Jenna

I'm Jenna and I qualified as a Geography teacher in 2006 after completing my degree and PGCE at the University of Brighton. I have taught at secondary schools in Berkshire and Essex as a well as a further education college in Windsor and SEN school in Newbury.

I am passionate about my specialist subject and also, in working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEN. I enjoy creating lessons that are engaging and interesting and which allow young people overcome barriers, make progress and reach their potential. I particularly enjoy 1:1 and small group teaching as lessons can be more personalised and bespoke for individual young people. Outside of teaching, I have a range of hobbies including travel - my favourite places visited are Iceland, Croatia and Fuerteventura. I also enjoy photography, swimming, the gym, the theatre and am an avid film fan.

Tutoring Experience

I qualified as Geography teacher in 2006 and have worked in several mainstream secondary schools and a further education college delivering Geography up to A Level as well as additional subjects such as PSHE and Citizenship. I also did some additional KS3 and KS4 tutoring for English within school and privately. I have also supported NQTs and non-specialist teachers with GCSE Geography intervention work and behaviour support as well as supporting in delivering training for PGCE students.

Between November 2017 and July 2021, I worked as the Lead Teacher at an independent SEN school in Newbury. As well as having overall responsibility for academic progress, I also taught a full timetable, predominantly English and ICT (all 1:1 tutoring) along with aspects of Geography, History, Science, Food and Nutrition. I co-ordinated a range of ASDAN courses including Citizenship Foodwise and Animal Care, line managed the Art and Youth Achievement Awards as well as Learning Support Staff. As part of this role, I was part of the Senior Management Team and was also Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children as well as education lead on EHCP reviews. I worked closely with Local Authorities, Virtual Schools (Reading, West Berkshire, Slough), Education Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists, West Berkshire SEN Team, Careers and Participation Officers as part of this role.

I have a range of experience working with young people with Special Educational Needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, particularly high-functioining ASD/Aspergers, Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Disorder, Pathological Demand Avoidance and Moderate Learning Difficulties.

Tutoring Approach

Every student deserves a good education and I firmly believe that all students should develop a love of learning new things both inside and outside of the classroom.

I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to become confident, well-rounded individuals. This means encouraging students in their academic studies, but also in developing their skills in different areas and situations. You have to work on the whole person to be truly successful and this requires a young person-centred, holistic approach.

My approach to teaching is to develop self-confidence, an inquiring approach and self-reliance, rather than spoon-feeding and rote learning. Students should be engaged in learning and must be active participants in their own learning.

A key part of this is developing resilience in students; allowing them to learn from their mistakes, giving them opportunities to try again, encouraging them to never give up and to find new ways of learning and solving problems. This empowers students and encourages them to be more self-aware when it comes to their learning as well as promoting enthusiasm and determination in all aspects of their life.

I am also a firm believer in spending time getting to know the particular learning needs and styles of a student before tuition begins so that learning programmes can be individualised.

I am able to offer tuition in the following areas:

Geography
- Key Stage 3 (11-14)
- GCSE Geography
- A Level Geography

English
- Key Stage 3 (11-14)
- GCSE English Language
- Functional Skills - Entry Level 1 to Level 2

I offer 1 hour lessons for £45.

All lessons take place at the student's home with a parent/carer/guardian over the age of 18 present.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your enquiries or any questions.

Jenna