IGCSE™ English Language online course

I am from the North-East of England and was educated at the local Grammar School. I then went to the University of Manchester, where I gained my degree in French Studies with English and Linguistics, as well as my PGCE qualification.

I have always loved languages and am fascinated by how they work. My first experience of teaching was as an English Assistant in a Lycée in France, as part of my degree course. I taught in the UK for several years before moving to Greece in the late 1980s to work at an international school in Athens. During my time there, as well as French, I taught ESOL and first language English, and since returning to the UK in 2008 I have taught English from Secondary to GCSE and A Level. I have many years’ experience of tutoring, both online and face to face, and I love being able to guide young people to achieve their full potential.

As well as traditional teaching, I also mark GCSE and A Level exams for one of the the leading UK exam boards and am one of the senior team of examiners for the spoken paper tests for ESOL.

Away from the classroom, my free time is taken up with walking in my beautiful home county of Northumberland, and I also enjoy live music concerts, of most genres, as well as going to the theatre and cinema. I am an avid reader, mostly of contemporary fiction, but also non-fiction and poetry. I am a member of the local poetry group and book club and enjoy the discussions in both groups.

I have three grown-up children, all bi-lingual, who currently live in three different countries; I visit them as often as I can. I appreciate the different cultural perspectives gained from living in different countries and am always interested in new developments in international education.

I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your learning journey.

English Literature and English Language are both living, breathing subjects. It’s exciting to think that there has not been a word invented yet that can describe what we will be doing in the future. Indeed, a time-traveller from only twenty years ago would probably think ‘hangry’ an extreme sport and be baffled that we were all ‘tweeting’ like birds.

Moreover, how we use language is also changing. No longer must we seek an agent for our creative and literary efforts – we can all self-publish for free online. We are in a global community of writers and speakers of a multitude of English languages, and the change is exhilarating.

I am unashamedly a subject geek, having obtained a first class BA in English Literature with English Language and an MA in English Language amongst other qualifications. I have taught in high schools and Further Education colleges in the UK since 2005, holding managerial positions in both pastoral and academic areas. I have examined for two major UK examination boards and have had articles published for an exam board magazine. I write daily, read at any opportunity and talk constantly, even in my sleep.

Experience has taught me that the traditional school environment is not always the best in which to study. I myself completed my MA at Lancaster University via online distance learning and have also qualified as a Clinical Aromatherapist in much the same way. Online study allowed me to contextualise my learning and go at my own pace. I had experienced tutors who could differentiate and scaffold lessons to make my experience personal and enjoyable. I endeavour to emulate these positive experiences with my own online students.

Lately, I have taken a different direction in my career in order to raise my family and pursue other, albeit related, ambitions. I look forward to working with you on your journey to achieve your own.

In the study of English language and indeed literature, it is often said that ‘there are no right answers.’ The truth always boils down to context; the circumstances that lead up to and surround the learning of a new word or concept – we all learn differently and have arrived at the same point dependant on wholly separate and unique circumstances of our own. Most significantly, we all think differently and sometimes arrive at different conclusions.

This is the magic we need to harness when learning English as a subject.

As someone who has arrived at teaching later in life, I have a healthy appreciation of context. I spent my formative years growing and learning across the globe amongst many different cultures and climates, not just in the UK but in Dubai and Malaysia, studying the British curriculum on foreign shores. I returned to the UK, namely Yorkshire, to complete a degree in Creative Writing at the University of Leeds. I came to teaching later in life, having started work against type, developing firstly a career in the financial sector, and then subsequently moving into Project Management in the retail sector.

After meeting my science teaching wife, I decided to acknowledge my interest in English as a subject – as well as the enjoyment I earned from coaching and training people in industry – to change career and become a teacher. I received my second degree in Sheffield whilst ‘on the job’, working in one of the most deprived areas in the UK. Since then, I’ve been teaching in a school with results consistently above national average in an outstanding English department. This has given me a breadth of experience concerning subject knowledge, approaches to teaching and most critically, learning styles.

English, as a subject, draws from our individual experiences and asks us to translate our context to the written page. To tell our stories. I bring all of my knowledge and experience together to support the students of Wolsey Hall Oxford. I’m excited to connect with students in whatever situation they’re in and to help them achieve results that will enable them to progress through their journey.

