Chantelle F.
I currently am a second year undergraduate studying a BA in Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science. As an undergraduate who studies at a social science university, with a large focus on economic understanding, I am evidently interested in politics and current affairs. Reading Human Geography I have an in depth understanding of the nuances of worldwide issues and international relations; having chosen modules which purposefully aid academic understanding and to expand my knowledge of relevant career fields. My long term aim is to have a career in the field of international development, with a key focus on education policy. I am an outgoing, adventurous individual who enjoys travelling and teaching. To fund both of these hobbies I have worked throughout my education; as a barista at Marks & Spencer during my A- Levels and as a member of the Central Support Team at ‘Create Development.’ ‘Create Development’ as a company provides resources and tutoring to schools to improve physical education and my role within the team is to create each bespoke product itself. Having recently been promoted to the central support team I am using a variety of programmes and databases in order to produce detailed and complex products. The use of new software and programming suggests I pick up new skills very quickly as I am already confident within my role. By looking at a different perspective of teaching practices I have a greater understanding of education and educational policy. In regards to academia, I have a consistently good record, with my exams results as follows; Degree results; • 1st year grade: Upper second class • Expected grade: Upper second class • 1:1 in LSE100 qualification GCSE and A Level results • A levels: A*A*A in History, Politics and Geography respectively. In my History A2 year I gained full UMS points on both parts of the course. In Politics I came 1st across the college with full UMS in both papers in A2 year and averaged 95% in A/S year. At Geography A/S Level I averaged 97%. • A/S levels: A in Religious Studies (2012), A in English Literature (2013), A in EPQ (2014). I took my Religious Studies A/S in my GCSE year, having been selected to take the course from 250 students across my cohort. • GSCEs: A* Maths, A* English Literature, A* English Language, A* Core Science, A* Double Science, A* History, A* Geography, A* Religious Studies, Distinction in I.T. (2012), A Statistics (2011). I achieved full UMS across many of my exams, including my Geography, History, Science, Religious Studies and English Literature exams.
As a tutor I am very friendly and encouraging. I like to make the content engaging and interactive whilst being tailored specifically the exam. My job as part of ‘Create Development’ and my experience as a teaching assistant I have learnt how to patient and how to effectively explain difficult concepts. For example, I have experience of dealing with students who do not have English as a first language; in Kathmandu I taught pupils English through a variety of techniques including interactive games and sports. When mentoring for A-Levels and GCSEs I make sure all elements of the exam syllabus, find engaging ways to learn, understand and interpret the content (through flash cards and mind maps) and then focus on understanding exam questions and how to structure appropriate responses. I challenge the student and tailor the content and course to their needs and requirements.
I have a wealth of experience of working with young people in a voluntary capacity as this is something I have a very evident passion for. For example, in 2012 I fundraised money for the building of a school in Kathmandu and then flew out to Nepal to not only help aid the construction of the school but also to teach core subjects including; English, Maths, Science and P.E. By teaching children from a completely different part of the world, who had English as a second language, was very interesting as it added a whole new dynamic to my role. I spent a month in Nepal and taught a range of subjects for students aged 2-18. Furthermore I have also volunteered as a teaching assistant in The Redstart Primary School I got experience of working with young people. (I have additionally worked as a receptionist for the institution). I was given a lot of responsibility and as given groups of children and asked to create and conduct lessons solo. In this role I taught maths, I.T. skills and Reading and Writing. I also have outdoor experience of volunteering with young people. I have volunteered at guide and school camps. For example I have volunteered as a camp leader on 'Huish Woods campsite' in Somerset where I taught camping activities such as low ropes courses, camp crafts and campfire building. At university I have also set up mentoring schemes, where second years like myself support and aid first years through the first year of their degree programme. With this I have mentored in my subject (Geography) and have helped with content, essay structure and tackling exam questions.
Outside of academic education, I have numerous interests; both politically and physically motivated. I have a particular aptitude for politics; chairing and running my college’s Politics Society. Responsibilities included contacting local politicians to speak to college student and then chair a debate involving both the speaker and the student. In university I have continued to do this, by participating in the Geography and Environment Society; of which I am an active member. Additionally in my spare time I enjoy travelling and volunteering, having been to Nepal to climb Everest Base Camp and volunteer in a school in Kathmandu. I have also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and completed the Inca Trail in the Andes as well as volunteering in Peru with an orphanage in Lima. I have just returned from an overlanding expedition to Africa where I drove through and explored Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. These trips funded through my part time work have given me particularly valuable experiences as I have gained first-hand experience of the academia I have been studying and have placed my knowledge in context. The trips are exceptionally memorable and have given me an insight to different cultures.
