Diane has a wealth of experience in education having taught English Language and English Literature from 13+ through to A-Level. She is also qualified to teach History, French and R.E. to 13+ and GCSE as well as Latin to 13+ in readiness for Common Entrance.

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Diane has taught at, amongst others, St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir School and Notting Hill Prep in London, where she was Head of English. She is well versed in expectations for entrance to both London independent schools and to other major UK public schools. Diane has successfully helped many students, some hopping a couple of grades higher than their predicted levels, to reach their target schools with confidence.

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With regard to her teaching style, Diane suggests that some students feed from straightforward information and learning facts, devices and techniques. Others need a different approach, perhaps via examples (WAGOLL), via one-to-one help, highlighting text, discussions/reminders of techniques they must use. Diane produces her own resources based on need so that every individual can excel. Her lessons are carefully planned and include varied learning activities to maintain focus and energy.

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Diane is positive and encouraging, whilst maintaining a highly academic approach, with a developed general knowledge, which supports and enhances her subject knowledge. She is a respected teacher who gives respect in turn to her students. She is particularly proud of the progress she made with a group of Year 9 students where motivation for learning was very low. Over the course of three terms, Diane managed them and they now are some of the brightest, most motivated and respectful students that she has taught. Diane says that this was a task comparable to turning the Titanic. However, unlike the Titanic, her class did not at all sink! They are enthused for learning and have a positive work ethos.

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In the wider context of teaching, Diane is well aware of safeguarding. She is interested in the tenets of mindfulness: its worth and practice in education and, coupled with this Diane is also interested in the recent focus on emotional literacy and emotional intelligence. Diane feels that, as teachers, we must help to build the whole student, a well-rounded one, who can face the challenges of the modern world with a sense of strength, independence and confidence.