Thomas

I graduated with a PhD in physics (University of Edinburgh) in 2013 and am currently working as a student ambassador in a North London school. As a student ambassador I predominantly work one-on-one with A level and BTEC students, providing additional tutoring in maths and physics. I also help out in some of the Key Stage 3 lessons and lead a course in Python programming for some of the interested A level students. As a side project, I am helping one of the year 12 students to build a talking clock using an Arduino, an open-source electronics platform. I am also organising a school trip to the Mullard Space Science Laboratory.

I believe that striking a balance between a friendly, patient approach and committing to clear and achievable learning goals is crucial to success. With this in mind, I first start by ascertaining what the student does and, importantly, does not understand. Then, by going step-by-step though carefully selected problem sheets I can help the student to better understand the material and gain confidence in their own abilities. Once we have gone through the material and I am convinced they have a good grasp of the underlying mathematical or physical concepts I find it is very beneficial to go through a review process where we highlight everything they have learned, further helping to boost their own levels of confidence and understanding.

Availability: I am available on weekday evenings and during the day on weekends.

Willing to travel: 2 miles

Experience: As an undergraduate student I completed the Student Associate Scheme. Here, I assisted in Key Stage 3 and 4 mathematics lessons in a school in a deprived area of Manchester I was also fortunate enough to gain experience in delivering some of my own lessons. During my PhD I worked as a demonstrator in 1st and 2nd year mathematical physics workshop sessions, and as a tutor in a senior honours/masters course in macromolecular physics. Since my PhD I have completed a school experience placement in South London, and since October I have been working in a North London school, assisting in lessons in science and providing tuition and university application guidance to students in the sixth form.