Sam Smith
Qualifications
CELTA-certified teacher with 3 years of international school experience. I deliver high-quality, student-centred instruction, fostering inclusive and engaging environments, for diverse learners to achieve academic success.
At Questfield
I’ve been at Questfield International College since August 2025, where I’ve taken on the dual role of English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and Year 11 Form Tutor. Tutor. During the 2026–2027 academic year, I will be the Form Tutor for Year 12 and Grade 11.
In the classroom, I focus on helping my students move beyond just “knowing” English to actually using it with confidence, whether that’s for their upcoming exams or for life outside school. As a Form Tutor, I’m also the main point of support for my students. It was a huge year for them, so I spent a lot of my time providing the academic coaching and pastoral care they needed to navigate the pressure of their final exams and stay on track.
My approach
I’m a firm believer that a classroom should feel like a safe laboratory. I tell my students constantly that if you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t learning anything new. I advocate for a growth mindset because I want them to stop being afraid of the “wrong” answer. In my room, a mistake is just a data point that shows us where to go next.
Ultimately, my goal is for every student to feel seen and heard. I want them to walk out of my door, not just better at English but more confident in their ability to tackle challenges they haven’t met yet.
Beyond the classroom
Outside of school, my life is just as busy, mostly thanks to my young daughter. I spend a good chunk of my time “training” by running around after her! When I do get a moment to myself, I love staying active and working out. I’m also a huge sports fan; you’ll usually find me watching football or keeping up with whatever game is on that weekend.