Charlie Sharp

My lessons are structured, interactive and tailored to the individual student, with a strong focus on both understanding the science and learning how to apply that knowledge in exams. I do not believe that simply talking through a textbook is the most effective way to learn, so I try to keep lessons varied and active.
I usually begin with a short explanation or presentation of the topic we are covering. I break difficult concepts down into smaller, more manageable ideas and use diagrams, analogies, mnemonics, anagrams and other memory techniques where useful. I find this especially helpful for Biology, where students are often expected to remember large amounts of detailed information. My aim is to make the content easier to understand first, rather than relying purely on memorisation.
Throughout the lesson, I use active recall and regular questioning to check understanding. I like students to explain ideas back to me in their own words, as this quickly highlights any areas that need more work. I also use questions that are closely based on exam mark schemes so students become familiar with the specific wording and level of detail examiners are looking for.
Exam practice is an important part of my lessons. We work through past-paper and exam-style questions together, looking at how to interpret the question, identify command words, structure an answer and pick up as many marks as possible. Over time, I encourage students to answer more independently so they can build both confidence and exam technique.
I have experience privately tutoring Biology and Chemistry students in the UK and internationally, and I have also mentored undergraduate students at Imperial College London. I adapt each lesson depending on the student’s goals, whether they need help with a difficult topic, homework support, revision, exam preparation or simply greater confidence in the subject.