An introduction to Rachel Brazil, leader and teacher at Wendover
We are lucky not to have to worry about commuting times for staff at Wendover Online School – like our students, they can teach and learn from anywhere in the world!
Rachel Brazil is fortunate to live in Cornwall, a beautiful area of England from where she can enjoy working as our Head of Key Stage 5 (also known as ‘Sixth form’); and Head of Humanities across the school. In this blog, Rachel shares what this involves, and why she is delighted to be working for Wendover.
A strong teaching background in Humanities
Before joining Wendover a year ago, Rachel spent eleven years at a Further Education College in Penzance teaching History and Geography at A level, amongst other responsibilities, and prior to that was Head of History at a secondary school. She has a love of the humanities and enjoys sharing her interest with our students, who are always inspired to find out more!
Excellent pastoral care
Rachel also believes in the importance of pastoral care, and was responsible for academic and pastoral mentoring throughout her time in Penzance. Her mix of academic and pastoral experience made her an ideal choice for Wendover, and she has been delighted to take on this role.
“The whole child-centred approach at Wendover resonates strongly with me,” says Rachel. “Mainstream schools sometimes focus on ‘best grades’ without fostering a love of the subject, inspiring confidence in speaking and listening, and developing skills that will last for life. Wendover manages to do all of this, and achieves great results too!”
The joys of online education
Freed from physical classrooms, students can access lessons online from anywhere that suits them, and at times that work for them.
“One of my A level students is a footballer who has just spent 10 days in Wales at a tournament and in training. Instead of missing out on his education, he has been able to continue with lessons. Another student is also an athlete and has been granted a full scholarship in the USA for next year! It’s that focus on what is best for each individual child that makes Wendover shine for me,” Rachel explains. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all education. Lessons work around life, rather than the other way round, and our students and their families find this both refreshing and practical.”
This freedom to learn online means that education suddenly becomes accessible to a whole range of students for whom traditional schools simply do not work. From athletes and musicians to those with anxiety or long-term illness, Wendover tailors lessons and subjects to achieve the best outcome for each student.
Hands-on teaching, and sharing good practice
Rachel still does a lot of teaching, including history lessons for A-level students, GCSE students (Key Stage 4) and at Key Stage 3. As Head of Humanities, she also takes the time to pop in to other lessons to observe the different teaching styles and experiences of her colleagues, ensuring that any helpful tips and ideas can be shared.
“I have just been in a Psychology lesson, and will be enjoying Spanish and Economics lessons tomorrow,” enthuses Rachel. “It’s great to see how these very different subjects are taught, and our teachers appreciate the feedback.”
Rachel is also responsible for overseeing the humanities schemes of work: long-term plans that set out what teachers aim to teach in a particular subject across a term or an academic year.
Head of Sixth Form
As Head of Key Stage 5, Rachel similarly meets with all Wendover’s sixth form teachers to share ideas and any concerns. For example, if a student has a particular difficulty, or tends towards a specific learning style, teachers can share information that will help that student get the most from their lessons.
Rachel also provides personal support to each A-level student including weekly one-to-one tutor sessions and group tutorials. These provide different opportunities to check in with the students individually, and also gives them a chance to discuss with their peers anything that interests or concerns them.
As well as preparing students for exams, Wendover helps students prepare for the future pathway that is right for them. Through group tutorials and personal discussions, Rachel helps her online students research options for the future, including giving careers advice and help with setting personal goals.
Rachel and her team at Wendover also help students to complete UCAS (university and college application) forms. This will include guidance on personal statements, and the help of an Oxbridge specialist to support applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities. Students wishing to pursue academics in the States are catered for with SATs preparation lessons.
“I love to see how much our students grow in confidence at Wendover,” says Rachel. “We encourage them to develop new skills, and if they want to pursue further education, we take the time to work out with them and their parents what will be the best course. Setting goals and learning study skills are an important part of growing up – it is a privilege to be able to share this exciting time in Sixth Form with our students.”
Preparation for the future
“I love to see how much our students grow in confidence at Wendover,” says Rachel. “We encourage them to develop new skills, and if they want to pursue higher education, we take the time to work out with them and their parents what will be the best course. Setting goals and learning study skills are an important part of growing up – it is a privilege to be able to share this exciting time in Sixth Form with our students.”
Enthusiastic learners at Wendover
After just a year teaching and working online with Wendover, Rachel is delighted that she joined us. “Our students are so enthusiastic, I have never had any behavioural issues in the online classroom: they are keen to learn, and support each other. It seems to me an ideal way to learn!”
To find out more about online lessons, please contact Jude or Sarah at +44 1604 213 477 or email on firstname.lastname@example.org.