Rebecca

 
 
 

School:

The School of St. Helen and St. Katharine

A-levels: English (A), Latin (A), Classical Greek (A), French (A)

Sixth form academic scholarship

University:

Oxford University

BA English Language and Literature (First Class)

Academic scholarship awarded after first year exams; selected as valedictorian at graduation

Canterbury Christ Church University

PGCE, QTS (rated ‘Outstanding’ by Teach First)

Teaching experience:

Teacher of English, Westminster School, London (part time), 2018-2023

  • Taught English across all year groups, including KS3, GCSE and A-Level, delivering excellent results (e.g. in 2023, 19 out of my 20 A Level students achieved an A* in English)

  • Responsible for university preparation classes for English students

  • Taught ‘Platform Plus’ workshops at weekends for teenagers at local state schools, including delivery of creative writing programme.

Teacher of English and Head of EPQ, Putney High School, London (part time), 2013-2018

  • Taught English across all year groups, including KS3, GCSE and A-Level.

  • Ran the sixth form book club and coordinated book clubs for every year group in the school.

  • Sixth form tutor, Progress Mentor and UCAS referee

  • As Head of EPQ, coordinated 51 students undertaking the Extended Project Qualification (Year 12), 40 staff members who act as mentors, 7 staff members who act as assessors, and 2 staff members who deliver the taught component; provides training for all staff involved; expanded the EPQ programme, with student uptake increasing by 60% this year; introduced the annual EPQ Presentation Evening and an EPQ Prize. The overwhelming majority of students are awarded A*.

  • Taught the literature component of Pre-U Mandarin for two years (all students received Distinction).

Services offered:

  • Tutoring in English language and literature, including KS3, GCSE and A Level (all exam boards)

  • University preparation for English

  • University interview practice, including Oxbridge

  • 11+, 13+, 16+ entrance (subjects at 16+: English Lit, History, Drama, Philosophy & Theology)

Additional information:

Novels:

[Forthcoming, July 2025]: Havoc (published in UK by riverrun

2021  I’m Sorry You Feel That Way (published in UK by riverrun); a Book of the Year for The Times, BBC Culture, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, The Express; shortlisted for the Nota Bene Prize

2019   Our Fathers (published in UK by riverrun and in US by Europa); a Guardian crime Book of the Year; Waterstones Thriller of the Month

2015   The Followers (published in UK by Picador, and by Europa in US)

2013 The View on the Way Down, published in UK by Picador

2010   First prize, Christopher Little/ Exeter College Literary Award

Author website: https://www.rebeccawaitauthor.com/

 

Teaching Creative Writing

Upcoming, 2025: tutor for Arvon

2023   Delivered writing sessions to adults on behalf of The Writing Sphere 

2022  Ran 4 hour workshop for adults at Stratford Literary Festival

 

Interests

Public speaking; football (captained school and college teams and played for Oxford University Women’s second XI, and later a London team); climbing.    

Alex Sever