Jake

I am a recent graduate of the University of Sheffield, where I completed a BSc in Physics followed by an MSc in Energy and Environmental Engineering. Having completed my GCSEs and A-Levels relatively recently (achieving A grades in my Maths, Physics and Chemistry A-Levels and 10 A*-C GCSEs including A*s in Physics and Chemistry and As in Maths and Biology) I am very familiar with the course content.

I offer a free half hour consultation in which I will have a discussion with the student in order to identify problem areas and plan a series of appropriate lessons. An overview of the course will be kept to allow the student to see how they are progressing through the syllabus.

For GCSE/A-Level Maths the lessons will begin with a series of short questions taken from a variety of topics in order to `warm up` the thinking processes. In addition, a discussion will take place on the subject of the previously set homework. The main part of the lesson will deal with a specific area of maths. Examples from this area will be worked through in discussion with the student. The student will then do questions with my assistance, being gradually expected to do questions more independently. The level of question difficulty will increase, but not until it is clear that the student has understood the previously covered work. Exam type questions will also be incorporated into this process. A range of questions of the type covered in the lesson will be assigned for homework in order to allow the student to review knowledge and understanding in their own time.

For GCSE sciences/A-level physics the student will be initially questioned on their prior knowledge of the topic being covered. I will then build on this prior knowledge through discussion with the student. Question papers will be introduced with particular emphasis being placed on the ability to structure longer answer questions in which knowledge and understanding need to be linked. A range of questions including past exam paper questions will be used to test for retention of knowledge and understanding. For certain aspects of science the learning will be supported by animations which can demonstrate more abstract ideas such as particle theory/electrolysis in Chemistry which are difficult to envisage without recourse to modelling. Again some homework will be set to allow the student to test themselves on their own. Successful completion of homework also helps build confidence for real exams. As exam time approaches the lessons will be based around the completion of past papers.

Availability: Available at any time of day

Willing to travel: 3 miles

Experience: I have previously tutored an A/B borderline student in Maths who achieved an A grade in their GCSE maths. I also tutored a C/D borderline student in the Physics GCSE who achieved a B grade.