This website is newly created and I am still fine-tuning and editing the content and there are still sections and pages to be added. But feel free to take a look and please get in touch with any query. I would love to hear from you!
I started teaching English and Drama in 1996 after graduating from UWE with my PGCE English degree, with my BA in Drama (and English), gained a few years earlier. With over twenty four years as a teacher (twelve as Head of Department) I am as passionate about my work now, as I was when I first started teaching all those years ago.
My practice is current and I employ a wide range of strategies and approaches when teaching – and that includes online too! We are all different and unique, and we all learn and acquire skill-sets similarly. My teaching approaches reflect this.
Now in my seventh year as a creative freelancer and tutor, I consider continual personal development to be crucial to keep my practice up to-date for both myself and my students. I gained my MA in Creative Writing (with Distinction) in September 2017 and this only increased my passion for language and writing.
Being invited on to the Bard CLASP Fellows program in 2021 https://iwtclasp.bard.edu/fellows/ will continue to lift and deepen my practice, both with my work as a faculty associate with the Black Mountains College, Talgarth, Wales https://blackmountainscollege.uk/ and as a practitioner, tutor and examiner.
I have ongoing links with the Abergavenny Writing Festival, where I enjoy my role as a director, and where I run and deliver the youth writing competition each year. I was invited to run writing and drama workshops for the the Crickhowell Children’s Book Festival 2019.
More recently, in July / October 2020 I ran an online creative-writing workshop for teachers / practitioners, at the invitation of the Black Mountains College, Powys. These are ongoing into Spring 2021. I also facilitated and delivered a four-part creative writing course, for adults: ‘Hope Imagined’ October / November 2020 with the same college.
I started up Raven Drama in 2015, and Raven Tuition is a part of that. I plan to have a CIC up and running soon too, where I can promote and implement creative /well-being projects on a multi-generational level in south Powys and the surrounding areas.
Other voluntary roles include my role as a regional representative for two organisations, Youth Arts Networks Cymru (YANC) and Open Drama Wales.
English literature
As an experienced and qualified English teacher and current GCSE English Literature examiner (since 2015) I can really hone-in on specific skills needed to raise confidence and ability as a learner moves through their learning up to A level. I can help to develop confidence with exam technique and coursework writing while developing a deeper understanding of a range of texts from a range of perspectives.
English language
Learning should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience but also, one relevant for our day-to-day life.
I work with students, across the age range, to help ensure that individual potential is realised. It is vital that learning is secure and confidently in-place and where acquired skills can be applied across school studies (with coursework and exams) and beyond school – after all, this is about preparing learners for life outside the classroom.
My approach is relaxed, yet focussed. My students do well – success is garnered as much through engagement and enjoyment, as it is through engagement and study.
Wherever the skills need to be strengthened and developed, this informs my planning before each lesson.
Being an examiner as well as a teacher and tutor means I can really focus on building up student confidence and skill-sets to prepare for exams – and to enjoy the process.
I have a real passion for enabling learners to build up a love for the written and spoken word as well as confidence with exam skills – I consider them to be opportunities more than anything!
I understand exam syllabi and can break them down into units that allow for progress and understanding that feels natural – and developing a love for language and expression is all a part of the process.
I offer a taster session at no charge to all new learners. I tutor from age 7 years upwards, to A level.