Meet the teacher - Head of English, Louis Provis
“I was fortunate enough to learn under teachers who managed to balance being both fun and firm," remembers Louis Provis, Head of English here at MyEdSpace.
“That combination of ‘firm but fun’ really stuck with me. It showed me that you can be warm and approachable while still pushing students to achieve”.
Education and teaching have always been central to Louis’ life. Growing up with both parents as teachers in the Midlands, Louis entered the state school system and discovered a love of learning - in particular English.
“I’ve always loved English, and I had some amazing teachers. I left school with mainly A* and A grades and went on to study English Language, English Literature, Critical Thinking, Spanish, and Psychology at A Level, before reading English at Oxford.”
By the time he was done, Louis had a BA from Oxford and Master’s degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge University to his name.
“It was an intense but rewarding experience,” he smiles, with a subtle hint of understatement. “Those experiences helped me understand how powerful a good teacher can be and how important it is to build students' confidence. To this day people still approach my Mum in the street and tell her what an impact she had on their lives. I remember as a kid it felt like she was a local celebrity, with people coming up to tell her what an impact she had on their life.”
Louis took what he learned and went back to school, first as a student to earn his PGCE, and then as a teacher, a career move he describes as “feeling natural”.
Over the next decade in classrooms across different schools around the UK, Louis honed his teaching skills, leading to his appointment as Head of Sixth Form at Hillcrest at only 29.
“Moving between different types of schools gave me a much deeper understanding of the education system - and of the students I was trying to reach. As the Head of Sixth Form, my office became a revolving door of students looking for academic and emotional support, and I really enjoyed the human development side of the role. I also learned that both the location and the school culture matter more than you think. It made me very thoughtful about where I wanted to teach.”
“No two classrooms are the same - so being adaptable and empathetic is key. I wanted to share my own enthusiasm for English and open up the subject for others, while replicating that idea of being firm but fun. And, I think as a younger, male, teacher I was in a good position to be able to have important but occasionally difficult conversations with the lads in my class. I was kind of a ‘Brojan horse’ if you like.”
“My style is reminiscent of the teachers I looked up to and learned from as a kid. I like to make lessons feel relaxed and open, so students feel comfortable asking questions and engaging with the content,” he reveals before adding, “I want students to enjoy the subject, not just learn it.”
That style resonated with students and his record of helping students achieve their full potential, coupled with his own stellar academic record made Louis and MyEdSpace a perfect fit.
“I joined MyEdSpace because I wanted something new. I’d done a range of teaching roles and was looking for a change - somewhere I could focus on teaching - not juggling five different jobs - in a way that felt more creative and flexible. MyEdSpace gave me that. It was a completely different environment but it still allowed me to connect with students.”
The move has been a successful one for Louis and his students, both new, and notably, old.
“One of the most surprising moments has been reconnecting with former students who have followed me to MyEdSpace and messaged me on social media" - you can find Louis on Instagram and he creates exam preparation content for YouTube on his channel @LouisDoesEnglish.
“It’s such a strange but lovely feeling: being in a completely new space but still being recognised and appreciated by students from the past. It makes all the hours of preparing lessons and workbooks feel even more worthwhile.”
Louis is particularly adept at supporting students who are struggling, or have previously struggled with English. His advice to students who are finding English - or any subject - difficult is to take it step-by-step, and don’t be afraid of asking for help.
“First, figure out why you’re struggling. That’s the first step. Traditional classrooms can be highly pressurised situations, full of distractions and that’s not the right environment for everybody to learn in.”
“It's brilliant,” he beams, “especially if someone needs more flexibility, clarity or support. MyEdSpace gives people a way to learn without the social pressure or distractions of a traditional classroom, delivered in a way that’s easy to access and engaging. The anonymity of the students gives them the confidence to participate - even those who’d be too shy to chip in normally - and that brings a stream of real-time questions which allow you to meet their needs in the moment. I think that the immediacy of questioning, answering and adjustment is effective, but also, crucially, enjoyable both for me and the students.”
“Students still get the benefits of community - other learners who are focused and motivated - but without the negatives of being surrounded by your mates or feeling under pressure. It’s about finding the right environment. Of course, sometimes tough conversations are needed, but always with empathy. Remember, there’s more than one path to success.”
“With MyEdSpace students can learn at their own pace, revisit content, and engage with expert teachers who know their subject inside out - seriously the teaching is outstanding, all our teachers are experienced, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about their subjects. The online format also means students can access help whenever they need it. MyEdSpace fits around student’s lives, not the other way round.”
“Whether they’re struggling or aiming for top grades, MyEdSpace helps them engage more deeply and confidently."