Lydia

I am qualified teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience in Primary, Secondary and A Level English teaching. I now live in South Devon, where alongside my teaching role, I also run a youth theatre, and large scale creative writing workshops for students of all ages. I am incredibly passionate about the power of the written and spoken word, and how mastery of the language can broaden horizons, build empathy and create engaged, astute students in whichever discipline they choose to follow. Amongst my favourite things to teach are dystopian fiction by writers such as Margaret Atwood and George Orwell; contemporary poets such as Joe Shapcott and Danez Smith and 20th Century American Playwrights such as Tennessee Williams and Artur Miller. My real specialism is Shakespeare, which I love bringing to life off the page. I am also a writer and a poet and adore helping students to find their unique creative voice in their own writing.

Tutoring Experience

I have spent the majority of my teaching career to date as a Secondary English, Drama and Oracy Specialist, within an aspirational Academy Federation in East London. More recently, I have enjoyed re-designing the Secondary GCSE English curriculum in my capacity as Head of English across two schools in South Devon, and am currently Programme Leader for A level English Literature at Exeter College. I also spend two days a week working in creative SATS and literacy intervention through Drama and creative writing workshops in primary schools across the South West, and enjoy work as a freelance copywriter and media producer when time allows.

Tutoring Approach

I believe the key to successful teaching is a balance between fun, fascination and academic rigour. I always start by finding out what makes my students tick, and use that as the basis from which to plan our sessions. I have always achieved exceptional results with my classes, by creating a culture of praise, positivity and confidence building, coupled with meticulous reflection on target areas for improvement. I have an excellent track record of re-enthusing students who have lost the love for learning, or who don't believe themselves to be capable of doing well in English, because of course, they are.