Christine M

I am a passionate experienced Science teacher, tutor and former Director of Student Progress, having taught in the classroom for over 16 years. I completed my Masters degree in Education at the University of Cambridge in 2014 completing my thesis on Students Self-concept and Academic Emotions Linked to Learning. I have been a GCSE examiner for AQA for the past 7 years, so can support students to understand what the exam questions are actually asking and give the skills and scientific language that will maximise their answers. I have two very young children (2 & 3 year old) so am taking time away from the classroom but do not want to stop doing what I love and instilling my passion for my subject on other learners.

I have vast experience in teaching (and tutoring) students from Year 7 to 11 in all sciences, therefore I can offer tutoring for ALL exam boards at KS3, GCSE/iGCSE and A Level. My specialism is Biology, and I have taught Biology AS and A level for 16 years, as well as the international Baccalaureate (IB) for 11 years. As a Director of Student Progress I have worked with students of all abilities and have supported a number of failing students to improve their subject knowledge in science as well as rebuilding their confidence and motivation towards their academic studies and progress in other subject areas.

My lessons are very individualised to the student in front of me. Although the subject knowledge is the same, every learner is unique and therefore I will plan my lessons around the learners needs and challenge them throughout the lesson. I always have a skeleton plan of what will be covered with a vast amount of resources to pull from with exam questions, however the learning will evolve throughout discussions and as the lesson progresses. One of my key strengths is questioning my students to gauge their understanding and reframing the learning in a way that helps them to not only feel more confident in their knowledge but also able to apply that knowledge to different situations.

I have experience with teaching the following exam boards for GCSE: OCR, AQA and Edexcel, A Level: OCR and AQA, and the IB Biology and the biological aspect of Sport and Health Science. I also mark exams for AQA GCSE Biology papers every summer. I am happy to tutor for any exam board as I have access to all their specifications and past papers.

My current tutee has gone from hating science and achieving a 4 at best in foundation mock papers, to now sitting higher papers and is on track to achieve a 7-7. "I honestly think we (and her) have a lot to thank you for. Your support and tutoring have put her in a great place mentally. The confidence in science is resonating into the other subjects" parents message I am very confident to tutor students of all ability and have an outstanding record of my students achieving the highest grades. My last GCSE examined class of 31 students completing their Triple Biology, over 50% of them achieved a 9 with 100% achieving a 7 or higher. Every student who I work with has improved their scores in science and that comes from me getting to know them as individuals and working with their specific needs.