Coleen

Experience

• 11+ English ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• 11+ Maths ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• 13+ English ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• 13+ Maths ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• 11+ and 13+: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

• 16+ English Public School Entrance Examinations

• UK iset preparation

• GCSE English: English Lit and English Language for Edexcel, Cambridge, OCR and AQA

I am have experience teaching the following texts:

- Animal Farm

- The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde

- Of Mice & Men

- Macbeth

- Romeo and Juliet

- A View From A Bridge

- Silas Marner

- The Merchant of Venice

• GCSE Maths and French: Cambridge, AQA, OCR

• IGCSE English Preparation (Language Exam, Literature Exam) - Edexcel

• A-level English: English Lit for Edexcel

• AS-level French: Cambridge, Edexcel, AQA, OCR

• SSAT preparation

• UK iset preparation

Biography

I am a writer and theatre artist, originally from Canada with a passion for education and have lived in the UK for 6 years. I studied English Language and Literature at the University of Toronto, Theatre and Development in Montreal and most recently physical theatre at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France. I have been tutoring since 2007 (from adults to young children) with outstanding results in my student's gaining placements into the schools of their choice in England.

I have written several plays including First Draft, which was performed in Cairo, Egypt at Falaki Theater after it toured in the UK (Camden People's Theatre and The Mimetic Festival) and This Is Why We Live which toured to Poland and France and will be performed off-broadway in New York City. I am passionate about books, poetry, music and travel. With my background in physical theatre, I am also interested in creating original theatre from a movement perspective and have taught at Universities, Colleges and Sixth forms.

Personal Approach

I have experience working with students at GCSE and A Level English and Maths, guiding students towards success. I help students develop their study skills for their entrance exams and prepare effectively, focusing on the areas of weakness and building knowledge from there.

I have taught in Canada, France, Egypt and the UK. I teach English, Creative Writing, Drama, Maths, French and guide my students in Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. My experience also involves creating original workshops in Theatre and Playwriting in Canada, France and the UK. I also have experience as a supply teaching in Primary Schools and running workshops at all levels. In Paris I taught English to young learners, and businesses, taught English with C'Efficace, ICB Europe, Langue en Scene and Babylangues. I have taught Creative Writing workshops in South London with Knowledge Seekers.

I believe in a creative approach to learning: engaging lessons, application and feedback is always key. My work with my pupils involve creating a program that suits my students needs, we map out goals and assess our goals every week. In addition, my knowledge of the British School system is an asset, as I am able to help pupils excel in their entrance exams and be prepared for the year ahead.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I love hiking, yoga, travel and reading and try to do this as much as possible! I love writing and engaging in community-based projects that uplift people within their communities. I run a theatre company that is devoted to developing original work that is movement-based and speaks about relevant themes of our time. I am working on a new play and recently toured by work to New York City's Experimental Theatre La MaMa in 2019. I run workshops on playwriting in movement for adults, helping shape scripts and develop new work.

Testimonials

"We are delighted to inform you that our son has a place at Harrow for September 2019. As you may imagine, this was the best Christmas present we could have asked for!"

"My son is enjoying his lessons with Coleen and improving on his writing skills. Thanks for recommendation. I like Coleen's patience and perseverance." Tonbridge pre-test applicant from Singapore

"My son had a good first lesson. He was very engaged and the hour on the online platofrm was very interactive". Pre-test student sitting for Harrow from Singapore.

"We have found Coleen to be an inspiring tutor. My daughter responded well to her and was taken up with Coleen's enthusiasm and encouragement. Her initial assessment of my daughter's needs was concise and accurate. During the lessons she was patient, enthusiastic and went beyond her remit to inspire and encourage, especially with developing creative writing skills." (Father of 11+ student)

English Language/Literacy Tutoring:

''To any prospective parent; employing Coleen as a English tutor, is a must!

Coleen is not just excellent in English, but knows how to engage children and translate the syllabus into edible parts! Coleen has never let us down and worked meticulously in the pre and post lesson preparation.

Above all, Coleen has bought out the hidden author in our 12 year old son. We (including our son) never knew his creative writing could be so brilliant. It's given our son immense confidence and love of the subject, and he scored straight A's in his recent external exams, and got into his preferred school.

We would 100% recommend Coleen, worth every penny! Thank you once again Coleen!''

(Parent of 13+ student)

''Coleen has made a great initial impression with us all. She is personable and warm, thoughtful and thorough.

She listens very actively both to me and to my daughter. She immediately engaged my daughter's interest, not a given, and my daughter has left each lesson filled with energy.

Coleen strikes a good balance between enthusiastic praise and encouraging my daughter to stretch. My daughter has been raving about the lessons to her friends, and they now want in, which is why I asked about the possibility of shared workshops in the future.

I like the way Coleen gives me an update in front of my daughter, and also by email afterwards - I feel I know far more about her one hour learning each Saturday than her 35 hours learning in the week!!

My daughter enjoys the workshops, is enthusiastically anticipating them and bouncy afterwards, she is producing work that is better than the work I've seen her produce for school and she seems to be taking more pride in her work. So far, very impressed'' (Parent of Year 3 Student)

''I loved how we all got a chance to give our ideas and to perform. I had fun!'' student at Indian Crescent Public School, Toronto

''I am more confident now because of the workshop'' (Oakwood Public School, Port Colborne Canada)