About
About Maths Don’t Panic and Frankie Griew
Established as a full-time service in February 2013, Maths Don’t Panic offers maths tuition in the West Midlands, and online, for a full range of ages and abilities.
Frankie Griew is the Maths Don’t Panic teacher, based in Brierley Hill, in the West Midlands.
About Frankie Griew
I am a freelance maths teacher, offering maths tuition in Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Hagley, Netherton, Cradley Heath, Edgbaston, Bearwood, Rowley Regis, South West Birmingham and surrounding areas of the West Midlands, and online.
I have thirty years experience teaching mathematics at a range of levels, both individually and as a class teacher. After originally qualifying as a primary school teacher, I worked mostly in Further Education before setting up Maths Don’t Panic in 2013. My class teaching experience has included GCSE Maths, adult numeracy, maths support workshops and five years teaching predominantly A-level Maths (2007-2012). I have also coordinated dyslexia provision and academic learning support. Since February 2013 I have offered full-time professional maths tuition in the West Midlands and, since 2020, online.
- My experience as a GCSE and A-level class teacher informs my work as a tutor, giving students access to expertise with exam questions and marking schemes as well as mathematical understanding and methods.
- Providing individual tuition has given me insight into students’ experiences of maths education; this enriches my practice in all settings.
- Work on a playscheme for young people with severe learning difficulties (1990-1996) taught me to pay attention to subtle communication and to recognise and celebrate achievement in very small steps.
- Teaching very able students, neurodivergent and/or autistic thinkers, and people with specific learning difficulties, has enabled me to flexibly adapt teaching and communication to the needs of students.
- Working with adults who struggle with maths has deepened my insight into differences in learning; this enhances my teaching of both individuals and groups.
I love the variety in my tuition work, and have a passionate commitment to diversity, inclusivity and equality. I have a drive to share my enthusiasm for maths with students, making lessons enjoyable, building confidence and increasing learning.
For most of my teaching career I was known as Rachel Griew; I changed my name legally to Frankie in March 2021.
I have a DBS Enhanced Certificate dated July 2022.
More about Frankie
I have enjoyed maths since childhood and first thought of teaching it at around age eleven; then I forgot that thought for a decade or two. Returning to education after a ten year absence I did an Access to Higher Education course and then trained as a primary teacher (ages 7-12) with Mathematics as my main subject. That gave me two years’ worth of degree level maths as part of a four year Bachelor of Education degree (First Class Honours). During this time I worked during the holidays on a play scheme for children and young people with severe learning difficulties, and spent time as a volunteer in adult numeracy classes.
In addition to mathematics I enjoy dancing, camping, playing games, juggling, singing, flying kites, drawing, knitting, languages (currently learning Swedish), cycling, reading, and running.
I changed my name to Frankie in my 50’s to more accurately reflect my gender identity.
Educational Background
Westhill College of Higher Education, Birmingham
Bachelor of Education degree (Main subject Mathematics) – First Class Honours
1991 – 1995
London Language and Literacy Unit / Southbank University – Adult Dyslexia Support Certificate
1998
University of Warwick – Post-graduate Certificate in Mathematics Education
1998 – 1999
Teaching Experience prior to Maths Don’t Panic
Lecturer in Mathematics
April 2007 – December 2012
- A-Level Mathematics (AS and A2: Pure Core Maths, Mechanics, Decision);
- GCSE Mathematics (Higher and Foundation);
- GCSE Statistics (Foundation);
- Access to Higher Education Mathematics;
- Specialist numeracy teaching (students with specific learning difficulties);
- A-level and Access to H.E. tutor groups.
“Personal Skills Development” Co-ordinator
August 2003 – April 2007
- Coordinating and delivering academic learning support;
- teaching mathematics to individuals and groups (levels from pre-GCSE to AS);
- teaching Level Two ‘Certificate in Adult Learner Support’ and Level Three ‘Adult Numeracy Subject Support’ courses;
- supporting students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties;
- organising staff timetables;
- liaising with students, parents, teachers, support staff and managers across the college.
Maths Teacher / Dyslexia Co-ordinator
January 1996 – August 2003
- Adult numeracy teacher;
- coordinator for dyslexia provision (assessments and support);
- Mathematics teacher (GCSE, Access to H. E.);
- ‘Maths and Dyslexia’ workshops;
- individual maths support;
- teaching ‘Initial Certificate in Teaching Basic Skills’;
- writing and delivering courses: “Maths – Don’t Panic!” (for adults who fear mathematics) and “Make Maths Fun!” (family numeracy – for parents of young children);
- private tutoring in mathematics.
Prior to 1996, and other relevant work:
- Primary school class teacher;
- running lunchtime Maths Clubs in primary school;
- holiday play scheme for 5-19 year olds with severe learning difficulties (1990-1996, from volunteer helper to deputy play leader);
- respite care / sitting service for autistic children.
Contact Information
Frankie Griew
I am based in Brierley Hill in the West Midlands (near Merry Hill shopping centre).
I offer tuition:
- In the student’s house – I am happy to travel up to about 5 or 10 miles depending on timing
- In a dedicated room in my house
- Online – using Zoom, a shared online whiteboard space, and a variety of resources
Individualised tuition: the maths you need, in the ways that work best for you.
Please contact me to discuss your tuition needs.