Cheryl is a highly qualified Biologist. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Sheffield and a PhD (focusing on the oxytocin receptor in the male reproductive tract) from the University of Bristol.

For the last 26 years, Cheryl has taught in independent schools around the globe (including the UK, NZ and Egypt). She has taught Biology at the following levels: GCSE, A level, IB MYP and IB DP as well as NCEA courses in Biology. She has also taught Chemistry and Science and Environmental Systems and Societies. Keeping up to date with the courses through professional development, Cheryl's understanding of the mentioned courses is current.

Cheryl's students have consistently achieved grades greater than their CEM data predictions. This means that Cheryl always adds 'value' to the achievement of her students. She is particularly adept at advising on the Internal Assessment element of the Biology IB course and can provide feedback or mark the entire IA to give an insight into what grade you might achieve. Cheryl is proud of the fact that the the grades she awarded her students throughout her career matched with those of the IB examiners: her marking was consistently 'consistent' with them. This is no mean feat!

Cheryl also likes to aid students with study and revision skills. She has a Master's degree in Education and Psychology from the University of Cambridge. Her thesis investigated the impact of graphic organisers on metacognition and learning.

Cheryl has been described as approachable and good humored and builds working relationships easily. She uses a constructivist approach in her teaching which means that her students are not passive but active learners.

I think learning to understand and retain information is an active process so I endeavour to get my students to 'manipulate/work with' content. I am also a fan of visually coding information as summary diagrams which enable the relationships between bits of information to be seen. A tutoring session may begin with a review of the prior knowledge needed to access the topic we are dealing with that day followed by some instruction/direct input from me. Checks for understanding are employed which usually involve an active task and consolidation of understanding might use a graphic organiser. A past paper question is often employed to help with examination technique as well as the application of knowledge. And we would usually finish with a summary/review of what has been established and where we would like to head next.