Alison has worked for the last 20 years in state, independent and international schools across the SE of England and in Asia. She has taught children of all ages from Nursery to Year 8, with a particular focus on Year 6 and secondary (11+, 13+) transition. Alison has also taught teachers and run workshops on learning-to-learn and pedagogy.
Alison has a BSc Hons (2:1) in Geography from Glasgow University. She trained as a teacher, gaining a PGCE, from UCL’s prestigious Institute of Education. She is trained in the IB Primary Years Programme as well as having experience of the national curriculum and common entrance. Alison has held leadership roles in primary and prep schools including Head of Literacy. Her most recent role was as Head of Geography and Global Dimension Leader at St Michael’s Prep School in Otford, Kent.
Alison’s curiosity about how students learn best and her broad experience of teaching around the world has helped her understand the best ways to support students of all ages and all abilities. Alison believes that her first role as a tutor is to build relationships and a safe space, where students can ask questions and make mistakes. She actively involves students encouraging them to take ownership of their learning, whether that be through self-assessment and goal setting, or hands-on learning. She has found that by empowering students in this way they become more confident and that this has a positive impact on their attainment.
Alison is confident teaching students in all subjects across the primary curriculum and for common entrance. She is particularly passionate about helping students develop their love of, and ability, in English and Geography. Her desire to help students find out which methods of learning work best for them, mean she also loves tutoring students in revision and homework organisation.
Alison has experience tutoring students for 7+, 11+ and CE/13+ and has helped students prepare for and transition to local, independent and internationals schools. Alison has also successfully mentored scholarship students at prep school - Sevenoaks, Tonbridge.
Alison’s strong track record of success is reflected in colleague and parental feedback such as:
‘I … commend Alison to you as an outstanding primary school teacher … Alison is an excellent curriculum thinker, and an inquiry-based teacher.’
‘Ali is a dream colleague because she is so committed to teaching and learning … she really involves children in their learning.’
‘Ali is an outstanding classroom teacher. Her classroom environment is inviting, stimulating and a place where there is ample evidence that learning is occurring.’
‘Ali is loved and respected by her students and their parents. She quickly establishes an excellent rapport and relationship with both students and parents. Ali is a very patient, kind, positive and caring teacher.’
‘Ali fosters a very strong home-school relationship.’
‘Thanks again for great training sessions. I learnt a lot …You are a brilliant teacher.’
Alison volunteers as a school governor and when she is not tutoring, she runs personal development workshops for parents and those going through change.
