Flavio

My name is Flavio, I hold an Integrated Masters’ in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics from the University of Cambridge, as well as a PhD in Quantum Computing from Cambridge. I also hold a Mathematics PGCE from the UCL Institute of Education.

With extensive global experience, I have had the privilege of teaching hundreds of students from over 60 countries. My expertise spans a diverse array of curricula, age groups, and student needs—from young learners to university-level students, including those struggling with the basics as well as contenders in national and international mathematics competitions.

For me, teaching transcends the mere transmission of knowledge; it’s about igniting a lasting enthusiasm for mathematics and broader scholarly pursuits. Beyond improving understanding, confidence, and passion for mathematics, I strive to imbue students with qualities that extend well beyond their education. This includes fostering critical thinking, abstract reasoning, clear articulation, and sharp analytical skills, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various contexts.

I also specialize in guiding students to secure placements at the world’s most prestigious schools and universities, focusing on UK and US institutions such as Oxbridge, the Russell Group, and the Ivy League. My track record speaks for itself: all of my students have achieved or surpassed their target grades, with some advancing by as much as five grades. They regularly gain admission and scholarships to elite institutions and have won accolades for their outstanding achievements, including top positions in national mathematics competitions.

My dedication to teaching has been recognized with numerous awards, including being named a Scholar at the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and receiving the Cambridge Teaching Certificate of Excellence twice for my role as a supervisor for third and fourth-year university courses in Physics and Mathematics.

I firmly believe that mastery in mathematics has an impact far beyond one's education, playing a pivotal role in fields like finance, economics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. But beyond its utility, mathematics, when truly understood, is both inspiring and fun. As Bertrand Russell wrote in Mysticism and Logic (1918), “Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth but supreme beauty.”

In my free time at Cambridge, I enjoy sailing and flying gliders—yes, I am also a qualified pilot!

Tutoring Experience

Bespoke Mathematics Tutoring Service:
Mathematics Expertise: Unlike generalist tutors who juggle multiple subjects, I am a mathematics specialist with a Masters in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, experience as an examiner, and significant classroom experience within elite summer schools schools.
Exclusive Commitment: To maintain the highest standards of support, I work with a limited number of students. Despite receiving many requests, I only accept a few to ensure the quality and integrity of my services. This exclusivity allows me to devote adequate time to each student, addressing both their current academic needs and their anticipated future needs.
Bespoke Services: Each of my services is meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of my students. Whether providing long-term academic guidance, preparing students for imminent exams, or mentoring a student, my approach is always individualised.
Dedicated Full-Time Tutor: A significant amount of work goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the services I provide. From staying updated with the latest educational research, continuously analysing trends in my students' progress, and reviewing school and university admissions data, to reading chief examiners' reports and engaging in broader subject-related reading, my commitment to professional development ensures that my services remain second to none.
Flexible and Global Reach: My services are available in person in Cambridge and online globally. My continuous investment in the latest technology ensures that the quality of online services matches that of face-to-face interactions, setting a benchmark in the industry. For select clients, I can travel internationally, subject to my schedule.
Individualised Attention: I personally handle every assignment without outsourcing, ensuring the utmost integrity in my services. This guarantees that your family works directly with a specialist, whose unparalleled experience is fully dedicated to your child's success, rather than being passed off to a recent graduate, a tutor juggling multiple subjects, or a classroom teacher with numerous other commitments.
Curriculum Experience:
Comprehensive Subject Mastery: I am among a select group of teachers who have taught all the GCSE/iGCSE/MYP and A-Level/IB mathematics and further mathematics modules across all major exam boards, including Edexcel, OCR, MEI, AQA, WJEC, and CIE.
Global Teaching Experience: Having taught students from over 60 different countries, I possess extensive experience with various international curricula and entrance exams for both schools and universities.
Entrance Exams and Competitions:
School Entrance Exams: I have extensive experience preparing students for school entrance exams, including the 5+, 7+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+, 16+, and common pre-tests, as well as school-specific entrance papers and scholarship exams such as the King's Scholarship for Eton College and the Election paper for Winchester College.
University Entrance Exams: My expertise extends to university entrance exams such as ESAT, PAT, TMUA, STEP, AEA, MAT, and CSAT, as well as the mathematics sections of the BMAT, SAT, ACT, and the quantitative reasoning sections of the UKCAT, GRE, and GMAT.
National Competitions: I have also coached numerous students competing in competitions, including the FMC, PMC, JMC, SMC, and BMO, BPhO.
Holistic Development:
Education Consulting: I provide expert guidance on school and university admissions in the UK and the US, helping students and families make informed decisions, and secure placements at prestigious institutions. Additionally, I assist families in establishing the optimal support structure for their children's education. This encompasses strategic advice on school and university selection, course and subject selection at both school and university levels, expert tips on UCAS applications, personal statements, and clearing for UK universities, as well as guidance on various application portals for US universities and mock interviews. My extensive experience in supporting hundreds of students and families through the admissions process at top schools and universities, coupled with my connections within elite institutions, has proven to be invaluable. My direct involvement with admissions teams at top UK boarding schools, combined with my broader responsibilities within these schools—where I provided specialist support for those applying to leading institutions—provides me with unique insights that set me apart.
Mentoring Programme: I offer a tailored mentoring programme that adapts to each student's unique needs, supporting them in developing essential life skills and achieving their academic and personal goals. With a deep understanding of the professional landscape, an extensive network, and diverse interests, I am uniquely positioned to assist students in various aspects of their academic, cultural, and sporting lives, offering invaluable insights and opportunities. My experience supporting student well-being at elite UK schools equips me with exceptional mentorship skills, enabling me to provide unparalleled support. I ensure that students excel in all aspects of their lives, growing into fulfilled and accomplished individuals.

