• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • • Q. What is your teaching philosophy?
    • Q. What software do I need for online tutoring?
    • Q. How long is each session?
    • Q. How can I book a lesson?
    • Q. What are your rates, and how do I pay?
    • Q. Can I turn my A levels around?
    • Q. What is your cancellation policy?
    • Q. I didn’t achieve the grades to meet my conditional firm or insurance offer – what are my options?

Q. What is your teaching philosophy?

A. My main goal with teaching is to ensure students feel confident with their subject, and achieve the goals they have set for themselves. No two students are the same, and everyone has individual goals – I believe in tailoring my lessons to help the students achieve this goal. You don’t need to be a A/A* student to benefit from tutoring – any student at any grade can benefit. I want students to feel good about the subject, feel like they understand it, above and beyond the syllabus – this consequently translates to better exam results.

Q. What software do I need for online tutoring?

A. I tutor using a combination of Zoom whiteboard/audio and Google Docs. You will need a reliable internet connection. Zoom can be used via a web browser – you will receive a unique username and password for your session. You do not need a Zoom account. It helps if you have access to headphones.

I will draw annotated diagrams, and write down bullet points for key topics on the Zoom whiteboard. You can either copy these down in your book, or take screenshots of each page.

I do not use live video during our sessions.

You will also receive a link to a shared Google document – this is mainly used to work through past paper questions. I will show you how to save a copy of each question set to your local hard drive.

Q. How can I book a lesson?

A. If you decide you might want to try out tutoring, please contact me, letting me know your exam board, subject and year of study.

I will arrange a preliminary lesson at a mutually convenient date. This lesson is charged at half the normal rate, and is paid for separately.

If you decide to continue with tutoring, I will book a regular weekly slot for you in the dairy. Most students engage my tutoring services for the whole academic year. I usually teach through all half-terms, but take a break over Christmas, Easter and August.

Q. What are your rates, and how do I pay?

A. Lessons are charged at £40 per hour. Discounts are available if you book at least 3 h a week for the whole academic term. I also offer a discount if you book early September, and commit to lessons for the whole academic year. Please get in touch if you have questions about discounts.

Payment is made online, via bank transfer.

The first lesson is paid for separately.

Once you book regular lessons, I will send you an invoice for monthly payment. Monthly payment is calculated by working out the cost for all the lessons over the academic year, and dividing it by the number of months in the academic year. This means you end up paying the same amount each month, irrespective of actual lessons in the month. This allows you to set up a standing order each month, and not have to stress about remembering to pay each month.

Payment is always made in advance of the month.

Q. Can I turn my A levels around?

A. The simple answer is – YES. It is never too late to improve your grades.

There are two key details that you need to focus on – first, identify the problem areas. Where are you losing marks in the exams? Is it the theory, or is it applied questions? Do you struggle with mathematical calculations? Do you find graphs confusing?

Mock papers are a great way to identify any weak areas. I often ask students for copies of their mock papers, so I can devise a revision strategy tailored to help tackle questions that might be costing them valuable marks. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed about getting back your exam scripts and discussing what went wrong with your teacher or tutor – we all learn from our mistakes. If you don’t look over your past papers and see where you lost marks, the chances are that you might repeat the same mistakes again in the next exam and wonder why your grades haven’t improved.

Second, familiarise yourself with the mark scheme for YOUR exam board, and try to understand what keywords the examiner is looking for. Most exam boards have the same syllabus at A level, but the mark schemes are often worded differently. It is really important that you take the time to go through past papers and mark schemes, to know what areas are key mark-wise for a particular exam board.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?

A. The cancellation policy is outlined fully in the Terms and Conditions – you will receive a copy when we agree to go ahead with tutoring sessions. Briefly, I operate a 48 h cancellation policy. If a lesson is cancelled with less than 48 h notice, you will be charged the full lesson fee. Cancelled lessons can be rescheduled, but must be used by 31 May of the academic year.

Q. I didn’t achieve the grades to meet my conditional firm or insurance offer – what are my options?

A. Don’t panic and don’t despair. If you didn’t achieve the grades required for your University offer, you will be registered for Clearing by UCAS track, where you now have the option of choosing a different University or a different course. Clearing is stressful at the best of times – don’t leave Clearing decisions till the day of the results (where you will often have only 24-48 h to make a decision on a new University. Always have a Plan B ready – research the Universities that might fit your criteria just in case you are unable to make the grades for your UF or CF offer. 

Clearing vacancies will be listed on the UCAS site from early July.

You can add a clearing choice from 2 pm (UK time) on results day.

Remember that you cannot swap your firm and insurance offer. If you want to take up your insurance offer, you have to reject your firm offer on Track, and go through clearing. The insurance offer won’t be guaranteed through clearing, be aware of this when rejecting your firm offer.

Once you have accepted a clearing offer, add it to ‘Your Choices’ section on Track. The University will confirm your place through Track.

If you really don’t like any of the courses available to you this year, or would like to re-sit exams to obtain a better grade, then there is nothing wrong in withdrawing from the UCAS system and taking a gap year. A gap year can widen your horizons if you use it well, and you can gain some valuable work and volunteer experience that, in addition to enriching your life experience, will look good on your personal statement for the following year.