Hi, my name is Sam, and I am an experienced primary school teacher with over 18 years of experience working with children across the primary age range.
I am delighted to be part of the Forest 1st Tutoring team because I love working with children on a 1:1 basis, building genuine connections and helping them grow in confidence. I am particularly passionate about alternative provision as it gives me the opportunity to really get to know each child, understand any barriers they may face and provide personalised support. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel successful and positive about their learning.
I completed my PGCE at the University of Southampton and have extensive experience supporting children across the primary age range. I have over 12 years of experience preparing Year 6 pupils for SATs within school and, for the past two years, have also provided private 1:1 and group SATs tuition. This has given me valuable experience in identifying individual gaps in learning, tailoring sessions to each pupil and helping children approach their SATs with greater confidence. I have also been a subject leader for both maths and computing and have supported children with a range of SEN and social, emotional and mental health needs.
I am flexible and adaptable in my teaching, using a range of teaching styles, tools, resources and practical activities to find approaches that work for the individual pupil. I am also happy to adapt a lesson in the moment, responding to a child’s needs, interests, confidence and level of engagement rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Building trusting relationships is at the heart of my teaching, and I aim to create a calm, positive environment where children feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions and develop confidence in their abilities.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy going to the gym, travelling and spending time outdoors, particularly family walks and trips to the beach. I also love spending time with our Goldador, Dexter, who keeps us very busy!
What I find most rewarding about tutoring is seeing a child begin to believe in themselves and enjoy learning. Families can expect me to be patient, understanding, flexible and encouraging, supporting their child both academically and emotionally so they can build confidence and make meaningful progress.