20 years experience as a teacher and head of department. Examiner for both GCSE and A-level with several exam boards

I’m an experienced Science teacher and tutor with over 20 years’ experience teaching students in the UK and internationally. During my career, I have worked as a Head of Science and Head of Faculty, teaching students across a wide range of abilities from Key Stage 3 through to GCSE and A level.

I specialise in Biology and Chemistry, including GCSE Combined and Separate Sciences and A-level Biology and Chemistry. I also have extensive experience as a GCSE and A-level examiner, which gives me a strong understanding of exactly what examiners are looking for and, importantly, why students often lose marks even when they understand the science.

My approach to tutoring is friendly, supportive and focused on the individual student. I aim to identify the specific areas holding a student back rather than simply working through a textbook or specification. This might be gaps in subject knowledge, difficulty applying knowledge to unfamiliar questions, mathematical skills, exam technique, or turning a good understanding into a clear, well-structured written answer.

I particularly enjoy working with students who feel that they understand the science better than their exam results suggest. We work on developing both their understanding and the skills needed to demonstrate it effectively under exam conditions.

I have taught students across the full ability range, from those looking to build confidence and secure their GCSE pass through to high-achieving students aiming for grades 8–9 or top A-level grades.

My sessions are structured but relaxed. I use questioning, retrieval practice, worked examples and carefully selected exam questions to identify misconceptions and build confidence. Rather than simply giving students the answer, I want them to understand how to think through a question, so that they can tackle new problems independently.

Whether a student needs ongoing support, help preparing for an upcoming examination, or a focused programme to push towards the highest grades, I adapt my tutoring to their individual needs and goals.