Laurencekirk Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tutors and Laurencekirk Philosophy / Critical Thinking Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a qualified secondary science teacher, and I have also tutored a wide range of subjects privately over the past 15 years (mainly sciences, maths and English).

I specialize in online teaching methods, including training other teachers internationally. I have degrees in science, education, creative writing, and linguistics.

Teaching Experience:
- Former Head of Physics
- Examiner for Edexcel, IB and Cambridge boards
- 15 years of private tutoring experience (all three sciences, maths and English Language and Literature to A Level)
- 10 years as a university lecturer in linguistics and academic English

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is supportive and low-key. I think that students have to have time to explore their interests in the subject by asking their own questions. This is an important part of reflective learning and will help build and maintain enthusiasm, and a calm and supportive atmosphere is essential for this.

I make extensive use of past exam questions; the best way to do well in exams is to practise doing exams! This also allows realistic monitoring of performance as tutoring continues. I normally email exam questions for students to attempt before the tutoring session.

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Personal Description:
After leaving school, I studied at Nottingham University for a BA in Music, then for a MA in Theology from the London School of Theology. Having worked for a while at an inner-city secondary school, I went on to complete a research masters and a PhD in Biblical Studies, whilst working as a teaching affiliate at Nottingham University. I have since moved to Stourbridge to work in a local church whilst continuing academic research and writing. My own interests are principally in theology, philosophy and politics, but also the arts and culture. I am married, have five children, and am a keen football fan (Manchester United).

Teaching Experience:
I have taught at secondary school (Religious Studies) and at several Universities; I have also worked as a private tutor for over a decade with students of all abilities.

Tutoring Approach:
I'm happy to be flexible in my approach depending on the particular needs of each student. I'm happy to concentrate on what is needed to get good grades, but alse believe that education is about more than being able to pass exams! I have worked hard for my qualifications and belive in disciplined, productive study; however for some students getting the highest possible grade is not necessarily the most important thing. Each person is an individual with different strengths, weaknesses and aims, so I try to structure how I teach around individual needs and goals. When teaching I also believe that giving people self confidence, an ability to think critically and an enjoyment of the subject is an important part of helping them to improve.

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Personal Description:
I am an Oxford Classics graduate with experience of teaching children and adults.

Teaching Experience:
I have seven years experience of teaching a range of ages up to 18, both private tutoring and school teaching.

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring programme designed according to the student's needs and aims,

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Personal Description:
I'm a former humanitarian worker with a keen interest in philosophy, politics, feminism, and political economy.

I love teaching 1-on-1 and take a holistic approach to helping students. That means that I can help you with both the technical academic things you are struggling with such as planning a research project, writing an essay or dissertation, or public speaking, as well as mental blocks like self-confidence, procrastination, anxiety, and mental health. Using a holistic approach means that we can discover the root cause of whatever is holding you back from being able to excel, develop strategies to overcome these obstacles, and help you become more a confident and independent student.

I have just completed my PhD thesis as part of a fully-funded doctoral candidate in Political Philosophy, during which time I was supervised in equal parts by FINO (The Northwestern Italian Philosophy Consortium, University of Turin) and the University of Vienna.

Teaching experience:

* In 2024 I was a Visiting Lecturer in Contemporary Political Philosophy, teaching first- and second-year BA philosophy students at the University of Hertfordshire.

* In 2022-23 I taught first- and second year BA students in the Government Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The course I teach is an Introduction to Political Theory (from Plato to Fanon).

* I have also given lectures to Master's students in Philosophy of Technology on algorithmic pricing.


My doctoral research project is a Normative Analysis of the Political Economy of Algorithmic Pricing.

Postgraduate studies:
PhD, Political Philosophy, 2020-2024

MSc, Merit in Political Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2015).
Dissertation on the moral dilemmas related to Artificial Intelligence; received a Distinction.

