Oxfordshire Biology

We all start life as a single cell with merely a set of instructions contained within. Over time we grow into a complex being with over 40 trillion cells, and yet this set of genetic instructions is 60% identical to the same instructions held in every cell of a banana! Just one of the extraordinary aspects of Biology.

After completing my D.Phil from Christ Church, University of Oxford, I worked  for 7 years as a Senior Biologist for a small drug discovery company where I was responsible for screening new drug targets in tissue models for human disease.  Over the years I’ve had so many comments from students/colleagues about my ability to break subjects down to ease understanding, and coupled with my passion for science and sharing that with others I decided to change career and become a full-time science tutor in 2013.  I’ve never looked back!  Prior to this, I obtained a 1st Class honours degree in Pharmacology (with a placement year) from the University of Leeds.

I have many hobbies but particularly enjoy outdoor pursuits including: sailing, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking and running. I spend a lot of my free time volunteering at our local cricket club as Safeguarding Officer, ensuring the junior players have a safe and happy environment to enjoy their cricket.

During my time researching at Oxford, I tutored an array of students in Biochemistry, Biology, Genetics, Human Science and Medicine and in my working career I was heavily involved in training employees in new areas of biology we were researching, to ensure their knowledge base was up-to-scratch.  I have vast tutоring experience аt GCSE аnd A-level across all UK examination boards, as well as IB and have also tutored to degree level.

My tutoring style is informal, working with each student to improve their approach to learning whilst maintaining motivation.  My teaching is clear, concise and to the syllabus, I pride myself on being able to break down the subject so it’s easier to understand, making even the most demanding topics attainable.  I have a huge array of past questions which I often use in my lessons – the best way to learn how to tackle the questions is to practice lots of them!  I also provide detailed notes, use presentations, flashcards, mnemonics as part of my teaching methods.  I am a reliable, smiley person but most of all patient –  at the end of the day, learning should be fun!

I am also a freelance principal examiner and team lead for a UK-based international examination board, and am involved in writing mark schemes for these examinations. This work is invaluable to my role as a science tutor and to the development of my students’ abilities in preparation for their examinations. It has taught me to understand the very specific focus of each syllabus as a whole, to grasp the aim of relevant text, and to concentrate not just on surface comprehension but to expand science beyond basic skills. My aim is to expand students’ scientific understanding, train them how to apply this knowledge to exam scripts, but ultimately to captivate them with the wonders of science.