I’m keenly aware of the power of education. I love discovering and rediscovering. I love considering different perspectives – not just in English but also in History, Psychology, Philosophy and Science. You name it, I’m interested in it! This passion for knowledge is something I’ve been told I pass on to the pupils I teach.

Language is power. Learning the rules by which you can manipulate language and gain a top grade can be life changing. It takes time and you will need to practise but it’s worth it and I’ll be here to guide you through.

Over the last 15 years I’ve been a teacher of English, Media, and Drama. English is my specialism and I love the way my subject is in two parts. In Language, there are rules to learn and apply, whereas in Literature, the words unfold themselves in so many different ways.

I’m very much a people person. For the past 14 years I’ve enjoyed working as whole school literacy coordinator, Key Stage 3 Lead and Head of Department. I’ve written plays which have been performed to acclaim from parents, governors and pupils. I’ve run multiple after school clubs for drama, media, reading, creative writing, calligraphy and more.

I’ve always been a GCSE examiner for English Literature and English Language. More recently being appointed as a team leader for English Language. The benefit of knowing the examination specifications inside out means I can pass on this expertise to you. Passing exams is a game of sorts, and I’m here to help you learn and apply the rules.

I have two daughters, aged 19 and 13, a husband who is also a teacher, and a very naughty golden cocker spaniel named Maisie. I’m taking a break from the classroom right now and spending some well-deserved quality time with my family. This means I get to work with you, and all the wonderful people at Wolsey Hall Oxford. I get to share my love of English and guide you as you meet and conquer the challenges of this amazing subject. Whether it be looking at the rules of the apostrophe or zooming in on the multifaceted meanings in poetry by Shakespeare, Hardy or Owen, I can’t wait to meet you.

My parents were teachers and, from an early age, I can remember them striving to give their students the best opportunities they had. Despite my own struggles with school and education, they inspired me to become a teacher and showed me the kind of educator I wanted to be.

I realised early on in my educational studies that I wanted to work with Lower Secondary students. The years between Primary and IGCSE can be a very difficult period for these young people, both emotionally and academically, and I wanted to help them develop through those challenging times. I spent many an hour at my school sat on the side of a cold playground so that the boys who struggled interacting with others could have a safe space to play the games they wanted to play.

As well as a specialism in The Arts, I became Head of History, an Advanced Skills Teacher developing Teaching and Learning throughout my Home County, and an English Consultant. In my experiences, Lower Secondary has always been about being able to reach each student with a range of subjects challenging enough for them, whilst acknowledging the huge changes that are upon them. I am absolutely passionate about the student as a person as well as a scholar and feel that my Skills for Life work will allow me to support them as they enter adolescence.

My teaching took a different path when I began homeschooling my two children from the age of 11. My eldest was struggling with school and therefore it was imperative to make the changes that he needed. My youngest decided that he wanted to follow suit and we never looked back. Since then, both my children thrived and with my support and dedication to their needs, they have both gone on to be successful in their respective fields. Both my children have shown me new wonders and I continue to learn from them as they make their own path into adulthood.

Homeschooling my own children has led me to Tutor other young people at Lower Secondary and IGCSE Level and I love the challenges of working with all these unique individuals. Even now, there can be days when the student doesn’t need English, they need the space to talk and express their concerns and that can be as valuable to their learning.

When not tutoring, I get enormous pleasure from open water swimming, touring the countryside with my husband and dog in our beloved motorhome, and curling up in front of a warm fire with my knitting or a good book.

I am really looking forward to working with you.

I came to teaching later in life, having had a career in the travel industry that allowed me to travel the world and get paid for it.

I have always had a passion for Literature and the theatre that was instilled in me through my own education. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught English Language, Literature, Drama and Media Studies. My great passion is the theatre, notably Shakespeare. I was fortunate enough to gain my MA in Shakespeare and Education from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford upon Avon. I have been appointed to the education committee of The British Shakespeare Association.

Understanding English Language and Literature is the key to accessing so many other subjects. The analytical and presentational skills the study of English offers can set you up for any future career. Part of my first degree included History and I love the links that can be made with History and Literature.

My teaching experience ranged from senior comprehensive to large independent schools. Every Summer, I spend time in Oxford with a group of American teacher trainers discussing and lecturing on the variations in teaching English Literature in the two countries.

