Sophia

I was born in London and have always enjoyed the hustle and bustle, the culture and diversity, and the vibrancy of city life. During my gap year, I participated in the Camp America scheme volunteering as a camp counsellor in a Summer Camp in New York State where I became head of the Arts and Crafts department at 19 years old. It was here that I discovered my passion for working with children and young people, supporting them in their learning and ensuring their experience was enjoyable.  

Having graduated from Queen Mary’s University of London with a BA Hons in History (2008), I took a year out to work as a Learning Support Assistant to gain some experience in schools, supporting students with SEND in class. It was during this year that I met Dara, Director of Exceptional Academics, supporting some of her pupils in her Year 10 and 11 English classes.  The following year, having fallen in love with teaching, I completed my PGCE at the UCL Institute of Education (2010). I developed a strong connection with my second placement school (a comprehensive 11-18 secondary school and sixth form) and so was offered a job there where I have been teaching History, amongst other subjects, for the last ten years. 

During this time, I set up and coordinated the Black History Month celebrations and worked with the Head of Department on making the history curriculum more rigorously connected to historical concepts and practices. I also ran GCSE and A-Level preparation and Revision courses. In 2014, I completed an MA in History Education at UCL Institute of Education. At the same time, I was promoted to Head of Year, and so whilst teaching lessons and managing a year group of approximately 250 students, I wrote an article for Teaching History magazine based on my research findings (published Dec 2018). As a head of year, I also led GCSE preparation evenings, and with the help of the Literacy Coordinator, established a paired reading programme between the sixth formers and Key Stage 3 students. 

• 10+ Schools:  Emanuel, Dulwich, Whitgift.
• 11+ Schools:  Latymer, Highgate, Merchant Taylor School, North London Consortium, Emanuel, Dulwich, Whitgift, Alleyns.  
• 13+ Schools:  Highgate, Dulwich College and Emanuel.
• GCSE Examining Boards: Edexcel
• A Level Examining Boards: Edexcel