Isobelle Blount

I like to use more of a conversational style of teaching, talking through theories and concepts in a simple manner before gradually guiding students into developing and applying them themselves in accordance with the relevant mark schemes and specifications. I have found that this provides a much clearer memory pathway, as conversations naturally contain certain "landmarks" that students can later use when it comes to recollection in an exam setting. It is also extremely effective in helping students build the neural pathways themselves, as the understanding comes from a place of individual critical thinking and personal engagement with each theory rather than simply memorising information from a textbook.

I also place a strong emphasis on ensuring that students genuinely understand what they are learning, rather than just being able to repeat it. Particularly within essay-based subjects, students often struggle because they know the content but are unsure how to apply it. By breaking complex ideas down into manageable discussions and then gradually increasing the level of analysis expected, students are able to build confidence alongside their subject knowledge. This often leads to a much stronger ability to evaluate, compare viewpoints, and construct independent arguments.

As for learning exam technique, I follow a clear and structured approach to essay writing which is very easy to pick up quickly and adapt to different examination boards. In order for this to be effective, however, I really home in on the key pieces of evidence, case studies, and thinkers that examiners are looking for. This comes from regular quizzing, recapping, and active recall exercises to ensure that information is being continually reinforced and properly entrenched within long-term memory. I strongly believe that consistent retrieval of information is far more effective than repeatedly rereading notes, and this is reflected throughout my lessons.

Alongside content knowledge, I have a very good understanding of GCSE and A-Level specifications and the demands of different mark schemes. This is extremely valuable when it comes to essay structure, exam technique, and understanding exactly what examiners are looking for in high-scoring responses. My aim is not only to help students improve their grades, but also to help them become more confident, independent learners who are able to approach exams with a clear strategy and a strong understanding of the subject itself.