About Me
Based in St. Albans, I am a highly qualified primary school teacher available for private tutoring of children between 5 and 11 years old.
My interests include special needs and supporting children who lack confidence in their ability. I can also help provide a boost for those who are struggling with SATs. I also enjoy teaching gifted children who need to be encouraged to reach their full potential, but lack confidence, suffer from exam nerves or need strategies with problem solving.
I have lots of experience in supporting children who have a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD and/or Aspergers and have a good relationship with many local SENCos, Paediatricians and professionals who may already be involved in providing support for a child or school.
My Experience
24 years’ experience as a qualified Primary school Class Teacher, SENCo and Senior Leader in local schools. My classroom practice has always been graded outstanding or good.
I have held positions within school as Key Stage Leader, Acting Deputy Head, Advisory Teacher and SENCo.
My most recent position was as SENCo and Leader for a Specialist Unit for children with emotional and behavioural disorders.
Tuition Services
I tutor in my own home in a bright cheerful room set up for tutoring with plenty of resources. This means I am able to tailor the lesson to the child’s needs and use ‘concrete’ resources to support any difficulties that may arise. I use a mixture of kinaesthetic, visual and auditory approaches depending on the child’s learning style.
I like to meet with parents prior to engagement to discuss strengths and weaknesses. If you would like to chat about your child's needs please give me a call.
Mentoring and Parent Support Services
As part of my remit in family support I have acted as a mentor to children, teenagers and parents on a weekly basis. I have also been an advisory teacher for an Education Support Centre giving advice and strategies to schools, teachers and parents on emotional and/or behavioural issues. I am able to offer this as a separate service to teaching. I have a Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling and an inital degree in Psychology. Please contact me in confidence if you feel that this is a service that may be of benefit.
My Qualifications
Psychology BSc Hons (University of Hertfordshire)
PGCE (University of Hertfordshire)
National SENCo Award in Special Needs (University of Cambridge)
Diploma in Primary Science (Canterbury Christchurch University, Kent)
Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling (Counselling Foundation)
Trained in ELKLAN speech & Language Support
Training in support for pupils with visual impairments
Dyslexia friendly training
Hold current DBS certificate
First Aid Qualified
My Availability
I am available weekday evenings and weekends.
My Fees
Please call to discuss.
Testimonials
" 'She is the perfect person to boost your child's se'
Karen has been tutoring our daughter for a while now and it is safe to say that none of her teachers, ever, has cared so much for her well-being than her.
Being extremely well organised, she keeps track of our DD's progress while constantly checking where the gaps are."
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"Dear Karen,
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you for all your hard work, I really appreciate that you are doing your best to help our daughter in her study, I specially appreciate that you cared enough to point her in the right direction week after week for the last 6 months, I must say that she built her confident on her maths and English.
Karen you are by far the most helpful and most practical teacher,
Looking forward to work with you in the next academic year."
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"At the end of year 2 our son was still struggling with reading and writing. It was difficult to get him to focus and apply himself and was affecting his self esteem.
We got Karen's contact details through his school as we felt some additional help was needed.
Our son has been attending weekly sessions with Karen since September 2015. In six months both his reading and writing have greatly improved to the extent that he is now happy and confident to read and does so willingly! Overall his confidence levels have increased in school. We were delighted when he won the 'Good Learner' award for his class in February, this is something we wouldn't have expected at the start of the school year.
He enjoys his tutoring sessions and says Karen is "good fun", he is always happy and smiling when I arrive to collect him.
Karen provides excellent feedback on each session and I have personally found her support and advice invaluable."
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"Karen is so patient with my two girls, one of my daughters has ADD and needs to be taught very patiently and Karen is able to translate text and teachings to her, in a way to help her understand.
I am very grateful to Karen, my daughters homework is completed each week and this ensures our weekends are free to enjoy as a family."
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"Dear Karen,
We are so grateful for your input and help in encouraging XXXXXXX and enabling him to understand and make progress in his school work.
He does enjoy coming along and we believe he is becoming more confident and secure in maths and literacy.
You have a great warmth with XXXXXXX that he responds well to as well as your very professional patience and calmness.
Your insight has been invaluable as we work with the school to find the best way to support XXXXXXX in his learning.
We are especially grateful for your suggestion to get his eyes tested!
Best wishes
XXXX"
Contact
Email: learn@primaryintuition.com
Phone: 01727 375265