Education and qualifications
Qualifications: BSc (1st Class Hons) Psychology, PGCE (Primary) and Membership in the British Psychological Society
Teaching Experience: Qualified teacher since 1986 (38 years)
Role: Member (partner) of SDE (Tuition) LLP
Experience
Following my psychology degree and subsequent postgraduate qualification as a teacher, I initially worked in State schools as a primary teacher and then went to work in industry for NFER-NELSON (now known as GL Assessment, the 11+ test producer for both Bucks and Berks).
At NFER-NELSON I was employed as a Psychologist on the development of psychometric tests for children, where I was I was responsible for checking the validity of 50% of all the 11+ tests produced each year. I was also heavily involved in the development of tests such as the CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test, Version 2) and the BSTS (British Spelling Test Series). In addition, I designed and led professional training courses for Heads and teachers on how to use and interpret psychometric tests in schools.
Later on in my career, I worked for Anglia Ruskin University for a nine year period as a Trainer for Higher Level Teaching Assistants and Diploma Level courses for School Business Managers, Senior Leaders and Headteachers as well as being an Assessor on the Government’s Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) programme. During that time, I was independently commissioned to write, “More Verbal Reasoning Papers Y6” in the Success Assessment 11+ Papers series published by Letts.
I have tutored as part of SDE for several years with experience teaching both the Year 4 Foundation and the Year 5 Courses, as well as the intensive Summer 'Revision and Testing' Course. I have also been involved in writing many items for SDE's resources, including large numbers of 11+ exam questions.
Additional information
My approach with SDE students is to get them to commit to giving a 100%, thus enabling them to grow in confidence and to realise just what they are capable of achieving when they really apply themselves to their studies. I firmly believe in the 11+ in that it can be the gateway to children who would naturally benefit from a more academic secondary school environment – this was my own personal experience as a child, growing up on a council estate in North East London. It is gratifying to now be able to help other children access the same opportunities afforded to me by passing my 11+. Having worked for Granada Learning on the development of the real 11+, I feel my knowledge can really benefit the students in the way I am able to deliver the SDE Courses and is also reflected in my ability to write relevant questions for the students to attempt.