About Helena Vandyk BA PGCE
Woodhouse College 2000 - 2002
Qualifications gained: 3 'A' Levels in English Literature, History and Art
After leaving school, I continued studying and attended Woodhouse Sixth Form College, one of the best colleges of its kind in the country, where I studied English Literature, History and Art, and achieved all A - C grades. During my time at Woodhouse, my passion for English Literature really came to the fore. I studied texts such as 'Twelfth Night', 'The Ancient Mariner' and 'Mrs Dalloway', I also read 'Measure for Measure', which is my favourite Shakespeare play to date. I also developed a real love for Shakespeare at Woodhouse. This passion for English Literature and Language continued during my education at The University of Reading.
The University of Reading 2002 - 2005
Qualification gained: BA (hons) 2:1 in English and History of Art
At the University of Reading, one of the top 30 universities in the UK, I studied English and History of Art. I studied 10 Shakespeare plays, as well as modules such as Rennaissance Women's Writing, Modern Drama and Perpectives on Slavery. My 10,000 word dissertation was based on the myth of Pygmalion in literature and art. I read over 30 texts on the topic and carried out my research at The Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and The Warburg Institute. I received 68% for this project.
After graduating from university, I worked in the Civil Service and then as a Teaching Assistant at Hendon Secondary School, where I assisted students with Special Educational Needs. I found this teaching work particularly rewarding and decided to complete an English secondary teaching qualification (PGCE) the following year.
The Institute of Education (University of London) 2007 - 2008
Qualification gained: PGCE in Secondary English Teaching
I completed my teacher training at The Institute of Education, University of London, which is one of the best providers of teacher training in the world. I taught at Jews Free School (JFS) and Claremont High School. During this time I learnt how to teach English Literature and Language to students aged 11-16. I taught texts such as 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Beowulf', as well as a creative writing and an advertising module. I wrote essays based on my teaching and completed a 5,000 word thesis about creative writing in the classroom. On this course, I realised that I loved working with individual students, more so than classroom teaching. I therefore decided to use the teaching skills I had gained to become a private tutor.
Qualifications gained: 3 'A' Levels in English Literature, History and Art
After leaving school, I continued studying and attended Woodhouse Sixth Form College, one of the best colleges of its kind in the country, where I studied English Literature, History and Art, and achieved all A - C grades. During my time at Woodhouse, my passion for English Literature really came to the fore. I studied texts such as 'Twelfth Night', 'The Ancient Mariner' and 'Mrs Dalloway', I also read 'Measure for Measure', which is my favourite Shakespeare play to date. I also developed a real love for Shakespeare at Woodhouse. This passion for English Literature and Language continued during my education at The University of Reading.
The University of Reading 2002 - 2005
Qualification gained: BA (hons) 2:1 in English and History of Art
At the University of Reading, one of the top 30 universities in the UK, I studied English and History of Art. I studied 10 Shakespeare plays, as well as modules such as Rennaissance Women's Writing, Modern Drama and Perpectives on Slavery. My 10,000 word dissertation was based on the myth of Pygmalion in literature and art. I read over 30 texts on the topic and carried out my research at The Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and The Warburg Institute. I received 68% for this project.
After graduating from university, I worked in the Civil Service and then as a Teaching Assistant at Hendon Secondary School, where I assisted students with Special Educational Needs. I found this teaching work particularly rewarding and decided to complete an English secondary teaching qualification (PGCE) the following year.
The Institute of Education (University of London) 2007 - 2008
Qualification gained: PGCE in Secondary English Teaching
I completed my teacher training at The Institute of Education, University of London, which is one of the best providers of teacher training in the world. I taught at Jews Free School (JFS) and Claremont High School. During this time I learnt how to teach English Literature and Language to students aged 11-16. I taught texts such as 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Beowulf', as well as a creative writing and an advertising module. I wrote essays based on my teaching and completed a 5,000 word thesis about creative writing in the classroom. On this course, I realised that I loved working with individual students, more so than classroom teaching. I therefore decided to use the teaching skills I had gained to become a private tutor.
