A bit about Leanne H

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024. SUMMER HOLIDAY SLOTS AVAILABLE. I am a fully qualified and DBS checked teacher of English, with twenty three years experience teaching, examining and moderating GCSE and A Level English, English Literature, Media Studies and Drama in UK secondary schools. One of the first 100 teachers in the UK to be awarded Chartered status in 2019, I was Vice Principal of a Secondary Academy when I left full time employment in 2021 and still work in all things education. I continued to teach in a school for one day each week, as well as maintaining and increasing my commitments as an examiner and moderator for OCR and AQA. I also work as an assessor, coach and mentor for aspirant leaders in education. All aspects of English Language and Literature GCSE (and A Level, by request only - see below). A Shakespeare specialist at heart, but obviously I have taught across the age, ability and syllabus spectrum during my entire time as a teacher. Examining since 2003, I have worked on GCSE English Language and Literature for OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge iGCSE. I was an A Level Literature coursework moderator for many years also. A LEVEL - Please note: Due to lack of capacity, I will not be considering any additional A Level candidates until September and will only be taking AQA English Language and OCR English Literature, Also, from September 2024, A Level lessons will be charged at a higher rate of £50 per hour for new clients. I always begin with a 'Big Question' which will unlock the key components of knowledge required for the lesson to be a success. I will then go on to impart the necessary knowledge, before facilitating a range of consolidation tasks, before 'testing' knowledge and ability to answer the Big Question at the end. I have been working almost exclusively as a private tutor for over two years now; it was an easy transition to make, having had experience of teaching small groups and 1:1 throughout my career working in schools. I also taught remotely throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, using Microsoft Teams and so my skills in this area continue to develop exponentially! I am absolutely passionate about English. English as a subject does not simply hone communication skills and develop a love of reading in young people, it teaches the stuff of life. English encourages students to ask questions of the world around them, to challenge what they read and are told and to explore what it truly means to be a human being. I try to be clear, practical and over-communicate in all I do. In order to be a great teacher you have to begin in the place of the student - in that space there is something you do not know or understand yet and my style goes hand-in-hand with how I've figured is the best place to get the student there. Every learner is different and so I adapt my style for the learner. My favourite thing about being a tutor is actually watching the 'penny drop' - to know that you are responsible for someone embracing new knowledge and understanding and going on to successfully apply that is so fulfilling. It is also so rewarding when students get in touch to share their results! Never assume. Whatever the background or prior learning of your student, you can never assume that they have the knowledge and skills they require or that they can apply them successfully. It is a teacher's job to find out what students know and can do and then fill those gaps. I think my students have always loved the way I apply learning to 'real life' whenever I can, that I use humour and anecdotes and that I admit my own failings and things I struggle with myself. It's OK to identify things as being challenging and it's OK to share your dislikes too. I'm an English teacher who doesn't read poetry for pleasure; I'm happy to let my students know that it's not my favourite thing to read, but that it can be life-changing for others. I've had many successes in my career but any student who leaves your classroom and care and goes on to achieve whatever it is they wanted in life is a success. I could quote lots of percentages and grades but those would be meaningless out of context. In almost 25 years as a classroom teacher I never let a student down and that's a success worth claiming. As well as 9 GCSES A-C and three A Levels, I hold a BA (Hons) in Literature, Life and Thought from Liverpoool JM University. I have a PGCE Secondary English from the University of Worcester, and an MA in Leadership and Innovation in Education from the University of West London. Following a rigorous 18 month assessment programme, in 2019 I became one of the first 100 Chartered Teachers in the UK. I had a very good experience of school and was the first person in my family to go to university; I had an incredibly supportive family. I thought I would be good at teaching and it turned out I was correct. It is good to give something back and to help students who had very ordinary backgrounds do some extraordinary things. I often write for pleasure. I love reading, travel, walking my two dachshunds, live music, cooking (and eating!). I also have a passion for interior design after spending several years completely renovating a large Victorian property. Two years ago we moved to the countryside and are still adjusting to rural life! I taught AQA GCSE English and Literature up until July 2021 but examine for OCR, giving me expertise in both boards. I will be examining OCR English Language Paper 1 and 2 and AQA English Literature Paper 2 this summer and continue to keep up to date with changes within all boards at both GCSE and A Level.