Dr Nicki L

Hello, I’m Nicki, a PhD in Literature with over 20 years’ Secondary English teaching experience, and 13 years’ experience as a tutor. I’m also a published and prize-winning poet whose work has been described by Carol Ann Duffy as ‘sophisticated and lyrical.’ I have huge enthusiasm for my subject which I aim to share with my students, helping them to foster their own confidence, dedication and creativity.

I have taught English from 11-18 since 2005 in the state sector and have successfully tutored students from both private and state schools, as well as tutoring home-schooled students who have struggled within the education system. I have also coached students in preparation for entrance examinations to such schools as Latymer Upper and Rugby. Earlier in my career, I was Teaching Fellow in Romantic Literature at the University of St Andrews and have also taught at the University of Worcester. I have published a number of academic articles and book-chapters on Romantic Literature. I have taught creative writing for The Poetry School to adult learners.

At school and online, my teaching has been recognised as outstanding. To give you an idea of my approach and skill-level, one parent of a tutee has written about me:

“Nicki has been helping my son who is in Year 10. My son struggles with concentration as he has ADD (first spotted by Nicki) but he really enjoys his lessons with her. She is an excellent English teacher anyway but what makes her so brilliant is that she knows how to manage tuition sessions so that he understands things and keeps focused. Lessons are never boring. Nicki has gone above and beyond with research on how she can help us and she is constantly finding new learning techniques which all her students benefit from. We feel very lucky to have found Nicki. “

I also act as a mentor to trainee teachers within my department. I have real depth of subject-knowledge, which I am constantly endeavouring to expand. I believe that real success in this and every subject comes from reading and developing reading skills. I model the joys of reading and creativity in everything I teach.

My Teaching Experience:

• Over 20 years’ classroom experience, teaching English from KS3 to A-Level.

• 13 years as a tutor, teaching all prior attainment levels.

• Teaching at GCSE includes AQA, Pearson 2.0 and Cambridge and Pearson IGCSE.

• At A-Level, I have taught AQA A and AQA B Literature, Pearson, OCR, AQA Language and Literature.

• Teaching undergraduates and postgraduates at St Andrews, Manchester and Worcester Universities.

• Teaching Creative Writing at the Poetry School.

• Subject mentor to trainee teachers.

• Excellent success with SEND students (ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia) achieving above predicted grades.

• I have successfully coached several students through Oxford University applications for Literature .

My Approach:

Enthusiasm and love of my subject inform my approach. Students are treated very much as individuals, and I try to tailor what I teach around their interests, strengths and areas for development. I find texts as stimuli that are appropriate to their needs; I find approaches to examination material that are manageable, challenging, easy to remember and fun.

I teach writing and examination strategies that work but I also encourage emotional intelligence and use the best educational research to encourage students not only to work hard but to work smarter and to assimilate their learning without ‘burnout.’

Feedback to students is always detailed and precise and I always enjoy seeing students incorporate effective, new approaches. I aim never to set a ceiling on anyone’s achievement. I consistently help my students to be mentally methodical, focused and highly ambitious.