Caroline

I have been lucky enough to work as a full time private tutor for several years now, having tutored close to 200 private tutees and countless others whilst previously working as a classroom teacher. During my 15+ years of teaching, no two days have ever been the same and no two students have ever been the same either, so over the years I have learnt many ways in which to get my point across, from sensible diagrams and flow charts to silly stories and memory games.

The joy of science is that there is always something in it for everyone and it’s easy to find something to engage the most reluctant learner and then build on their knowledge from there. If all else fails, most students can be lured into a science lesson by our two very friendly house cats who are often found sat regally on a student’s knee or trying their best to stand on the keyboard and join in during an online lesson.

For a lot of young people, online lessons bring forth bad memories, but I endeavour to break this stereotype and make mine varied and interesting through the use of google apps – there’s an online whiteboard, file sharing and the ability to view and complete work together just like you would in person.

Tutoring Experience

• 7 years working as a full time tutor.
• 10 years teaching in a variety of schools and colleges.
• Most experience is of teaching AQA specifications however I also have a fair amount of experience in teaching Edexcel GCSE and iGCSE Science specifications too.
• Worked as an expert examiner for Edexcel GCSE Biology.

Tutoring Approach

Too many years of reading mark schemes has given me a detailed knowledge of both GCSE science and A level Biology specifications and their expectations for exams. As a result, my lessons are very keyword driven in order to improve the depth and clarity of written answers, allowing all students to revise effectively and reach their potential. As well as complementing school teaching and filling in gaps in knowledge, I am also happy to act as the sole teacher for science, having successfully taught iGCSE science specifications to home schooled tutees, providing varied and engaging lessons including the option of regular practical activities.

Besides what is probably now an obvious interest in science and cats, I also have a keen interest in mental health and I have successfully worked with a number of young people suffering poor mental health, including anxiety and school refusal. I am an MHFA youth mental health first aider and have recently completed the BACP Level 2 Counselling skills course with the intention of eventually offering both tutoring and counselling to young people. I am not ashamed to say that I have had my own struggles with anxiety and depression in the past, something which has made me more empathetic of others with similar difficulties and I use this awareness in lessons to build confidence and motivation whilst being sensitive to the pressures that already exist from school.

I’m also a bat carer for the BCT (something which often raises a lot of questions), an amateur botanist, a trainee roost visitor for Natural England and an active member of both Surrey dormouse group and Surrey bat group. There is rarely a dull moment in our little house so there’s always a story to fill the silence.