For most of my teaching career, I tutored from home and supported parents who were homeschooling. I firmly believe that there is a different educational route for each individual. It is our job to find a way for that person to access education. There is nothing more rewarding than that “light-bulb” moment. The best decision I made several years ago was to leave teaching in school and focus on tutoring and examining; this decision led me to Wolsey Hall Oxford, where I work with students studying English Language, Literature and History.

I am a Senior Examiner for GCSE, IGCSE and A Level. I appreciate the understanding of the student at the other end of the paper that this gives me. I am still surprised by some of the amazing interpretations I get to read of texts that I thought I knew well.

I have two grown-up children; a son who is a Biochemist but loves to read and a theatrical daughter who loves Shakespeare too. So, along with our two cats and a dog called Gatsby, we are very busy. But we always have time for Literature and theatre. I volunteer at The Globe Theatre in London and spend far too much money on theatre tickets. I am involved with local community theatre and have worked on various productions, including Phantom of the Opera, The Importance of Being Earnest, An Inspector Calls, The Great Gatsby, and several Shakespeare productions over the years.

I am really looking forward to working with you.

I have loved books all of my life. Yes, I am what they call a bookworm and the smell when you turn the first page of a new book is absolute heaven! For me, the ability to see and escape into other worlds makes reading and literature exciting. Through reading, I have been able to travel around the world and into other worlds. Sharing my passion for reading is one of the reasons I went into teaching. It is the most wonderful thing when I can support students to find an enjoyment and appreciation for reading and literature too. I believe that reading is the gateway to learning and education.

Having taught English for over twenty years, I have had the privilege of working with many students and inspiring a journey of discovery in their learning. Delving into the worlds of many different writers, times and genres, and showing students how literature enables us to understand and appreciate the perspectives and experiences of others, is what inspires the joy of studying English. In addition, guiding young people in finding different ways to learn and study is vital to the support for any student. I believe that every student wants to learn. Sometimes the journey can be difficult and bumpy, but I love having the opportunity to find the key to open up every student’s learning journey. I always strive to ensure I explore all avenues and methods so that each individual can reach their full potential.

As well as teaching, I am a GCSE Examiner, and I tutor students from Key Stage 2 (Upper Primary Level) to A Level. Being an examiner has given me a greater understanding of the exam and the experience of the student. When I am marking papers, I am in awe of what students can achieve in timed conditions, as well as the interpretations and creativity that they are able to demonstrate. As a Tutor, I can provide an individual and personalised approach to learning that supports and develops each student.

Outside of teaching, it is a given that I love reading a good book! I also enjoy walking in our wonderful countryside, travelling the world and exploring different destinations, and dipping my toes into open water swimming. Being outdoors and around nature is very important to me and allows me to appreciate the wonder of our world.

I took my BA in English Language and History at the University of Manchester followed by a PGCE. And I’ve been teaching English and Drama in schools since 2011. While at college, I volunteered to run a writing club and a drama club for the ‘littluns’ where we had put on shows for the members’ parents (my favourites were Shrek and King Lear the Comedy). I also liked giving speeches and taking part in debates, so teaching seemed an obvious career choice for me.

I have always encouraged my pupils to take an active approach to their studies and pursue topics they enjoy. If my class isn’t enjoying a book or an activity, I’ll stop and find another approach. Although I’m now tutoring instead of teaching in a classroom, I believe this mentality is why homeschooling works well for so many. You get to take charge of your own learning, knowing that I’m on hand to guide you along the way.

In the past I’ve had pupils ask me what is ‘the point’ in studying English. “I can already speak it, and my phone has autocorrect,” they tell me. Although being able to read and write accurately are of some importance (well quite a lot actually), I didn’t settle on teaching English because I like spelling. I decided on English because it encompasses so many other topics; you can choose whichever genre suits your mood, whether fiction or non-fiction, it doesn’t matter!

I also love getting into the nitty-gritty of how words and sentences are put together. I love the way you can invent new words just by speaking them; my two-year-old referred to my bracelet as a ‘hand ring’ the other day which makes perfect sense! I like knowing how a cleverly phrased tag line or quirky change of font can convince you that your life is not complete without a Harry Potter style TV remote control wand (yes I’m a Potterhead). Most of all, I love how English is in a constant state of flux and that we are all playing an active part in it, whether we realise it or not.

