Page 20 - Seaford Sixth Form Experience 2024

James Gisby
Director of Teaching & Learning – Oxbridge Adviser
Education
A Levels – History, Politics, English Literature, Maths University of Kent,
War Studies, 1st Best History Dissertation
Why do you enjoy teaching at Seaford?
I enjoy the energy of our students; I am a passionate historian so I love to see this
enthusiasm reflected back in the classroom. Also, I love our ethos of striving for
personal bests regardless of where you are on the ability spectrum. I am just as
proud of our Cs at History A Level as I am about our many A/A*s.
Tell us about your role?
My role is to guide our students through the Oxbridge application process. Alongside their subject mentor,
we make sure they are reading the right books, exploring appropriate work experience and extending their
knowledge to put them in the best position for success. We stretch students beyond the curriculum and work on
interview skills, as this is still a crucial part of the selection process for these courses. We have 18 months to prepare
and make sure the students have practised and enhanced their critical thinking to maximise their application
form, interview and admissions test.
My favourite part of the role is seeing our students develop a fanatical passion for their subject inside and outside
of the classroom. To see them reading, talking and debating higher order concepts of their chosen subjects and
getting excited about them reignites my passion for education, especially when we have people applying for
History! Really, it is my role to help facilitate their passion, point them in the right direction for further research and
help them convey this enthusiasm to others, including a potential interviewer.
18
Sheila Butler
Assistant Head (Personalised Learning and
Student Intervention)
Education
BA History Cardiff University, PGCE Secondary History University of Exeter
Masters in Inclusion and Special Needs University of Birmingham
National SENCO Award University of Middlesex, PAPAA SFJ Training
Why do you enjoy teaching at Seaford?
The students are unlike any other students I have come across in other schools.
They are funny, individual and immensely caring. I enjoy teaching here because
our students are a pleasure to work with. They are incredibly self-motivated and
always grateful for any help we offer. On top of this, as an added bonus, we have the great privilege in working in
outstanding facilities, overlooking the beautiful South Downs countryside.
Tell us about your role?
My role is Assistant Head and I lead the Academic Access and Support team ensuring all learners fulfil their
potential, regardless of academic profile or difficulties. Specifically in the Sixth Form, my role is to support all
Sixth Form students and to facilitate their studies. For the most part, this involves organising and coordinating
1:1 Learning Support lessons. However, a common opinion we hear from our students is that by the time they
reach the Sixth Form, they are able to implement techniques learned in their Learning Support lessons into
the classroom independently and often don’t need additional support at this stage. Informal support, however,
is always available via the Academic Confidence Clinic; a drop-in clinic, hosted in the group study room of the
Learning Resource Centre. Ongoing support with study skills and time management is provided through tutor
time and the department works closely with the Sixth Form team to ensure this is successfully implemented.
Finally, many Sixth Form students have academic mentoring sessions with me, to aid with deadline management,
revision skills and exam anxiety.