Rosemary

After a long career teaching and lecturing in all types of schools and colleges, I now tutor individual students, both online and in person. I teach Biology only.
I am an examiner in Biology for two exam boards, at GCSE and A level (UK and International), and have experience in teaching for most exam boards at both levels. In the past I have also taught degree courses and in special needs.
I hold a BSc in Human Biology but previously attended medical school before deciding that this was not for me. I took my PGCE at London University Institute of Education. Teaching was the right choice, as time has shown.

Tutoring Experience

I have now been teaching for almost 40 years, having gained positions as Head of Department and Head of Faculty during that time, as well as being a Teaching and Learning Coach for other teachers/lecturers. I have been employed as a specialist Home Tutor by my LEA, worked as a Consultant for the Open University, and as a private tutor and mentor.

Tutoring Approach

What happens in tutorial sessions is dependent on the individual student, so that the work we do addresses their particular requirements. Most students have plenty of access to syllabus content, and I usually find that we need to focus on understanding and applying what has been learned, so that the student can cope confidently with unfamiliar questions in exams, as well as the more straightforward ones. This is essential to achieve high grades. I try to create a calm, friendly atmosphere so that students will ask questions, try out ideas and practise expressing their knowledge appropriately so as to acquire good exam technique. Building confidence is key. The student can determine the content of each session, or I can suggest areas to work on, as appropriate in each session. I aim to make learning enjoyable whilst achieving the desired outcome in exams, i.e., the best possible grades, not only for those who progress to medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, Oxbridge etc., but also for those who have been predicted low grades and who need to get much better ones for the courses/universities they want to be accepted for!