Nicholas

I am an empathetic and friendly Oxford graduate who can help pupils build their foundations and confidence in Maths, and prepare for entrance tests and exams. I have particular experience with 11+ exams and GCSEs, and can also advise and provide coaching on scholarship exams, having been an academic (and music) scholar at Wincester College.

I believe that Maths can be much easier (and more enjoyable) than most children find it, if it is taught well. Feeling confident and supported is key, so I make sure to spend time with the pupil to understand exactly what it is they find difficult, where their strengths lie, and how they learn. This helps us develop their skills from the foundations upwards, and if necessary, to catch up on fundamentals that may have been missed at school. In turn this builds confidence in the child that Maths, in fact, makes sense to them - rather than forever feeling a few steps behind what they are currently being taught at school. Plugging gaps is an extremely valuable benefit of tutoring in general, but particularly in Maths, where the consequences of falling behind can create frustration, loss of confidence, and apathy. However, I have seen children turn this situation around surprisingly quickly just by spending a bit of time going back to basics in a supportive environment.

I try to make lessons fun, to keep pupils engaged. I am a big believer in practice, practice, practice, and a large proportion of our lessons will involve guided exercises where the pupil is thinking through problems and drawing connections for themselves. In my own experience, the most growth and the best learning happens when you are actively engaged in a problem, rather than being spoonfed information. I was one of around 100 students in the country who qualified for Round 2 of the British Mathematical Olympiad while at school, and genuinely enjoy solving problems. I like to pass this enthusiasm on to those I teach.

Availability: I have limited capacity for 1:1 sessions during term time, but do get in touch to see if we can slot something in.

Willing to travel: 3 miles

Experience: Experience:
I have been tutoring full time for 2 years now, having previously tutored informally while at university. My clients range in age from 8-16 years old. I also worked in a gap year role at Kings College School Wimbledon, coaching sport for Year 5 pupils, and leading a music composition class for pupils aged 14-18.

Prior to this, I worked in government doing various roles in international development, EU exit legislation and EU trade agreement legislation.

Education:
University of Oxford - Worcester College
- BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Wincester College
- Cambridge Pre-U in Maths, Further Maths, English, History - all Distinction (A/A* equivalent at A level)
- 9 GCSEs - all A*
- Senior Maths Challenge - Gold, qualified for British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 (BMO1) (5 years)
- BMO1 - qualified for BMO2 (1 year)

King`s College Junior School, Wimbledon
- Head Boy

DBS Check: Yes