John

Experience

- A Level Economics

- IB Economics

- Oxbridge Preparation

I am a full-time teacher of Economics with 15 years teaching experience. I am currently teaching at Wellington College where I have taught since 2018. I teach A-level and IB (HL & SL) Economics. I am a leading teacher, supporting other teachers in pedagogy and good practice. I am the departmental lead in running the academic extension program for Economics and preparing economists for university, assisting in personal statements, interview technique, Oxbridge preparation and general academic stretching and challenging. I am the faculty lead for outreach to schools in the region (through the Wheeler program) to provide inspirational Economics lessons and support for students who are gifted and talented but lack resources in their schools for additional support and stretching. The most recent exam results for my students were 90% A*-A for A level and an average score 6.9/7 for IB HL economics for the 2022 exams. I also do private tutoring in the evenings with Keystone which complements my full-time role.

I run a leadership program for students which is part of the Global Social Leaders community where I coach and support young people to become the leaders of tomorrow. I also provide pastoral support and coaching to students outside of their academic pursuits.

My previous employment was at Haileybury College 2009 – 2018 where I was a teacher of Economics and Politics, Head of Politics and Assistant House Master. In this role I was assisting in the running of a boarding house and assisting in pastoral and academic support and safeguarding.

Prior to this I gained a 2:1 in Economics, Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) also at the University of Warwick.

Biography

I am an experienced and practising Economics teacher with a passion for teaching, learning and travel. After studying for my degree in Economics, Politics and International Relations at the University of Warwick I began working with young people in communities in West Yorkshire in 2006. In 2008 a did my PGCE at the University of Warwick with the desire to share my own passions for understanding people, behaviours, systems and structures through economics and politics with young people. I have worked tirelessly to help inspire others to cultivate their own passion for learning and intellectual curiosity. I have spent the last 17 years working with young people; building their confidence, giving them a safe space to stretch and challenge themselves and to become the best versions of themselves.

I have been teaching full time in leading independent schools since 2009 where I have taught both IB Economics and A level Economics as well as IB and A level Politics. I have been a Head of Politics during that time as well as an Assistant House Master in a boarding house for 7 years before refocussing on academic stretching and support in Economics.

It gives me great satisfaction to nurture students’ curiosity and help them better understand the world they live in, to realise their full potential and use that potential to do good in the world. It is teachers who can influence future generations more than any other profession, to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead of them.

Personal Approach

All my lessons are grounded in the desire to help students understand how real-world economies work. Making lessons relevant to contemporary issues is essential to make the subject engaging, fun, accessible and stretching. I take a coaching approach in helping student develop the skills of an effective and efficient learner. By instilling a passion and curiosity to understand the world and the economy, my students thrive. I have 15 years teaching experience bringing Economics to life. I have developed an exceptional understanding of how national economies and the global economy works in real life as well as in theory to best prepare students with the skills to succeed in A level and IB Economics; to be inquisitive, analytical, critical and questioning.

I am able to support students struggling to get to grips with a tricky economic model or concept, I can stretch those people wanting to apply to Economics at degree level with Economics extension and support with their application. I am also able to prepare students to excel in exams and develop bullet proof exam technique. However, all my lessons focus primarily on the essentials of developing a genuine interest in the subject, the motivation to realise their potential and developing the skills of being a good learner, to ‘learn how to learn’.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Full time Economics teacher, leadership coach, running coach and pastoral tutor at Wellington College. I also enjoy travel, reading, cycling, mountain running and pencil artistry.

Testimonials

"I have known John for five years and have been his line manager for all four of those years. John is an outstanding Economics teacher with an intimate knowledge of both the A-level and IB Economics syllabus and delivers lessons with a level of engagement that is unmatched in the profession. John is a kind and empathetic teacher and is highly skilled at forging relationships with students in order to motivate them to succeed in the subject. John’s students consistently achieve top grades in public examinations and this is no doubt due to his subject knowledge and ability to build relationships with students." - Head of Economics, Wellington College.

"John Whitworth is an outstanding teacher of both A-level and IB Economics. His subject knowledge is exemplary both in terms of the specification and current economic outlook. He has an excellent repour with his students and is able to explain concepts with great clarity. I have taught alongside John for five years and highly recommend him" - Director of Academic Extension, Wellington College.

"My son has thoroughly enjoyed your lessons, he thought you explained all concepts really well which enabled him to feel more confident with the whole subject. He would definitely describe you as the best economics teacher he had." - Parent of an U6th A Level Economics student.