Fully Qualified Teacher with 3 Years Teaching Experience Offering Maths Lessons from KS2 - GCSE (KS4)

Find out more about Lydia

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I've always felt pulled in two directions-and I see that as a strength. On one hand, I'm fascinated by the clarity and logic of Maths; it's like solving a puzzle, and there's something satisfying about the predictability of it. On the other hand, English has always spoken to my creative side-it's a space for imagination, interpretation, and playing with language. Tutoring allows me to share both sides of this love with students while tailoring lessons to the way they think and feel. It's the ideal blend of creativity and logic, which is what drew me to one-to-one teaching.

• 2) Tell us more about the subjects you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach both Maths and English to KS3 and GCSE students, and I genuinely enjoy switching between the two. In Maths, I love exploring patterns, solving algebraic equations, and demystifying those tricky problem-solving tasks that stump so many students. In English, I get excited by the layers of meaning in a poem or the way language can create emotion, tension, or beauty. They're very different-but both subjects require critical thinking, and that's something I love nurturing in young minds. If I had to pick a less-loved area, I'd say rigid mark schemes can sometimes take the spark out of learning, but I work hard to make even exam prep feel engaging.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Yes-my Music teacher was more than just a teacher; he became a mentor. He didn't just focus on the subject in front of him-he took the time to understand my interests across the board, from Maths to English and everything in between. His ability to make connections between different areas of learning really shaped how I now approach my own teaching. I still see him today, and he remains one of the most significant influences in both my personal journey and my professional career.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor needs to be a bit of a detective-understanding how each student thinks and where their confidence might falter. Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humour help too. Whether we're solving a quadratic equation or crafting a persuasive paragraph, I think it's about encouraging curiosity and making students feel safe enough to take risks.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I had a student who was convinced Maths and English were just hoops to jump through for the sake of a grade. But we reframed things-Maths became a series of challenges to crack, and English turned into a space to express and explore. In one lesson, he made an insightful connection between structure in algebra and narrative structure in creative writing-and that's when it clicked: both subjects stretch your brain in different but essential ways.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or are still facing in your subject?

  A big challenge is helping students overcome the mindset that they're "not a Maths person" or "not creative enough for English." I believe everyone has both of those thinking styles-it's just a matter of exercising them. My job is to provide the space and encouragement for that to happen.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I'm passionate about helping students see the deeper value in what they're learning. Maths and English aren't just boxes to tick-they develop vital skills for life. Logic, reasoning, resilience, creativity, communication-these are things we need whether we're writing an essay, budgeting for a holiday, or navigating a challenge at work.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  I bring dual energy to my lessons: structured, problem-solving precision for Maths and open-ended, expressive exploration for English. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I design lessons that reflect my students' personalities while helping them flex both sides of their brain-and maybe even enjoy themselves along the way.