I look forward to joining you on your learning journey!

I have been teaching since 2003 and previously worked as a Stage Manager in various theatres across the UK. I am now able to combine my love of Drama with my love of literature by working as an English and Drama specialist.

I have taught in various educational settings, including specialist environments for children with visual impairments. I regularly directed and staged full-stage productions, some of which included The Bacchae, Guys & Dolls and Beauty & the Beast.

I have taught online for about two years, and I love that this allows me to connect with students worldwide and gives me the freedom to walk in my local countryside between lessons. I enjoy working one-on-one with students and have been delighted to be part of the UK National Tutoring Programme, which supports children who cannot be in school for a variety of reasons.

I love to be outside in nature, whether walking, growing vegetables or swimming in my local lido. I recently learned to swim and think it’s vital that we keep learning skills throughout life. I am also a writer in my spare time and contribute to Drama and Theatre magazine for teachers, textbooks and my own personal blog.

I am a self-proclaimed bookworm. In fact, my family and I seem to live under a mountain of books! I love writing, reading, studying and researching. I have published a number of articles, study guides and educational courses on a range of subjects within the fields of Psychology and English Literature.

I first chose Psychology as one of my own A Level subjects at sixth form college. Having never studied it before I found the subject fascinating and was keen to continue studying at university. In fact, my love of Psychology has continued throughout my life.

My educational background consists of a BA Joint Honours degree in English and Psychology. I have been a qualified teacher for 10 years and over this time have garnered a wealth of experience teaching KS3, KS4 and KS5. It was in my first teaching role that I was given the opportunity to set up and run my own A level Psychology Department. My passion for Psychology and independent study enabled me to complete my PhD alongside my teaching commitments. My thesis focused on the author Virginia Woolf and the psychological elements that shaped her work including her own well-documented mental health problems. She not only expanded the conception of the novel but she also left nearly 4,000 letters and 30 volumes of a diary. A psychological analysis of these private letters and diary entries provided fascinating insights into the mind of this rather troubled artist.

I currently teach English Literature (KS3, KS4, KS5 and university level) and Psychology (KS4, KS5 and university level) to a number of international pupils in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Italy via Skype, as well as to students in all parts of the UK.

When I am not tutoring, I love to spend time playing in the park with my son. I also enjoy going to the gym and cycling. I am patient, friendly and professional and easy to get on with. I am here to help you achieve your potential: to accomplish and achieve your goals! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries.

I have had the privilege of teaching English for over 20 years; to have an impact on the lives and learning of others is so incredibly rewarding. But, then there are the books too! To read, study and share literature with others for so many years of my life is why I continue to find the profession so fulfilling.

To quote my favourite author, Margaret Atwood, ‘A word after a word after a word is power’; the meaning of this can be multiple. In educational terms, the acquisition of language and knowledge via the written word can be life-changing. This is one of the main reasons I love to write – and one day my own novel will be finished!

I studied Literature at De Montfort in Leicester, gaining my first degree. Not quite knowing where my future lay, I returned home and began a Masters in 20th Century Literature at Newcastle University. There I met my wonderful wife, and my book collection doubled. After completing my PGCE with Durham University, I began my first teaching role in a wonderful secondary school and stayed there for 21 years.

I’ve held roles as head of subject and as a mentor for teachers new to the profession. In 2023, I moved to West Sussex with my wife, 2 children and our Maltese dog Chester. I still work in schools – young people are amazing, and every single day offers something new and different.

Besides reading, I do have other hobbies: long runs, playing guitar and watching my beloved Newcastle United. I look forward to meeting you, helping you and hopefully learning something from you too.

I am a qualified English Language and English Literature teacher, achieving my BA Degree from Exeter University and my PGCE from Manchester University. I have extensive experience of teaching, assessing, monitoring and tutoring learners in schools and colleges in the UK and Spain.

For the last 12 years, I have been teaching English to GCSE students and students of other languages at Bridgwater and Taunton College. I have prepared students for a range of national and international qualifications, including GCSE English, IGCSE English and KS3 English. I have also been an examiner and assessor for various exam boards and qualifications. This experience has equipped me with the skills to help my students develop important exam techniques and to give advice on how to answer questions, as well as the knowledge of what they need to do to improve their grade. I love meeting students from around the world, learning about their culture and language.

