Rebecca

Experience

• Primary Maths (School years 3-6)

• 11+ Maths (Abingdon, Magdalen College, Cheltenham Ladies' College, St Helen and St Katharine)

• 13+ Maths (Abingdon, Headington Girls)

• GCSE and iGCSE Maths (Edexcel, AQA, OCR)

• GCSE and iGCSE History (Edexcel, AQA, OCR)

• International and European Baccalaureate maths (years 4 and 5)

•. IB math studies

•. EB maths 3 periods (English)

Since beginning tutoring in 2014 I have had some wonderful success with GCSE/iGCSE Maths and History students, as well as with 11+ and 13+ maths students (Abingdon, Magdalen, St Helen and St Katharine, Cheltenham Ladies College, Headington, North London Girls School Consortium).

During my time at the University of Kent I worked as a Schools Ambassador which involved running university application sessions at schools across Kent. These looked at the application process itself as well as at how to write a successful personal statement.

At the same time, I also have a lot of experience working with children in a more informal capacity which I feel really helps me to engage with my students. In the past, I have taught Ballet to 3/4/5 year olds, worked extensively in the Girlguiding UK movement and volunteered to help children to read in the summer library reading schemes. In 2012, I spent my summer in Sri Lanka, teaching English as a foreign language at a school and orphanage near Galle. Meanwhile, I also regularly help with trips and activity days at my mother's primary school.

Biography

I was born in East London and went to a small local primary school before attending the Frances Bardsley School for Girls. Here I gained 13 GCSEs and my A levels in Maths, History, French and Fine Art, obtaining an A grade in A2 Mathematics in the space of just one year. I then moved to the University of Kent to study for my undergraduate degree in History, where I received commendation for graduating with one of the highest overall Firsts in the humanities faculty. I finished studying for my masters in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology at the University of Oxford in 2014 and began to tutor students in the Oxford area. I finished my PhD in the History of Science at UCL in September 2020 and am now an Honorary Research Fellow in the UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies.

Personal Approach

I have found that a friendly, calm and patient approach to each student helps them to feel comfortable talking about the specific areas they find difficult. In this way I am able to tailor lessons to suit each student, adjusting the speed at which we tackle each subject to reflect their individual needs. Here students and parents alike have appreciated my ability to creatively explain and think about topics for students with a range of different learning styles until we find a method or formula that works for them. Once a subject has been learned for the first time, it is important to me to make sure that students are confident and comfortable with each topic that they will face under pressured examination conditions. To do this I use a mixture of repetition within lessons (circling back to questions on a specific topic periodically) and monthly topic revisions.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I am currently writing articles and researching as a historian of science and medicine and, when I am not in the library (or working from home!), I am trying to improve my fencing (the sport, not the garden kind), gardening, and working on my embroidery skills. I also enjoy reading (classics, science-fiction, and fantasy), watching football/rugby/cricket, heading out for a round of golf, and playing my violin.

Testimonials

"She got in to Sevenoaks, so good news all round. Full credit to Rebecca who has been great and continues to improve her skills." Father of 16+ student.

"We are really happy with Rebecca she found a way to make math less scary for Alina". Mother of IB student.

Sophie (mother of GCSE student): “I just wanted to say how utterly brilliant you have been with Polly. She's had several maths teachers and another tutor over recent years but she says you are the most motivating, most supportive and most cogent by far.”

Stefan (iGCSE student): ''I did really well with an 8! Thank you for everything.''

Tami (mother of GCSE student): ''Thank you for another series of great work you did with Malin. She really enjoyed working with you. Thanks also for helping her structure her thoughts in relation to the personal statement. I hope she takes on board what she has learnt with you and keep pushing herself.''

Izzy (iGCSE student): ''Thankyou for all your incredible help, I really wouldn't have been able to do it without you by my side.''

Alina (IB student): ''You enabled me to improve my math skills tremendously, starting off with getting 3s and then helping me to acheive 6s and 7s. Maths used to be a subject that would always scare me and caused me to hate it, however through your help I was able to enjoy it and finally understand it. I am going to miss you alot and couldn't thank you enough for your kindness, understanding, and patience throughout these past few years.''

Diana (mother of IB student): ''I just wanted to say how pleased I am with Alina’s progress and to pass on her thanks for all you've done so far.''

Catherine (mother of 13+ student): ''Just to let you know that Tom got through the pre-test and has an interview next week for Abingdon. We are very grateful for your input, whatever the eventual outcome, to his greatly increased confidence with his maths. He really enjoyed his tutoring sessions and you helped him approach the questions calmly and systematically, which is just what he needed.''

Jenny (mother of 10 year old): ''Can you also let Rebecca know that Ben did very well in his end of year maths thanks to her help so he's really pleased!''

Boby (mother of GCSE student): ''I wanted to let you know that Joanna got an A grade in History and is very pleased! Thank you very much for all your help!''

Pamela (mother of GCSE student): ''Tolani got an A* in maths, I really thank you for all of your hard work with her. Are you available for more tuition in the future?''