Qualified and experienced science teacher offering personalised support with biology, chemistry and physics GCSE. All exam boards covered. *Currently space available on Mondays only*

Find out more about Rebecca

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

  I always loved science in school, I had so many questions about the world around me and science seemed to be able to answer them. As a child, I was fascinated by biology and learning about the human body. As I got older my interest spread to chemistry and physics, particularly space physics. During the pandemic I worked as part of the National Tutoring Programme, delivering focused science catch-up lessons online to students in school. I found working with individuals really rewarding and once the programme came to a close I continued to tutor privately. I have now supported lots of students from KS3 through to GCSE.

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

  I teach biology, chemistry and physics GCSE. My favourite to teach is chemistry and that's because I found this the most difficult out of the three to grasp in school (I ended up choosing it for A level)! I understand why it can be challenging and how to explain topics and break them down for students who are struggling. It's very rewarding when a student who previously felt they couldn't do it says that they now 'get it'.

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

  I've worked with some really great teachers and they have inspired me the most, bringing lessons to life and inspiring a fascination with science. I've been able to try out lots of great experiments over the years, my favourite being the screaming jelly baby!

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

  A good tutor needs to be able to assess where a student is currently at and what they need to learn next to progress. They should also be friendly and approachable so that a student feels able to ask for help and have lots of different resources to keep lessons interesting and at the right level of challenge.

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

  I believe that anything can be understood if it is explained the right way and if a student doesn't understand something, then it's my responsibility to try a different approach and keep trying until they do! Sometimes all people need is a little extra support and an individual approach.

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

  When I studied GCSE chemistry I remember really struggling to understand the concept of the mole and mole calculations. This is now one of my favourite topics to teach for that very reason!

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

  The best part about teaching for me is watching a young person's confidence grow. I've worked with lots of students who have fallen behind in school or had long absences and feel they can't catch up. I know how to build up the knowledge base quickly and this is often reflected in improved engagement and achievement in school. Alternatively, sometimes high-achieving students feel overwhelmed, and practice and a clear study plan help get them back on track.

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

  I am a Superprof because I have great curriculum knowledge, and an individualised approach to learning adapted to the needs and level of the student. I have years of teaching experience both in school and online with students working from foundation to triple higher level and across all exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and Cambridge and Edexcel international.