Ihsan

I achieved 9 A*s and 3 A grades at GCSE, having taken GCSE Maths and German a year early in year 10. I then went on to achieve 5 A grades at A levels in Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, History and German.I attended Queen Mary's Grammar school in Walsall from year 7 onwards , having passed the 11+ in 1999. It was at this school that I realised my full potential.

I then went on to study Actuarial Science ( a very mathematical course related to finance) at the prestigious London School of Economics, where I achieved a first class honours degree. I did this degree because I have always had a passion for mathematics and how it can be related to the real world. I went on to work in the city of London in the financial sector but I'm now taking a break from the profession to pursue a masters qualification.

I also have experience in doing aptitude tests for medicine applications such as the UCAT and BMAT as well as experience in passing medical school interviews since I studied Medicine for a year at Cardiff University before changing to Actuarial Science (a more mathematical field). I therefore have the experience to successfully advise and train students who are looking to go into that field.

Tutoring Experience

I have tutored privately for over ten years and have a very high success rate. Many of my former pupils are now at top Russell Group universities studying courses such as medicine, dentistry, engineering, mathematics and law.

Last year I helped a student with A level Biology and Chemistry and also wrote a reference for her on her UCAS form which helped her get interviews for medicine. I spent a few sessions coaching her on interview technique. She has just recently attained her A level results and been awarded a place into medicine. Another of my students has recently attained A*AB and has been awarded a place at Manchester university to read Chemical engineering.I do also have experience with adult learners and have helped many with attaining their GCSEs in maths and english for nursing courses and teaching courses.

I also worked for four years as the head of science and mathematics at a tuition centre. I was responsible for organising the specifications, setting home works and I taught the 11+, Mathematics at GCSE and A levels, Biology, chemistry and physics at GCSE and chemistry and biology at a levels. I can also teach essay writing skills and examination technique for those who study humanities subjects as I have an A grade in A level history and had some experience in doing history modules as outside options during my degree.

Tutoring Approach

Although my academic achievement has been excellent throughout my career, I do understand that being an expert in your field does not necessarily mean you would make a good teacher. However, this is where I think I have an advantage over the rest.

During my time at Grammar School I developed the ethos of trying the best to achieve my full potential. This is what separates Grammar schools to other state schools. I am quite often asked whether there is something different about the teaching in Grammar schools. Having spoken to personal friends who have attended both comprehensive schools and grammar schools, they stress that the main difference is their attitude towards learning. At normal state schools they care mainly about fulfilling targets and quotas and do not often push intelligent students to achieve their full potential. The attitude that was instilled in me at grammar school was markedly different. We were told that we did not have to be content with mediocrity and were all put in higher tier examinations at GCSE so we have the chance to achieve the highest grade possible.
It is with this ethos that I tutor my pupils. Whatever the academic or ability of the pupil I tailor my teaching into getting the most out of my students. I put emphasis on being the best you can be so that pupils realise their full potential.

My teaching style is also quite different to the way pupils are taught at school. I try to make my lessons more dynamic and applicable to the student and try to stay away from the often dull and mundane environment of the class room. With private tuition I am allowed to focus fully on the pupils needs rather than compromising my efforts by making sure there's discipline in a classroom.

I am a pretty laid back individual who is easy to relate to . I am 28 years of age and so I think i'm still very much in touch with the problems of the youth today, this makes me approachable and easy to turn to for help. I feel that older tutors employ mechanical ways of teaching which are now outdated. As I am fairly young this means I have recently come out of the education system and so I am up to date with the recent specifications and syllabi. I also remember how it feels to be a student having to carry a lot of pressure from school, parents and society and so I encouraged my students to confide in me.

I believe in exposing my pupils to examination questions as soon as possible. My homeworks are often examination questions from previous years- this ensures that the pupil can become accustomed to the level that is expected of them so that come exam time they would already be used to the style and type of questions that may come up. This all means that we 'kill two birds with one stone' as we incorporate learning with exam practice from the outset.