Hello, I'm Sam
Qualified Primary School Teacher
Over 15 years in Key Stage 1, based in Waterlooville
I have spent my career in Key Stage 1 classrooms, which means I know exactly where children tend to wobble in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, and how quickly that wobble can turn into confidence with a bit of one to one attention.
Sessions are calm, practical and personalised. We use the same phonics scheme and methods your child's school uses, so nothing I do contradicts their teacher. I keep parents in the loop after every session with a short note on what we covered and what to practise.
Qualifications and checks
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Over 15 years teaching in Key Stage 1
- Enhanced DBS certificate, registered on the DBS Update Service
- Annual safeguarding and child protection training
- Trained in Little Wandle and Letters and Sounds systematic synthetic phonics
Safeguarding
Your child’s safety comes first
I hold an Enhanced DBS certificate and keep it on the DBS Update Service, so you can check it is current yourself. I complete annual safeguarding training as part of my teaching practice.
For sessions at your home, a parent or carer stays in the property throughout. I never transport children. Online sessions happen in a shared space you can see and hear at any time, and nothing is recorded without your written consent.
Why I tutor
After fifteen years in the classroom, the part I loved most was never the big results day. It was the quiet moment a child who had decided they were no good at reading, or maths, or writing suddenly realised they could do it after all. Tutoring lets me chase that moment for one child at a time, at their pace, without a class of thirty to keep moving. I set up Growing Minds so children near me could have calm, patient, one to one help early, while a wobble is still just a wobble, and grow the confidence to carry on by themselves.
Little steps. Growing confidence. Growing minds.
Not sure where to start?
Ready to start?
Tell me a little about your child and I will come back to you within one working day. The first chat is free and there is no obligation.