I coach and run lessons on the Specialist qualification topics as follows, often providing additional advice and consultancy:
Cambridge University NSAA entrance
Oxford University PAT entrance
Oxbridge and Russel Group Interviews
EPQ 6th form Extended Project
GMAT Graduate Management Admissions Test
UKMT Maths Challenges; Junior, Intermediate, Senior, UKMT Olympiad, Primary Maths Challenge, ISEB pre-test and UKiset Numerical Reasoning
13+ and 16+ entrance
IB International Baccalaureate Maths HL
I also provide advice for instance on taking technical and business qualifications such as M.B.A, T-Levels and Applied Entrepeneur, and on Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate compatibility with UK.
NSAA
I coach the Maths compulsory, and Physics and Chemistry choices, in Section 1; and Physics and Chemistry in Section 2. I offer advice on which to choose.
I run through all the individual topics required in the NSAA syllabus such as Refractive Index and Young’s Double slit in Physics and Equilibrium Constant and Bond Angles in Chemistry. I have a large set of questions and worked solutions on all the individual topics, which I set for Homework. Through research, I believe I can spot the style and content of a typical NSAA question for a particular topic.
There is a relatively new format, but the older style is still relevant. So for practice of full papers, as well as using the official recent Cambridge material, I have created many additional mock papers using older questions adapted to new multi choice style, mixed with very similar questions from other sources. I set these week by week with exactly the right number of questions, and we go through worked solutions and I encourage students to stick to the exact 2 hour time to encourage fast working and concentrating under pressure. The ability to work at speed is one of the main differentiators.
I also coach techniques for exam management such as how to pace the exam and cope with tricky questions and multi-choice answers.
PAT
I run through all the individual Physics topics required in the PAT syllabus such as Kirchoff’s Circuit Laws, SUVAT equations, pulley and inclined slope motion, and Young’s Double slit in Physics . I have a large set of questions and worked solutions on all the individual topics, which I set for Homework.
For practice of full papers, as well as using the official PAT past paper material, I have created many additional mock papers. I set these week by week and we go through worked solutions and I encourage students to stick to the exact time frame to encourage fast working and concentrating under pressure.
I also coach exam management such as how to pace the exam and cope with tricky questions and multi-choice answers.
Oxbridge Science and Russel Group Interviews
I run coaching sessions on what these Universities are looking for in terms of students who not only are of high intelligence but over and above that have a passion for science and have already a track record of relevant work experience, reading, projects, science Olympiads and so on. I run practice interviews on typical past questions and encourage students to think creatively in response to the sometimes obtuse and even bizzare questions that are set, and express themselves in clear scientific language and thought processes, and not to panic if they cannot answer at first. Most of my interview training has been for Cambridge NSAA candidates and I have also trained Cambridge Medicine and Imperial College Sciences.
Overall, no-one can guarantee a pass, but I have built up, over several years, a good track record of success with candidates for the exams and interviews above.
EPQ
I coach the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in three ways, first how to write the report and prepare the presentation; second, how to record the process in the Project Proposal Forms and Activity Logs, emphasising all these aspects are important for good marks; and third I help overall project management.
For the report I suggest length, paragraph style, bibliography layout, division into required sections and. especially if its a scientific project, offer advice on the technical content and keep an eye out for relevant news articles.
For the process I help the student put together good logs on items such as project aims, measuring progress, ensuring original thinking.
I am a formally qualified Prince 2 Project manager so I help ensure quality, timeliness and stage-gate approval for the project as a whole.
I have coached many students’ EPQ projects in topics as disparate as Satellite Propulsions, Veganism, Game Theory impact on pricing strategy, Internet celebrity influencers, Big Data, Statistics, consumer Influence, Maths requirement for Computer programming, Independent Candidates in USA Elections, and Cycle Design. An international education company contracts me to provide EPQ tutoring, anything from a full programme to reviewing a script.
The EPQ represents an excellent opportunity for sixth form students to extend their study beyond the syllabus, to introduce themselves to research techniques and work disciplines such as project management, and to add to their Personal Statements and C.V.’s.
You can see my summary of some tips for EPQ projects here.
GMAT
I run lessons on the particular Maths topics which feature most heavily in the GMAT syllabus such as algebra equations, ratio proportion, statistics mean, geometry area. And also business calculations such as profitability.
We then relate these to the practice questions offered by GMAT and run through how to approach real questions accurately and quickly.
We also practice the data sufficiency questions, again with real examples and how students can best identify for instance whether one, or the other, or both statements are needed.
