Laura

I am an experienced tutor with a PhD in the Sociology of Education from UCL and over twenty years experience teaching and tutoring children and young people. Graduating with a first in English Studies from Nottingham University, I went on to gain qualified teacher status, specialising in primary English and SEND, from the Institute of Education, University of London. Since then I have worked in Early Years and Primary education; tutored GCSE and A level students in English, Psychology and Sociology; and, most recently, worked as an academic in an Education Department at the University of London, teaching undergraduates and postgraduates and publishing research in top international, peer reviewed journals on education, sociology and pedagogy.

I take a student centred approach to tuition, building on the interests of my tutees to engage their curiosity in what we are learning. I am an expert in pedagogy, having researched and published extensively on this topic. I bring together my research and teaching experience to work in creative and innovative ways with students to help them build their confidence and interest. I have prepared many students for GCSEs and A level examinations but I have also worked with students both who struggle with a subject and those who want to be extended and deepen their knowledge of a subject.

I am very experienced with supporting SEND students and have worked with autistic students, students with ADHD and dyslexic students. I can adapt my approach to what is needed by the student and will always work collaboratively.

Tutoring Experience

2001 to 2004
Tutored children and young people in English. Developed specialist interventions to support my tutees engagement with Literacy in school.

2005 - 2011
I worked with children from Reception to Year 6 in my role as primary school teacher. I specialised in English and worked intensively with children individually and in small groups to improve their understanding of books and to develop their writing skills. I devised whole school literacy approaches which used creative teaching strategies to improve children's engagement with books and reading.

2008 - 2014
I tutored individual children and young people in English Language, English Literature, Psychology and Sociology. Supported students working towards exams and those wanting more general support with a subject.

2013- 2015
Tutor on BA Education at UCL. Worked as a seminar tutor, mentor and study skills tutor.

2015 to present
I work as a lecturer part time at Goldsmiths College, University of London. I have experience supporting undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students. I have consistently received excellent feedback from students at different levels, via the institution's anonymous student feedback forms. I have supported students individually via tutorials and supervisions in addition to leading lectures and seminars. I have worked with trainee teachers to develop creative strategies to teach English and to engage children and young people in reading. I have expertise in Sociology and in Children's and Young Adult Literature and contribute to MA teaching in these areas.

Tutoring Approach

I am kind, patient and good humoured in my approach. Tuning in to where a student is at and where they need support, I work collaboratively with students, helping them to build their confidence and take control of their learning. I like to build on students' strengths to support them to work on the areas that they need to develop. I draw on research I have undertaken on pedagogy and student educational engagement, alongside over twenty years teaching experience, to inform my tutoring work.