Undergraduate studies:
BA(Hons), 2:1 in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic from Cambridge University (2010). Included modules in history, politics, anthropology, literature, and religious studies, as well as Arabic language.
I speak the Levantine dialect (Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Jordanian) as well as the Iraqi dialect, and have lived and worked in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored undergraduate and Master's-level students who need help writing essays or dissertations in the following humanities subjects:

Anthropology
Political theory, Feminist theory
Political science
Political economy, History
International Relations, Conflict studies, Humanitarian studies
Sociology, Gender studies

Tutoring Approach:
I provide detailed editing to help you improve both your written style and content. I cover everything from grammar and citations to structure, methodology, and line of argument. I give you resources to continue improving your academic writing even after we finish working together. These will equip you to continue working on things we will cover, such as stylistic conventions both in academic English generally as well as those specific to different social science disciplines. I also coach you in how to plan your research, how to structure a paper, building a line of argument, effective use of primary and secondary sources, and how to write an engaging and compelling paper.

I start by writing detailed comments in Track Changes, then talk you through the issues so that you can not only improve your paper or dissertation, but also learn how to write in a clear, confident, and persuasive style. Ideally, if there's enough time before the deadline, I go over another draft once you've addressed the comments. This back-and-forth ensures the very best final product in your authentic voice, and that the process has been a valuable learning experience for you.

I will also give you the opportunity to discuss personal hang-ups that might be impeding your ability to work well. I am not a therapist, but I can discuss personal issues affecting your studies, and direct you to helpful resources to address underlying issues like anxiety, procrastination.

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Personal Description:
I am an active independent-scholar and writer, living near St Andrews University. I have written numerous books and articles and am currently working on a new book as well as tutoring a handful of students. I am also a former Academic Advisor to students in the United States of America, and I have worked for two tutoring companies in Oxford since returning to the UK. I am therefore familiar with the needs of international students when it comes to navigating the English and Scottish University systems. I focus on technique over content with a particular emphasis on writing skills, though I also read all the books and articles my students are required to read, so that I can help them with content when required.

Teaching Experience:
Award winning teacher at the University of Georgia, 1999-2000
Academic Adviser to University Students from 2003-2007
Tutor Oxford International Study Centre, April 2013 - May 2014
Carfax Tutorial Establishment, November 2013 - May 2014
Freelance Tutor ongoing.

Tutoring Approach:
I adopt a holistic approach to tutoring, working with a student to address her or his individual academic needs. I am process-orientated, building on a student's strengths and eliminating weaknesses. I am also practical, constantly working towards the student's objectives. As a result, I focus very much on academic skills and developing the student's academic toolbox, so that they can gain confidence and become independent learners.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced and enthusiastic tutor with a passion for learning. I have over 8 years experience as a maths and science tutor. I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and subsequently completed an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science at the London School of Economics. I am fascinated by the natural world and by scientific enquiry. When I'm not teaching or learning I enjoy foreign cinema, playing squash and strumming the guitar.

Teaching Experience:
After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a full-time teacher at d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form College, Oxford. During this four-year period, I taught A-level Philosophy, Sociology and Religious Studies (all AQA examining board). More recently, I have worked as a teaching assistant at Canterbury High School, focussing on struggling students and helping them achieve their potential. Concurrently, I have also worked as a private tutor teaching GCSE and A-level Maths, GCSE Chemistry and Physics as well as providing 11+ Maths preparation.

Tutoring Approach:
Once I understand exactly what a tutee hopes to achieve (e.g. A* Maths GCSE, or simply understanding algebra) I have three main priorities as a tutor:

i) to identify a students strengths and weaknesses through short tests

ii) to provide a course of study and assessment that will focus on the weaknesses and monitor progress

iii) to give the student belief in themselves and their abilities and to instill a love of learning!

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Ash! I am an experienced and approachable tutor, a husband and father, CRB and DBS checked, specialising in English, History, Theology, Philosophy, and Politics.

I hope I can help you out!

