Amanda

Amanda has over 20 years experience teaching Maths and has worked in some of the UK's top schools. She supports students preparing for 11+, 13+, 16+, GCSE and A Level Maths. Her approach is thorough and systematic.

Amanda teaches: 11+ Maths, 13+ Maths, GCSE Maths, AS/A Level Maths, School Entrance Interviews, Oxbridge Preparation

''Thank you for your fantastic Mathematics teaching and support of our daughter through the 11+ process. You made such a difference to her confidence and ability to shine at interview.''

Parent of 11+ Student

About Amanda:

Experience
Biography
Approach to Tutoring
When not tutoring

Experience

-A Level Mathematics (Edexcel, OCR, AQA)

-GCSE/IGCSE (Edexcel, OCR, AQA)

-University choices, UCAS personal statement

-Interviews and entrance papers at 11+, 13+, 16+

I have 20 years’ experience as a classroom teacher and as a private tutor for 11+, 13+, (I)GCSE and A Level. I have extensive expertise in helping pupils with their career choices and preparing university applications. I have been at the coal face of setting and marking 11+, 13+ and 16+ Mathematics entrance and scholarship papers. Throughout my teaching career I have been on selection interview panels for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry.

Throughout my career I have held an interesting mix of roles, both academic and pastoral, which I draw on as a tutor. Whilst at Surbiton High, I was honoured to receive one of the few Diana Awards presented to teachers for encouraging empathy and I place great value on cherishing tutee’s own curiosity.

My own pleasure is in seeing tutees love of learning grow as they grasp new concepts whether a high attainer or a struggler. As a Head of Mathematics, the department achieved significant grade improvement at IGCSE, steadily upwards from 44% to 87% in A*/A grades and the value added uplift in results placed the Mathematics department in the top 0.6% of UK Independent Schools. You may be thinking how? This is the impact my style of circular revision and scaffolded teaching has and this is a technique that I implement in my tutoring.

Most recently, I have enjoyed the boarding environment at Charterhouse where I led both the Sixth Form and have been A Level Coordinator for the Mathematics Department, achieving exceptionally high grades in the public examinations, well above the pupils' ALIS predictions.

Alongside my teaching roles I have tutored past pupils (and their friends through word of mouth). I have worked with tutees from a range of schools and of different ages. The work has been varied – helping tutees in Year 5 and 6 to become confident with their mathematical skills as they prepare for 11+, coaching at 13+ to pass both Core and Additional CE papers, tutoring throughout Y10 and 11 in preparation for GCSE/IGCSE or intensive preparation from the January of Y11, similarly tutoring throughout Y12 and 13 (Sixth Form) in preparation for A Level or intensive preparation after mocks from January of Y13. I have appreciated the time to help pupils and really hone in on the issues blocking their understanding on a one-one basis. Tutoring gives me the opportunity to individually support pupils in picking the key words and hints out of the question to achieve success.

Biography

''Mathematics is in many ways like cookery, simply follow the recipe.''

I graduated from Durham University with a degree in Mathematics. I completed my PGCE teaching qualification with the Open University and was graded “Outstanding (1)”. I have 20 years’ experience as a classroom teacher and as a private tutor for 11+, 13+, (I)GCSE and A Level; and I am passionate about assisting pupils to achieve their full potential. I have been a Head of Mathematics and more recently Head of Sixth Form and A Level Mathematics Co-ordinator at Charterhouse, thus I have extensive expertise in helping pupils with their career choices and preparing university applications. I have tutored throughout my teaching career achieving the desired outcome needed by the tutee for their next stage of education.

Current school:

Charterhouse Online (September 2023 – to date) - Mathematics Teacher

Charterhouse (September 2018 – August 2023) - Head of Sixth Form and A Level Mathematics Co-ordinator

Previous schools:

Prior’s Field School (September 2009 - August 2018) - Head of Mathematics

St Catherine’s School, Bramley (September 2007 – August 2009) - Teacher of Mathematics

Surbiton High School (July 2003 – August 2007) - Teacher of Mathematics and IT

Approach to Tutoring

Each student is different! They are all on individual Mathematics journeys and will find some concepts easy and others that they are totally stuck on. I help them realise that this is fine and that I am there to support their learning and unblock their misconceptions. I split each session into activities - a first part of questions to review prior study sessions and to keep topics fresh, active “teach and do” sessions follow this on a couple of themes, ending with a challenge to inform me of their knowledge of the next topic that they say they find impossible. The session ends with a discussion with the tutee on what we will cover next time and helps make them feel in control. Time flies during the sessions as the key is to keep the tutee moving between a couple of themes so not become bored or frustrated and to make the activities a little competitive; how many out of five can you get right? Teaching concepts in small chunks allows time for the technique to embed before the next layer is added. This also teaches the tutee’s brain to jump between themes, which is so important when tackling examination papers. My style of circular revision and scaffolded teaching has a huge impact on attainment.

When not tutoring

Since September I have been semi-retired and helping with the set-up of boost, retake and revision courses for Charterhouse Online.

I am a keen participant of aqua aerobics having been an ASA Swimming Official. I have recently moved to Clapham to be nearer family and joined a few local groups – film society, book group, exhibition outings and knitting! I am also Secretary of the local WI (Women’s Institute).

What clients say about Amanda:

"She has achieved the grades for her place at medical school, we are all so excited! I wanted to say thank you for all you did in tutoring her to face her fear of exam questions and to achieve that magic grade in her Mathematics A level that has made her dreams possible."

Parent of Year 13 A Level student

"He has turned his low attainment around with your intensive tutoring over the summer break. He now has excellent predicted grades and will be applying to Manchester University to study Mathematics and Statistics. Thank you."

Parent of Year 13 A Level student

"Thank you so much for establishing such a warm and productive relationship with our son where he looks forward to his sessions with you and is now feeling more positive about the subject!"

Parent of Year 10 GCSE Student

"Wow, what progress you helped our son make in Mathematics! Thank you so much for coaching him to achieve the level he needed for the next stage of schooling. He is so proud of his Mathematics result."

Parent of 13+ Student

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