Gemma Madell

I like to find ways to keep English fresh and engaging with lots of parallels to real life situations or pop-culture references. I always keep the energy high in my lessons with plenty of interaction, discussion opportunities and intriguing questions to really get my students thinking for themselves and working out possible answers/responses to a text we are looking at. I think making English accessible in this way helps keep students today engaged in lessons and growing in confidence too as they work out possible responses and how to justify their interpretations. I allow for deep thinking and reflection to enable students to enjoy learning for the love of it and appreciate our cultural and literary heritage. I also focus on breaking down exam techniques and using accessible structures, hint and tips with plenty of scaffolding to help make the GCSE exams achievable for all. I will always try and find the right way for the child and work out what they need, whether that's a more creative approach, a more verbal one, a more scaffolded one or a more open, free or active approach. I know how to mark precisely and accurately to help ensure good progress and highlight areas for development, then model how to achieve that from my years of experience and AQA exam marking. I have had lots of praise and positive feedback from my students about how much they enjoy my lessons and feel like they learn a lot in the process.