Simon

I have now gone part-time to concentrate my efforts fully to your exam success having been teaching 11-18 Geography for 30+ years. I’ve taught around 1400 GCSE students in that time and around 500 A-level students and have tutored over 300 students over the last 8 years with over 90 five-star reviews. I am married with 3 children. I have been a Head of Humanities; Geography and a Senior Teacher over many years. I have a passion and love for Geography that I can’t wait to share with you. You will get loads of high-quality resources and revision ideas to get you the exam success ‘we’ want as well as save you time from creating your own revision notes e.g. case study notes.
After the first lesson I always give you the option to walk away if you didn't enjoy the lesson and learn anything as I want to offer value for money.

Tutoring Experience

I am a specialist in UK and international A-Level as well as all GCSE and iGCSE syllabuses. I am currently a Senior Examiner and Moderator for AQA and OCR and a Lead Examiner for AQA INTERNATIONAL A-Level (formally known as a Chief Examiner - i.e. the person who writes the exam paper). I tutor online to provide support for a wide range of students, particularly 11/13+/scholarship, Year 10/11 GCSE and Year 12/13 A-level students. I also provide fully planned sessions to support remote learning.
I have a wealth of examining experience, starting way back in 1992 with S.E.G (now AQA). I have moderated coursework for all exam boards and am currently a senior moderator at A-Level (NEA) for OCR and AQA. I have been a Team Leader since 2005 for OCR and currently provide INSET for OCR schools and teachers as a subject expert. I am also currently a senior examiner (TEAM LEADER) for AQA and OCR currently marking the A-Level paper 1 (physical) for both boards. I also team lead AQA paper 3 and have past experience of both Geog1 (2004 – 2016) and Geog3 (2005-2016). I was the Principal Examiner for GCSE coursework from 2009 – 2014. I have also marked Unit 1 and Unit 2 GCSE exams for AQA, iGCSE and the OCR and the SDME (now paper 2). This gives me a clear insight into what the examiners look for and the essential skill here is to understand what they want with a clear understanding of the importance of command words for academic glory. In summary I’m your man if it’s improved exam techniques that focus on the actual question being examined, as well as content led revision specific to your syllabus and needs. Unlike many other tutors out there I ONLY tutor geography.

Tutoring Approach

I don’t want to blind side you with lots of jargon about ‘targets’ and what predictors say but here it is……” Coaching, questioning, and effective modelling and feedback, as well as metacognition and study skills are all essential to the process of learning”. What this actually means is I want you to get the best grade possible and will pass on all (well as much as you can take) of my experience to “get you through, with the best grade possible”. To this end, it’s about meeting your individual needs. Therefore, I don’t have any one single approach but I’m totally flexible to your needs. This may include revision techniques, understanding command words, knowledge on specific topics that you struggle with, geographical skills and obviously the NEA at A-Level. My tutoring will be adapted to suit your learning style and needs. I will support you in every any scenario - SEN; enforced Gap Year / re-take / improving grades; re-starting after ill health; moving school; moving country; home study. Remember my goal is to get you the best grade possible, create a love of Geography and hopefully have some fun on the way.

PLEASE CHECK out my reviews and here are some comments after 2024 results day.........
- She got the A and has got her first choice, York. Before your tutoring she lacked confidence in geography and couldn't really see the wood for the trees. You built her confidence and by the time of the exam I know she believed she could get the grade she needed.
- It’s Izzy I got an A in my geography so I’m very happy with that and got into bath for my first choice! Thank you again for helping me :)
- Very proud mum indeed, a B after he had given up before you came along. Thanks again for your big part in this. Cocktails all round tonight. Wish you lived closer! X
- I got an A* and into my firm choice the University of York thanks to your amazing help through all my A-levels !!!☺️
- I just wanted to say an enormous thank you for everything you have done for William. Your unwavering support during the last 12 months has got him through from a grade U to a grade C, which is a grade we never believed he could achieve 12 months ago he was told by his head of department at college that he would never pass this A level. His confidence was at rock bottom and we didn't know how to lift him off the floor. You have been a real inspiration to him. He talks so fondly of you, he absolutely loved your lessons, you have given him a love for this subject for life and his confidence has grown and grown since your lessons started last summer. We are truly grateful for everything you have done this last year and are so very proud of William's achievements. Today has been a good day (apart from his covid which is making him incredibly grumpy!).
- A quick note to confirm we would like to continue sessions with you for Dillon as he will be taking Geography A-level. He achieved his grade 9 GCSE, so was pleased. Emilie achieved A grade so pleased with her result too.