Ash
MA BA (1st Class Hons)

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2008, supporting students up to PhD level, and have taught courses for regional leaders in learning and skills development for young people and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I tutor A Level and university students, supporting learning and achievement with a thorough, helpful, client-centred approach, at home or in other learning environments.

Please contact me to talk about your learning needs.

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Personal Description:
A resident of Edinburgh for the past twelve years I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things myself. I am fairly well travelled, enjoy the arts and have a passion for working alongside others to help them achieve their goals.

I am a professional actor with degree level qualifications in both Philosophy (Dundee University) and Acting (Queen Margaret University College).

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with adults in improving spoken and written English for UK degree entry level. I have also worked with college and university students in the Middle East (UAE) to train science and drama education in both Arabic and English.

For several years I have visited schools in both the public and private sectors delivering reading, drama and science communication classes.

I have regularly taught 5-15 years drama in private classes and enjoy working with pre-drama school entrants of all ages in working on giving the best entrance audition possible.

Tutoring Approach:
I am confident at creating a structured approach that works with a pupil's own strengths and needs to provide a tailor-made package for learning.

Ideally I meet with each student to discuss their learning needs, current level and expected outcomes.

Although it is important to push the boundaries of learning, it should always be a workload that is both manageable and individually tailored.

People learn best when they are enjoying themselves, so I try my best to make learning fun and interactive.

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Personal Description:
I have a BA in philosophy with first-class honours from the University of York, and an MA from the University of Birmingham. A number of my papers have been published, and I was previously an editor of a philosophical journal.

I am a professionally trained, passionate philosopher. I believe in helping students to achieve highly whilst also imparting some of what makes philosophy a wonderful subject. Despite what some people think, you absolutely can maximise both simultaneously. Learning should be fun and rewarding, but still results driven.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for over four years. I am reliable, dedicated and professional. I have an exceptional history of helping students achieve success.

Tutoring Approach:
I have excellent communicative and interpersonal skills. Philosophy is hard, we will look at things together that some of the greatest minds of the last two and a half thousand years have struggled to grapple with, so although I can never make it easy, I can certainly make it *easier*. I want to help you appreciate the satisfaction of understanding and working with something that was originally very challenging.

In short, work with me if you want someone:

- Professional
- Reliable
- Experienced
- Results driven
- Passionate
- Knowledgeable

We will work on understanding, essay writing, and exam technique. I will also help you to think in a more critical, rigorous manner. I offer a high-quality service that will maximise your chances of success and bring you the highest intellectual return. My excellent reviews attest to this.

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Personal Description:
A Cambridge graduate and a very experienced maths tutor - with over twenty years of helping pupils to really understand what maths is and why it works. I am also a full time story teller and infuse my lessons with stories, that embed maths in its own history - and make the dry problems of today sing with the stories of the past.
I specialise is helping pupils to really understand how to use paper, and how being a mathematicians is like being an artists or a poet, it is a method of writing as much as a means of reckoning - and there are always more ways than one to under stand and draw a problem.

Teaching Experience:
And am a fully qualified maths teacher with for twenty five years experience in teaching kids in small groups and home education.

Tutoring Approach:
For so many maths can be so daunting. My approach always and at all elves is to demystify maths, and make it feel possible and fun. As such I use stories, I use rigours writing strategies, I use humour to allow my pupils to understand how maths made the modern world, and hw they are part of that story,

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Personal Description:
I am a teacher and examiner for GCSE and IB. I have a PGCE and also a PhD.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 10 years of international teaching experience and have references as well.

Tutoring Approach:
I can tutor both online and in person. I have plenty of resources and lots of of experience with the curricula.

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Personal Description:
I knew early on, that I wanted to teach.

I have committed the last twenty years of my life to education working as a private teacher in a variety of schools and colleges - teaching an eclectic range of pupils; from special needs students to scholars to adults. I am particularly committed to building confidence and skills in pupils whom may not feel they fit the typical mould.
I am humbled and honoured to be listed as a "distinguished former pupil" of Carlos Bonell, Senior at The Royal College Of Music

Teaching Experience:
I'm current a Licensed teacher with Bexley Music Service and have taught at a variety of schools over a period of twenty years including; Eltham College, Bexley Grammar School and a variety of secondary and primary schools.

