Former Head of English • AQA and WJEC/Eduqas Examiner • Over 30 Years’ Teaching Experience
My name is Gayle Knowles and I am an experienced English teacher, former Head of English and English examiner with more than 30 years’ experience in education.
Throughout my career, I have taught English Language and English Literature across KS3, GCSE and A level, working with students of all abilities. I particularly enjoy helping students develop confidence in their own ideas and showing them how to turn those ideas into thoughtful, effective written responses.
I now bring that experience to Mindful English Tuition, providing specialist online one-to-one and small-group English tuition.
Background and Experience
During my teaching career, I was Head of English in two large comprehensive schools, leading English departments and supporting colleagues in developing teaching and raising achievement. I have also led projects designed to improve attainment across Rotherham and worked in an advisory capacity with an English department requiring additional support.
Sixth-form education has also been an important part of my experience. As a sixth-form tutor, I supported students through the university application process, including personal statements, portfolios, interview preparation and mock interviews.
Alongside my teaching experience, I have recent examining experience with AQA and WJEC/Eduqas, as well as extensive previous experience as a GCSE English examiner, Coursework Moderator and Controlled Assessment Moderator. This provides valuable insight into how English is assessed and the skills students need to demonstrate in their examination responses.
My Approach to Tuition
Successful tuition is about more than simply teaching examination content. Students also need to understand how they learn, recognise where they need to improve and develop strategies that allow them to work increasingly independently. I therefore combine subject expertise with effective revision, retrieval and metacognitive strategies.
My aim is to provide the right balance of challenge and support for each student — whether they are struggling with English, lacking confidence, working towards a particular grade or aiming for Grades 8 and 9.
Mindfulness can also form part of this approach where appropriate. I hold a Certificate in Applied Teaching of Mindfulness from the British Institute of Mindfulness and use simple strategies to support concentration and a calmer, more confident approach to examinations.
This interest has also led to work with Prospero Theatre Company in partnership with Mind Fitness, writing educational webinars and eBooks for schools in Surrey.
Education & Professional Qualifications
MA Learning and Teaching — Sheffield Hallam University, 2013
PGCE English — University of Leeds, 1988
Postgraduate Diploma — Guildford School of Acting, 1985
BA Combined Honours , English and Drama — Queen Mary College, University of London, 1984
Additional Training
Certificate in Applied Teaching of Mindfulness — British Institute of Mindfulness, 2020
Mental Health First Aid, 2020
Understanding Autism, 2020