Creative Writing: Working With Words

Hi - thank you for taking the time to read my profile. My name is Karen and I  moved to rural Lincolnshire in 2019 - before that I lived and worked in London for 30 years. I am a qualified English Teacher and I also have a BA Hons Degree in Fashion. I have been an English and Media teacher for the past twenty years in Secondary Schools (High School) teaching ages 10 to 18. My last position in full time education (2019) was as Deputy Director of English and Literature in a large Secondary School. Before I became a teacher I worked in the fashion industry as a designer - designing ranges for well known High Street labels. I now teach full time on Outschool.  
 My lessons encourage the love of reading, writing and film; my aim is to help learners explore the  beauty and complexity of language and imagery. Reading and film help us to understand the world around us and allows us to experience endless possibilities and writing helps us to express our thoughts, feelings and dreams. Yes of course it is important our children achieve their academic potential in school, to ensure they go out into the world prepared and able, but an inquisitive mind and an ability to express their feelings and ideas is just as important.
My aim as a teacher is to encourage creativity and a love of learning - helping students to be confident and encouraging them to express their thoughts and ideas is the most important thing a teacher can do - 'growing' as a person is the most important lesson we can ever give our children.
My classes are academic and designed to teach and develop the core reading and writing skills - my curriculum is closely linked to the UK National Curriculum for KS2 KS3 and GCSE. I also teach IGCSE - having taught that both in school and as a private tutor. 
For writing classes I  use the 'modeling' instructional strategy. Students 'see' what the style of writing or technique should look like, along with a detailed rationale of why and the skills involved. Students then try the skill for themselves with 'quick writes' for which verbal feedback is given, building to a piece of independent writing which is sent for marking and feedback.
For reading classes I use a combination of teaching styles in order to support the development of the reading skills - helping students to understand what the question is asking them - how to answer it, and how much detail is appropriate. I also use exemplars to model 'full mark' answers enabling students to understand what they did well and where they can improve.
Lessons are accompanied with Knowledge Organisers to help students develop vocabulary, give examples of writing techniques and  provide success checklists to help students understand 'how' to progress.
I am a huge football and rugby fan, so when I'm not teaching I am often to be found cheering on my favourite teams.