Jack

I am a current PhD student in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Cambridge. I previously obtained my Masters (MASt) in Physics from Cambridge, and for my undergraduate studies, I read Physics at Durham University. I achieved an average of 85% at undergraduate level, receiving the university's outstanding achievement award in every year of my study, and graduating ranked 1st overall in my university class.

At Cambridge, I specialise in Theoretical Physics, which lends me wonderful exposure to a challenging array of mathematics and physics. The unique nature of the department at Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory) allows me to work alongside, and under the guidance of, some of the world's most talented physicists.

Tutoring Experience

As an undergraduate student, I was a physics and mathematics tutor with Durham University's SCA scheme for two years, providing one-on-one tuition to A-Level students from nearby schools and sixth-forms. The growth of my tutees as the year progressed was an immeasurably rewarding experience, and the positive feedback, encouragement and words of thanks from the parents of my tutees has inspired me to start offering my services locally.

I have specific experience with Edexcel, AQA and OCR examination boards in both mathematics and physics, but as a theoretical physicist, I am able to cover the breadth of any mathematics and physics that a GCSE or A-Level student will encounter, and am further able to offer assistance to any current undergraduate physicists in what is undoubtedly a very challenging subject. Being a relatively recent graduate, I have the advantage of my own A-Level examinations being in the not-too-distant past, and so am familiar with modern GCSE and A-Level syllabi.

Tutoring Approach

My previous tutoring experience, which spanned a wide range of ability levels, has convinced me that no two learners are the same; more confident students seem to prefer to complete past papers by themselves and then discuss the solutions afterwards, whereas others prefer to be guided question-by-question through past papers or textbook exercises in order to build confidence before attempting the task on their own.

Whoever the learner, I will work with them at their pace, providing as much or as little intervention as they desire. At the same time, it is my experience that many tutees are quite reluctant to speak up when they are in difficulty, and I consider myself well-versed in judging when this is the case.

As a tutor, I see my role as one to instil confidence in my tutees. In the end, they will sit an examination unassisted, and so it is essential that they are confident enough in their own ability to be able to answer questions on their own. Again, this requires a well-judged approach that strikes a balance between guiding the student, and allowing students to complete questions by themselves.

Of course, there is more to tuition than past papers and textbooks, and I have prepared extensive material and learning resources of my own. I have often found that both weak and strong students (or their parents!) have efficiently communicated to me the specific topic areas within which they are struggling. Nonetheless, I see part of my challenge as a tutor as also working with those who are somewhat shy, or simply do not know which particular areas they'd like help with the most.

I often design and produce my own professional worksheets for my tutoring sessions, samples of which can be downloaded on this page if you are a registered user on the site. Please take a look!

Since one-on-one tutoring is expensive, and some tutees feel that it doesn't work for them, I am happy to offer the first tutoring session completely free of charge (with no further commitment) so that the tutee can gauge whether my services will be beneficial for them and their goals.