UKMT Maths Challenges and Olympiads, and UKiset Numerical Reasoning
These UKMT tests are the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths annual challenges organised by the UK Maths Trust and in which tens of thousands of children compete each year. Their motive varies from simply relishing a competition to adding to their UCAS personal statement. Whatever the reason, these are of great benefit and you can find out more in this article . Some pupils then go on to the Olympiads.
In theory this should not be over-tutored but certainly an introduction to the format, and practicing and going through the results with a coach can help. Also, having tutored UKMT candidates and researched all the material, I have created perhaps a unique list of topics from KS3, GCSE and A-Level which you do – and don’t – need for the three age-group test levels. My coaching consists of running through all the required topics, then setting and marking questions from past curriculum and UKMT papers, first topic by topic and then whole UKMT papers. I always provide extensive solutions, frequently adding my own extra insights to published mark schemes.
The three exams are generally in February (Intermediate), April (Junior) and November (Senior) and I would recommend some lessons prior to those dates to get used to the format and type and content of questions.
I also have experience tutoring the Primary Maths Challenge PMC, which is a useful national starter competition leading through to the Junior UKMT, and also the Bonus round.
I also have experience with the UKMT Olympiad which is available to the pupils who get high scores in the Challenge itself. I emphasise the differences between Challenge and Olympiad, for instance the Olympiad is longer but with less questions because they are more difficult and require fully written, logical, justified solutions. The examiners award marks not just for the answer but the way you have reached it. Again I have collected past Olympiad questions by topic – for instance Geometry questions involving shapes within shapes feature prominently – and provided worked solutions where I have added my own insights to the model answers.
Another speciality is Numerical Reasoning. This is a feature in the UKMT and ISEB tests and particularly in UKiset the favored admissions test for international students applying for UK independent schools. UKiset Numerical Reasoning questions have a very specific format consisting of Pie charts, bar and line graphs, a two way data tables with a follow up multiple choice question involving calculation, analysis and choice of an option. I have great experience of tutoring UKiset and other Board’s Numerical Reasoning questions.
13+ and 16+ entrance
I coach “mid-year group” entrance to UK Independent schools from both International locations (via international education companies) and also simply from other UK schools. My approach typically would be to find out as much as possible about the entrance exams and run through theory on the relevant topics, and set questions from these school’s past papers where possible, and also set similar questions from GCSE. Worked answers always supplied. This usually covers Maths but could be Science as well. Schools include St Paul’s, Wycombe Abbey, Clifton, and the specialist Maths/Physics Kings Maths senior school. I have often been asked to continue coaching for a while after the entrance exam to prepare the student for the content and standard likely to be encountered at their new school.
International Baccalaureate IB Maths
I tutor IB Maths including HL AA Analyses and Approaches. This is a standardised international qualification set at the standard of higher GCSE and A Level Maths. It includes traditional content like Geometry, Algebra and Calculus but encourages creative thinking, logical reasoning and problem-solving skills too. Also exploring use of Graphical display technology. I add my own additional comments and workings to their model answers to give pupils the best understanding of how to answer IB Maths exam questions.
Additional Education consultancy
I provide education consultancy. This is often as part of tutoring but also I can advise on courses and sometimes even prepare course material.
Institute of Enterprise Entrepreneurs (IOEE)
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI Awards)
I was asked to prepare a detailed slide pack and starter plenary and quizzes focused on starting a small business. It was for a consultant training prisoners to start their own business and the slides were used as part of the framework provided by the IOEE/SFEDI. This then developed into a full Level 3 (A-Level equivalent) accredited qualification called Level 3 Certificate in Applied Entrepreneurship, for which I have written a 300-page syllabus/specification and included exam questions and model answers.
T-Levels.
First teaching in 2022, for 16–18-year-olds, these are designed to replace B-Tech and in doing so make Technical Qualifications equivalent to A-Levels in status, reputation and UCAS points. They include theory but also practical experience including industry placements. I have a good knowledge of two particular T-Levels, namely Engineering and Manufacturing, and Management and Administration. I can offer good advice and mentoring, bringing together both my tutoring expertise and real-world business and manufacturing experience. I have a T-Level role as Associate Principal Moderator on a T-Level course so am very familiar with how T-Levels work. I have completed extensive work on the Composite Materials practical assignment creation of exam briefs, and standardization of grade boundaries.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)
As a holder of this qualification myself I can offer my experiences and advice on if and how to take the course, and what to expect, and what the benefits will be. I also bring my experience from this and my time in industry into my Business Studies and Economics tutoring.
Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate compatibility with UK
Occasionally students study for Irish qualifications but want to be sure that when applying for UK Universities that the material they have studied is compatible with UK qualifications such as GCSE and A-Level and I have experience of providing advice and comparisons on these.