Helen P.

I am married and have one son. I have been living in East Sussex for over 40 years. I retired from teaching full -time 5 years ago, but still teach part time in a local school.
I love going to the theatre and I enjoy singing in my local church.
My other favourite past time is visiting other places in the UK and abroad .
At the moment I volunteer once a week with a social action project called ‘Transforming Lives for Good’. It is a charity that offers coaching to children who are struggling in school and need one to one support for anxiety or challenging behaviour.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught in secondary education from year 7 all the way to year 13.
My qualifications are: B'Ed in Drama/ Dance and English. 2:1
Post-graduate diploma in Media Education.
M.A in Education.
I taught as a teacher of Dance in the first ten years of teaching, but always taught Drama and English for the full 39 years in a secondary school. I taught Theatre Studies at A level and GCSE Drama though-out my teaching career
I have taught English from key stage 3 and up to GCSE.
Religious Education up to key stage 4.

I have recently worked with students who are in an SEMH school and I am happy to support students who are struggling with anxiety or need extra educational support .

Tutoring Approach

I am a tutor who likes to investigate what the student already knows and to find out where their gaps are. I then support the student through the actual process of learning, looking at what is required for them to achieve their best and to develop their confidence in the classroom and prepare them for any test or exam.
I like to make sure the student is relaxed and not be afraid to ask questions. It is important to encourage the student to write interestingly and informatively. To be creative is key and to practise.
Before I start to teach, I would go though the exam board they will be doing and discuss where they feel they need the most support, so we can plan a set of manageable topics of work. I would go through past papers, revisiting any set texts that they are working through in class. I would ensure that they are making progress by setting tasks over time. I would give positive and supportive feedback helping their motivation to succeed, getting them to see the relevance of what is being learned and being able to recognise why they need to know something. I will support them in using dictionaries, Thesaurus and any other suitable sources.
In Drama I would concentrate on the theory if it is GCSE or A level and linking this to the practical work they will be doing in the classroom. I will even help the student rehearse lines that they need to learn for a practical. If they are learning about backstage areas, for example costume, lighting design, I can support their learning by looking at their designs, advising them on how to prepare for a production.
I like to set homework so that the student can show me how they are progressing, or what I, as their tutor, need to re-explain. I would encourage the student to show me any of their school homework if they need help or advice.

My hourly rate is £35 to £40 . I prefer face to face tutoring and will travel to the students home.