Michelle

I am a qualified English teacher with over twenty three years of experience teaching English in both independent and government run schools and colleges. Having achieved the highest classification in my English Language and Literature degree (First-class Honours), I know exactly what examiners are looking for and how to pass that knowledge on to my students quickly and effectively – ensuring that students of all ages and abilities feel more confident in their English studies from the very first lesson and begin to climb up the grade boundaries after only a few lessons. I ensure that I follow exam board specifications when planning lessons and keep up to date with chief examiners' comments for AQA, Edexel, WJEC (Eduqas) and OCR to ensure that my knowledge is up to date and that I am aware of all of the changes to the English Language and English Literature qualifications.

My approach to teaching is a student-centred one and all of my lessons are delivered in a relaxed and friendly manner, whilst also being tailored to each student’s needs. I work hard to de-mystify the English curriculum so that my students know exactly what examiners are looking for and how they can move up the grade boundaries quickly and easily. Throughout all of my teaching observations carried out by Ofsted and my line-managers, I have always achieved top grades in teaching observations and I am categorised as a highly effective and innovative teacher. Most of my work comes via recommendations and all of my students have a 100% exam pass rate in the academic level they are working at (SATs, GCSE or A level). They frequently out-perform their peers in examinations and teacher-based assessments.

My hourly rate reflects my experience, knowledge and academic qualifications.

Additionally, as part of my service, I liaise with each student’s English teacher at school (if required) so that I can co-ordinate my lessons with what your child is doing in English. This means that I know when important events are happening, such as controlled assessments and exams, to ensure your child is fully prepared for these. Thus, my hourly rate reflects my knowledge, experience and professionalism.

Tutoring Experience

In 2001, I started my career teaching English at Valley Comprehensive School where I was employed by the school to provide Key Stage 3 and GCSE students with highly focused intervention lessons in order to boost their grades. In 2006, I was nominated for a teaching award by one of my students. This was also the period that I started working as a private tutor.

In 2011, I wanted to develop my teaching practice, so I decided to move to Chesterfield College and work as an English Lecturer and complete my PGCE at the college’s Sixth-form Centre. Whilst there, I taught both AS/A2 English Literature and Language, as well as English to students following the Access to Higher Education route. However, a reduction in students wanting to study AS/A2 level English at the college initiated my move to North Nottinghamshire College in 2012, where I also worked as a lecturer, but this time I returned to teaching GCSE English Language - as well as teaching Functional English and ESOL. I continued working there until 2014, when I decided to work exclusively as a private tutor after the summer exams.

Tutoring Approach

My approach to teaching is a student-centred one and all of my lessons are delivered in a relaxed and friendly manner, whilst also being tailored to each student’s needs. I work to de-mystify the English curriculum so that my students know exactly what examiners are looking for and how to move up the grade boundaries quickly and easily. Throughout all of my teaching observations carried out by Ofsted and line-managers, I have always achieved top grades and been categorised as a highly effective and innovative teacher.