Geraldine

Experience

• 11+ and 13+ Science syllabus

• KS3 Physics Chemistry and Biology

• GCSE Science/Additional Science

• GCSE and iGCSE Biology Chemistry and Physics

The majority of my experience has been in the classroom, but I have always been available to work with my students individually and in small groups at lunchtimes and after school and my students have benefited enormously from this. I have worked with Keystone since September 2016 and have previously tutored Chemistry and Science while in the UAE, both face-to-face and on-line. I also have experience of EAL teaching.

Biography

I am an Advanced Skills Science Teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. I now work as a Private tutor, and also as an Education Consultant for TES Institute, which involves the training of new teachers. I have a Masters in Education and I have also previously worked as a PGCE tutor. In addition I am an examiner for Edexcel, which keeps me up to date with the current style of exam questions and how best to answer them.

During my career I have taught KS3 Science, all three Sciences to GCSE/iGCSE, and Chemistry both at ‘A’ level and within the IB Diploma.

I taught for nine years in the UAE in two highly regarded British Curriculum International Schools, teaching students from a wide variety of different backgrounds. While in the UAE I also tutored two members of the ruling family in Science.

Before I began teaching, I worked in research in a number of different roles and disciplines, and these experiences are very useful in putting the syllabus into some sort of context, which suits the learning styles of some students.

Personal Approach

While studying for my Masters, I did a lot of research into pedagogy, and particularly the Constructivist school of thought. My philosophy of Education is based on this and links nicely with a saying from Plutarch ‘the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited’.

Achieving AST status is something of which I am very proud. I am a dedicated teacher displaying passion and commitment, and to have these qualities validated by an external agency was a high point of my career. The assessment process was quite rigorous, as the assessor spoke to parents, students and colleagues as well as observing my lessons.

Relationships with my students are key and often commented on as a particular strength. Subject knowledge is vital, but the way that this is delivered will make the difference between a student understanding it or not. I am passionate about my subject and this is evident from my lessons which are well planned, enjoyable and stimulating. I pride myself on being organised, approachable, patient and caring. My goal is for my students to have a deep understanding and appreciation of Science, not just to learn facts.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I resigned from an Independent Day and Boarding Girl's school in Brighton, in order to allow more time to pursue my other interests and to take my career in a slightly different direction. I enjoy walking, reading, cooking and photography. I now also have a granddaughter who I am fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with.

Testimonials

''My daughter was very positive about her first lesson with Geraldine who seems to understand just what she needs, and how to get her there. And Geraldine has managed to reignite my daughter's enthusiasm for Chemistry, which is wonderful to see. I could not be happier!'' (Mother of a GCSE student)

Dear Geraldine,

I hope you are well. I just wanted to write to you to express our deepest thanks to you as we just received 9s in all three sciences by quite a margin.

Mother of Y11 student 2022

Hi Geraldine,

Luke got Chemistry 9, Physics and Biology 8. Thank you so much for all your help over the years. Luke has always really valued your lessons. It’s been a happy space for him with his sciences. And most importantly he has learned so much and got so much more out of his studies. You have been a huge support for him. Thank you.

Mother of Y11 student 2022

Hi Geraldine

He has done v well - got an 8 in Biology and 7s in the other 2. All thanks to you - I was going to reach out to you but both him and I have been working on him getting into his preferred college.

You have been instrumental in this and as a family will remain indebted to you forever.

Thank you so much.

Father of Y11 student 2022

Hi Geraldine,

Now that the GCSEs are over I’d like to write to you to express my deepest thanks for tremendously improving Alex’s science. Over the past three years I think that as a result of your sessions Alex’s science improved tremendously and for me although the end result of the GCSE exam does of course matter his acquired love for the subjects is equally or perhaps even more important.

Mother of Y11 student 2022

Dear Geraldine,

I just wanted to thank you for all your help with Kleo this past year.

She has her last science exam this week and she is feeling confident.

Regardless of her results (though I do expect and hope they will be much better than her Mock exams) I really appreciate all your hard work, persistence and patience with Kleo.

We will definitely let you know the results when they come out.

Wishing you a pleasant and restful summer!

Mother of Y11 student 2022

Geraldine

I was delighted with my GCSE results in sciences (2021) that were 2 grades above where I started. I really enjoyed our sessions and the time you took to help me understand the actual concepts, that otherwise happened too quickly for me during school lessons. You were a really great support for me this year.

Thanks Frankie''

Hello Mrs Geraldine,

Yes I have got the results I have wished for. I asked my teachers the percentage I got for Physics and I received 94%, and for Chemistry I received 97%.

Student, 2021

Flossie got a 9 in her chemistry. She is over the moon. Thank you so so much for all your help.

Mother of student, 2021

Hi Geraldine I just wanted to say a quick thank you for the chemistry tutoring: it definitely payed off as I received a grade 9 in my GCSEs !! :))

Student 2021

Dear Geraldine,

Thank you so much for your support and guidance on Michelle’s GCSE science courses.

Yes, she had achieved a set of very good GCSE results, 9s for all three Sciences.

Thanks again and much appreciate your help.

Mother of student at Cheltenham Ladies College, 2021

Tasha had a fantastic session with you and was truly the most positive I have ever seen her! I don't know what you did but she said you were the best teacher she's ever had. So thank you!

