About Sue Whitfield

I am a highly-experienced primary teacher, who has recently left the classroom in order to achieve a better work-life balance. I am, you might say, fresh from “the sharp end” of teaching and so have an in-depth knowledge of the Upper Key Stage 2 curriculum and how best to teach it.

I have been a primary teacher for nearly 20 years, having previously worked in various jobs in publishing and as a broadcast journalist for the BBC. After A levels in English, History and Maths, my first degree was in History from The University of Warwick and I gained my teaching qualification (PGCE) from Roehampton University (many years later!)

I am an English specialist, having been English Lead at my last teaching job (St Lawrence C of E Junior School in East Molesey) for 12 years. I have an in-depth knowledge of effective strategies for teaching both Reading and Writing and pride myself on making lessons fun and interactive. I have also been a Lead Writing Moderator for Surrey and so have an excellent understanding of the Writing expectations for the end of Key Stage 2 and how best to achieve them.

My knowledge of the Maths curriculum is equally as comprehensive and I have a wealth of “tips and tricks” to help children successfully navigate their way through the mathematical landscape.

I have tutored many children through 11+ exams - including my own (now adult!) children who attended Tiffin and Kingston Grammar Schools - and I have a 100% record for getting children into either state selective or private schools. As an individual tutor, working 1:1 (or with small groups) face-to-face, I am able to adapt the sessions to take account of children’s individual strengths and weaknesses.

As well as tutoring, I am also employed as a lecturer in the Department of Education at Kingston University, with my main role being to mentor BA and PGCE teaching students when they are on school placement. This enables me to keep abreast of good practice in the classroom and the latest research in effective teaching methods.

I have an enhanced DBS and full public liability insurance.