Welcome to Blank Canvas Tutoring

 

Over 20 years' experience supporting young people and adults to re-engage, build confidence and enjoy learning. Extensive professional and personal experience of ASC, ADHD, PDA and SEMH needs. Highly skilled in adapting for specific learning needs and creating positive, holistic and meaningful learning experiences. Teaching, training and management experience FE colleges, voluntary organisations and special schools. Expert online and face-to-face teaching in English and maths including supporting learners to work towards GCSE and Functional Skills qualifications. 

blankcanvastutoring@yahoo.com

Dan Cooper 

Frequently Asked Questions

What online lessons do you currently offer?

Home Ed English Tuesdays 9.30-10.30am 

Functional Skills English Level 1/2 Tuesdays 11.00am-12.00pm

Functional Skills English Level 1 / 2  Mondays 7.30 - 9.00pm 

 

What subjects do you tutor?

I teach English including creative writing, non-fiction writing, SPAG skills and strategies, vocabulary and etymology, discussion and debating skills and reading strategies, skills and approaches. 

I also have experience of teaching maths, science, drama, film-making, music, PE, PSHE, citizenship, health and social care, EFL, ESOL, modern languages (French, Spanish and Italian) and circus skills and am open to any combination of these for small groups or 1-1. 

How much do you charge?

Group sessions - £20 per hour 

1-1 sessions - from £40 per hour, depending on requirements, bespoke lessons available. 

My prices reflect my experience and expertise and my aim to make a living with two neurodiverse children out of school and my wife being a full time carer. If you are interested but feel that cost is a barrier, please get in touch to discuss in confidence. 

What is your approach to teaching and learning?

My approach is to support creativity and critical thinking, to encourage making links across curriculum areas and to nurture a love of learning. 

Sharing my passion for languages and cultures, I look to broaden my own and others' horizons through learning collectively.

I develop supportive, collaborative learning environments in which everyone is genuinely valued and learners support each other to grow and learn. I place a strong focus on verbal communication, using speaking skills to develop confidence for writing. 

I am able to support learners to progress towards Functional Skills and GCSE exams with techniques, practice questions and terminology for the syllabus.

I am kind, calm and patient but with high expectations. I am skilled in harnessing individuals' skills, ambitions and interests to inspire and motivate. I am clear and consistent and have been frequently praised by learners and lesson observers for creating relaxed, collaborative and productive learning environments. 

Who are your lessons aimed at?

Everyone is welcome, I aim to be as inclusive as possible and want to be able to reach learners with additional needs, or who do not access mainstream education, adult learners and non-native speakers. My lessons are not about 'catching up' or fast-track learning, but are about making real and meaningful connections between people through deep and purposeful learning with support towards acheiving qualifications as a long term goal if and when appropriate. 

What other experience do you have?

Over 20 years' of experience in education including:

Teaching young people with learning disabilities in a generic special school where I am a class teacher across all subjects and lead the school's maths provision and Duke of Edinbugh programme. 

First-hand, personal experince of PDA, ASC, ADHD and school-based trauma. I have two children with diagnoses of ASC, both of whom have had periods out of school, accessed alternative provision and tutoring. 

Six years of management of all aspects of GCSE and Functional Skills English and maths provision at Craven College. 

Established an alternative provision pathway at Craven College for young people who were not accessing mainstream education, which is still running and hugely successful. 

Teaching adults who have returned to learning, supporting them to build confidence and acheive Functional SKills and GCSE qualifications in English and maths.

EFL teaching abroad and ESOL teaching in the UK with asylum seekers and refugees which I continue to do two evenings per week. 

Managing and teaching on traineeship, NEET and foundation learning courses in Burnely College, Keighley College and Leeds City College.

Training and mentoring new and experienced teachers and designing and delivering CPD including supporting learners with additional needs, developing speaking skills across the curriculum, working with learning support assistants, phonics in secondary and Post 16 and embedding numeracy and literacy in a holistic curriculum. 

Published action reseach, conference speaking and workshop facilitating for the Education and Training Foundation.  

Recently established Skipton Circus Skills and run a regular club and circus skills workshops for young people.

I also love playing music, juggling, exploring woodlands, hills and rivers, learning languages, films and books and mucking about on my allotment. 

What qualifications do you have?

First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid 

Mental Health First Aid 

QTLS

Level 4 Certificate in Supporting Post 16 Resit Learners in GCSE English

Level 3 Certificate in Quality Assurance 

Level 5 Leadership and Management 

Level 5 Specialism in Teaching Literacy 

PGCE in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health 

Level 2 Cetificate in Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Level 2 Health and Safety

Grade A CELTA, University of Bristol Language Centre

1st Class Degree in French, Film and Theatre Studies - University of Bristol

A-level French, Theatr Studies, English Language and Literature 

GCSES including English, maths and Science

 

Other information

Full, enhanced DBS, available on request.

Personal and character references available on request. 

Full public libability insurance. 

Are you available during school holiday?

I am available during school holidays and can arrange additional, one off or longer sessions and be more flexible in terms of times and location. 

As a teacher and a parent, I am acutely aware of fact that holidays can very stressful for families as peers and siblings are off school and routines change with other clubs and groups not running. 

Please contact me to arrange something to suit your needs. 

Why 'Blank Canvas?'

Young people are blank canvases, ready to learn, to be challenged and develop their invididual characters through exploration, creativity and collaboration. I want to help them to learn in ways that suit them and to make learning meaningful and enjoyable. This often means undoing some of the rigidity and negativity associated with mainstream education which, with my professional and personal experience, I feel well-placed to be able to help with with.

I have two neurodiverse children whose needs have not been met in mainstream or special schools and who are accessing a mixture of home learning and alternative provision. I have reduced my hours as a special needs teacher and started turoring to be able to support them to be themselves and learn in their own ways. 

What do others say about you?

"The most naturally gifted teacher I have ever observed."  Deborah McVey, Education Consultant. 

"Dan delivered an expertly managed session led with quiet confidence. He is skilled tutor who diffused a potentially stressful situation with quiet ease. In a group where all students all have complex needs, Dan demonstrated outstanding skill and experience to ensure that high qualitiy learning took place for all througout the session." Bridget Slater, Curriculum Manager, lesson observation feedback.   

"I had a great experience taking this course. It gave me a great opportunity and a safe environment to practice my speaking, reading and writing. Thank you so much for the amazing course!" Dmytro, Ukrainian ESOL Learner. 

"Dan, you are a wonderful teacher and I am so grateful to you for the time and knowledge that you have shared with us." Katya, Functional Skills Learner. 

 

 

How do I book a lesson?

Use the contact page to arrange a phone call initially. I can then set up a short video or voice call before booking onto a lesson. 

Get in Touch

For a free, no obligation 10 minute phone call to discuss your young person's learning needs, please use the Contact Us button with a mobile number and preferred times for a conversation.