ATT Meet The Team Tutors

Tutors

Tutors will lead your weekly training, observe you teaching, assess your progress, support your mentors, and provide you with pastoral support.

Kate Straw

What teaching roles have you had? Maths teacher, KS4 Coordinator for Maths, Lead Teacher Favourite aspect of teaching? The ability that children have to make you smile and laugh every single day- they are amazing to work with! Top tip for summer school? Embrace all aspects of the programme from the beginning, most importantly the practice!

Francesca Dance

What teaching roles have you had? In my most recent role I was Acting Head teacher, Deputy headteacher and year 6 class teacher. I was also curriculum lead and ECT mentor. Prior to this I have been English subject lead and SLT whilst teaching years 2 - 6 across schools in London. I have also taught in Leeds and an International school in Malaysia. Favourite aspect of teaching? Apart form the actual classroom teaching which I have always loved, I have really enjoyed the mentoring role in terms of mentoring staff of a range of experience levels. It's been great to see teachers become more confident and develop a real belief in their capabilities as an education proffessional. Top tip for summer school? Take your time, you aren't expected to know it all straight away so be kind to yourself and give yourself the space and time to learn.

Christina West

What teaching roles have you had? Art Teacher, Subject Leader Art, ATT Lead. What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Routines & building positive relationships with pupils. I am also very passionate about teaching an inclusive curriculum that includes a variety of different Art specialisms. Top tip for summer school? Look after yourself by being organised. Find time before/after the IP and sessions to take a break, have lunch and if you can, get some fresh air.

Tamiko Forrest

What teaching roles have you had? 4th, 5th and 6th Grade teacher in the Bronx and Harlem What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Seeing kids work together to solve a problem, or celebrate one another in a larger school setting like an assembly or sports event is a joy. Building a team mindset to support each other, challenge each other, and grow with each other is my favorite aspect of teaching. Top tip for summer school? Focus your mindset on you want to achieve with your pupils. Be clear that you are a model each day for your pupils and that you will learn as much from them as they will from you.

Helen McNamara

What teaching roles have you had? History teacher Favourite aspect of teaching? When the penny drops - when students are making progress, growing in confidence, and are enjoying their learning. This is especially true for students who have previously experienced challenges and obstacles - there's nothing more rewarding than seeing their resilience pay off! Top tip for summer school? Be organised - make sure you know the times of your sessions and meetings and give yourself plenty of time to do things. This is the start of your career - give yourself the time and space to ease yourself into it so you feel confident for September.

Mary Anne Davies

What teaching roles have you had? Secondary French and Spanish Teacher, MFL HoD and MFL Lead Practitioner Favourite aspect of teaching? Learning from the students - Interacting with teenagers every day has always pushed me to be more creative and open minded when trying new approaches and ideas. They keep me on my toes and in turn make me a better teacher. 'Every day is a school day' - even for me. Top tip for summer school? Summer school is intensive, so be mentally prepared for focused learning and active participation. Do this by creating a schedule at the very start to help you balance study hours, social activities, and rest!

Jenni Chiu

What teaching roles have you had?In the past 15 years I have worked in primary schools, from nursery up to year 6. During my career, I was appointed to year group leader, then phase leader and finally assistant headteacher. Favourite aspect of teaching?The pupils. Getting to know them and what sparks their interests! Also coming up with exciting ways to help them learn. Top tip for summer school?Be brave. You will be asked to practise your scripts on multiple occasions and this may seem strange at first, but this element will definitely help you through your training year and you will get used to this as the year goes on. Also to be kind to yourself, there will be a lot to learn through ATT and your school that you're based at. Remember the techniques you learn, may not always work the first time.

