Dr Noel - Harrow Weald - A-level CHEMISTRY: ALL boards.I teach A-level chemistry; I am a senior examiner with OCR and a consultant for organic chemistry. I live in Harrow in London and give lessons

Find out more about Noel

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

  I fell in love with chemistry when I was 11 years old. After my PhD i realised that I was not cut out to be a research chemist. My passion is, and always has been teaching.

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

  What I can say is that my love within the field of chemistry is ORGANIC chemistry. In the 20 years or so I have been private tutoring I would suggest that over 90% of the problems students have are in organic chemistry

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

  A role model as such, NO. A mentor who showed me the English way of doing things is John Holman, who is co-author of Chemistry in Context, one of the best well-known A-level chemistry texts around the world. John was Head of Science when I arrived at Watford Boys' Grammar School.

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

  As in teaching itself, to be a good educator you need empathy and patience with your students. Each student is different and faces different problems. Getting to know them and the student getting to know you and having the confidence in saying to you that 'I do not understand. Can you explain that again please?'

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

  I attach a pdf of a very nice thank you card I received from a private student in September. When I started with her, through Tutor Pages, she was on the C/D boundary. She eventually achieved an A and is now studying her life long passion to be a Vet.

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

  There are no difficulties, only challenges. I am a very knowledge chemistry teacher who has a world wide reputation. However, I say to my students I am not a walking Encyclopedia and if I do not know something then I say so to my students and then I go away and research it to find the answer. Learning is a lifetime challenge. It is actually a strength to say 'I do not know'. Do not underestimate your students. They know that you care about them and they are quite perceptive when you 'fudge' an answer.

• Do you have a particular passion?

  Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different? Yes, my passion is chemistry. It is also my hobby and I love teaching to students and getting them to understand the beauty and the dynamics of this wonderful subject.

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

  All I can go on is the feedback I receive from my students. They are glowing in their recommendations for me. I approach my subject with a lot of fun and enjoyment and the students like this. My approach to teaching is slightly in the quirky and certainly not conventional, BUT IT WORKS. From the 2018 exams, my private students results were fantastic: 3 A*, 5A and a B and they all gain entry to their chosen University. I also attach some other thank you cards.