Welcome. Bienvenue. Benvenuto.

Working with young linguists genuinely brings me great joy.  I love exploring the rich culture, language and literature of France and Italy alongside my students, supporting them to develop confidence, critical thinking and analysis. I am continually energised by the fresh perspectives that my students bring to our lessons.

I hugely enjoy teaching the GCSE course because it often moves at quite a fast pace and students are able to see real, tangible progress very quickly. It is so motivating as a teacher to watch students gain confidence and build a strong foundation for further linguistic study.

Teaching languages at A Level is especially rewarding for me due to the breadth and depth of the course, offering authentic insights into so many aspects of Italian and Francophone society. The A-Level brings together multiple disciplines — language, literature, film, politics, the study of society and culture, — making it an excellent companion to other subjects. It engages students with pertinent global issues such as diversity and immigration, encouraging them to consider different perspectives and the influences that have shaped them, naturally developing critical thinking skills. I really believe that these courses help students to contribute meaningfully to society and are excellent preparation for many university courses.

I have been fortunate to study and work in inspiring institutions, with highly insightful colleagues, lecturers, teachers and incredible mentors who taught me to think deeply. This academic background informs all aspects of my teaching.  

Academic background and teaching experience

I have over 20 years of experience teaching French and Italian across a wide range of curricula, including GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, IB (Language A, Language B), and KS3 — in leading UK independent schools, the state sector, and at university level.

Within schools, I have held senior roles including Head of Italian and Deputy Head of the IB Diploma Programme, with responsibility for student progress, academic enrichment and targeted support strategies. I currently teach French part-time and serve as Universities Coordinator, overseeing the school’s programme for supporting students aiming for highly competitive university entry.

I have also taught English at state schools in Italy, worked for independent language schools, and taught trainee teachers at the University of Grenoble.

I hold a PhD and MPhil (Distinction) in Modern and Medieval Languages and Literature from the University of Cambridge, a PGCE and a First-Class BA (Hons) in French and Italian from the University of Bristol.  

At Cambridge, I taught European literature to first- and second-year undergraduate students within the Faculty of English, and translation within the Faculty of Modern Languages. I also served as an examiner for assessments in these courses.

This breadth of experience across secondary, post-16 and university-level contexts shapes my teaching and mentoring. It allows me to support students not only in meeting the demands of specific courses and examinations, but also in developing the analytical, linguistic and independent learning skills required to engage confidently with demanding academic contexts, advanced study and sustained intellectual engagement.

Preparing for university-study

Drawing on a background in academic research and literary criticism, I help students to refine research, essay writing, referencing, and analytical skills.  As Extended Essay Coordinator for the IB Diploma, I guided students through the 4,000-word research project — a formative foundation for undergraduate study. I also bring 15 years of experience supporting students with university applications, including Oxbridge, Russell Group, and international institutions, helping students to develop strategies for competitive entry in Modern Languages, English, and many other subjects.

Teaching Approach

Building confidence is central to my teaching, whether for GCSE, IB, or A-Level students. I seek to create an active learning environment, encouraging students to take ownership of their knowledge and develop lasting study habits. Lessons are informed by evidence-based research in language teaching and incorporate personalised targets, retrieval practice, interleaving (mixing and revisiting topics or grammar) and highly detailed feedback to support understanding, strengthen memory, and motivation. Critical thinking and close textual analysis are integral to my approach, and I have longstanding experience of preparing students for oral examinations at GCSE and A-Level.  I know that immersive experiences can be highly motivating for students, therefore I am always looking to extend subject knowledge through enrichment activities such as celebrating customs, virtual cultural visits, online lectures, documentaries, screenings or concerts.

My students and colleagues have kindly described me as being deeply caring, personable, and supportive.  These qualities help me to build strong connections, ensuring that every student — whatever their starting point — makes meaningful progress and feels valued throughout their learning journey.