Curriculum Vitae

THOMASINA (TAMMY) CUMMINGS BSc (Hons) MBCS

Maiden Name: Payne

PORTHCAWL

CF36 5HY
Experience 
Sep 18 – Present Digital Trainer & Digital Peer Mentor 
L3 Software, Web and Comms
IT User Awards 1-3
Digital Application Support L3 and L4
Information Security L3 and L4		 GCS Training, Gower College Swansea
Jun 10 – Present Crochet Designer Thomasina Cummings Designs
Aug 16 – Apr 18 Finisher and packer SLS Creative, Porthcawl
Oct 15 – July 16 Teaching Assistant Valley Education (long-term at Betws Primary)
Nov 07 – Jun 10 A1 Tutor/Assessor WBTA, Port Talbot.
Sep 02 – Sep 05 Microsoft Student Partner Microsoft, UK
Sep 02 – Sep 05 Elected student representative University of Wales, Swansea
Apr 93 – Apr 96 Bar work and housekeeping Esplanade Hotel, Porthcawl

May 91 – Apr 92

 

Casual Contracts: 

Production operative
Production operative
Telesales

 

OP Chocolates, Merthyr Tydfil
Bluebird Toys, Pentrebach
Cardiff Moat House Hotel
Education
Dec 18 – May 19 Gower College Swansea Pearson Edexcel Level 4 TAQA
Sep 05 – Jun 07 Swansea Institute of Higher Education
(placements at Cowbridge and Bryntirion)		 QTS via PGCE
Secondary Mathematics (11-16)
ICT and Computing (ll ages)
Nov 07 – Jun 10 WBTA, Port Talbot A1 Certification
Sep 02 – Sep 05 University of Wales, Swansea BSc (Hons) Computer Science (first class)
Sep 01 – Sep 02 Bridgend FE College and home study BTEC Computer Studies & ECDL
May 90 – May 91 Merthyr Tydfil Technical College RSA & Pitman’s Typewriting
RSA Word Processing
Speedwriting
Sep 88 – May 90 Career break to raise family
July 86 – Sep 88 Youth Training Scheme Placements New Look Clothes, Merthyr Tydfil
Kwik Save Supermarket, Nelson
Boots the Chemist, Caerphilly
Sep 81 – July 86 Afan Tâf High School, Troedyrhiw Maths (C), English (B) and French (C) O-Levels
Excellent references available on request.
Key Skills

I believe as a tutor I am:

  • Friendly with the ability to get on well with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities
  • Adaptable to the needs of the student, varying my skills accordingly
  • Organised, with excellent record keeping skills
  • Patient, understanding and supportive to those who may lack confidence
  • Methodical and creative in my lesson planning, to make learning fun and improve comprehension
  • Motivational and encouraging, to maintain learner engagement
Personal Statement

I began working in retail, production and sales. I had no career path in mind, but it did give me the opportunity to use and expand my interpersonal and communication skills.

In the years that followed, I developed an interest in computing. Realising that a career in this field would require formal qualifications, I signed up for a college course in ICT.

In 2002, I enrolled to study a BSc in Computer Science. During the years I was a student, I became a Microsoft Student Partner, a student representative and a “study buddy” to others. Here I discovered I enjoyed teaching as much as learning, and I signed up to do a PGCE.

After graduation, I gained full-time employment as a Tutor/Assessor of NVQs. I stayed with WBTA until the birth of my two youngest children.

During maternity leave, I set up a successful online business, selling crochet patterns and working with crafters worldwide. Running my own business challenged me to set and meet deadlines, deal with customer queries promptly and politely, and maintain accurate book-keeping records. It also taught me to be organised and prepared for anything!

Teaching and crochet are, surprisingly, very similar. Each pattern begins with a desired outcome, just as a lesson does. It is my task to teach the methods that are needed, to achieve a successful result. Just as no two learners are the same, neither are crafters, so I do this in a variety of ways: photo tutorials, step-by-step guides, and videos. Before publication, a pattern is rolled out to testers of varying abilities. This is my opportunity to evaluate, modify and constantly improve my methods – just as I would when teaching. I am very proud of Thomasina Cummings Designs, and it is something I have continued to do alongside subsequent employment.

In October 2015, I returned to teaching. I signed up with Valley Education and was very fortunate to be placed in Betws Primary after just a few weeks of supply work. I was initially employed as a one-to-one assistant (for a young boy with behavioural issues, in the hope that he might avoid being transferred to the Pupil Referral Unit). My duties soon expanded to include planning, preparation and teaching alongside the Year 6 teacher. I remained at Betws until the end of the Summer Term.

During the break I worked as a packer/finisher for a graphic design company, before undertaking a full-time role with GCS Training.

    I continue to develop my professional skills – please see links.