David

My experience training SEN students how to excel in Maths including GCSEs; I am a passionate teacher of Mathematics. I am currently teaching students with low prior attainment in year 7 to high prior attainment in year 13. I have extensive experience teaching KS1 to KS4 and have taught both A-level Maths and further Maths. I have prepared students for the following public examinations, 7+, 11+, 13+, Scholarship Exams, GCSE/IGCSE, Level 2 further maths and A-Levels. My specialisms lay in teaching to excel at the GCSE examination across the Edexcel, AQA, and OCR specifications. I also specialise in giving students a strong foundation between the years 5 to years 9 with a focus around the 11 plus and KS2 Stats. 

My experience with teaching Children with Dyslexia; As a dyslexic person, I have developed and utilised strategies that enable me to survive academia and achieve a degree in maths but also to survive in the workplace. I have also refined my personal experience through academic literature and teaching young people with dyslexia. I understand the patience and insight necessary for them to make maximal progress. 

My skills and experience teaching children with processing and memory difficulties and sensory needs; In my current role, as Professional development Lead for the London Thames Maths Hub and Lead practitioner at Harris Academy Bermondsey, I work with various schools on the Development of Math’s teaching. I am an expert on Maths Mastery, which is an approach to teaching mathematics that is built on the idea that anyone can learn maths (not just students with specific minds or skill sets). I have presented my ideas nationally and used them with my students the impact of this has been far-reaching. My students with sensory, processing and memory difficulties have excelled and I’ve been part of the maths hub team sharing these ideas across a wide range of schools across the country. 

My skills and experience developing meaningful and trusting relationship with children with SEN; Mathematics is my specialism, so I often want to encourage communication and growth through mathematics. However, for many students academic progress is not the only outcome we would be looking for and as a teacher I can help students to build their soft skills. When I was head of a department of 13 Math specialists I had to liaise closely with the SEND (Special Education Needs and Disability) team to provide targeted support for students with, autism, ADHD, SLCN and dyslexia. I have worked with several young people with autism and have been able make significant proress in short period of times. In addition, as a classroom teacher I work with students that have a wide range of SEN at a variety of ability and ages. I have learnt to be very adaptable, modifying my communication to ensure my students are highly engaged in learning. It’s through this engagement that I’m able to ensure that regardless of their particular need they grow in self-esteem and confidence. 

In addition, my work with the Department for Education as part of the Shanghai teacher exchange programme has enabled me to further widen my understandings around teaching Mathematics. The skills gained from this exchange have shown me how both the system and culture in Shanghai have helped to profit their mathematics education; this exposure has enabled me to embed elements from Shanghai into my teaching practice. 

My skills and experience teaching English including writing and spelling; I specialise in getting children to engage in language through mathematics but have worked with KS2 and KS3 students to help them specifically in Engaging in English. I have tutored English Language and literature up to age 13. 

Outside of teaching; Outside of teaching I enjoy watching anime, playing badminton and reading manga. I also play the guitar, dominoes and chess as well as learning how to play the piano and violin with my son.