About Me
I left teaching in the UK in 2014 to work in international schools in Dubai, Düsseldorf and Lisbon. Over the years, I have taught in selective schools pushing high‑achieving students to top grades, and I have also supported reluctant readers to access complex texts with confidence.
As an assistant head of English, I developed schemes of work, shared best practice and supported colleagues, while my classroom work gave me a wealth of resources and strategies for different learner profiles, including students with English as an additional language. Moving from the classroom to 1:1 online teaching from my home in Lisbon has confirmed how powerful individual support can be.
My Teaching Philosophy
Every lesson is planned with your child’s specific needs in mind, using carefully chosen resources to scaffold, challenge and stretch them at the right level. The key to excellent teaching is pitching things in the sweet spot: not so easy that they switch off, not so hard that they shut down.
Because no two learners are the same, no two lessons are identical. As students start to feel more capable, their confidence grows and they begin to enjoy English more, which in turn leads to stronger, more independent work.
Who I Teach
GCSE and IGCSE English Language and Literature
IB English (Language & Literature / Literature) and Extended Essay support
KS3 students who want to build strong foundations before GCSE
Students who start earlier are able to make steady, sustainable progress over time rather than cramming at the last minute. I work with learners all over the world who value the convenience of online support from home while preparing essays, mocks or final exams.
CV / Credentials
An experienced secondary English teacher and examiner with 16 years in UK and international schools, specialising in GCSE/IGCSE and IB English. Skilled in raising achievement across the ability range, from high‑achieving students aiming for top grades to reluctant readers building core skills and confidence.
Key Career Achievements
Led and supported curriculum development as assistant head of English in international schools.
Successfully prepared multiple GCSE and IGCSE cohorts for English Language and Literature exams.
Guided IB students through Individual Orals, Paper 1 and Paper 2, and Extended Essays in English.
Developed extensive banks of resources for Shakespeare, modern prose, drama and poetry.
Supported students with English as an additional language to access challenging texts and assessments.
Helped students move from feeling “stuck” to achieving target or stretch grades they once thought impossible.
Built strong working relationships with families through clear communication and regular progress updates.
Qualifications
BA in English
PGCE in Secondary English, University of Leicester
Examiner for Cambridge International
Timeline
John Cleveland College, UK
Dubai College, UAE
St. George’s International School, Düsseldorf
St. Julian’s School, Lisbon
