Coleen

Experience

• 11+ English ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• 11+ Maths ISEB and Public School Entrance Examinations

• GCSE English: English Lit and English Language for Edexcel and AQA

• GCSE Maths and French: AQA, OCR

• A-level English: English Lit for Edexcel

• AS-level French: Edexcel, AQA, OCR

• 13+ Preparation

Biography

I am a poet, writer and theatre artist, originally from Canada with a passion for education. 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. I have been tutoring since 2007.

Recently my play First Draft was performed at the Camden People's Theatre and then as part of the Mimetic Festival at The Vaults near Waterloo. 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.

Personal Approach

I have experience working with students at GCSE and A Level English and Maths. I can guide students with developing their study skills for their entrance exams. I have taught in Canada, France and the UK teaching English, Creative Writing, Drama, Maths and French. 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. In Paris I taught English to young people, 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 biking, travelling and writing poetry. I enjoy creating projects that engage people in a new way, for example, I started The Pocketology Collective with a visual artist in Chicago. We are interested in creating spontaneous moments between strangers through asking strangers what they have in their pockets. From this we record stories from these objects and begin to understand the landscape of a place and the people within it in a new way.

Testimonials

"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)