Philip B

I am tutoring after many years teaching in both the private and state sectors. My aim is to help students make the connections that allow them to understand the subject. Exam success requires this understanding plus its application to exam questions and an awareness of how to approach exams.

After working in telecommunications and the oil industry I returned to teaching in 2003, although I had done some part-time teaching of adults for the University of Surrey as well as some industrial training. I held teaching posts in four schools from that time and gained a wide experience in the state and private sectors with years 7 to 13, and was a form tutor mainly in the sixth form. I taught all the science subjects at Key Stage 3, Physics and Chemistry at GCSE, and Physics to A Level. In one school I had the interesting opportunity of working in both Science and Art departments as I also taught A Level photography, shared with the head of art. I have led a number of trips and field courses, including one to CERN, and assisted with many others including taking a group of students to China. Other activities for students included the observation of a transit of Venus and the most precise determination of the earth-sun distance by any UK school. As a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, I have always believed that it is important to encourage young people to take an interest in the universe around them. After taking early retirement from the classroom, I spent three years as a Senior Science Technician leading the technical team and reorganising the science resources of a comprehensive school. During this time I commenced tutoring to further use my teaching experience. I have been tutoring since 2016; some of this has been international. This has been from Key Stage 3 and Common Entrance preparation, through GCSE and iGCSE, to A Level. I have extensive experience of tutoring online. My tutoring has always included an element of A Level Physics, but I also enjoy teaching students in the younger age groups. This enables me to journey with them as they explore concepts across the sciences. The aim is always to open the student's eyes to the underlying concepts and patterns to facilitate them coming to a fuller understanding. As always, the other main aim is to help them ensure the best possible outcome in their exam. I have run Physics in two different schools, and am well versed with the requirements. I like to help the student build an awareness of what needs to be done regarding exam technique and how to apply their knowledge to gaining the maximum number of marks.