Olivia

Experience

• A-level Chemistry (AQA, OCR & Edexcel)

• IB Chemistry

• A-level Maths (AQA, OCR & Edexcel)

• IB Maths

• (I)GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics (AQA,CIE, OCR & Edexcel)

• (I)GCSE Maths, (AQA, CIE, OCR & Edexcel)

• 13+ Science: ISEB and public school entrance exams

• 13+ Maths: ISEB and public school entrance exams

I have been tutoring regularly since October 2014, and full time since August 2016.

I tutor Maths and the three Sciences up to and including GCSE level or equivalent. I tutor Chemistry and Maths to A-Level or equivalent (e.g. Pre-U, IB), and Chemistry to undergraduate level.

I also provide support for university applications, personal statement writing, and coursework, especially the EPQ and the IB internal assessments/extended essay.

My students regularly see great improvements in their grades, increasing by up to 40%.

Biography

My Father is English and my Mother Belgian and I grew up speaking both French and English at home. I love music, and studied the violin and the viola intensively at Wells Cathedral School, where I also did my GCSEs, and took A-Levels in French (A, before the introduction of the A*), Chemistry (A), and Maths (A*). I studied Chemistry at the University of Oxford where I gained a 2.1 MChem degree. Whilst there, I also played the viola in most of the town and university ensembles, and was a founding member of Oxford University Chamber Music Society.

Personal Approach

My approach is to encourage and nurture independent thinking. I ask my students questions continually during sessions, guiding them towards answers, and giving them the answer outright only when absolutely necessary. This helps with both understanding and retention of information. I also encourage my students to ask questions whenever they need to, which helps them gain enthusiasm and interest in the subject. In addition to this, I make sure to build a good relationship with my tutees, finding out what makes them tick, offering advice where possible, and making sure they know that I also care about them as a person, not just a studying machine!

What I do when I am not tutoring

At the moment I am tutoring full time professionally. I love to play chamber music, and get together with friends to do this regularly. I also run, taking part in half marathons regularly, swim, dance, and practise yoga. I go to shows and concerts in London regularly, and I also love to travel when I can fit it around my tutoring schedule.

Testimonials

I would like to add that Olivia was extremely personable and became part of our family life while she was with us. She stuck to a very rigorous routine and really helped my son with science. He emerged from sessions with her visibly relieved that things were being explained in a way he could understand. I would highly recommend her. She really goes the extra mile to help her students. (Mother of GCSE student)

“You enabled me to ask a lot of questions, and really understand the subject by creating an environment in which I felt comfortable asking those questions.”

IB Chemistry SL student

''You really are the only teacher I've ever met who can make tutoring fun!''

IB coursework student

''Olivia tutored my daughter in science for her GCSEs and was exceptionally hardworking, professional and dedicated in her approach. Olivia went out of her way to familiarise herself with my daughter’s syllabus and needs. She was also very friendly and accommodating. I recommend her very highly as one of the very best tutors I have known.''

Parent of a GCSE Science student