Lesley

I love teaching and using my knowledge and expertise to support and encourage young people of all ages. As a retired Senior Teacher I enjoy the flexibility offered by tutoring. I used to work on a one to one and small group basis with students of various ages in a complex Pupil Referral Unit. I was Senior Teacher of the Medical provision which works with young people ,who for medical reasons , cannot access their mainstream school. I taught in either in 1:1 settings, in a student's home or with small groups based in our centre. I found the one to one contact simulating and highly rewarding. I have taught for over 30 years and was an Advanced Skills Teacher. I have always wanted to teach and love what I do particularly now as I have retired from full time teaching and enjoying teaching privately. During the Covid pandemic I turned my skills to tutoring online. I have found Zoom a useful platform for online teaching. I now find online teaching both a positive challenge and a very rewarding experience.
I am patient, understanding, supportive and highly aware of the need to enable the student to achieve. I work through praise and careful guidance to ensure the student gets the most from the one to one contact. I am educated to Masters degree level and have taught in both comprehensive schools and special needs units. I believe in a child centred approach to learning and always aim to work for and with the student.
I am a published author and bring a love of literature and stories to the children I teach.

Tutoring Experience

I was Head of Drama in a school in Dorset for seventeen years. During that time I worked extensively with children of all ages. I have trained teachers and guided those new to the teaching profession successfully through the early stages of their careers in teaching. I have successfully supported an HLTA in her application and process to become a fully qualified teacher. I
have directed numerous school and examination productions which have given me an excellent knowledge of plays and productions for use with English and Drama teaching. I have enjoyed the opportunities teaching in both the comprehensive and adult sectors have given me and I thoroughly enjoy the more individual and one to one basis that tutoring now offers.

Tutoring Approach

My approach is always to work with the needs of the student involved. I always listen to their requirements and tailor my teaching to what is needed. I value student interaction and always try to use student ideas, opinions and thinking, where this is possible. I have an attitude to teaching which always aims to empower the learner in a positive and supportive environment. As a published writer I bring creativity and imagination to my teaching.
I have a good sense of humour, I am patient , a very good listener and an individual who works in a proactive manner. I create and work with a range of resources which are specific to the topic and area being studied, and also create resources 'tailor - made' for the student involved. I use praise and positive areas continually as I believe we all like to receive positive thoughts about ourselves and this is a means to promoting a good and solid foundation for study techniques.
I prepare for online teaching in a highly organised manner. An individual's requirements and needs are discussed via 'First Tutors' site. Once this is clearly established I create individual PowerPoints for the subject, level and/ or specific areas needed. This is a time consuming process, as I ensure everything is created to the particular requirements of the student, exam, study area or skill.

Please note the charges listed on my profile are for 'in person' 'face to face' lessons .Due to the planning and preparation required online lessons are charged at £50.00 per hour due to the amount of additional planning and preparation. It does mean however, that every lesson is unique for a named individual. Nothing is duplicated.
I have been lucky enough to meet a huge variety of pupils and students who I have been told, have benefitted from learning and working with me. I hope to continue this form of teaching alongside the face to face work I do locally.