Dion

Specialist Head of Geography at GCSE (AQA, OCR, Edexcel) and A Level (OCR), with a real passion for teaching Geography and helping others be the best they can be. Geography is a sprawling, ragged, gorgeous discipline. Quite simply, I love teaching it!

My approach is highly flexible, innovative and supportive. With a wealth of teaching and learning resources and activities at my disposal, each session will be tailored to the needs of the tutee. My aim is to make each session enjoyable yet rigorous to help tutees gain the highest grades. I have extensive experience working with exam boards and a strong understanding of the strategies essential for excelling in examinations.

I have created a number of one-off exam booster sessions covering all GCSE Geography papers that students tend to appreciate just before the exams. These include:
• How to tackle the longer answer questions.
• Top tips for remembering (and using) case studies.
• Use the Figure! How to give evidence from photos, maps, tables, and other sources.
• Map skills and familiar/unfamiliar fieldwork.
• Final advice from the perspective of an examiner.

I have limited availability for new KS3 and KS4 students at present (all exam boards). I am able to travel to you if you are near Croydon or near my workplace in Sutton. If you are further away from these areas, online tutoring would be preferred unless booking longer sessions. I offer a free 15-minute introductory session to discuss your tutoring needs.

Tutoring Experience

14+ years teaching experience in two Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' secondary comprehensive schools. Exceptionally strong examination results that are consistently above national averages. My department was in the top 2% of schools nationally for pupil progress at GCSE level in 2022.

My last A Level Geography class gained 100% A*-B grades. 5 students out of 19 achieved A* grades, with one achieving full UMS marks.

I am currently Head of Geography at a grammar school in South London. I enjoy keeping up-to-date with recent educational research in teaching, learning, and memory skills. I have access to the very latest and most effective educational resources to support your son/daughter.

I also have experience in tutoring and working with pupils on a one-to-one basis, again to strong outcomes.

***** References from another tutoring website *****
5* I couldn't be happier with the sessions. Dion has a knack for making complex concepts seem so straightforward. His teaching style is super engaging, and he is always patient and encouraging, which really boosts confidence. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the subject. Highly recommended!

5* We have been very pleased with Dion's help so far. My son needed some support with knowledge and exam technique, he found Dion to be friendly and engaging, and seemed genuinely more enthusiastic about geography after just a few lessons.
Dion had obviously spent time carefully preparing for the lessons and provided some excellent resources/notes tailored to our son's needed. Would definitely recommend him!
(NB our lessons were carried out over Zoom which has not been any problem-in fact saved on travel time)

5* Would thoroughly recommend. Some aspects of the new AQA Geography GCSE 9-1 specification are quite tricky but with Dion's excellent tutoring, my son is feeling much more confident about the exam.

Tutoring Approach

I continuously strive to integrate cutting-edge research into my teaching methods. Drawing from the wealth of knowledge available in the field of neuroscience, I tailor my tutoring to optimise memory retention and cognitive understanding, providing students with a learning experience that reflects the most recent advancements in our understanding of how the brain works.

I believe that true academic success goes beyond simply acquiring subject-specific knowledge. Hence, I strike a well-balanced approach by not only imparting subject content but also nurturing essential study skills and examination techniques. This comprehensive strategy equips students with a strong foundation that serves them well not only in their current studies but also in their lifelong learning journey.