Lucy A.

In 2024, I graduated with a master's in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Manchester and am now a PhD researcher at the University of York studying nuclear fusion energy. I have been privately tutoring since October 2021, working with a range of abilities and ages from KS3 up to university level, but mostly with GCSE and A-level students. I have acquired an extensive knowledge of many exam boards and curricula and gained experience working with mature students and those with SEND. Following my PhD, I hope to continue working in academia and pursue a research and lecturing role at a university.

Like a lot of students, I often had a love-hate relationship with STEM subjects in school, as they can be highly rewarding once understood but are often quite difficult to grasp at first. Having been through this at GCSE and at A-levels, and still going through it now in my PhD, I can use my experience and the techniques that I have learnt to help students overcome these struggles and ease the difficult parts of learning STEM. The problem-solving skills required for GCSE and A-Level exam questions are the same ones I deal with daily, and so I can help students not only with difficult content but also with the correct exam technique that will follow them throughout their studies.

I offer support with the following Further Maths modules:

AQA – Core Further Maths content, Mechanics, Statistics, Discrete Mathematics

Pearson Edexcel – Core Pure 1 & 2, Further Pure 1 & 2, Further Statistics 1 & 2, Further Mechanics 1 & 2, Decision Mathematics 1 & 2

OCR A – Pure Core 1 & 2, Statistics, Mechanics, Discrete Mathematics, Additional Pure Mathematics

OCR B (MEI) – Core Pure, Mechanics major, Statistics major, Mechanics minor, Statistics minor, Modelling with Algorithms, Numerical Methods, Extra Pure, Further Pure with Technology

WJEC – Further Pure Mathematics A & B, Further Statistics A & B, Further Mechanics A & B

In my tutoring sessions, I aim not only to resolve problems students are having in class with understanding topics but also to practice relevant exam styles and techniques through regular assessments using actual past-paper questions. I prepare sessions with a main aim and 2/3 objectives that break down the topics into sizeable, understandable parts so that the student never feels overwhelmed or discouraged. I will cover the theory of the topic with regular checkpoint questions before reviewing relevant past-paper questions. I provide a clear set of notes with examples and questions across all levels of difficulty so the lessons never feel slow or boring. Interaction and discussion are always encouraged; it is never just me lecturing the student! My main aims are to improve students' confidence in their maths and physics abilities by cultivating a stress-free, patient environment and to improve students' understanding of exam technique early so that they feel prepared to translate their knowledge to the final exam.