Sam - Bristol tutor





Sam's profile picture

Information About Sam:


Personal Description:

I am a part-time student at the University of Bristol studying an MA in Philosophy & History of Science. I resigned from a job in finance in London to move to Bristol with the ambition of restarting the more fulfilling endeavours of both teaching and learning. I am a 26 year old male and i live with my girlfriend in Bedminster, South Bristol. Academically i am a high-flyer and achieved straight A grades in four A-levels. In secondary school i won the science prize and in college i won the George Leonard Barber prize for outstanding progress. My career ambition is to become a physics teacher at either secondary or A-level standard.

Apart from teaching and learning centred around philosophy, mathematics and the natural sciences, i am very keen on sport and fitness; i enjoy playing team sports along with cycling and running.

I have a car and a full driving licence so am mobile.

Note that i am happy to undergo a CRB check upon initialisation (at present the process can only be performed in conjunction with an employer).



Teaching Experience:

In the academic year 2005-06 i was given the opportunity to tutor GCSE Physics on a one-to-one basis to a friend's sister, by appointment of her mother. Holly, by her own admission, did not possess a particular aptitude nor interest for physics, yet both Holly and her mum were well aware of the importance of achieving grade A-C in GCSE science subjects, hence the need for tutoring. In the end, Holly achieved it! :) A reference is available from her mother Margaret.

In my final year of my undergraduate degree (2004-05) i opted to undertake a module that provided me with first hand experience of science education. I was required to visit Westminster School weekly for a term to help the A-level students out with their physics projects. The module gave me a lot of confidence as well as an appreciation for the importance of balancing my explanation & instruction against the students' need for their own space and time to realise things for themselves.



Tutoring Approach:

I resolutely believe in the importance of opening a person's mind to a subject by using everyday language and simple real-life analogies to start with (NOT throwing big words at them from the outset!), before gradually immersing them deeper into a subject. Learning is a multifaceted process and people need to experience a rich array of media - listening, reading, animation, problem-solving, discussing, etc. - before they can fully appreciate and understand a certain subject. I tutor in this spirit.

When it comes to helping people to pass exams, i like to find out exactly what the exam is likely to entail and prepare the student accordingly. I am even happy to contact teachers/lecturers to ensure an overall strategy that will compliment the student's learning at school, not complicate it.



Map showing Sam's location

Qualifications:

  • Postgraduate degree: MA Philsophy & History of Science (Bristol Uni - current student)
  • Undergraduate degree: BSc Physics with Philosophy of Science (Upper 2nd Class Honours from Kings College London)
  • A-levels: Physics (A), Physics higher extension exam (Merit), Mathematics with Mechanics (A), Psychology (A), General Studies (A), AS-level Philosophy (C)
  • GSCEs: Double Science (AA), Maths (A), Geography (A), English Literature/Language (BB), History (B), Technology (

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
Types of Tutoring:   Travels to you / From their home / Online
References Supplied?   Yes
Current DBS/CRB Check?   Yes