Tutor HuntSubjectsGeography Tutors
Sian
My Qualifications
University of Exeter
Geography
N/A (2021)
Institute of Latin American Studies, University of Lond...
Latin American Politics
N/A (2000)
University of Southampton
Geography and Landscape Studies
Third (1986)
Verification Status
Information about Sian
Im an examiner and specialist GCSE and A level tutor in geography, government and politics, religious studies/philosophy, history and Spanish. As former Head of Geography at a small tutorial college in the West Country, my primary task wass to get students through their exams with the highest possible grade. I dont teach students under the age of 15, rather, Im focused purely on subject content and exam technique.
I have lived, researched and taught in a variety of countries including Spain and Central America. I make regular expeditions to climb volcanos and explore rainforests and I bring all this experience to my lessons.
As an examiner, I can state with some confidence that the latter is often as important as the former and, as Im also involved with monitoring the quality of exams for one of the three major boards, I can offer unique insight into how exams work and how to gain top marks. I also work as a revision tutor with the national market leader in exam revision courses, leading classes in London during school holidays. In addition, Ive worked as a postgraduate teaching assistant at a Russel Group university and marked first-year undergraduate geography exams. As a writing mentor to second and third year students, it was my job to offer advice on essay writing; this is a skill not usually taught at schools and its something which I teach to all my humanities students.
Ive been a tutor for very nearly twenty years its important to note that teachers and tutors are not one and the same thing. A teacher has to focus on classroom control, a tutor is more of a coach whose role it is to get the best out of an individual or small group based on a shared enthusiasm for the subject and a desire not to accept second best.
Im currently coming to the end of studying part-time for a PhD in geography and theology at the University of Exeter. Being a student, albeit a mature one, has increased my empathy with the students I teach. I understand the stress and the pressures only too well and its my job, as a tutor, to help you deal with these.
I teach a wide range of subjects: geography and theology are the foci of my academic research but I have an MSc in Latin American politics and have written and researched extensively on the politics of Mexico and Central America where Ive also climbed and studied volcanoes. History, if course, is an essential component of both geography and political science and I work with students from across the humanities on developing analytical skills. I teach Spanish as Ive spent a lot of time in Latin America and because my PhD fieldwork is based in Spain so I speak the language to a very high level.
Finally, I have many years experience of supporting students with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD (all of whom have gone on to university).
My lessons are dynamic, engaging and rarely dull and boring. Remember! This is not school and I am not your teacher the learning experience is at its most effective and efficient when both tutor and student are engaged in the subject and, dare I say it, even enjoying it!
Each lesson/programme is designed with the student`s specific needs in mind - whether examinations, business or pleasure: it`s your lesson after all! We use my experience, enthusiasm and knowledge to get the best out of you and, perhaps most importantly, improve your self-confidence. Remember, much as I`d love to, I can`t sit the exam for you!
Availability: Evenings, Monday to Friday.
Saturday mornings.
Come exam times I`m more or less available 24/7
Willing to travel: 30 miles
Experience: Nineteen years in private tuition one-to-one and groups at all levels and ages. Former Head of Geography at tutorial college. Examiner in Geography, RE/Philosophy and History. Specialist revision tutor.
DBS Check: Yes
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Feedback For Sian (5)
Jennifer (Mrs)
01/05/2017
Sian is teaching my son A2
She has great enthusiasm for and knowledge of her subject.She was quick to see what help my son needed and works at a good pace with attention to detail.
He always looks forward to the lessons and he feels that he is making real progress.
Becky (Miss)
22/03/2017
Sian is proving really helpful for my daughter with her A level English Language. She has a good sense of humour and makes the student think. She also puts in more time than she has to which is really sweet of her particularly as she is already busy. Many thanks.
Peter (Mr)
30/08/2016
Sian was taken on to help my daughter to improve her grade in A level Geography. She had a solid B grade at AS level and was tutored by Sian to almost a A*, missing out by only a couple of marks. Sian has a strong personality and can seem a bit quirky at first but do not let that put you off. She is totally passionate about all aspects of Geography and re-installed a sense of excitement in the subject for my daughter, which had been lost along the way at AS level. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge, has masses of real world experience and case studies, and had the exam technique skills to match. Overall a first class tutor, who more than delivered and was good value for money. Peter McCann