BA (Hons) Cambridge
PGCE with QTS (11-18)
References are available upon request

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I mostly teach maths and statistics-based courses, ranging from SATs, GCSE, AS or A-level Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Statistics, to the QTS numeracy test for teacher training, and the statistics modules required for degrees in medicine, business, social science, psychology and similar courses. This has proven particularly useful for students who need number-crunching (SPSS etc) for their degree projects!

Although I am well-qualified technically, I enjoy teaching students of all ages and abilities. At the other end of the spectrum to degree-level work, I really enjoy working with primary school and KS3 students, with an emphasis on boosting confidence, grasping the basics firmly, and seeing that maths can be fun rather than painful! I also tutor for 11+ exams.

I have undergraduate qualifications in science so feel free to enquire particularly about KS3 and GCSE Science, and A-level Physics. Students finding mathematics difficult often have associated struggles in science subjects. As I have lectured at a technical college my natural teaching style is to incorporate lots of practical, "real-world" examples to help boost relevance and understanding. As a result there is often a synergy between making progress in maths and science subjects!

Tell me about your qualifications.
BA (Hons) from the University of Cambridge and PGCE in 11-18 mathematics education from the University of East Anglia.
Diploma in Statistics (Distinction) and Diploma in Natural Science (Distinction) from the Open University.

What kind of experience do you have?
My PGCE prepared me for teaching 11-18 year olds in a school setting, and I have worked in schools teaching KS3 (SATs), GCSE and A-level (Mathematics as well as Further Mathematics). I also have been employed as a technical college lecturer, where I delivered GCSE and A-level alongside a very wide range of courses: Adult Numeracy Certificate, Access (including Medical Statistics), BTECs (including Business, Computing, Construction), HNC, FSMQ and more.

Across the years I have broadened my experience as a tutor by work with primary school children (maths and 11+) as well as university students (with a focus on their mathematics, statistics and econometrics modules). Courses taken by my students included BSc Mathematics, BA Marketing, BSc Sports Science, BA Psychology, MSc Microbiology, MBA Finance, MPhil Business Organisation, MPA Public Administration, MSc Criminology. Universities have included Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, Barts Med School, Birkbeck, Grenoble Graduate School of Business, Syracuse (NY), UC Denver and the Open University

I have taught all major A-level boards (OCR, AQA, MEI and Edexcel) - unfortunately this is particularly important in the Statistics modules, where different boards adopt contradictory definitions and methods! If you are sitting S1, S2 or a higher module, it's wise to ensure your tutor has prior experience of your board's syllabus, as this can be a real maze.

How much do you charge?
There are several ways to get my services at a lower price!

Take longer lessons: I charge a lower hourly rate, as it reduces my costs too! Double-length or 90 minute sessions are more cost-effective than hourly ones.

Share a lesson: I'm happy to teach small groups instead of one-on-one, letting you spread out the costs.

Come to me: I charge a lower rate for tuition if you can come to my home base in Benfleet. I recommend this for most students from the South Essex area.

Split my travel costs: if I am travelling to you, and you can arrange for me to see another student nearby straight after, I can reduce my rate by splitting the travel costs between you.

Recommend me: if you find my services useful, and recommend me to a friend who takes me on too, then if your sessions cost £20 or less, your next lesson is free. If your sessions are more than £20, then you'll have £20 off your next lesson.

Where do you teach?
I primarily tutor in the London (especially east and central London) and Essex areas. While I can provide tuition from my home base in Benfleet, Essex, and I recommend this for students based in the South Essex area, I will travel to London and have worked further afield (e.g. Cambridge) in the past if you've got a sufficiently big project. For university students I prefer to arrange a tuition location on-campus or failing that, in a public space (e.g. a library or cafe). For younger students, I will not tutor in your home unless a responsible adult is present in the house.

When are you available?
I have a flexible timetable. At the moment I am particularly interested in finding tutees based in London for weekend lessons, but I also work on weekdays in both the Essex and London areas.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
As explained above, I am happy doing catch-up and confidence work with ten years olds, but also preparing students for Maths and Further Maths A-levels, or helping university students with their maths and statistical modules (and the number-crunching component of their coursework).

Whichever level I am teaching, my aim is to help you build confidence and proficiency at the skills you or your child need. I am very flexible to individual requirements and realise different people have different priorities and learn in different ways - if you need to know why something works I can help you understand it; if all you seek is to "just do it" then you'll get a less theoretical, more hands-on approach to the maths. Some people seek help with exam technique; others want to understand enough statistics to complete a coursework assignment or research project; you might need urgent tuition before your final exams or resits. Just let me know what you need!

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
My most recent CRB check is two and a half years old. It is completely "clean" and can be produced upon request. However, as it relates to a role that I have since left, I prefer not to claim it as a "current" certificate! I urge all parents to exercise due caution and common sense in respect of any tuition arrangements for their children, rather than placing all trust in a sheet of paper. For example, consider following up references and, in the case of home tuition, please provide a suitable learning space such as a sitting room, dining room or study, rather than ask me to teach your teenage daughter in her own bedroom (as some parents have done!). If your child is under the age of 19, I will not tutor them in your home unless a responsible adult is present in the house.

Where and with whom did you train?
University of East Anglia - PGCE with QTS in 11-18 Mathematics

Do you have a personal message for students?
You might never find maths as fun or exciting as I do - but even if you can't catch my enthusiasm for it, you don't always need to think that "maths is too hard for me" or that it is useless, painful and confusing. Maths and statistics are useful problem-solving tools, are valuable skills (that can be worth grades and pound to you!) and ones that, with practice, self-belief and high quality teaching, you can be successful at too!

Articles

Why maths should be your friend
Subject: GCSE Maths
Tags: advice (careers), confidence, gcse maths
Created: 08/07/2011