Rachel Davies

I am a highly knowledgeable and supportive English specialist with 15 years’ teaching experience and 5 years’ experience tutoring iGCSE English Language and KS3 English online. As a parent of a child with ASD, I particularly enjoy using my experience to support students with anxiety and SEND.

My approach to online tutoring is to create a safe, low-stress space, adapt my pace and style to the individual student, and communicate gently and encouragingly. I can offer both predictable structures and respond flexibly, adapting our focus as areas for development emerge. Some students use my support to work through their lessons and assignments, while others choose to focus on texts or tasks that they are currently finding tricky, or tailored exam preparation.

Every session begins with a clear, shared checklist of what we will cover, which we review together and end by setting future goals and focuses. Tasks are broken down into small, manageable steps, and we use shared digital documents to co-write and edit, removing the fear of the ‘blank page’ and building confidence.

For iGCSE English Language students, I break down the Anthology prose, poems and non-fiction extracts into manageable chunks and we practice unpacking short, high-yield quotations. I deconstruct the mark scheme so that students know exactly where and how to show their knowledge, understanding and skills for maximum reward. I focus on teaching clear, repeatable frameworks for answering exam questions and practical planning methods.

At KS3, I focus on building confidence and working at the student's exact speed, pausing to fill any fundamental reading and writing gaps without the rush to move on. Sessions focus on small, clear goals, ensuring the student leaves every session feeling successful and capable.