Anna

I grew up in London and took A-Levels in History (A*) English Literature (A*) and Philosophy and Ethics (A*) and an AS in Government and Politics (A). I went on to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where I completed a BA in History (First Class), followed by an MPhil in Early Modern History (Distinction), winning multiple awards for academic achievement. I recently completed a PhD on Renaissance Prague, passing my viva with no corrections. My research has appeared in prestigious peer-reviewed academic journals, and a chapter of my thesis won the 2020 German Historical Society Postgraduate Essay Prize. I hold a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Society of Renaissance Studies.

I take a creative, person-centred approach to my teaching. Every pupil has their own learning needs, whether that’s processing a tricky bit of content, improving their writing style, or building confidence in the pressure of timed exams. Working one-to-one means that I can shape my teaching to suit each pupil and their family. It’s my role to create the learning conditions that enable each pupil to flourish, become independent learners, and – most importantly – to take pleasure in their education. While my teaching style is flexible, I always communicate my expectations clearly and work with transparency regarding pupils’ goals and progress.

I particularly enjoy working with children and young people with SEN; who have challenging personal circumstances, or whose needs are not met by the conventional education system.

I’m a writer represented by the literary agency Greene & Heaton. I’m working on a history of my Czech family, their house in the Bohemian mountains, and the European twentieth century. My work has appeared in Granta, History Today, the Times Literary Supplement and others. In 2020 I was a London Library Emerging Writer and won the British Czech and Slovak Association Writing Prize.

I never go anywhere without a book of crosswords in my bag.