After 20 years of teaching, I am still passionate about helping others improve their English Language skills. My motivation is a desire to help students be successful and achieve their potential. I strive to provide high-quality education to all my students by creating resources and activities that stimulate and engage learners. I have been a student of distance learning with the Open University, as well as working with distance learning students at Somerset College, so I understand how important it is to provide effective feedback and timely support to students.

I live in Taunton, Somerset, with my husband, daughter, son and dog. Besides teaching, my other passions are renovating our old house and supporting Gloucester Rugby.

I am a friendly, positive and enthusiastic person and will always be happy to help in any way I can. I want to help you be successful, but just as importantly, enjoy the experience and the journey of learning.

I am a passionate and organised English Language Tutor. I studied for my English Language and Literature degree with the Open University. So I know how important it is to have quick and relevant feedback on your assignments.

I’ve taught everything from large classes to one to one tutorials, and from young children to grannies. I tailor my teaching to match my students’ requirements.

I specifically teach English Language KS3 and IGCSE as well as IELTS. I have a PGCE in teaching English to speakers of other languages. And I have taught international students for 14 years from beginners to advanced levels. I like to vary my teaching methods to ensure every student enjoys their studying. This will build confidence and help you to excel in your Wolsey Hall course.

As well as teaching, I work as a Cambridge English Language examiner. Being an examiner informs my own teaching, and enables me to give my students specific advice to pass their IGCSE exams. Passing exams requires more than a good level of English. Sometimes you need to unlock the question and produce just what the examiner wants to read. It’s always a pleasure to give a high mark to a well-answered question.

I received my formal education from the University of Queensland in Australia. As part of my Arts Degree, I studied Economics, which I found to be both dynamic and challenging. Due to my outstanding achievement in the subject, I was offered a position as a tutor in The School of Economics which I gladly accepted, I truly have an enduring love for the subject.

I am attracted by the fact that everything is Economics, and nothing stays the same. You only need to go into the supermarket lately to experience ‘Shrinkflation’ first hand. As the name suggests, the size of the bar has shrunk, but the price has remained the same. It is important that we understand some level of Economics, so that the judgements we make are informed ones.

I subsequently went on to become a Head of Special Educational Services for Education Queensland, where I established the first two Special Educational Units for the semi-rural area, I was working in. I was also instrumental in developing effective and successful community-based programs, which resulted in work placements and apprenticeships for students with Special Educational Needs.

During my time at Education Queensland, I was offered the exciting opportunity to develop a ‘Skills for Life’ program. I found this to be a very challenging but rewarding project. The program sought to positively impact the lives of the students involved and the lives of those around them. I firmly believe that students need to be educated holistically. None of us can function if we do not possess the skills to interact positively in the world in which we live.

More recently, I held the dual roles of Special Educational Needs Coordinator and Head of Learning Support in an Independent School in Buckingham and was a senior leadership team member.

I have spent over 20 years teaching Lower Secondary, GCSE and A level English and have over 18 years of experience as an examiner for English. I am currently a Senior Examiner. I enjoy this role, as it is enlightening and rewarding to see the ways in which students approach the texts. This experience informs how I guide students to success.

I have a wide range of knowledge and experience in the fields of Specialist and Mainstream Education. I offer a wealth of sound practical advice and information to students seeking to organise and motivate themselves to achieve successful outcomes in their studies.
On a personal level, I love live theatre, listening to music, gardening, and reading, but most of all, I seek to enjoy every moment and spend my free time with special friends and family, and I must not forget my beautiful little Toffee, a lovable Maltese terrier, who constantly reminds me just how much joy can be packed into life.

I came to teaching quite late after working for several years in banking and retail. In my early 30s, I made a career change and worked as a classroom assistant in a Secondary School. At the same time, I started to study for a degree in English and History with the Open University. This was hard work while working and bringing up a young family, but it taught me the value of education and the opportunities that a good education can offer to an individual. The school in which I worked recognised my academic ambition and offered me an opportunity to train as a teacher via the Graduate Teaching Programme. And that, as they say, is that! I was able to train to do what I consider to be one of the best and most privileged jobs in the world; a teacher.

