Poppy

 
 
 

School:

Marlborough College

A Levels: French (A), Spanish (A)

Cambridge Pre-U: English Literature (D3, equivalent to an A in A Level)

University:

Exeter University

BA Modern Languages (2:1)

Goldsmiths University

PGCE (Pass)

Teaching history:

I am a qualified Modern Languages teacher, having achieved QTS through Ark Teacher Training in 2021-2022 and a PGCE through Goldsmiths University. I have more than three years of classroom experience and have done over 2,500 hours of Modern Languages teaching in Ofsted Outstanding Academies in London. I have taught Y7, Y8, and Y9 (KS3) French as well as Y10 and Y11 French (KS4) for three years at two schools (Ark King Solomon Academy and Ark Elvin Academy). I am experienced in teaching the legacy Edexcel GCSE curriculum and have been heavily involved in planning KS3 and KS4 schemes of learning and base lessons for the new 2024 Edexcel GCSE MFL curriculum. I studied the AQA curriculum at school for my IGCSEs and I am knowledgeable about the key differences between the two exam boards.

In terms of achievements, my Head of Department at Ark Elvin put me forward for a 'curriculum leadership' training programme at my school, recognising my skills in planning great objective-driven lessons that lead to impressive pupil progress. I was also selected as one of five teachers to be on the 'future leaders of teaching and learning' by the Assistant Principal, meeting twice a term to discuss areas of teaching in the school that we could improve and how best to do this. I have a proven track record of helping pupils achieve on or above their target grade.

Since leaving London to move to Cornwall in July 2024, my most recent school employed me as a consultant over the Summer holidays to do further work on the new curriculum, finalising KS3 schemes of learning for the new academic year to train new teachers on the key learning, key vocabulary, suggested activities and the misconceptions to consider for every lesson in Autumn term across year 7, 8 and 9. This shows that I am a trusted and skilled planner with a deep understanding of the GCSE language curriculum and how to best teach this. 


I have outlined my 1-1 tutoring experience below. I am currently tutoring full-time:

  •  Weekly 1-1 French speaking sessions with a high-achieving Y10 pupil for two academic terms, who achieved a grade 9 in her end-of-Y10 speaking exam. (in person)

  • 17 hours of IGCSE French over the last month, continuing with weekly sessions until GCSEs in Summer 2025. (online)

  • 3 hours of 13+ assessment day interview preparation. The student has his first assessment on the 19th of September. (online)

  • 12 hours of 11+ Character Development, helping a Y6 student develop their skills in oracy, readiness and self-awareness. (online)

  • 50-hour package agreed of 11+ Character Development, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. (online)

  • Common Entrance French - student went from a predicted grade of C to achieving an A within three sessions. (in person)

Teaching style and philosophy:

I went into teaching because I wanted to make a difference in the world and play a part in helping young people get a high-quality education and be happy at school. I trained with Ark because I admired their mission of closing the attainment gap for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, something I feel passionately about. I think being a great teacher is all about assuming the best of every pupil, getting to know them as individuals, showing them empathy and that you want the best for them and balancing that with clear, high expectations. My approach is firm but fair and I have had great success creating classrooms that are calm, purposeful, joyful and where pupils feel safe to make mistakes and are motivated to reach their full potential. I go into every lesson very well prepared, with clear learning objectives and structure, so that I can rest assured I am giving students my absolute best in every lesson. I am passionate about helping students to believe in their abilities, make maximum progress and develop a love for learning. 

Additional information

Before training to be a teacher, I worked as a teaching assistant in an Ofsted Oustanding primary school, helping in their nursery division. I am therefore experienced in working with younger children and am skilled in teaching writing, phonics, spelling and reading. 

  • I worked part-time for TARKA, who run developmental classes for primary school-aged children. This gave me valuable experience in working with young children and helping them to develop their teamwork and character skills.

  • I am based in Falmouth, Cornwall, therefore I am mostly able to do online tutoring only - which I am finding just as effective as in-person as I am set up to deliver high-quality online lessons. 


Alex Sever