Oliver A

I studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, Gonville and Caius College, between 2016 and 2019. Throughout the course of my undergraduate degree I was able to learn about Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Materials Science. This helped to further the understanding I began to develop during my school life. After graduating, I spent a year as a patent attorney, where I was able to see one of the many uses of a STEM degree in action. However, I soon realised that an office job was not for me. I decided to retrain as a teacher this year. I have returned to the University of Cambridge to study for a PGCE in Secondary Education, specialising in Physics. While this year has been anything but normal due to the global pandemic, I have been able to learn a lot about teaching different students as well as more about Physics! I am a strong believer in scaffolding. We can often build new explanations in Physics by starting with what we know and developing new ideas based on this. There is a strong narrative in Physics based around justification and explanation and my teaching style reflects this.

While I am new to tutoring, I have built extensive classroom experience throughout my teacher training. I have worked with a range of pupils in science to successfully increase their understanding and deliver new concepts. I enjoy developing explanations and providing individual support to students such that they are able to develop as learners.

My lessons tend to start from what is already known, solidifying the foundation briefly before exploring closely related but new concepts. Physics has a strong narrative that requires development upon what has already been learnt and as such I develop lessons structured around this narrative. With the use of questioning and scaffolding, my aim is always to promote logical understanding. At key points during learning, assessment is necessary. This enables both myself and the student to realise the areas most in need of our attention. Where time is limited targeted learning off the back of assessment can make the process more efficient.

I have taught KS3, KS4 and KS5 level science on the AQA and Edexcel boards.