Shona

I am a highly qualified and experienced former teacher of History and History graduate from the University of Cambridge. I worked as a History teacher from 2019-2021, completing my training through a SCITT programme and a PGCE with UCL's Institute of Education. I was acting Head of Department and led two GCSE cohorts to success during the difficult lockdown periods.

I completed my undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the University of Cambridge (Corpus Christi College). I achieved a 'First' in my Master’s and won two prizes for academic achievement.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught various exam boards at GCSE, including: OCR B, Edexcel and AQA. I have particular experience in the following topics:
OCR B:
• Migrants to Britain, 1250-present
• The Elizabethans, 1580-1603
• The Mughal Empire, 1526—1707
• Living under Nazi rule, 1933—1945

AQA
• Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship
• Conflict and tension: The First World War, 1894–1918
• Britain: Power and the people: c1170 to the present day
• Norman England, c1066–c1100

Edexcel:
• Medicine in Britain, c1250–present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
• Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88
• Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39
• Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91

I also have interests and areas of speciality outside of GCSE topics. I can teach these according to GCSE, A Level or university syllabuses.
• Medieval England (1050-1500), with a particular focus on power and kingship
• History of Medicine (medieval-present)
• The French Revolution (including Napoleon and the restoration)

Tutoring Approach

My teaching approach balances awareness of, and sensitivity towards, students’ needs and academic rigour. As a teacher, I specialised in cognitive load theory and the most effective ways of teaching large amounts of difficult content. As a result, I am able to help students achieve, or go beyond, their predicted grades. I am also keen to instil in students a passion for history.