Rebecca
Lead Tutor
I still remember the day in which I learnt how to read. It was a sudden moment of realisation after a long struggle. The new words enthralled me, and I swallowed them eagerly, reading book after book, and losing myself within new worlds of limitless imagination. Since then, literature has been my passion. My favourite moments of school were always to do with my English classes: getting lost in the analysis of a play or book or poem, or sitting in the corner of the library and appreciating the dance of words so skilfully employed by authors.
I achieved two A’s in English language and literature at GCSE level, and achieved A’s in English literature, History and Psychology during A-level. I then studied English language and literature at Kings College London, which then led me to the Institute of Education (now part of University College London) in which I studied to become a secondary school English teacher. The time I spent teaching children how to analyse literature holds some of my favourite memories ever. Literature is about influence, development, happiness, finding yourself and losing yourself. It is about making a statement, politics, and it is about sharing your emotions and ideas with the world. I love seeing students grasp this understanding and using it to nurture themselves. Above all, I highly value holding conversations with my students, sharing my passion with them, and learning from their experiences and understanding of the world.
The eagerness and creativity of the Literacy Club students has always impressed me, as has the curriculum and teaching of Rebecca and her team. I am delighted to join as a tutor and look forward to learning from students, helping them harness their potential, and to achieve the goals they set their hearts on.
I am a lifelong bookworm, and since childhood have been obsessed with reading. I was the child that would stay up late to finish novels, whose bedroom often looked more like a library, who used to read cereal boxes once I’d run out of other reading material, and who used to spend most of the money I earned as an assistant at the Literacy Club (my first ever job) on buying more books. I always loved reading stories, immersing myself in the lives and escapades of fictional characters from different worlds and eras, but I was also hungry for information of all kinds about the world we live in. My childhood dream was to one day write books of my own, but before that, becoming a ‘know-it-all’ was always something I aspired to. Though that curiosity has served me well in my life so far, I also know that I could spend the rest of my life reading and still not run out of new things to learn - and that is a comforting thought.
My academic background includes being a Foundation Scholar at King Edward VI High School for Girls, where I achieved 11 A* at GCSE. At A-Level, I studied English Literature, History, Classical Greek and Mathematics, with my grades including an A* in English Literature. I went on to study at Magdalen College, Oxford, where I earned a demyship and graduated with First Class Honours in History and Politics. During my time at university I spent two years on my college’s University Challenge team, making the most of all the general knowledge acquired from years spent reading everything I could get my hands on. I also worked as an editor for the Isis Magazine, Oxford’s oldest student publication, in both the fiction and non-fiction sections, and tutored students on an individual basis in English and Latin. Since graduating, I have been working in different departments of the Civil Service, but am now working on literary and creative projects of my own.
I’m excited to return to the Literacy Club - which was, after all, my first ever workplace - this time as a tutor for GCSE English. Through the many years spent here as an assistant I loved the experience of working with children, witnessing them grow in skills and confidence, and reaching the potential they were always capable of. I firmly believe in the importance of well-developed literacy skills and critical thinking for all aspects of life, now more than ever, and that nothing contributes more to that than a genuine enthusiasm for reading and a sharp sense of curiosity. I hope to foster both of these attributes in all my students to equip them not just for their examinations, but also for their lives beyond formal education.
As a former student of The Literacy Club and KE Camp Hill Boys, I was able to experience the enriching nature of literature and benefitted greatly from a high standard of education. It is my intention to share this privilege with the next generation.
I received an A* in English Literature A level and went on to achieve a first class degree at Durham University. My love for learning and education has since been directed towards tuition, working with 11+ students in class and 1-1 settings. I truly enjoy being able to share my love for learning and reading. My years of teaching and supporting students have also enabled me to understand and cater to a range of learning styles and needs.
Personally, I find tutoring an extremely rewarding experience and enjoy witnessing the growth in competence of my students. It is a privilege to support their progress.
I have loved the study of English since my days at school. I achieved all As and A*s in my GCSEs, and AAA* in my A-levels, including English Literature. Throughout this time, my English teachers were figures I greatly looked up to - it was my dream to be able to foster a love for the subject in a student, as they had done for me.
I completed an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Film Studies at the University of Birmingham, achieving a first. Afterwards, I interned at a political-journalist podcast, and in a university in China as a TA. These experiences allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of reading and writing skills in the real world. I believe this knowledge will inform my teaching to set up my students for a successful career path after school.
Currently I am undertaking a masters in English Literature at the University of Birmingham.
I believe a lifelong studious person is one who truly loves and understands the importance of gaining knowledge and skills. I will create an environment to nurture this passion in my classroom.
I am the lead tutor at The Literacy Club and manage all syllabi, communication and monitoring of all pupils' progress.
My academic background is in international relations; my love and passion has always been for English literature and education - although the two disciplines certainly collide; words have, after all, always changed history, for good and for bad, and continue to do so.
I've taught English/literacy since 1999, and in between raising my five children, also spent ten years working with and delivering training to senior leaders and governors across Birmingham's schools, as well as providing local safeguarding training, before focusing primarily on The Literacy Club.
I have tutored specifically for the Birmingham 11 Plus exam since 2011 and have been delighted to see, over the years, hundreds of children grow their literacy wings and fly off to new horizons and brilliant futures.
My values are based around integrity and honesty.