Philippa

Experience

- GCSE/IGCSE Biology

- A-Level Biology

I undertook a PGCE in Science at Oxford Brookes University between 2008 and 2009 where I learnt the pedagogy of teaching and had two placements in secondary state schools. I completed my NQT year at Coombe Girls School before moving to become a full time Biology teacher at Stowe School between 2010 and 2013. I then moved to London and taught Biology at The Lady Eleanor Holles School between 2013 and 2016. I returned to teaching, after children, at Stowe School as a full-time teacher between 2018 and 2019. During this whole period of teaching I have tutored students both over a longer period of time and during intensive revision periods prior to examinations. All the students I have taught in a classroom context have had the opportunity to have one-to-one sessions or small group teaching sessions with me. This has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching for me; unpicking the misconceptions a student has and then building a comprehensive understanding of a topic on strong foundations is one of the driving forces for my passion to teach.

Biography

I am a trained Biology teacher with 9 years of teaching and tutoring experience. My teaching philosophy is to energize and stimulate young people so that they strive towards reaching their full potential. I am extremely personable and develop strong relationships with students. Intuition and sensitivity allow an understanding of my students’ needs quickly and my enthusiasm and love of Biology leads to students developing a more inquisitive approach to the world around them.

I am mother of 3-year-old twins and I returned to teaching at Stowe School between 2018-2019 but I am now a full-time mother. I felt I couldn’t dedicate myself wholeheartedly to a boarding school environment with such a young family; I do hope to return to teaching in a classroom when my children are older.

Every aspect of our lives is touched by science; from technology to our relationship with the planet. This omnipresence is one of the many reasons I feel passionate about teaching. Explaining to students the link between science and the world in which they live is indicative of my approach.

Having taught all three sciences from year 7 to GCSE, and specialising in GCSE and A level Biology, I can deliver engaging and inspiring lessons to enthuse students. I strongly believe in enabling students to challenge themselves and to develop their problem-solving ability through scientific enquiry.

I am extremely well-organised and find that thorough planning naturally leads to well-paced and dynamic lessons, which challenge pupils intellectually. While teaching at Stowe and LEH, I regularly extended and deepened students’ understanding by providing opportunities for independent enquiry. This can bring a real energy and ownership to the learning process as well as developing the students’ passion for knowledge.

I have a detailed knowledge of how to enable students to succeed in KS3 science, GCSE and A level Biology. All the students I taught at LEH achieved A* to B grades at GCSE and A level students gained A* to C grades. The vast majority of A level students gained A* and A grades; many went on to study Medicine and Veterinary sciences. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of their journey to succeed in Biology.

Personal Approach

With a wealth of teaching and tutoring experience, I am able to identify a student's learning style and use this to tailor my lessons to the individual. I use a variety of teaching methods and learning tasks, such as using creativity, problem-solving skills and the use of models and analogies to explain abstract concepts.

I continually provide opportunities for students to assess and monitor their progress, which I believe is particularly important in a tutoring environment where every minute counts. I particularly enjoy the dialogue between tutor and student to unpick questions and responses to examination style questions which allows examination technique to develop efficiently.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Anything that involves quality time with my family and friends. I also love reading, keeping fit and love a good movie.

Testimonials

Philippa has been extremely conscientious with the work she has done with my son – she prepares her lessons with a lot of thought and produces thorough and detailed notes for him to revise from once the lesson has finished. She has explained some of the more difficult topics in a way which has really helped him understand them. Her friendly approach has resonated very well with my son.