Sarah

I am a fully qualified outstanding English teacher and GCSE examiner with a BA in English Literature (1st Class) and a Masters in Black Humanities (Distinction). I strive to create safe spaces for my kids at school and for my tutees thereby enabling them to feel comfortable to ask questions!

I take a positive and supportive approach to learning and it is not unusual for my tutees to make two or more levels progress in one academic year. My GCSE students exceed their target grade because of the patience, time and effort I pour into them, making them independent and resilient learners.

My specialism is English literature where I can draw upon a wide range of resources and expertise, particularly when helping students reach the top marks. I also have a strong record working with students that need a secure pass in their English language qualification.

Tutoring Experience

I am a qualified teacher going into her second year of teaching. I am also an AQA examiner and have attended webinars to learn the intricacies of the exam papers and the best way to acquire marks. I have over 5 years of experience tutoring and working in educational settings. Currently, I’m involved with the National Tutoring Program, an initiative that collaborates with schools to provide high-quality tuition to students nationwide. Alongside my work with the NTP, I have also logged thousands of hours as a private tutor. I've supported students in English literature and language from primary through to A Levels, helping them improve their grades and deepen their understanding and appreciation of their subjects.

I am well-versed in all current GCSE, AS, and A-level exam board syllabuses, and I stay updated on the latest teaching methods and innovations. I also continue to work in schools as a teaching assistant and in-person tutor, giving me first hand knowledge of what examiners expect from students today.

One of my greatest joys is seeing my students achieve the grades they need to pursue their college, university, or professional goals. I've also successfully assisted undergraduate students in planning, structuring, and writing assignments and dissertations. My student feedback speaks volumes—I have yet to have a dissatisfied client.

Areas of expertise include: Unseen poetry and poetry anthologies, Shakespeare, modern prose, drama, the 19th-century novel, modernism, literary theory, contextualizing texts, understanding metaphor and figurative language, literary form and structure, creative writing, rhetoric, and literary history.

Exam boards I cover: AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, and Eduqas.

Tutoring Approach

My teaching approach is warm and student-centred, with a focus on making the material both accessible and engaging. I believe that learning is most effective when it's enjoyable and relevant to you. Your personal connection to the material is what matters most, and my goal is to help you develop the tools and confidence to express yourself effectively.

I am adored by students and I always assure that they understand the importance of the content we're learning and that they too share the love I have for my subject.

Once we determine your exam board and the specific areas you'd like to focus on, I will create a tailored curriculum. For instance, if you're an AQA English Literature student preparing for Paper 1, we might cover topics like understanding metaphor and figurative language, developing essay planning skills, structuring your essays, mastering writing techniques such as the PEAZL paragraph, understanding form, structure, and contextualization, and familiarising yourself with the marking criteria from AO1 to AO4. We'll also work through past exam papers using a live interactive whiteboard.

I use a reliable video communication platform with great features, such as a live interactive whiteboard, where we can collaboratively work on recent past papers. I also assign homework through interactive documents that allow for real-time editing and feedback.