Tutoring Approach:
Lessons are relaxed, good humoured, but also highly informative with attention to detail, with each pupil's specific needs catered for.

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Personal Description:
I have a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge and I've taught students all the way from university to primary school in a number of subject areas. I also have an MPhil in Philosophy from Cambridge and a BA (Philosophy) /BSc (Biology) from the University of Auckland.

At the moment, my main areas of expertise are philosophy/critical thinking and sociology but I've previously privately tutored students in biology, maths, psychology and english for many years.

I was born in Sri Lanka but I grew up in Australia and New Zealand. I moved to the UK, to do postgraduate study and can't seem to leave :)

Teaching Experience:
University Teaching:
Lectures: Introductory Lecture on Buddhist Account of Personal Identity (Oct 2018), Environmental Ethics and Future
Generations (Lent Term 2021)

Supervisions (2018 - Current), Cambridge University supervisions, both group and individual, for papers in the faculties
of Philosophy (Formal Methods, Set Texts, Political Philosophy), History and Philosophy of Science (General Philosophy
of Science, Philosophy of Psychiatry), Medicine (Social and Ethical Context of Health and Illness) and Sociology (Health,
Medicine and Society).

Kings College London (Sep 2019 - Dec 2019): Introduction to Ethics.

Auckland University (2012-2013): Critical Thinking, Introduction to Metaphysics, Theories of Human Nature and Introduction to Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Logic.

I've also been a tutor from 2009 -- 2018, both privately and working for Tutoring Australasia. During this period I taught, philosophy, english, maths and psychology.

Tutoring Approach:
I specialise in teaching students to do just that little bit better in exams and in fundamental skills that will be useful to them throughout their education, such as writing clearly and engagingly.

Learning should also be fun and tailored to the student; ideas don't really come alive unless they feel relevant. So even my university teaching uses sources that are accessible and interesting to the student, like podcasts and youtube videos.

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Personal Description:
I'm a Music Graduate, and will soon be a Philosophy Graduate [Edinburgh Napier University and University of Wales TSD, respectively]. I work in the third sector covering off humanitarian needs in Africa, Animal welfare in Asia and the care environment/Homelessness in the UK.

At the moment I manage volunteering contracts with Goldman Sachs, National Grid, Moorhouse Consulting, Visa and Prysmian Group.

I'm quite relaxed about most things, I do some consulting with small charities and I play a lot of music!

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching music and English language periodically for around 20 years. I have taught privately, at Music Workshop Bath and Bath City College. I taught English language at a number of summer schools in Edinburgh, Bournemouth and at Cardonald College in Glasgow.

Tutoring Approach:
My style prioritises the needs of the student. Sometimes this is in relation to their immediate curriculum and is supplemented with a view to future study, if there is expectation that future study is probable. Sometimes, if the focus is solely on lifting a grade or working on soft skills around the subject - research/focus etc. then I make that the priority. All in agreement with the student.

In short - student focused.

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Personal Description:
I am a scholar with experience in scientific writing, critical thinking, research and communication. As a researcher, my personal motto is that all of your academic writing ought to be the layman version of your work. This because a scholar - in my case, a philosopher - who cannot ground his reasoning in ordinary intuitions (or at least some intuitions the reader/hearer can grasp) is doomed to produce meaningless contributions to the debate. In addition, putting yourself into the perspective of a non-expert is a good technique for analyzing your own thoughts and spot the potential flaws. Thus, being able to communicate concepts to non-expert is a skill which for me is instrumental towards my own research goals, and one which I took great care in developing.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring students since the time I was going to high-school. I have also some teaching-assistant experience as a doctoral student. Furthermore, I am currently working on a teaching and orienteering project alongside some teacher of my former high-school.

