Anne-Marie is a qualified Teacher and experienced tutor. She has an MA in Educational Leadership and is passionate about helping her students develop and learn.
Primarily Teaches: Primary (Year 1 - 6) English, Primary (Year 1 - 6) Maths, 11+ English, 11+ Maths
Also teaches: 7+ English, 7+ Maths, 8+ English, 8+ Maths, 13+ English, 13+ Maths
* 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 5 years of professional experience teaching (and also leading P.E.) in disadvantaged primary schools in Birmingham. I obtained my PGCE through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme and have an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Warwick. Having taught in disadvantaged schools (both rated Good with Outstanding Features) within the competitive British education system, I have a strong understanding of the British curriculum, academic standards and the SATs curricula, including knowledge and expertise in requirements and standards for the 3+, 7+, 8+ and 11+ exams.
Training through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme has given me the resilience, confidence and leadership skills to be a strong teacher and leader. In my first year of the intensive programme, I learnt the profession ‘on the job’ as a full-time class teacher, while studying and writing papers for my teaching degree. Teach First’s intense and rigorous observation and assessment system has challenged me to develop and maintain high standards for myself and my students.
I have strong progress and attainment records with the various classes I have taught (as a full time class teacher for Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 over a five year period). My experience teaching classes of 32 pupils with diverse needs and abilities has enabled me to develop high degrees of flexibility, adaptability and responsiveness. I value each individual child and am an expert in tailoring lessons and work to the child's individual needs.
I am highly practised and knowledgeable in child protection and safeguarding procedures, and have a strong ethical approach. I constantly aim to foster strong working relationship 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).
My UK teaching and leadership role experiences are listed below.
Class Teacher, Anderton Park Primary School, Birmingham, U.K. September 2017 – January 2019
Full-time Year 5 class teacher of 32 pupils from EAL backgrounds, including high numbers of newly arrived pupils to the country. Above-average number of pupils registered as disadvantaged or with Special Education Needs. 90% achieved 5pts+ academic progress.
P.E. Coordinator, Blakesley Hall Primary School, Birmingham U.K. July 2016 – August 2017
Led and managed all physical education activity in school: P.E. staff; timetabling; clubs provision; participation at external competitions. Led and mentored colleagues in coaching sports teams. Led The Girl Effect programme whole school.
Class Teacher, Blakesley Hall Primary School, Birmingham U.K. September 2014 – August 2017
Full-time Year 3/Year 4 class teacher of 30 pupils from EAL backgrounds. Above-average number of pupils registered as disadvantaged or with Special Educational Needs.
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 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, U.K, and obtained my PGCE through BCU. I continued to teach in Birmingham for a further three years, and undertook an MA in Educational Leadership with the University of Warwick, completing in 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 U.K. primary school).
My teaching approach and ethos is highly inclusive. I am passionate about education and gender equality as tools of empowerment. I have designed and led several female empowerment and wider inclusion initiatives schoolwide, during my time as P.E. Coordinator, and am a leader for equality education in schools.
I am an expert in developing interactive and engaging activities for children with Special Educational Needs, such as autism, ADD, dyspraxia, cystic fibrosis, dyslexia and others.
As a tutor, I value the rapport that is developed between teacher and student, which cannot be achieved in the classroom in the same way. I aim to provide high quality teaching and learning; my preparation is thorough with specifically developed lessons and resources to meet the individual strengths and needs of the student. I have expertise in various schemes of work and programmes of study. 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.
My interests and past times include:
Volunteer work - I have participated in extensive volunteer work in various countries, including the U.K., most recently working with the recent influx of young Syrian (and other) refugees into France and England.
Travel, reading, music, Human Rights affairs, current affairs, religious education
Sports: Basketball (experienced competitive player) Swimming, skiing, sailing, tennis, cycling