Tamara Thomas
Oxford ,Oxford
Summary
An experienced and reflective teacher with nearly ten years experience of teaching in state schools. Known for fostering strong relationships with students and creating a conducive learning environment. Demonstrated success in achieving high student performance, including leading a top set to the second highest number of grade 9s in the school's history in a decade. Skilled in implementing effective routines, supporting timely homework submission, and facilitating independent work. Strong collaborator with experience in team leadership and coaching, committed to continuous professional development. Actively involved in the school community, founder of The Cherwell Maths Society, enhancing students' mathematical skills and engagement. Mentor to teachers in their early stage of their careers. Experienced in mentoring students and colleagues.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Teacher of maths in secondary school
The Cherwell School
Oxford, Oxfordshire
09.2018 - Current
- Collated, curated and crafted engaging, accessible and inspiring educational materials supporting student success in mathematics for KS3, KS4 and KS5.
- Explained challenging maths topics clearly, to improve comprehension and student outcomes
- Collaborated with colleagues to create a sequenced scheme of work, with mid topic tests, end of unit topic tests and formal assessments to support teaching and learning.
- Established classroom routines to boost pupil recall and oracy of maths
- Utilised behaviour management skills to foster a calm and focused learning setting
- Championed a classroom culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment encouraging active participation from all pupils
- Founded and run The Cherwell Maths Society, a weekly enrichment club for mathematicians, using inspirational activities
- Strengthened parent collaboration to aid students with diverse educational needs
- Mentored new teachers and engaged in CPD to develop coaching skills
- Collaborated with teaching assistants to support students needing extra help
- Assessed student performance to deliver tailored instruction and address specific areas of development
- Strengthened safeguarding measures to promote student welfare and ensure consistent adherence to policies
- Prepared pupils for public examinations with rigorously planned lessons and mock tests, achieving high pass rates
Mathematics teacher secondary school
Gosford Hill School
, Oxfordshire
06.2016 - 08.2017
- Applied Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculum knowledge to create robust lesson plans.
- Collaborated with teaching assistants and mentors to deliver additional support to struggling students.
- Consistently acted as positive role model for school behavioural values and principles.
- Promoted critical thinking skills through thought-provoking maths challenges and exercises.
- Utilised technology in classrooms to enhance learning experiences.
- Facilitated peer learning opportunities, encouraging cooperative problem-solving.
Head of Business Development
The Fairtrade Foundation
London
02.2005 - 04.2011
- Developed sustainable growth plans to enhance company profitability, from a new business unit to a market value of over 800 million .
- Negotiated with stakeholders to develop a business plan that would suit the interests of the global fairtrade movement
- Established productive communication channels between departments within the organisation to stimulate collaboration.
- Led cross-functional teams for project execution within set timelines.
- Facilitated regular training programmes, enhancing team competence and productivity.
- Forged new alliances with industry peers, opening avenues for co-marketing opportunities
- Fostered strong relationships with key industry players for increased brand visibility.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, securing favourable terms for the company.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
The Open University
United Kingdom 02.2016 -
Bachelor of Science - Marketing And Management
University of Manchester
Manchester 09.1990 - 07.1993
A-Levels - Economics, Maths, History
Wessex Tutors
Winchester, Hampshire 09.1989 - 09.1990
GCSEs - Nine O'levels
Alton Convent
Alton, Hampshire 09.1984 - 06.1986
CPD - First Aid
The Cherwell School -First Aid Responder
Oxford, Oxfordshire06.2019
Skills
Routine orientated
- Clear modelling of often complex concepts
- The last top set that I taught for over a three year period achieved the second highest number of grade 9s, in a class, for a decade
Collaborative with a sense of purpose
- Pro actively fosters connections with parents
Life long learner
- Professionally curious regarding teaching techniques and consistently attends and actively participates in all of the CPD and staff meetings
Community minded
- Contributor to the wider school community, founder of The Cherwell Maths Society, for students interested in enriching their maths
Affiliations
- A retired hockey player, and now a very enthusiastic observer of watching others play. A keen historian, who enjoys visiting a castle, a chapel, a medieval site or walking in an ancient forest with my husband and our three teenage sons. A keen reader, learning about economic history and its impact on politics. My favourite read with a cup of tea on a Saturday morning is the Economist.
Timeline
Teacher of maths in secondary school
The Cherwell School
09.2018 - Current
Mathematics teacher secondary school
Gosford Hill School
06.2016 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
The Open University
02.2016 -
Head of Business Development
The Fairtrade Foundation
02.2005 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Marketing And Management
University of Manchester
09.1990 - 07.1993
A-Levels - Economics, Maths, History
Wessex Tutors
09.1989 - 09.1990
GCSEs - Nine O'levels
Alton Convent
09.1984 - 06.1986
CPD - First Aid
The Cherwell School -First Aid Responder
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