Andy

Experience

- University and interview preparation for English: Oxbridge and Red Brick Universities

- A-level English Literature: AQA, Edexcel, OCR

- GCSE English literature and language: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, CIE, IGCSE.

- 11+ and 13+ English Examinations

- Key stage 2 and 3 English Curriculum and Literacy

- Experience as an AQA and OCR examiner

After gaining a first class honours in English Literature, I was motivated both by my love of my English studies and my experience of being taught English at school to train as a secondary school teacher. I began the Teach First programme in September 2015 and started teaching in an East London academy, whilst simultaneously completing my PGCE. Over the next three years, I gained teaching experience with a wide-range of abilities and needs across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. After demonstrating my subject knowledge and particular interest in A-level teaching, I was made the Key Stage 5 Coordinator in my second year and was responsible for redesigning and planning the A-level English curriculum in line with the new syllabus, as well as supporting the training of other A-level English teachers. In my second and third years, I was given both GCSE and A-level exam classes, with my students consistently achieving three levels of progress.

I gained my PGCE with a distinction and was recommended for my QTS at ‘Outstanding’ on account of the strong relationships I made with students and parents, my effective planning, excellent subject knowledge and timely interventions for target groups of students. Since 2018, I have continued to tutor independently across different exam boards from Years 5 – Year 13 and have consistently helped students to thrive in the subject and succeed in their exams.

Biography

I’m an avid reader and writer, who developed a love of English literature independently and after having left school. I gained a place at UCL to study English after independent study and fell in love with studying the subject at this higher level, developing a particular interest in Modernist and Irish literature, Chaucer and Shakespeare. Thereafter, I chose to train as a teacher to pass on my own passion in the subject to others.

My career-to-date has been informed by the sense of purpose I gain from working in education, developing strong and supportive relationships with students. I worked for three years in an East London academy as a secondary English teacher, before moving onto managing an education and mentoring programme for asylum seeking young people and most recently for a literacy charity supporting young people in Hackney and Haringey who are significantly behind age expectations in their reading.

Alongside my passion for English literature and creative writing, I have a great interest in history (particularly German and Irish), modern languages, art, music and enjoy playing a wide range of sports.

Personal Approach

I have tutored regularly over the past four years and I am still employed on an occassional basis by my school to support with A-level English and for GCSE exam intervention. Hence, my approach as a tutor is firmly rooted in a specific knowledge of the range of English syllabus and marking criteria, and the use of up-to-date resources which have been developed by myself and my English department to suit a huge range of students. I also work for a literacy charity, designing and implementing interventions with Key Stage 2 students needing to catch up in their reading and writing.

On a one-to-one basis, I can really combine my teaching knowledge with my flair for English: as a writer, avid reader, and with a first class degree in Literature, I have the knowledge, vocabulary and questioning skills, to bring out this same flair in my students and the perceptive responses needed for the highest grades.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I am currently working three days a week as a Session Leader at a charity called the Literacy Pirates. This role has allowed me to explore teaching in a very different setting: our sessions focus on a mixture of reading for pleasure and creative writing, which has afforded me the opportunity to work with a younger age group (predominantly Year 5 and Year 6 students). We focus on developing the confidence and perseverance of our young people, by instructing and using trained volunteers to enable small group work and giving them the opportunity to become published writers (we devote each half term to a new publishing project). This setting has allowed me to further develop my skillset as a teacher, particularly in breaking down key reading and writing skills at Key Stage 2 level.

Testimonials

''Andy has been a huge help over the last 6 months in supporting our daughter preparing for her English Literature GCSE. He brings so much knowledge and passion for the subject, that's helped engage her, as well as teaching her fantastic strategies for essay writing and planning.'' (Parent of GCSE English Student)

''Andy has been working with our son for the last year who is in Key Stage 3 and has missed a lot of schooling over the last few years. He's really helped him to increase his interest and perseverance in reading and from there we've seen a huge improvement in his confidence and attainment in English at school.'' (Parent of KS3 English Student)