I taught in mainstream education and then as Head of Department for three years in a school which specialised in teaching students who were on the autism spectrum. It is without a doubt that those three years were some of my best and most interesting times in the classroom. I like to think I taught my students a lot, but I also think they taught me so much about how to be a creative and innovative teacher, and how to understand and appreciate the perspectives and experiences of all learners. I left that post to develop my private tutoring and examination work.

Every year, I read hundreds of examination scripts written by students from across the world. Reading the thoughts and ideas of such a wide range of students is such an amazing experience; one which has helped me to develop a much better understanding and appreciation of different cultures. This knowledge is advantageous when working with international students.

My hobbies include yoga, fitness classes, reading and walking. I have also recently taken up skiing in an attempt to keep up with my five year old grandson. I can safely say that I am not a natural at this sport but I like the idea of sharing a hobby with my grandson – even if he is so much better at it that I will ever be!

I am really looking forward to getting to know and work with you.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved reading. There is something magical about being lost in the world of a book, getting to know the characters, finding your way around the setting, imagining your way out of situations and feeling relieved when your characters find their way. I am rarely to be found without a book and would recommend everyone to ‘get stuck in’ to a novel at any opportunity. I read all genres, though my favourites are science fiction and fantasy, having moved into Middle Earth with the hobbits when I was around eleven years old. Some say I’m still there!

I have taught English Language and Literature for around twenty years, the majority of those being as Head of Department, and enjoy the challenge of finding ways to enthuse students about these two subjects. I gained my BA degree at Royal Holloway College, University of London, and my PGCE from the University of Wales, Bangor. I have also been an examiner with an examination board which has enabled me to pass on to students the techniques required to answer questions, thus creating more effective and efficient answers. Sometimes, all that is needed is close reading of the question! I have also collaborated with three other teachers and a university lecturer to provide an A Level English Literature resource that is available for all to use on the board website.

Along with reading, I like writing creatively and am a member of two writing groups. I also enjoy swimming in the nearby pool and am working up the courage to get into the cold North Wales sea sometime soon! My other favourite ways of passing the time are walking in the lovely countryside and along the coastal paths, and creating patchwork quilts.

I love the intricacies of the English language, and the joy of playing with words has never left me since I started learning how words work I hope to be able to pass this enjoyment on to you as we journey together.

I started my career teaching in secondary schools in Bristol and North Somerset in the UK. My main teaching subject is English, but I have also taught Media and Film Studies and Psychology. I am also a tutor for Thinking Skills at AS Level. I have been working for Wolsey Hall since 2014 and I thoroughly enjoy helping students across the world.

I have a degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Bath, but I also obtained a conversion degree in English alongside my PGCE. I am also an examiner and mark papers for English Language GCSE.

I love all types of storytelling, so I like to spend my free time reading and visiting theatres and cinemas. I enjoy the escapism; the ability to travel to any time or place in history – if only in my imagination!

I always like to encourage my pupils to read as much as possible and I like to share book recommendations. I’ll read almost anything but have an interest in gothic literature and Thomas Hardy in particular.

I grew up in Bristol and love city life, but I equally like relaxing in the countryside when the UK weather permits! I also like to travel when I can to experience new cultures and visit historical buildings, especially cathedrals.

Learning should be an enjoyable process and I like to continue my own studies in other subjects as well. I have attended summer schools at Cambridge University and have recently enjoyed Art classes. I hope to study for my Master’s degree in the future.

I hope I can share my passion for education, and I am keen to ensure that all students can reach their potential.

I have been filled with wanderlust from a very young age. After completing an MA in English at St Andrew’s University, followed by a PGCE and a few years of initial teaching, I departed Scotland for adventures in foreign lands. For the past 20 years, I have been teaching, coaching and mentoring in international schools in New Zealand, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Malaysia and, most recently, Bali, Indonesia.

As an English specialist and Head of Department, I have been delivering Cambridge IGCSE and A level for many years and have substantial experience teaching and tutoring students for whom English is not their first language. I have marked for CAIE at all levels. I am a warm, caring and perceptive tutor who enjoys unearthing my students’ literary interests – and also their big dreams for a wild and adventurous life!

