Neil Hamilton Fairley

I have a background in teaching students between the ages of 16-19 years old. I like to get to know my learners, so that I can understand what they struggle with and how I can help. I have worked with learners who struggle to stay motivated, have SEND or for whom English is not their first language. I aim to meet learners where they are at and provide some challenging work to help them improve and gain a sense of confidence in the subject. This makes previously intimidating topics seem much more accessible.

I incorporate a mix of teaching styles to suit learners needs, but I aim to assist student progress with short demonstrations, student practice and feedback. As students progress, I provide fewer scaffolds until learners are able to work on problems independently. This dynamic means that learners do not internalise mistakes but can practice the best methods for them. It also encourages them to reflect on their work. This lets them discuss the issues that they are having and allows me to pinpoint areas for focus. I typically focus on one topic at a time but can change plans to best suit learner's needs.

My approach is grounded in pedagogical research, including Rosenshine's principles and cognitive load theory. The aim is to maximise the benefit of the sessions for the time and effort my learners put in. I also keep one eye on the looming exams, and ensure that time is allocated to maximise marks in an exam, not just improving on subjects that will not help students achieve their goals.