Hello! My name is Alyson, and I’m really excited to be joining the SAT Team as an English tutor at both secondary and sixth form level.

 

I have 30 wonderful years of teaching experience in hugely diverse settings with hugely diverse cohorts of young people across inner city and Greater Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I was an Advanced Skills Teacher. Before I began my teaching career, I spent several summers leading a playscheme for children and teenagers with multiple and profound learning difficulties before spending a year as a teaching assistant in an associated special school.

 

Every school I have taught in has had a sixth form and I have taught English language and literature across the full age and ability range, from KS3, KS4 and KS5. I also have taught Media Studies at KS4 and KS5 and Film Studies at KS5. My last two schools both had Resourced Provisions which catered for students with a range of learning difficulties and barriers: the most recent specialised in students with ASD. I also have a great deal of experience of students with ADHD and SEMH needs.

 

My lessons have Quality First Teaching at their heart, designed to provide tailored instruction and include reasonable adjustments to enable each individual student to access the curriculum, experience success and enjoy the subject and the learning process in a way that makes sense to them.

I have a bachelor’s degree in English, a PGCE is in English and humanities, Advanced Skills’ Teacher status and a master’s degree in Education. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors and have been both a Senior Examiner at GCSE English literature and an examiner of A-level English language. I have experience of working with all major exam boards including AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas.

 

Besides teaching English, my passions include water sports, especially paddleboarding and SCUBA diving. I am also a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United, which has bestowed me with great resilience and a well-developed sense of humour. 

 

I love teaching and added to this is my unshakeable belief in the potential of young people and a personal drive to make a positive difference. I look forward to working with you