Samuel Y - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

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“My son felt more prepared for his GCSEs after having tutoring. The focus on understanding rather than just memorising answers was really helpful. We would definitely recommend Sam.”

Parent

GCSE Maths
GCSE Physics
A Level Maths
A Level Physics
IB Maths
IB Physics

I have been tutoring Physics and Mathematics at both GCSE and A-level with various agencies since 2022, along with my work as a Levelling Up – Aspire Higher Physics mentor and as an intern for the Durham University Physics department. In addition, my master's project was on the effects of gamified learning on Physics students, in which I explored the pedagogy behind gamification and evaluated existing teaching methods in A-level and undergraduate Physics before developing and testing my own learning tool. I found this to be highly beneficial to my tutoring, as I am now cognisant of the common pitfalls and misconceptions that are prevalent in conventional Physics (and wider STEM) education and can factor this into the materials I develop and the sessions I deliver. This is complimented by the experience I gained as an intern, which further honed my ability to communicate complex concepts in an easy to understand manner at a level appropriate for my clients.

My name is Samuel (Sam) and I am a recent graduate of Durham University, where I studied MPhys Physics and undertook a master's project in Physics education and outreach. Prior to this I attended Middlesbrough College and studied Physics, Maths and Chemistry, achieving an A* in each. During my first, second and ending in my third year of study (2022-2024) I worked on the Levelling Up: Aspire Higher programme as a Physics mentor, building a foundation of outreach and education skills that I then applied as a tutor. In addition to this, I have worked for multiple tutoring agencies and platforms. Upon graduating, I also worked as a 'summer student' (a form of paid internship) with the Durham Quantum Light and Matter team to produce outreach and education materials.

“We were happy with how structured the lessons were. There was a good mix of going over content and doing exam practice. Sam’s communication was always clear and professional.”

Parent

“In exams my daughter was struggling with confidence more than anything. Physics felt overwhelming to her. The tutor was very patient and calm, and didn’t make her feel silly for asking questions. She ended up doing better than she expected in her Physics exams.”

Parent

“I cannot thank Sam enough for his GCSE physics tutoring of my son. He worked within the restricted timeframe we had available, frequently checking in that his planned sessions met our needs. My son really enjoyed his sessions and even looked forward to them, which was no mean feat with a subject he found less than easy. Feedback directly to my son and separately to me was insightful. I would definitely recommend Sam. Fingers crossed for our results!”

Parent

My teaching style primarily focuses on qualitative thinking and the development of a student’s intuition, as I find this to be the most critical aspect of examination success. By helping students develop a strong thought process and a deep understanding of fundamental concepts, they become equipped to tackle even the most challenging and unfamiliar problems, while also cultivating a genuine interest in what they’re studying. To facilitate this I utilise visual learning and analogy to adapt content to a student’s learning style, ensuring engagement. I supplement this with an exposure to a wide array of exam-style problems to apply and exercise this intuition whilst also building confidence and good exam technique. All of this is done at the student's pace and adapted to their needs and learning style.

Currently I am tutoring on a self-employed basis for Keystone Tutors and I hope to do this for the foreseeable future. Over the coming years, I may also look to PhD study in condensed matter physics, particularly within magnetic materials or ferroelectrics. When I am not tutoring, I am developing my programming skills (Python), painting miniatures to relax and gaming.