Sarah Polley

My lessons are friendly, structured and tailored to the individual student. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and telling me when something doesn't make sense - no matter how simple or difficult they think the question is.

I usually begin by checking what the student already understands before introducing new material. From there, we work through concepts together using clear explanations, examples and targeted questions, followed by practice to make sure the student can apply what they have learned independently. I adapt the pace and level of challenge throughout the lesson depending on how the student is progressing.

For GCSE Maths & Science, lessons can be focused around particular topics, areas of difficulty, homework, exam preparation or broader revision. I can also help students develop their exam technique and become more confident when approaching unfamiliar questions.

I believe tutoring should be more than simply going through a worksheet. I aim to understand why a student is struggling and find an explanation or approach that works for them. My teaching experience has given me the opportunity to work with students with very different abilities, personalities and learning needs, and I bring that flexibility into every lesson.

Ultimately, I want students to leave a lesson thinking, “I understand this now,” and feeling more confident about tackling it on their own.