Samantha

Samantha has worked for the last 24 years in state, independent and international schools across the SE of England and in the United Arab Emirates. She has taught children of all ages from Nursery to Year 8, with a particular focus on Year 2 (7+) and Year 6 (11+) transition. Samantha has personalised the UK National Curriculum to different schools and rewritten it, ensuring stretch and support for individuals. She has also taught teachers, managed teams and run workshops on learning-to-learn and pedagogy to support parents in managing learning needs and behaviour. In addition, she coaches next steps and school choices.

Samantha has an MA in Education with a Bachelor in Education (University of Paisley) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Studies (University Strathclyde). Samantha has held leadership roles in primary and prep schools including Head of Early Years at ‘The Royal Grammar School Dubai’ and Head of Lower School at ‘Edge Grove School’ in Radlett, St. Albans. Being held in high regard in the independent school UK network, has enabled Samantha to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the cultures in schools which best fit students. In addition, Samantha has taught in a voluntary capacity in summer school holidays in India, Cambodia and parts of Africa.

Samantha’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. Samantha 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.

Samantha is confident teaching students in all subjects across the early years, primary curriculum and into early secondary. 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. Samantha has vast experience supporting students as a ‘Success Coach’ including sessions on the unlimited ability of long-term memory, speed reading strategies and managing exam anxiety.

Samantha has experience tutoring students for 7+, 11+ and has helped students prepare for and transition to local, independent and internationals schools. Samantha has also successfully mentored scholarship students at schools such as – Cranleigh Prep, Abbots Hill, Kensington Prep, Thomas Battersea, Edge Grove, Royal Masonic for Girls, London North Collegiate, Aylesbury Grammar, Dulwich College, Bourne Grammar School.

Samantha’s strong track record of success is reflected in colleague and parental feedback such as:

‘Samantha personalises learning so that you feel you are achieving and moving forwards with each lesson.’

‘I … commend Samantha to you as an outstanding primary school teacher … Samantha is an excellent curriculum thinker, and an inquiry-based teacher.’

‘When we heard Samantha was leaving our school community, we simply had to keep in touch with her because the children would really miss her but equally, we knew that we would need her advice again at various stages along our children’s journey’.

‘Samantha is a dream colleague because she is so committed to how and what your child is learning … she really involves children in their learning.’

‘Samantha is an outstanding classroom teacher. Her classroom environment is inviting, stimulating and a place where there is ample evidence that learning is occurring.’

‘Samantha supported us in the early years and we reconnected as our child approached secondary school. Such is her commitment that her heart remains connected to all whom she teaches’

‘Samantha is loved and respected by her students and their parents. She quickly establishes an excellent rapport and relationship with both students and parents. Samantha is a very patient, kind, positive and caring teacher.’

‘Samantha fosters a very strong home-school relationship.’
‘We had a very specific goal and Samantha broke it down into steps for us. We would not have made it without her!’

‘Thanks for making such a difference so quickly to my twins wellbeing and interactions in how they learn and what their individual next steps are.’

Samantha has been an ISI Early Years Inspector both in the UK and overseas.