Anne-Marie

Experience

* 11+ English and public school entrance exams, including pre-tests

* 11+ Maths and public school entrance exams, including pre-tests

* 8+ English and prep school entrance exams

* 8+ Maths and prep school entrance exams

* 7+ English and prep school entrance exams

* 7+ Maths and prep school entrance exams

I have more than 9 years of professional experience teaching in the British education system. I obtained my PGCE through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme and have an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Warwick. Having held classroom teacher and leadership positions in UK schools for five years, I have a strong understanding of the British curriculum, academic standards and the SATs curricula.

Since 2019, I have been working as a fully independent professional private tutor and run my own successful business in London, mainly working with students to prepare for 7+, 11+, 13+ and 14+ school entrance exams. I have developed expert knowledge and understanding of what is required to be successful and curated a unique teaching style and approach to prepare successfully for these exams. While the school entrance system is growing increasingly competitive, the private tutoring industry is expanding and in more demand than ever before. As a fully independent private tutoring professional, I take pride in the unique selling points of my service:

Bespoke and tailored plans for each individual student’s needs and goals

Strong relationship building

Committed communication and personal support to families

My students have received offers for over 20 British schools, as follows:

Academy School Hampstead

Ardingly College

Belmont Mill Hill

Charterhouse

Cheltenham Ladies College

Chestnut Grove Academy

Dauntsey’s

Dean Close School

Edinburgh Academy

Haileybury

Harrow School

Headington School

Ludgrove School

Marlborough College

Oakham School

Sevenoaks School

St. Edward’s

St. Mary’s Ascot

St. Mary’s Calne

Wetherby Prep

Wycombe Abbey

While I mainly work with students in preparation for school entrance exams, I work with other students with a diverse range of needs and goals. I create bespoke schemes of work for home-schooled students with a range of educational needs and am highly experienced working with students with Special Educational Needs, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, autism and ADHD.

I am highly experienced using the Atom Learning platform to support students at all levels

As a French speaker and having studied French in university, I tutor French at both primary and secondary level. I also work with high profile French-speaking corporate and political clients (adults) to improve their English speaking and listening skills.

I am highly practised and knowledgeable in child protection and safeguarding procedures, and have a strong ethical approach. I foster strong working relationships of mutual respect and understanding, and interdependency, with students' parents and families.

I have also taught in non-formal education contexts in Kolkata and The West Bank.

I have valuable teaching experience in a private international school in Dublin (Sutton Park School).

Biography

I was born and spent my first two years in Dublin, before emigrating to Melbourne, Australia, for 5 years due to my father's work. I spent my first few years of primary schooling there and thoroughly enjoyed the active approach to education. I returned to Dublin aged 7, where I attended Sutton Park International school, an independent co-educational multi-denominational school. Having attended an all-through international school of 300 pupils, I am familiar with such close-knit, multicultural, supportive school communities. My personal experiences have given me an understanding of the specific environments of schools; teachers have the responsibility to nurture the differences of individual students, and to equally encourage and facilitate students’ integration into, and respect of, the local culture and social environment. I flourished during primary and secondary school, engaging with all aspects of school life and participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities including sports, drama, music and national debating through both English and foreign languages. I was a competitive swimmer, athlete, hockey and basketball player, and captained the Senior Girls' Hockey Team in my final two years. I have also played basketball competitively since the age of 7 and was a member of the U17s Dublin National Team and U16s Irish International Squad. I continue to play basketball in London at a high level. I was an active member of the Student Council, and was delighted to be Deputy Head Girl in my final year of school.

Following my Leaving Certificate Examinations (A Level equivalent), I achieved a BA Hons in European Studies at Trinity College Dublin, with Distinction in Spoken French. I spent one year of my four year undergraduate degree studying at Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Bordeaux, France (Erasmus year). Throughout my time at university, I developed a strong interest in humanitarian issues and educational disadvantage in underprivileged communities, and undertook several volunteering and internship roles in Ireland, India and Israel/Palestine.

On completion of my BA, I completed the two-year Teach First Development Programme in Birmingham (UK) and obtained my PGCE. I continued to teach in Birmingham for a further three years, and undertook an MA in Educational Leadership with the University of Warwick (2018). I achieved Distinction in my dissertation, of which the subject was gender and educational leadership (a study of how gender has influenced the professional experiences and identity constructs of female senior leaders in a large UK primary school).

Since 2019, I have been living and working in London as a fully independent private tutor and run my own successful business, mainly working with students in Singapore, Hong Kong and London to prepare for school entrance exams (7+, 11+, 13+ and 14+).

Personal Approach

The British education system and school entrance process can be relentless, unforgiving and a somewhat anonymous experience, which is tough on children and parents. My uniquely personable approach is to know each student as an individual and to ensure they feel heard, valued and clear about their own education journey, while making the learning experience as fun and enjoyable as possible. All of my classes and teaching and learning methods are bespokely designed and tailored to meet the learning behaviours, personality, interests, needs and goals of the individual student. My extensive classroom experience and insider knowledge is a huge advantage, and allows my tutorials to complement the efforts of classroom teachers.

One-to-one tutoring allows for highly productive lessons where no time is wasted, and the learner is constantly moving forward. I also aim to nurture students' passions and interests during lessons, and to instil a love of and zest for learning. I am constantly reflective in my practice, and engage in continuous professional development through research and participation in educational forums and conferences.

What I do when I am not tutoring

My interests and past times include:

Travel

Reading

Music

Travel

Language learning

Human Rights and current affairs

Sport: Basketball (experienced competitive player), swimming, skiing, sailing, tennis, cycling

Volunteer work: I have participated in extensive volunteer work in various countries, including the UK, most recently working with the recent influx of young Syrian (and other) refugees into France and England. I currently work with children from Afghan refugee backgrounds to support their schoolwork in a pro bono capacity.

Testimonials

Comments from parents:

She has made great improvements in a short time. She is not yet fully aware that you have given her tools that she will be using again and again on her learning journey through life. I am and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

(parent of 13+ student in Hong Kong, February 2023)

We are very happy for him! He's done very well, thanks to you. Congratulations Anne-Marie. We can't thank you enough for the long process you have been through. You are a great tutor.

(parent of 12+ student in London, February 2023)

We think your support is really important. We would have full time homeschooling with you if we could.

(parent of 11+ student in Singapore, January 2023)

We are blessed that you came into our life at this time. The 7+ could have been very different and could have killed his spirit, but he has come alive. I am amazed at what you did with him and how much he loves learning, and would love that for my daughter as well.

(parent of 7+ student in London, January 2023)