Rachael

As a highly motivated and hardworking individual who accepts responsibility I am always seeking a new challenge. Confident in my area of expertise, I am able to use my initiative with a friendly, professional manner and adapt to any situation.

My lifelong involvement in music has given me the foundation to be an inspirational teacher. I believe teaching makes a lasting contribution to pupils of any age. I have gained numerous skills through my various teaching posts, communicating with individuals who have different educational needs, and maintained an open mindset to new materials that have allowed me to continue learning as I teach.

Tutoring Experience

August 2023 - Current - Head of Music, Cransley School
I teach from age 5 - 16 curriculum music. I am in charge of the curriculum that is taught and budget within the department. Teaching from as young as 5 to the other extreme of 16 year olds, I am hugely diverse with my teaching and approach. I see students through their GCSE exams and organise lots of concerts and extra curricular

August 2021 - August 2023 - Primary Curriculum and strings teacher Bolton and Trafford Music service
Teaching various ages at a beginner standard on violin. Students learn in a group setting once a week for three hours. I use my organisational skills to devise weekly lesson plans for the curriculum part of the job as well as create and provide teaching resources.

August 2019 - 2021- Primary Curriculum and strings teacher Tameside Music Service
Teaching various ages at a beginner standard on violin. Students learn in a group setting once a week for three hours. I use my organisational skills to devise weekly lesson plans for the curriculum part of the job as well as create and provide teaching resources.

August 2019 - 2021 - Cover teacher for One Education
I have taught at their Saturday school for violin cover as well as curriculum cover, in particular SEN school’s whereby I need to plan to ensure I am able to cover all abilities in the classroom.

August 2015 - July 2019: - Violin Specialist and Secondary Curriculum music teacher at the British International School Kuala Lumpur
Teaching children as young as 7 to 18 years old. Enhancing the ensemble playing and gifted and talented children, I was also sponsored to study for an IPGCE whilst there. This allowed me to further progress my teaching and adapt to a curriculum music class. I have also participated in many CPD courses, an example of this is a responsibility for numerous students on a FOBISIA music trip to Hong Kong, Russia and Thailand. I am also an accompanist for many performances as I have grade 8 piano and experience of accompaniment with my local choirs in the UK.

2016 - 2017: - Second violin Tutti - Selangor Symphony Orchestra
Successfully chosen to perform with the Selangor Symphony Orchestra - Malaysia. I’ve managed to continue my professional development of performing, whilst teaching. This has enhanced my time keeping skills, teamwork skills and is an inspiration for my students at the school who frequently attend the concerts.

2014 – 2015: - Violin peripatetic teacher
Teaching individual violin at Holy Trinity Catholic School Birmingham UK. This school was a low-income school, and I used my initiative to introduce individual music lessons to these children as I feel everyone should have equal opportunity and exposure to music. This was a secondary school position.

2014 –2015: - Violin, piano and theory teacher
Teaching various ages and abilities at Opus School of Music –Birmingham UK. This was a privately run music school every Saturday. The job required me to manage a budget, and to liaise with pupils and parents weekly during their lesson time

2014 – 2015: - Volunteer for Melody music group
I helped to create music with children and adults who have all different types of autism. This was on a weekly basis, we would each as mentors have a student that we would help and look after, this would be changed on a termly basis so that we experienced different cases. We would also be expected to learn Makaton signing and lead the whole group with a piece of music.

Tutoring Approach

I have been fortunate, in my past and present employment, to devise my own teaching methods. I have gained great satisfaction from the understanding and progress that has been made through my methods. I have been challenged with the demands of teaching varied groups of children, including those with autistic needs. I have recognised that keeping such children motivated is a key factor, and so I implement encouragement, imagination and passion to maximize engagement. Using original games and ideas, I have been able to bring about learning through enjoyment in my classes, ranging from Year 3 to A level curriculum.
I am acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead working in a dynamic teaching environment. With perseverance, I know I can successfully adapt to new situations and learn from them. I have the determination and the open-mindedness to make my teaching enjoyable for every student I teach, and I look forward to helping them explore the wonderful world of music.