BA English Literature Cambridge University
PGCE English and Drama Bristol University

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach Latin, Greek, ancient and modern, and English literature .

Tell me about your qualifications.
I studied English literature at Newnham College, Cambridge University, English and drama PGCE at Bristol University, and Greek and Latin at Birkbeck College London.

What kind of experience do you have?
I've done classics coaching for St Paul's Girls' school, and taught Greek and Latin at the Hall school in Hampstead.
I work also as a freelance book reviewer - fiction for the TLS and Classics books for the Tablet, and published a children's biography of the Emperor Nero: "The Singing Emperor" (Short Books) in 2005. I'm also an artist and map illustrator with a very thorough knowledge of the topography of Ancient Rome, of which I am creating a giant map. I'm happy to start beginners off in modern Greek too as I've lived in Greece and studied its literature and music over many years.

How much do you charge?
I can make reductions for group lessons. I charge £10 extra for travel.

Where do you teach?
I teach at home or at students' homes and it is very easy to reach Shepherds bush, Chiswick, Kensington or Barnes from where I am.

When are you available?
My times are very flexible.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I am happy to teach children and adults of all ages.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
No.

Do you have a personal message for students?
I'm a great advocate of conversational Latin. It can be hilarious. I'm also keen for pupils to hear the sound and rhythm of verse by reading aloud and scanning at the same time - which is not at all as hard as you might think. I know too that vast amounts of grammar can be learned on the hoof quite pleasantly between home and the bus stop.

Articles

Review of Christopher Booker's "7 Basic Plots"
Subject: A-level English
Tags: archetypes, monsters, quest, voyage and return
Created: 09/01/2011

Review of "The Birth of Classical Europe"
Subject: A-level Classical Civilisation
Tags: augustine's city of god, carthage, herodotus, troy
Created: 17/09/2010

review of Barry Strauss' "The Spartacus war"
Subject: A-level Classical Civilisation
Tags: gladiators, roman slaves
Created: 09/01/2011

review of Roblin Lane Fox's The Classical World
Subject: A-level Classical Civilisation
Tags: byron and gibbon, cavalry charge, epicureanism, stoicism
Created: 09/01/2011