Rebecca

Experience

* GCSE/IGCSE Biology(AQA, CIE, Edexcel, and OCR)

* GCSE/IGCSE Chemistry (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, and OCR)

* GCSE/IGCSE Physics (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, and OCR)

* AS/A Level Biology (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, and OCR)

I did my PGCE in 2008-9 at Oxford Brookes University. I completed my GTC the following year at the Oxford Academy, where I taught the first sixth form Science qualification. I then moved to St Edward’s School where I taught Biology A-level and Physics and Chemistry GCSE. Over the next two years I did supply teaching at the Cherwell School, started a MSc in Conservation Ecology (which I will finish soon!) and walked the length of New Zealand. On my return, in 2016, I started my current role teaching Biology at d'Overbroeck’s in Oxford. I have always tutored alongside my teaching roles. I have tutored lower ability students and many who achieved A*’s in their A-levels.

Biography

I was brought up between Cairns in Australia and Oxford in England. Spending as much time outside as possible, I developed a passion for learning about critters, how they live and interact with their environment. I went to Headington School in Oxford, where I achieved straight A’s at A-level and rowed internationally. I went on to study Ecology at Durham University. In my holidays, I trained and worked as a scuba diving instructor in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Ocean. My interest in marine ecology led me to a remote part of Madagascar, where I worked as the Diving Manager of an NGO called Blue Ventures. On my return, I decided to do a PGCE to bring my love of life into the classroom.

Personal Approach

I believe that students need to trust their teachers to learn effectively; only then can they think creatively and ask questions to gain a thorough and robust understanding of a concept. To enjoy learning a Science, I think one should use the syllabus as a guide, but not be limited by it. I also think that it is important not to see the Sciences as discrete subjects; for example, it is important to understand some atomic structure and types of bonding (from Chemistry and Physics) to understand biological phenomena, like how insects navigate and how trees pull water up to their leaves. I love teaching Biology! I feel so lucky to be able to help students gain confidence in their knowledge and ability to ace exam questions. It is important to practise exam questions and learn the keywords and terms that your exam board favour. I try to integrate this throughout sessions so that student's don't even realise they are doing it. Over my ten years of tutoring and teaching, I have developed a variety of resources and techniques so I can adapt to student’s needs.

What I do when I am not tutoring

I enjoy being outside - swimming, walking and jogging. I go scuba diving and windsurfing whenever I get the chance. Closer to home, I am a keen gardener and love introducing my toddler and baby to the joys of the world around them.

Testimonials

It has been wonderful to see my daughter gain in confidence in a subject she previously found so challenging. Rebecca's sessions are always organised and interesting. She clearly has a great knowledge of what the exam boards want but also makes each session fun so that Anabel really looks forward to them.

I am so grateful to Rebecca for helping me get an A* in my A-level. I never would have achieved this without her, though she disagrees! She made me believe I could do it and made each daunting topic seem easy and fun. I'll always remember dissecting an eye together and doing stats tests with skittles :) I've taken the enthusiasm I got from her with me and am now a qualified physiotherapist. Thank you Rebecca!