Minnie

My Summary

My Experience

I have worked extensively with students from ages 4-20, with as much experience in early years learning as in GCSE, A Level and Degree level work. I have worked with a number of learners with learning difficulties including dyslexia and ADHD, and children with behavioural issues. Though working towards and for academic outcomes is always my primary goal, I find that an academic approach to these goals is not always right for everyone. I endeavour to find the best learning styles for all students, and when relevant incorporate visual and auditory methods, and kinaesthetic teaching techniques - essentially integrating movement, physical stimuli, and breathing/mindfulness skills in to the learning. Finding the ideal learning styles is integral for best outcomes.

Recent students include:
Aura (6 years old) - I tutored Aura full-time for one month when she and here family were visiting from Thailand. To begin with we were battling with some quite obstructive behavioural problems - Aura was incredibly resistant to the classroom and would come up with very creative new ways each day to avoid the learning environment. With the support of her mother, and creative strategising, we managed to begin to build a trusting relationship. By the end of the month she was focussing for the full 5 hour session every day, making strides in her reading and writing, and producing brilliant work. Her mother and support staff were very happy with the behavioural transformation that took place.

T - (1.5-3 years old) I worked with T on her literacy and numeracy for almost 2 years, supporting her from the age of 1.5 to 3 years old. We worked together through a lot of play-based learning, and I would use her interests (favourite animals, books etc) to bring learning into our time together.

Theobald (4 years old). Considering Theo's age, the work we did together was largely experiential play-learning, working with Theo's attention span and ability to engage with tasks and games, as well as working with letters and numbers to begin to develop his literacy and numeracy.

L (5 years old) L struggles with hyperactivity and concentration. We work on his literacy through kinaesthetic and play-learning, also including some yogic breathing and balancing exercises, working both on his confidence with letters and words and his ability to experience calm.

Ophelia, (8 years old) We were working on Ophelia's reading and writing, comprehension and concentration. Ophelia's confidence in her ability with language has grown considerably, and now finds it easier to engage and concentrate with the task at hand.

R (9 years old) R struggles with her writing, maths, concentration levels and her ability to stick to a task. We worked together using a story-telling method - as she was very resistant to both writing and maths of any kind, but is very creative minded and enjoys making up stories - so I got her to begin making a story about a fantasy world, writing it down as we went, and then gently bringing maths into the world of the story (the story was set in a fairy candyland - so I began asking questions about how much candy they make, how many candies per person, etc etc - essentially doing the accounting for the kingdom!). As it was apparent that R is a primarily kinaesthetic learner, we interspersed the work with yoga balances and breathing exercises which really helped her ability to then concentrate on the task again.

L (10 years old) I worked with L for 3 months, doing targeted practice for a language-aptitude-based entrance exam as well as general English and Maths preparation for her 11+ assessments for Grey Coat Hospital School.

Henry (10 years old) Henry has dyslexia and is very good at avoiding reading and writing at all costs. We have developed a game (similar to a board game) where acquiring letters in order to spell words is the way to win. I weave as much reading and writing into the sessions as possible. This approach has really helped him to build his confidence with language.

Bridie (15 years old) I worked with Bridie in the run up to her Art GCSE. After some confidence-knocking experiences Bridie had begun to lose faith in her abilities in Art, where previously it had been her favourite subject. I focused on her specific skills (ie drawing - the main source of her insecurity with this subject), and with gathering and completing her coursework load, whilst gently building her confidence in herself as an Artist.

J (15 years old) I tutored J for his English GCSE (he is in year 11) whilst he had some time away from school. The one-on-one time proved beneficial for J as we were able to tackle specific problems in his writing and analysis, and work closely on his creative writing.

Izzy (15 years old) I helped Izzy whilst she was working towards her GCSE exams, in English (literature and language), Psychology and Art. Izzy's dyslexia affected her ability to organise her ideas - both in essay writing and with coursework (Art GCSE being coursework heavy). We worked out some systems together to help her memory in essay-based exams, and we thoroughly organised her coursework so that she was not missing out on any deserved valuable marks. She was very happy with her results which were all higher than her predicted grades and mock grades.

Harriet (18-19 years old) I worked with Harriet in the run up to her A Level exams in Sociology and Art. We worked through lots of past papers, worked on revision methods, and devised ways for her to remember the information needed in her exam-based subjects. I also helped Harriet in her first year of university again with her essay writing, as the step from A Level to Higher Education was quite tough for her. She did well in the final grade of her first year.

Leo (19) I helped Leo in his first year of his Art degree at Camberwell School of Art. He was diagnosed with fairly severe dyslexia and dyspraxia only when he arrived at university - it had gone undiagnosed his whole way through school. He was finding the work load in first year very daunting - I helped him with some essay writing and essay analysis, and with the general organisation of his project briefs, seminars, reading etc. He ended his first year (and his degree) with a good mark.

My Qualifications

First Class Hons., BA Fine Art, Goldsmiths College, University of London

A Level English Lang/Lit: A*
A Level Sociology: A*
A Level Art: A*

GCSE English Lang. (A), English Lit. (A), Art (A), Sociology (A), French (A), Music (A), Science (B), Maths (B), IT (C), BTEC First Performing Arts Music (Distinction)

My Availability

I am currently taking students for the Autumn.

My Fees

• Tutoring from £45.00 per hour