Clarissa Lord

What teaching roles have you had? Secondary English teacher/ lead practitioner/ KS3 co-ordinator/ Professional mentor/ Curriculum Lead for UT Favourite aspect of teaching? Poetry (!!!) + cheeky responses from teenagers - every day is different but always extremely entertaining! Top tip for summer school? For tutors - use this as an opportunity to et to know your trainees as well as possible and establish high standards of participation and punctuality straight away + for trainees - even though the practice can feel a bit embarrassing at times... if you throw yourself into it and keep practising in your own time, you'll hit the ground running in Sept!

Kiasha Flynn-Naidoo

What teaching roles have you had? Class teacher across KS1 and KS2, Subject Lead (various subjects), Phase Leader, Assistant Headteacher and Safeguarding Lead. Favourite aspect of teaching? The children! No matter how much you have to do or how you are feeling, they will always manage to put a smile on your face and allow you to lose yourself in the moment…in the teaching. They make all the hard work worthwhile. Oh, and the staffroom treats. Top tip for summer school? Be organised! Embrace the start of a fantastic career and enjoy!

Charlotte Marshall

What teaching roles have you had?Classroom Teacher, Head of Department, Lead Practitioner, Assistant Principal Favourite aspect of teaching? Checking for understanding - that moment when you can see if your teaching has landed! Top tip for summer school? Start as you mean to go on - getting organised now will make September go that much easier.

John Lees

What teaching roles have you had? Primary, Key stage 1 Lead, Pupil Premium SLT, Music * languages lead. What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Seeing the progress that pupils make over the year under your instruction. Top tip for summer school? Be organised

Nick Fee

What teaching roles have you had? Head of House, Head of Department (MFL), Lead Practitioner for Teacher Development What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Watching beginner teachers flourish Top tip for summer school? Dive into the learning - the more you put into the independent preparation, self-study and live sessions, the more you'll get out!

Claire Bailey

What teaching roles have you had? English Teacher, Highly Able Co-ordinator, Head of English, Assistant Head in charge of Teaching and Learning. What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Collaborative learning and encouraging creativity, as well as incorporating drama and film into lessons to bring texts alive. Top tip for summer school? Be kind to yourself - you will be learning a LOT in a short period of time. Make sure you make time for rest.

Kathryn Joy

What teaching roles have you had? English Teacher, Highly Able Co-ordinator, Head of English, Assistant Head in charge of Teaching and Learning.What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Collaborative learning and encouraging creativity, as well as incorporating drama and film into lessons to bring texts alive. Top tip for summer school? Be kind to yourself - you will be learning a LOT in a short period of time. Make sure you make time for rest.

Gitanjali Bajaj

What teaching roles have you had? Teacher of Science, KS3 Lead for Science, Lead practitioner of Science What is your favourite aspect of teaching? Getting passionate about Teaching and Learning! I particualarly enjoy thinking about how to make abstract ideas in science more concrete and relatable for pupils so they can understand the world around them better. Top tip for summer school? 'Be Brave' and delve into the practice- it may be dauting at first but you will find it will help you become more confident for September!

Hannah Goderska

What teaching roles have you had? Secondary Tutor Favourite aspect of teaching? Mentoring the next breed of teachers! Top tip for summer school? Blink and you miss it so take notes!

Amelia Hart

What teaching roles have you had? Class Teacher of Y1, 4, Phonics lead, Maths lead. Favourite aspect of teaching? Working with children to support wellbeing, calming strategies and building their confidence in the classroom. Top tip for summer school? Keep a notebook on you with a page of questions to ask your tutor or next steps you want to work on!

Arthur Sawbridge

What teaching roles have you had? English Teacher, Deputy Head of English, Curriculum Lead for KS5 English, EPQ Coordinator, Lead Practitioner of English, 6th form tutor. I started as a Teaching Assistant. Favourite aspect of teaching? Taking a step back at the end of the year and reflecting on the incredible journeys students have been on; then remembering that this is just the beginning of their journey and your teaching will stay with (some of) them for life. Top tip for summer school?Aim to make high quality, concise notes and get into the habit of reviewing the previous session before you start the next one.