Keerti

Experience

I am qualified to teach the following:

* GCSE/ IGCSE, AS and A2 level in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Psychology (Edexcel, AQA and CIE)

* 11+ Science, 13+ Science and Sixth form entry exams

* GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics (Edexcel, AQA and CIE)

* Critical thinking in the context of General Paper (sixth form exams and university entrance exams)

I am particularly well versed in GCSE and AS/A2 level exam preparation and have developed a range of resources in order to address my students' needs.

As a previous Key Stage coordinator, I am highly familiar with exam needs for multiple exam boards and use my resources effectively to address each of my clients' needs. I have personally studied the Cambridge IGCSEs and have taught students using the Edexcel and AQA syllabus with significant success. I am particularly familiar with the needs of the new IGCSE/ GCSE grading system and have successfully helped my students achieve very high levels.

I have worked with a range of international and UK clients from a variety of independent schools including Latymer, Winchester, Harrow, Eton and Benenden. Current clients of mine have been admitted to some of the best sixth forms in the country including Westminster and Sevenoaks. Others have seen their grade average at A2 increase from a D/E to consistent As. Over the years I have taught hundreds of students - and as a full time teacher brought up attainment levels in my top set class from an average of 50 % to 80 % in end of year exams.

I have consistently been graded as demonstrating an outstanding ability to develop strong relationships with my students and have been positively appraised for being able to work well with a wide range of students. I have a track record of being able to engage students, develop their understanding and significantly improve their exam performance. I understand the pressures that students often face and intuitively work with my students to reduce academic stress.

I have worked with hundreds of students and while multiple students of mine obtain level 9s, others regularly see their grades increase from level 3s and 4s to 7s and above.

Biography

I am a fully qualified teacher who has completed the prestigious Teach First programme, specialising in Sciences and Psychology. I obtained 7 A** and 2 A* for my IGCSE exams as well as 4 A* at A2 level in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and French.

I was subsequently awarded an academic scholarship by the University of Cambridge where I studied Natural Sciences and specialised in Neuroscience and Psychology at undergraduate level. I have a deep love for learning and have since completed two Masters degrees at the University of Nottingham and King's College London, specialising in Health Psychology and International Child Studies respectively.

My passion lies in working with children in the context of development and education. I particularly enjoy building confidence in my pupils and sharing my love of Science, Psychology and Maths. Teaching in context, using analogies and focusing on exam application questions, is a particular speciality of mine. I myself grew up in a very scientific household with an academic mother and surgeon father - and learnt to solve complex problems from very early on. Communicating a love for Science and an awareness of the role it plays in our daily lives remains one of my key motivators as a teacher.

In addition to my postgraduate study and work in the UK, I have also completed numerous work placements in highly regarded international non-governmental organisations. These include a role as a Psychologist for children with Epilepsy, and as a volunteer as a residential teacher in a Tibetan monastic school in Nepal. I often mentor students as part of my role, and deeply enjoy teaching across a variety of ages and abilities.

I have a particular interest in confidence boosting and working with students with a range of needs. I love learning - and I am in the process of completing a dual degree in Educational Neuroscience at UCL/Birkbeck.

Personal Approach

I employ a range of teaching and learning techniques which I adapt and use according to the needs of the student I am working with. I enjoy developing lessons which are tailored to students' needs and work consistently on making my tutoring sessions effective by using feedback to tailor my lessons for each client I work with.

I strongly believe in every student's ability to work well and my personal ethos is that with the right approach every student can learn to love even the most complex topics. As a qualified teacher, I have been appraised by OFSTED as being outstanding in terms of challenge, lesson design, independent work and subject knowledge and have built an extensive library of resources to bring out the best in each student I work with. These range from videos to various types of worksheets, including Science games, examination materials and practical summary question booklets for examination preparation.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I currently tutor on a full time basis. While teaching and spending time with my students remains my main passion, I maintain a strong interest in international development. In my spare time, I work on increasing my knowledge on international issues and work on multiple projects including the delivery of masterclasses in STEM subjects. I also recently started a postgraduate degree in Educational Neuroscience.

In addition to visiting museums, learning about art and going to the theatre (in non Covid times!), I also love cooking and enjoy exploring cultures as well as travelling.

Testimonials

"I'm writing to let you know how pleased we've been with Keerti. After my daughter decided to apply to some of the top UK boarding schools, it became quite clear that she needed a lot of help with the sciences. Essentially, she needed to learn most of the IGCSE Chemistry curriculum in two short months. Keerti not only managed to teach her in this short time, but she also instilled in her the confidence necessary to tackle these entrance exams. She patiently worked with my daughter hours on end, instructing, encouraging and inspiring. Through it all,what really touched me most, was the great care she put into every lesson. Keerti is much more than a tutor to my daughter, she is a caring friend. My daughter feels that without Keerti she would not have been able to tackle these grueling exams, and most importantly, she would not have been accepted into Sevenoaks." (Mother of 16+ student)

Thanks for all your work with George – he is really enjoying the lessons and has even started searching the internet for other science videos, he was watching videos about lava and black holes last week. What a change! (Mother of Year 5 Student)

Extracts from Observation Feedback and OFSTED NQT Reports:

'Her very caring and nurturing approach to teaching has allowed Keerti to establish very good relationships with her students. She has created a safe and positive learning environment where students feel safe to make mistakes or be unsure.'

'Observing Keerti ‘s lessons is always a pleasure as students are deeply engaged with the subject and displaying a keen interest, asking pertinent questions to deepen their understanding and knowledge.'

'One of her strengths is without any doubt her creative approach to teaching and how she embeds new Teaching and Learning strategies in her daily practice to infuse her students and meet individual learning styles. Keerti pays specific attention to the discovery of key terminology linked to topics in terms of definitions, spelling and pronunciation.'

Feedback from Council Observation:

'Keerti is calm and authoritative and it is clear that she has a friendly and effective working relationship with the students. She used every opportunity to positively reinforce good behaviour for learning.

High expectations we set for all students in terms of engagement in the learning, literacy and classrooms behaviour.'

Parents' evening testimonials:

'My daughter talks a lot about Ms. P's ability to break down difficult concepts into steps, which she finds particularly helpful.'

(Parents' evening discussion)