Joanne Beth

I have a doctorate in English Literature and I am a fully qualified teacher with experience of teaching Secondary, A Level, Undergraduate and Primary English. I am currently semi-retired and I enjoy using my experience and skills to continue to help students to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals. I have experience working with pupils with a range of needs, including Specific Learning Difficulties, Social Communication Difficulties and Gifted and Talented Pupils. I have an excellent track record of raising achievement levels in all pupils I teach. This year, all of my tutees have improved their results by at least 2 grades. I am sensitive to students' needs, taking into account their specific goals to plan and deliver a targeted, personalised education programme. I have a good sense of humour and I am very empathetic person who takes a professional, personal and experienced approach to learning. I am constantly enthused by and interested in English literature and creative writing. I love my subject; by inspiring my students to develop a love of English I aspire to instil passion, belief and confidence in them so that they are able to reach their greatest potential.

Tutoring Experience

Thirsk Secondary School: English Teacher
York and Durham University: Lecturer in English Literature
Durham University: Lecturer / tutor in English Education, PGCE Secondary and PGCE Primary Initial Teacher Training Programme (MA QTS Course Leader)
Birmingham University EdD course in Theoretical and Philosophical approaches to Education.
Range of experience in Primary Schools as teacher and 1:1 / small group tutor for range of pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Teacher / Tutor on various Adult Education programmes including literacy skills development and creative writing workshops.

I qualified as a teacher in 1994 and have a range of experience from Primary level, Secondary, A Level, Undergraduate and Post Graduate degree level and Adult Education. I have taught in Primary and Secondary schools and lectured in English Literature at York and Durham University. I enjoy teaching and have an excellent success rate which is satisfying both for me and for my students.

Tutoring Approach

I have had many years of successful experience working on a one to one level with students. I plan personalised provision programmes based on students' needs that are tailored to their specific learning goals. I dedicate a large amount of time outside of my teaching hours planning, assessing and preparing for my lessons in order to find the best 'way in' for my tutees. I enjoy using a range of strategies and methods to help students to find the ways they learn best; I foster this in my teaching and then help them to achieve their highest potential by building their confidence and skills.
I teach by building relationships and breaking down barriers to learning by adapting lessons to my students' preferred learning styles. I am very approachable and able to foster excellent learning relationships in a positive learning environment with all my students. I take exams very seriously and make it my mission to ensure that students acquire the very best results. I aim to build an ambitious, creative and enlightened approach to learning that works.

GCSE Results 2016; English Literature, English Language
B, A (Preidicted D, D)
C, B (Predicted D, D)
B, C (Predicted D, E)
All of these students are now able to go onto their chosen college and do not have the burden of resitting English Language GSCE.

I have also enabled A Level students to get into their chosen University by achieving the grades they needed for their Conditional Offer.
See below a recent comment from a parent of an A Level student who had 10 sessions before her Literature exam. This student managed to move from a low to mid B to an A -
"Just to let you know that 'E' has got into Edinburgh Uni - she got A* (Art), A (English) and A (History) - thank you so much for all your help with the English, I know that it made a real difference and helped 'E' enormously!"

My Primary School teaching experience has been extremely successful with pupils achieving Level 5 and above in English SATS from low starting points. In the New Curriculum I aim to secure a minimum of 2 levels progress per child over a period of 6 months.

I have also worked with Undergraduate Students, boosting their knowledge, understanding and confidence in English Literature in order to prepare them for their final coursework and exams.