BACKGROUND

Sama attended independent St Augustine’s Priory School, graduated from University College London with a BSc in Economics (2:1) and completed her ACMA with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). A top level and varied career at the cutting edge of the financial sector, working for companies including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank followed, where dedication and a commitment to see tasks through saw her progress and flourish. On taking a career break to raise her family Sama discovered both a passion, and a gift, for teaching that has seen her forge a new career in tutoring. Sama is also Fluent in spoken and written Arabic.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH

Sama specialises in Early Years, 4+, Reception, Years 1 & 2 and 7+ tutoring. She has undertaken support roles in both Nursery and Primary schools, and is well versed in the requirements of entry to prestigious London schools at 4+, 7+, 8+ and 11+. She has successfully tutored pupils to gain places at establishments including:

A detailed conversation with parents is the starting point of Sama’s approach, to learn more about the child, and crucially the schools that are being considered for them. A session to assess a student’s reading, writing, fine motor skills and cognitive abilities follows, perhaps reading them a story followed by discussion and questions or watching how well they hold a pencil.

Sama works closely with parents and establishes a strong level of trust and understanding with pupils. She tailors learning to individual needs in line with curriculum objectives, navigating phonics, mathematics, memory and comprehension and mastering milestones to prepare children for assessment and admission to specific schools.

Sama strongly believes that the tutoring of younger children is most successful face-to-face and only undertakes roles on this basis.

WHY TUTORING?

Working with children at the early stages of their development and at the beginning of their educational journey is what inspires me to tutor. Their curiosity, desire and willingness to absorb just so much information is what motivates me, and it’s such a joy to watch and be a part of their successes.

One of my favourite books is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

TESTIMONIALS

“Sama has been working with my daughter for a year. She is genuinely exceptional in every single way – she comes to each lesson with a clear idea of what she wants to achieve but is also flexible enough to adapt and tailors her approach perfectly for Ayla. It is a testament to how fantastic she is that my daughter opted to have lessons with Sama over going to the play centre last week! I would highly recommend her for younger children.”  A parent