Sian is a great teacher and has given my son not only the knowledge, but the confidence which has raised his current assessment levels leading up to GCSE. She has both great methods and adaptable style, making the lessons challenging and fun he really looks forward to them.
Parent of IGCSE Maths student
Sian's biography
Sian is a maths tutor, coach and consultant with over 25 years of experience working from EYFS to GCSE and beyond.
She has tutored students in mathematics (adults included) from KS2 through to GCSE, with a focus on depth of subject knowledge, reasoning and problem-solving skills, 11+ entry and exam preparation. Sian's teaching always starts from the student and their ways of learning, building on their confidence and self-belief as they work through the steps to the understanding of all concepts.
Sian has mainly worked with Edexcel and AQA at GCSE and touched upon all texts and schemes from primary and secondary.
Having worked as a maths consultant and coach since 2004 (and teacher 1994-2003) she has an incredible in-depth knowledge of the national curricula in England and Wales, and also the Singapore maths curriculum. Sian has trained many thousands of teachers in all areas of mathematics through the key principles of excellent learning and teaching (the mastery approach).
As part of her role as maths consultant for the London Borough of Barnet, Sian managed and developed the curricula for the Advanced Learning Centres (ALCs) where students gifted in mathematics/ achieving beyond their primary years attended on a weekly basis. Many of these year 5 and 6 students went on to the best secondary schools in North London (flying through their entrance exams), and have continued their mathematical studies to university level.
Sian uses the practices from Singapore in all her teaching, so the children discover the mathematics being taught without her having to over-explain. The "Singapore method" also known as the mastery approach to mathematics includes the following principles and practices:
* It provides access for all students to develop a deep and connected understanding of mathematics.
* They can apply the mathematics to a range of problems.
* A variety of representations are used to support the students to see the mathematics empowering them to achieve a deeper understanding of mathematical structures and connections.
*Pupils should actively engage in mathematical thinking in all lessons, communicating their ideas using precise mathematical language.
* Recall of key facts and procedures is essential for mathematical fluency, freeing students' minds to think at a much deeper level when problem solving and reasoning.
* Teachers design "intelligent" sequences of questions that draw out key concepts for students, allowing them to gain a solid conceptual understanding of the mathematics covered.
* These tools and techniques empower the students to fully believe in their abilities as a mathematician, and have greater successes in their mathematical journeys.
In 2017/18 Sian worked alongside the authors of the Singapore mathematics curriculum and OUP to develop the national roll-out and to deliver the training of Discovering Mathematics (the UK version of the Singapore textbook program for KS3). She has worked nationally and internationally for OUP working in schools, and delivering training and workshops at national conferences.
Come along for an introductory session and watch your progress in just one hour! Sian can guarantee that you will be amazed at what you already know and what you are able to achieve!
As a year 6 teacher and mathematics consultant I have taught and prepared individual children and small groups to pass 11+ entrance exams for a variety of North London schools. The admission exams for these schools are based on fluency (speed and accuracy in mental calculation methods and procedures), a range of problem solving and knowledge of the year 7 curriculum requirements.
Individually we look at areas of challenge, or maybe year 7 areas that are not covered in depth at primary, and then I develop a personal program of study that will ensure full understanding of concepts and methodologies. We work on timings, mark schemes and expectations as well as on curriculum aims and objectives.
Owl Tutors school entrance training
Sian has successfully completed the Owl Tutors training course in 11 Plus exam preparation. This means they have a thorough understanding of the structure, content and demands of these exams and are qualified to prepare students. Training is delivered by Holly, a highly experienced school entrance tutor and member of the Owl Tutors team.
Sian's qualifications
Sian qualified to teach Maths in 1994, and holds a BEd QTS Maths from DfE.
