Oxford Masters student offering KS2, KS3 and GCSE lessons in maths and science

Find out more about Chloe

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I have always been quite academic in school. I loved learning about all subjects and had diverse interests from arts, to politics, to science. In my last year of school, I eventually decided to study literature because I found that it combined my creative passions with my interest in politics. In my first year at university, I dabbled in a little tutoring, as most students do. I wasn't expecting much, but I absolutely loved it, and felt incredibly connected to it. I found that through the 1-1 sessions, I was able to make a real difference and support students who felt neglected by the traditional education system. I also enjoyed the fact that I was able to build nourishing relationships with students and mentor them throughout their academic careers. My ability to teach multiple subjects (Maths, Science, English and History), as well as my knowledge in coaching and mentoring, allows me to be consistently present for my students and support all aspects of their education. It has now been over 3 years since I first started tutoring and I have been continuously growing my services and improving as an educator.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I have really diverse interests and enjoy talking about most topics! I teach English up to university level, History up to A Level, and maths and science up to GCSE. I love that tutoring gives me the opportunity to stay in touch with the subjects that I no longer get to study, such as science and maths. My favourite science is definitely biology! I love teaching about the human body: from cells, to organ systems, to body functions such as homeostasis and lines of defense. I also love poetry and 20th century literature and history!

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I was very lucky to have incredibly knowledgeable and inspiring teachers in school, who always pushed me to do my best. All of my teachers have helped me to fall in love with learning and I hope that through my work, I will be able to do the same for my students!

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I believe that a good tutor needs to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and encouraging. My primary goal when teaching, is to support students to build a positive relationship with education which will last them a lifetime. By remaining positive, celebrating mistakes as opportunities to learn, and framing topics in ways which are more relatable, students begin to enjoy learning. They become more engaged during the lessons, build their confidence and are more productive during their independent studies.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  The truth is, I always loved learning, but I wasn't always this focused. I would say that I started school quite well, but had a phase in my middle years within which I struggled with motivation and found it incredibly difficult to concentrate. I didn't really enjoy studying and felt that school was draining my energy. To combat this, I had to teach myself to fall in love with learning again and rekindle my excitement. I can vouch for the success of this mentality as it helped me to receive A*A*A*A during A Levels. I know that many students also struggle with similar experiences and it saddens me that some students never manage to change their mindset, and so never reach their full potential. It's true that the long hours in school can be challenging and demotivating, but I can teach you how to reframe your mindset and remain excited about learning.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  The main challenge with teaching English and History is the essay writing component. Many of my students have struggled with this aspect of their exam technique, which can really hold them back, even when they are confident with their knowledge. Improving essay skills takes a lot of time, patience and continuous practice, and students can become frustrated. I always remind my students that it is definitely a long process but once it clicks for them, they will have that skill forever! This is where enthusiasm and encouragement is really important!
  
  For maths and science, the main difficulty is students struggling to understand or remember processes. This is a much easier fix as it just involves regular repetition and scaffolding, such as an "I do, we do, you do" approach.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My passion is definitely to make education accessible to everyone. I want to engage students through their strengths and interests, and show them that with the right mentality anything is possible!

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I have achieved a lot of academic success, receiving A*A*A*A at A Level, a First Class in English Literature from the University of Warwick, and I'm now studying my masters at the University of Oxford. I overcame a number of difficulties and I understand the challenges that students face. With over 3 years of experience in teaching and tutoring, I have helped countless students achieve similar results and reach their maximum academic potential!