Primary

After ten years teaching in secondary schools, specialising in maths and ICT, I chose to take a career break to look after my own children and guide their early learning. Over the years I have participated actively in both their formal and informal education, running numeracy sessions in pre-school and helping in their primary school for a time. When all of our 4 children reached school age I returned to full time teaching in secondary school for three years before deciding to become a private tutor.

I have tutored pupils from 5 to 11, including one who was developing a maths phobia as she struggled to learn multiplication tables and do simple divisions. I have also helped Home School an 11 year old with ADHD and a year 6 pupil predicted a level 3 gain a level 4 in her SATS. I have helped several pupils with the maths element for the 11 plus which means getting used to a different style of questions.  I play maths games and use practical methods to explore number patterns to improve number skills. Carefully chosen games and play can be used to break the cycle of fear and failure which can all too easily destroy a child’s natural eagerness to learn. 

I am generally considered to be very patient and understanding and I enjoy helping children learn. I can explain things clearly and in different ways to help children and do not mind repeating things. I encourage and build confidence with appropriate praise and recognition of progress made regardless of whether the “right answer” is necessarily achieved. I enjoy being able to take the time with individuals and respond to their needs, using a variety of techniques to motivate and engage them. I always try and explain “why” methods work and introduce specific vocabulary with explanations, mnemonics, ‘hints’ or even puns for remembering the terms and the spellings.