Mother of Y11 student (2020)

Hi Geraldine it’s Anni,

Just wanted to let you know that I am very happy (and surprised) with my results !! I got 9’s in all the sciences !

Thank you so much for all your help over the last year. You really helped me so so much and I truly enjoyed the lessons - my love for bio was definitely inspired by some of our conversations and I’m thinking of taking both bio and chem for A level partly because of how you made the subjects interesting for me !!

Thank you again for everything.

Y11 Harrow student (2019)

Dear Geraldine

Thank you, Ceci got 8s for all her sciences which is brilliant - thank

you!

Mother of Y11 student (2019)

Hi Geraldine,

I got an A in Chemistry (88%)!! I’m really really happy. Thank you so much, I honestly would not have been able to achieve this if it hadn’t been for your help during our tutoring sessions.

Y11 student (2019)

Dear Geraldine

I know you and Tahira have been in touch but I just wanted to thank you

for all your help in preparing T. for the Sciences. Her exams could not

have gone better so huge thanks for your help.

Mother of Y11 student (2019)

Geraldine has been our tutor for a few months now and we couldn't be

happier. Immediately we saw an improvement in our work and our

understanding, to such an extent that our grades rapidly increased. She

has all the qualities of an outstanding teacher; patience, warmth, and

understanding. She is very organised, always on time and with the

resources needed. Not only is she a fabulous teacher but a lovely person!

(two Y11-students, September 2018)

She got 99 !! - two 9s! Amazing !

She did brilliantly all round.. can’t thank you enough.

(mother of student at Brighton College, August 2018)

Geraldine has been absolutely brilliant in helping my daughter catch up and understand Physics and Chemistry after a very difficult year, including a change of schools. Knowing that Geraldine is by her side in the months leading up to GCSEs has massively improved her confidence and her results.

(Mother of Y11 student at Brighton College, May 2018)

XXXX did very well this morning, you may be interested to hear she got an A* in Biology which she is very happy with!

(Mother of student at St Mary's Ascot, August 2018)

Katy originally started with Geraldine as her original tutor was on maternity leave, she found her explanations so clear and easy to understand that she has decided to stick with Geraldine instead of going back to the original tutor. Her friendly manner instantly put Katy at ease. I would highly recommend Geraldine as we appreciate her help so much.

(mother of Y11 student, April 2018)

Very many thanks indeed. Nancy got so much out of her sessions with you - she was inspired !

(Mother of Y9 student, April 2018)

XXXXX found yesterday's lesson extremely helpful, thank you so much, she gets a real boost from her lessons with you.

(mother of Y11 iGCSE student. March 2018)

Thank you so much for helping me on my science GCSE. You went through every subject and every topic very clearly using power point presentations. You gave me a lot of clear examples which helped me understand everything. Thank you for all the help you gave me.

(Y11 Student, tutored for Chemistry and Physics iGCSE June 2017)

Thank you very much for your email and for all the information. I have printed everything out for XXXX.

Thank you also for all the help that you have given XXXX in this very short space of time. I do believe that it really has made a difference to her understanding and has helped her with her exam technique.

(mother of Y8 client, tutored for 13+ CE exam. May 2017)

I´m glad of your positive feedback, Iggy said you are very nice and a very good teacher, and believe me he doesn't say this things very often! He continued to tell me how good you were, that you know a lot and you can actually teach what you know:-))

(mother of Y11 Harrow Student, April 2017)

The tutorials with Mrs McGuinness are very useful, especially if you have to learn a lot of things in a short amount of time.

When I started revising in the easter holidays I had no idea how to manage to revise everything, but lucky I booked her which helped me with all queries and problems !!

(Antonius, Y11 student. June 2017)

Thank you very much for Chemistry Sessions. Andrea found them very effective . He told me that you were perfect teacher. Thank a lot!

(mother of Andrea, Y9 Student. February 2017)

Below are some e-mails received from students in my Y7 Physics classes (and their parents) at Roedean.

Dear madam,

please sort out my concerns. I have been told that you are leaving . Please say you aren't!

Dear Ms.McGuinness,

I am so very sad that your are leaving. You have been my favorite teacher so far at Roedean and you have made me enjoy Physics a lot. I wish you could stay but whatever school you are attending, I hope it will a lovely experience. I don't think Ill have a better teacher than you...

Dear Madam,

Please don't leave. You were my favourite teacher and you made lessons fun. I miss you already.

Dear Madam,

Please don't leave... You have made every single lesson (apart from tests!) extremely enjoyable

WE NEED YOU AS OUR TEACHER!!

Dear Madam,

I have heard that you are leaving. I am devastated to hear this and I wish it wasn't true. You have made physics my favourite subject and I have learnt so much while you have been teaching us. You are my favorite teacher. Thank you so much for making physics at Roedean so enjoyable.

I'll miss you,

But Madam You were so nice and made me feel confident. Please don't go. Xx

Many thanks for your kind words, time and inspiration that you have given XXXXX

I know she really enjoys Science so it’s great to hear that it’s mutual!

I was aware that you were leaving. XXXXX told me straight away, and was extremely saddened at the fact; she has really enjoyed your classes and will miss you dearly!

She is extremely fond of you and so very much enjoys your classes, thank you for giving her such a wonderful introduction to physics!

I do think that this will be a great loss to the school.

It is very kind of you to nurture her potential and encourage her.

XXXXXXX really enjoyed your classes and that is a compliment to you.