Alison

I am an experienced teacher and tutor, coaching in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Combined Science and Triple Science. I specialise in providing one-to-one tutoring to secondary school children studying at KS3 and for their GCSEs. In addition, I tutor A-level Biology. I also provide dyslexia support.

If your child is lacking confidence or losing their way in class grappling with difficult scientific concepts, I am ready to help now. I have helped many young people obtain grades in their exams that far exceeded their expectations.

I obtained a 2:1 (Hons) degree in Biology from the University of Sussex in 2010 as a mature student, while bringing up my daughter. I have studied to PGCE standard.

Tutoring Experience

In the classroom, I have taught mainly young adult students aged 19+ on Access to Science courses which prepare them for the rigours of studying for a degree at university. 95% of my students gained distinctions in the modules I taught and in the student projects I supervised. The other 5% obtained merits.

As a tutor, I have successfully helped my younger, secondary school-age students boost their grades. One of them won two offers of scholarships from prestigious private sixth form colleges, after gaining the highest GCSE mock exam marks in science subjects in her year. She went on to obtain Grade 9 in all three sciences. Another younger student has also been offered a scholarship from a prestigious private college.

In early 2023 I tutored a boy studying GCSE Combined science foundation level. Within a few weeks, he was put into the higher class. In June 2023 he obtained 6s and 7s and is now studying A-level biology with me!

Tutoring Approach

When I teach, my style is patient, calm and engaging. During the first session with a student, I like to become thoroughly acquainted with their strengths, weaknesses and challenges. I listen closely to what the student is saying - quite often they may feel overwhelmed and lacking in confidence. They may have lost their way in the classroom and feel left behind. Very often they have been afraid to tell their parents that they are struggling. I reassure them that I am a helping hand and not a new pressure.

I also ensure that I know what curriculum they are working to and to what level. I tailor my tutorials to the needs of the student but endeavour to keep pace with the curriculum so that all content is covered before their exams. If the student starts learning with me at the beginning of the school year each topic will be covered in step with what is being taught at school. If a student starts learning with me towards the end of the course, the lessons will be more intensive to ensure that all the material is covered.

I use excellent revision books and past exam papers and ensure that they are relevant to the exam board chosen by the school.

I usually find that even after the first session students are beaming with new-found confidence and hope. Many times they have said that I make science really interesting for them. Invariably they say that the lessons seem to fly by.

LEARNING ONLINE

I have been tutoring successfully online since the start of the Covid19 pandemic. For me, it has been a very natural transition. Parents can regularly contact me and talk about their child's progress and it is not unusual for a warm rapport to develop.

Even online, I use a mini-whiteboard as an effective way to communicate key scientific concepts. Students love to reciprocate by holding up a white-board or paper to the screen as we work through exam questions together. I complete the lesson with a fun online quiz to ensure that learning has been embedded. I find that students particularly enjoy the quiz and it helps them to focus on the lesson so that they can obtain a good mark. Sometimes, they like me to do the quiz with them and try to beat me!

TESTIMONIALS FROM FORMER STUDENTS

“Alison is very enthusiastic. She always helps and breaks things down when I get stuck. This has been my favourite module - wish it lasted longer!” Kat

“Alison uses fun things like mini-quizzes to recap at the beginning and end of the lesson - it helps me remember things I have done. She is enthusiastic about her work and enjoys teaching us - she deserves a raise!” Dan

“Alison delivered an interesting course and made complex subjects understandable - this leads to being able to tackle the exam with confidence.” Sam
“Lovely, incredibly approachable.” Matt

(Please also check out my feedback from parents on this site.)