Sarah

Experience

• 7+ Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning

• 8+ Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning

• 11+ Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning

I have seventeen years' experience teaching in mainstream and SEN primary schools including working with children with ASD, SEMH, and Dyslexia. I have experience working in senior leadership as both an English Subject Coordinator and SENCO. This experience has allowed me to have a rich understanding of the needs of children with an EHC Plan. Throughout my teaching career, I have consistently tutored individuals, specialising in SATS preparation (Year 2 and Year 6) and 11+ entrance exams for independent schools in the UK and Australia. I also have training in Sounds Write Phonics, this is an excellent phonics programme that can be adapted to children with reading and writing difficulties across all key stages. Part of my role is to support and train teachers with the delivery and assessment of all areas of the English curriculum including SATS preparation, comprehension, spelling punctuation and grammar, the development of emotional literacy and phonics. I also lead intervention groups and deliver regular training.

Biography

After finishing secondary school in Australia, I moved to Japan to complete a one-year exchange programme. Upon returning to Australia, I completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Education. For this, I received a distinction grade average. After teaching in Australia for two years, I moved to London; this has enabled me to develop a sound knowledge of the British Curriculum.

Personal Approach

Each of my lessons is personalised, well-structured and scaffolded to meet the needs of my pupils. I cater to the individual's strengths and interests as much as possible. I began tutoring online in August 2019, two years on, I feel I have refined my skills to effectively teach using technology. If agreed with my clients, I set my pupils homework and tasks in between lessons. After almost eighteen years of teaching, I can ascertain the next steps required for my pupils to ensure their learning progresses towards the job goal and beyond. I have developed a system for raising attainment in writing. This includes a ‘points system in which points are awarded for ambitious vocabulary, punctuation, structure and figurative language. My pupils enjoy seeing the points increase as we work together to edit and up-level the writing. This also enables my pupils to see themselves as writers. My manner is calm and friendly, I always work towards developing confidence in learning.

What I do when I am not tutoring

When I am not tutoring, I teach in an independent school and also work as an artist. I recently illustrated a children’s book and make art in my spare time. Prior to the pandemic, I began training as an Art Psychotherapist, in the future, I intend on completing my training. Tutoring supports this goal as I save up towards my master’s degree. I am interested in ways to support mental health and emotional well-being. I love to swim, cycle and work on my Japanese language skills; I am also in the process of turning my home into an urban jungle, with the number of house plants there!

Testimonials

“Sarah has been invaluable in helping prepare our son for 7+ assessments. He looks forward to every lesson as they are fun and stimulating. Thank you so much, Sarah !”

(Mother of a 7-year-old, 2021)

“Sarah has been my 11-year-old daughter's tutor for English since the Autumn 2020. Sarah is the most marvellous, kind and fun tutor and my daughter really enjoys her lessons with her. I believe her English skills have improved exponentially and it is in most part because Sarah really knows how to get the best out of her pupil through kindness and encouragement. She also brings other elements to her sessions which engage and build confidence. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

(Mother of 11 year old, 2020)

“Sarah has been tutoring my daughter (6 years old) to help support her with Year 1 Maths. I was quite nervous about finding a tutor, as I could see my daughter needed extra help but equally didn’t want to add pressure to an already busy week. I shouldn’t have worried my daughter always looks forward to her lessons with Sarah. They are structured with clear goals. Sarah keeps my daughter motivated with fun games and stickers that she can win, it makes the lessons engaging. This is certainly the key challenge, when so many of our children are homeschooling and spending increasing amounts of time working online. I can see the progress in her Maths and also her confidence.

Sarah is a great teacher, she has fun and creative ways of working through the curriculum, whilst being highly experienced and professional. I can tell Sarah what is being covered in class, if anything is proving challenging, Sarah will then implement a lesson plan to bring it to life. I can happily say that the lessons have really helped my daughter work through a demanding curriculum. I couldn’t recommend Sarah more highly.”

(Mother of 6 year old, 2020)

''My daughter is more confident in Maths as a result of Sarah's tutoring sessions'' (Mother of 7 year old, 2019)

''Nathaniel did well in his SATS thanks to your support, thank you'' (Mother of 10 year old, 2016-2018)

''Sarah tutored all three of my children across a four year period. My eldest daughter has dyslexia and Sarah helped boost her confidence in reading and writing. My son and daughter both worked with Sarah on the 11+ exams and did really well. Sarah is patient and the children looked forward to her sessions each week. I would certainly recommend Sarah as a tutor''. (Mother of three, 2008-2012)