Claire Finney

Hello there. My name is Claire, I have been teaching for 30 years, 15 in the Northwest of England and 15 internationally. I have taught the UK National Curriculum and have also been a specialist English as an additional language teacher up to age 14. I'm currently doing some light face-to-face tutoring, but my last big role was in China teaching Grade 3 EAL—vowels, blends, reading, writing, and grammar from the ground up. Before that: Thailand (Year 5 teacher plus English & Social Studies for Years 5–8), and Spain at the American School of Murcia (Maths & English for Grades 2–3, plus English Lead introducing assessment across the school). I've taught lots of EAL children and also supported pupils with Autism and other special needs—because every child matters. In 2021–22, I was Head Teacher at ELAN Montessori British School, teaching a mixed Year 2/3/4 class. As Head, I rewrote timetables, led a staff of nine, held a World Book Day fancy dress show, and took on SENCO duties (creating a SEN register and monitoring provision). I also did learning walks, book looks and created School Development Plans. I've taught in Qatar (Year 4, hybrid online/in-person using Teams and Showbie) and at King's College in Spain (Years 4–6, graded 'outstanding' in observations and pre-inspection). There I coordinated Pupil Voice and Humanities, ran an Art Club. I graduated with my PGCE in 1995, became Head of Year by 1998, and I've never lost my belief that a happy child is a learning child. Thirty years in, I'm still enthusiastic, still love a good lightbulb moment, and I bring humour, high expectations, and respect for every child. I plan fun and engaging lessons online and use brain gym to keep students motivated. If you want to learn while having fun, research my profile then come and join me.