Tutoring Approach

My teaching approach centres on the idea that many students struggle with mathematics due to gaps in foundational understanding, often overlooked in traditional educational settings. Unfortunately, students don’t always seek guidance as some of these topics are wrongly perceived as 'simple', or teachers might not be sufficiently equipped to explain them thoroughly. I see this issue across all ages and levels of attainment. In mathematics, concepts build upon one another, so at some stage, this lack of understanding catches up with students and forms a barrier to their learning.

To address this, I start by assessing and reinforcing students' foundational understanding. Once this solid base is established, we can scaffold knowledge, delving deeper into complex topics and looking at them in a more thorough and enriching way. Finally, at the top end, the focus shifts to one of deep exploration, challenging problem-solving, and honing exam strategies.

Consistent across all learning journeys is my emphasis on true comprehension over mere memorisation. This approach encourages students to explore the 'why' behind mathematical concepts— the essence of genuine understanding and the spark for a profound appreciation of the subject. Additionally, I ensure students not only grasp mathematical ideas at their core but also excel in expressing this understanding in exams, where my experience as an examiner has proved to be invaluable.

For most of the lesson, students will be solving problems, each problem presenting a different piece of the puzzle, until they reach that “aha” moment where they have mastered the concept. By asking a series of well thought out questions, rather than lecturing, I help students discover for themselves underlying misunderstandings that they may have and address them. With over a decade in education, I've refined my lesson structures to strike a balance between flexibility, which caters to unique student needs, and maintaining a coherent learning arc. My research, experience, diverse interests, and extensive network help me weave narratives around mathematics, catering to individual interests, sparking curiosity and inspiring students to learn more. I place strong emphasis on empowering students to take charge of their learning, with the aim of nurturing independent learners.

Collaboration is key. Working closely with the family, I design a bespoke tutoring plan. Where appropriate, students will have access to an online workbook containing a repository of class notes, assignments, and other materials, ensuring transparency and systematic learning. This dynamic approach allows me to continually assess and adjust based on individual progress.