writing at a reputable university. I am a published poet with my own collections and many appearances in anthologies and journals. Having successfully tutored students of the AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas and Cambridge International boards, I am very familiar with current specifications. I have a keen eye for detail when appraising essays and have received excellent feedback for my critiques of student work.


Tutoring Experience

I have experience of teaching and tutoring English Language, Literature and Combined English up to Further Education level. I have taught the AQA Certificate in English Language (iGCSE), AS/A2 English Language (Spec B), AS/A2 English Literature (Spec B) and AS/A2 English Combined (Spec A) but have tutored for the updated AQA and Edexcel specifications. I also have experience of adult and undergraduate teaching in the fields of Creative Writing and Communication/Functional Skills.

Specialist topic areas:

A level English Language - conducting a language investigation, using linguistic frameworks, Language Change and Diversity, Child Language Acquisition, Language and Social Contexts: Gender, Power and Technology.

A level English Literature - Set texts taught include: The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, Enduring Love, Property, Spies, The Bl**dy Chamber and Other Stories, Robert Browning's poetry, The Whitsun Weddings, Ariel, The Pardoner's Tale, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Rivals.

Poetry - form, structure and style, analysing poetic devices, scansion, meaning and significance, the practice of writing poetry.


Tutoring Approach

My approach is to be friendly, supportive and professional when interacting with students. I encourage them to be proactive and resourceful in their approach to English, guiding them through the processes of learning and problem-solving. Sessions are therefore individually tailored and flexible, so are student-focused rather than teacher-led. I invite students to discuss what they would like to work on each session and establish the ways in which I can best support them. Any materials to be looked at during the session time can be emailed to me or shared via an online platform. I also support students in setting targets over a course of sessions so that they can meet their aims and manage their study time effectively.

I spend time getting to know my students and, whenever possible, encourage the practice of English skills within topic areas of personal interest to them. I am a good listener and can empathise with my students, helping them to see areas for improvement in their work and offering practical advice and tips on how to develop it further. From students who require regular face-to-face online sessions, to those who require a single essay critique by email correspondence, I am able to meet the needs of all my students.

Ultimately, I aim to help my students fulfil their academic potential whilst also developing the range of skills needed to achieve their aspirations in life.


TERMS & CONDITIONS

To ensure transparency from the outset, these are the T&Cs I ask students/parents to agree to before tuition commences:

Tuition Process

Live sessions take place via Skype, so access to a device with a reliable internet connection is essential. This method enables video chat but if you would prefer, we can work on a voice-only or SMS-only basis. My Skype ID is ******* - please add me to your contacts list before the first session. I have a high-speed broadband connection and do regular speed tests to check efficiency. If the speed of your connection is insufficient, you can call me on the telephone. If there is ever an issue at my end that prevents the session taking place effectively, I will offer an alternative slot or refund payment.

How to Prepare for the Session

Please have ready any materials you need for the session and any handouts/activities you are currently working on in class - these can be scanned or photographed and emailed to me. Please bear in mind that if you require me to spend time reading/preparing/marking material outside of the session time then this will be chargeable. I offer a marking/critiquing service for essays as follows: 1 hour per 1500 words (can be completed within 2 working days and returned by email).

Expectations of Tutee and Tutor

Your teacher should always be the primary contact for queries regarding your English studies progress. It is your responsibility to let me know any advice your teacher has given you in regard to completing work so that we can set realistic targets. It is also important that you ask your teacher for details about the course you are studying, e.g. exam board, assessment objectives, resources available and key assignments etc., so that I can offer well-informed advice. I aim to give you the extra support, guidance and encouragement needed to build your confidence and complete tasks to the best of your ability. However, for this to have the desired results, you will need to be focused and engaged during sessions, and open to taking on board any advice given. If for any reason I feel that live sessions are not productive due to a tutee’s lack of engagement or behaviour then I may suggest tuition via email correspondence for written feedback on work, or terminating tuition altogether.

Parental Role

Parents are welcome to sit in on the first session as we get to know each other. If the session has been set up by a parent it might be a good opportunity to discuss how the tuition will progress. See below for contacting me outside of session time.

Making Contact

For non-urgent enquiries, you can contact me during office hours by email at: ********* – please allow 24 hours for a response. If you need to contact me urgently e.g. to cancel a session, then you can text/call me on ********.

Payment and Cancellations

Payment is due at least 24 hours in advance of the session time. Please pay by bank transfer using the following details: *******

If you need to rearrange/cancel a session please let me know as soon as possible but please note that cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, including no shows, are chargeable at the full session rate.

If I have to rearrange or cancel your scheduled session, I will endeavour to notify you at least 24 hours in advance and offer you an alternative timeslot. If this is not possible due to illness or an emergency, I will refund your payment.

There will be some weeks during the year when I will not be offering tuition due to annual leave or other work commitments. I will notify you of these times with at least one month’s notice and set extra tasks as required.

I reserve the right to terminate tuition without notice if tutees/parents do not follow the conditions as stated in this document and agreed to below.

LanguagesEnglish (British)
AvailabilityWeekdays (all times)
References Available On File

Qualifications

University of Cumbria2007PGCEPost-Compulsory Merit
University of Leeds2001MastersCreative Writing
University of Lancaster2000BachelorsBA (hons) 2:1 English with Drama
University of Sunderland2015DoctoratePhD by Existing Published or Creative Work

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