Tutoring Approach:
First and foremost, I run some quick tests in order to assess the general skills of the pupil within the relevant field, taking notes on his/her flaws. Once I have identified the area where the pupil has difficulty, I employ a goal-structured teaching strategy: first of all I verify whether the pupil has understood which is the application goal (or one of the goals) of the skill he is trying to (and currently has difficulty to) develop. In case he/she has not understood, I try to explain to him/her, i.e., I frame the relevant skill (for instance, derivative calculus) with reference to a general or specific application goal (for instance, the framing of the relationship between speed and acceleration). I find that often pupils lack cognitive incentive because they have not been presented with the practical application of the knowledge they are trying to acquire.
Regarding language learning, I first try to understand which communicative faculty the individual is more inclined towards to (speaking, listening, reading, vocabulary memorizing, etc.). Then I try to create a bedrock by developing his proficiency in that area, while at the same time encouraging him/her to go out of the comfort zone towards communicative areas where he/she is not confident. On that regard I apply a learning process based on increasing levels of contextual stress (for example, in the case of learning to listening a foreign language, I suggest to start from a situation where the hearer is speaking slowly and then I encourage the pupil to build up his confidence step by step by adding elements like a noisy environment, increased talking speed, lack of background context for the conversation, etc.) This because I believe emotional factors like self-confidence and stress-control are key in catalyzing the cognitive process of acquiring proficiency in a new language.

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Personal Description:
I am a master's level qualified practitioner with many years of teaching experience. I currently teach at the Royal College of Art, Loughborough University and UAL.

Teaching Experience:
Exams
Portfolios preparation
Portfolio Review
Assessments
Briefs
Crits preparation
Presentations review

Tutoring Approach:
Individual and tailored approach for every individual to achieve really strong and critically engaged outcomes.

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Personal Description:
Practising artist and tutor, my work is part of national art and design collections. Founder of an online art gallery. I graduated from the Royal College of Art in London and ENSAD in Paris, I am a guest lecturer at the Royal College of Art and I have over ten years of teaching experience.

Studies:
Royal College of Art, London
ENSAD, Paris
HFG, Karlsruhe, Germany
ENSAN, Nancy, France

Permanent collections :
Neue Sammlung Museum, Munich, Germany
FNAC Fonds National d'Art Contemporain, Paris
IFA Germany, Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations of Germany
Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe, Germany
Villa Lena Foundation, Palaia, Italy

Teaching Experience:
Portfolio Review
Briefs
Exam entrance
Design
Mixed media art
Painting
My private tutorials are tailored to each students requirements and skill level. I can teach you how to develop your ideas, how to create a unique portfolio, how to build a project to stand out .

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is adaptable. I am an experienced and dynamic teacher, I like to work in a relax atmosphere yet efficient. I have taught internationally working with students from culturally diverse backgrounds and different levels of English skills.

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Personal Description:
I have experience across several institutions, including the University of Bristol, University of Bath, University of York, Bath Spa University, and Universidad de Manizales in Colombia. I'm genuinely curious about you and your studies, and I see tutoring as a space to explore your ideas together. I enjoy discussing big-picture questions as well as working through the details - but I'll always take your lead and adapt to your needs. I'm based in Bristol and happy to explore in-person sessions after we've had an initial online meeting.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience tutoring learners of all ages and backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. I particularly enjoy working with university-level students and adult learners, especially in the social sciences and humanities. Alongside tutoring, I currently work in university curriculum and assessment design, which means I'm well placed to support students navigating assignments, academic writing, and feedback. Whether you're building confidence in your studies or working towards a specific goal, I'll aim to meet you where you are.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is collaborative and student-centred. I see myself as a supportive sounding board - someone to think with, reflect with, and help you move forward with confidence. Whether you're clarifying ideas, improving your writing, or navigating academic feedback, we'll find what works best for you. I aim to help you build confidence in your academic voice. I'm also happy to review drafts between sessions when time allows.

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