For me, the study of literature and language allows us to understand the human experience more deeply. It provides the communication skills necessary to skilfully connect with others, whatever their cultural, economic or social background. Through reading, we get to experience ways of life that would be otherwise unknowable. With this knowledge, we can learn to have a fuller appreciation of what it means to be alive in the 21st Century.

In addition to teaching English, I am an experienced university and career guidance counsellor and life/career transition coach. It is incredibly fulfilling for me to support young people, fellow educationalists and ex-pats from all over the globe on their path to creating meaningful professional and personal lives. Currently, I also volunteer for the Matchlights Scholarship programme that supports high achieving, low-income students with free college counselling.

Outside of my professional roles, I love to go hiking in wild spaces and, after many years in tropical climates, I am currently looking forward to exploring the hills and glens of Scotland on brisk autumn days. I have been a dedicated yogi for over a decade and this year am delighted to be continuing my learning through a year-long Ashtanga teacher training programme. I also enjoy creating healthy bakes with some of the native flours I have been introduced to through my travels, knitting and reading contemporary women’s fiction and memoirs.

I can’t wait to meet you through your English courses and to be your learning companion as we work together to achieve your literary aspirations!

Having been an English teacher in a comprehensive school for over forty years, I have a wealth of experience in sharing my love of literature and the power of language with students of all abilities. The excitement of sharing this passion has never waned.

My role as Head of Key Stage 4 enabled me to support students both pastorally and academically, ensuring they could access the curriculum in all subjects and fulfil their potential. I was able to show students a range of post-16 and career options, forging links with universities and local businesses. I have always enjoyed this holistic approach to education, and because of this, I embarked on the National Professional Qualification for Head Teachers. I have also been an examiner for English Language for the Oxford Cambridge Board.

A year teaching in a public school in Buenos Aires expanded my horizons. I experienced the excitement and challenges of living and working in a country still recovering from the Falklands war and exploring other South American countries.

Having spent many years living in the Forest of Dean and walking the Welsh mountains, I am now enjoying a new life exploring Cotswold villages, churches and the countryside. A love of architecture, art, gardens, music and theatre makes for many stimulating trips. Currently, I enjoy reading biographies and returning to the classics.

You are embarking on a journey to explore the magic and mystery of language and how to manipulate language for various audiences. A study of literature allows you to explore other cultures and experiences beyond your own. I look forward to helping along the way.

Words are extraordinary things. I love the way they can take you to places you’ve never been, without making you ever leave your own settee. I love the way they can seem to be telling you one thing and actually be saying something else entirely. I love the way that they sound as well as the way they look on the page, in all sorts of languages, especially when someone who really knows what they’re doing sets them to music.

Words might seem odd things to love, but they’ve been a very helpful guide when it’s come to finding interesting things to do with my life. I started off doing an English degree at Keble College, Oxford, reading and writing about the great works of English Literature with the help of some of the great literary minds of the day. When I’d finished my degree in 1988 (gaining a 2:1), I spent my time running bookshops, mainly in Oxford, guiding others towards words that they too could enjoy.

After a decade of doing that, I decided to try my hand at the other side of the book trade, publishing. I did the MA in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 2001 with Distinction, and started looking for jobs. But before I could find one, the university roped me in to teach their new Publishing undergraduates, and that started me on the road to education, which I’ve been travelling along ever since.

I spent four years teaching undergraduates, and then took the PGCE teaching qualification at Oxford Brookes in 2006. Since then I’ve worked exclusively in independent schools, and I’ve had especially enjoyable jobs at two top girls’ schools, South Hampstead High School and Godolphin and Latymer School.

I’ve another string to my bow which might interest you. When I was at Keble, I was part of the team which won University Challenge in 1987; in 2000 I was the winner of another broadcast quiz, Mastermind. That got me involved in setting quiz questions, and I currently write for Brain of Britain, Round Britain Quiz, and Counterpoint. Tune in to BBC Radio 4 on a Monday lunchtime, and you might very well hear my words.

What you’ll also hear or read, when I’m tutoring you, is someone who sees a student’s confidence, and his or her enjoyment of the subject, as at least as important as their knowledge or skills. You can’t acquire either of those things, or hang on to them, unless you’re completely confident in what you’re doing or until you really love it. That’s what I focus on, and that might be why parents and pupils have often called me ‘inspirational’. I hope you think so too.