Iain

I am an experienced tutor and space science researcher with a PhD in Astrophysics. My research background is in theoretical and computational physics in the space environment. I have also worked in Russell Group universities as a research manager and science communicator, and I have taught for the Open University.

Tutoring Experience

I have many years of experience in tutoring maths and physics students at GCSE and A-level, both face to face and online. I first tutored private students in 2006, and I have continued to offer tuition services across examination boards and through changing curricula. I find that my first-hand knowledge of working in mathematics and physics as a professional scientist is invaluable in helping students to understand the context and significance of the topics and techniques they are learning.

Tutoring Approach

Each student has their own individual needs, enthusiasms, difficulties and sticking points. In advance of the first session, I send each student a questionnaire to assess their confidence in maths/physics, their needs for support, their preferred working style and their learning goal.
I make extensive use of exam-style questions to identify detailed points of strength and weakness, and to build up the skills necessary for problem solving. When the fundamentals are well understood, I help the student to explore the topic in more depth, encouraging them to find the connections that link disparate areas of mathematics and physics, and building a stronger and more confident understanding of the subjects as a whole. In the course of tuition I also assist students with exam technique, helping them to understand how to approach an exam paper and the kinds of answers that are required.
Whether the student wishes to master the basics or achieve the highest grades for university entry, I provide a tailored programme of study and discussion to help them raise their performance to the level they need, and to expand and enrich their understanding of maths and physics.