Alison - Loughborough tutor





Alison's profile picture

Information About Alison:


Personal Description:

I am a full-time professional tutor, current GCSE and A-level examiner, former University Lecturer in Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham, and former Vice-President of the UK's professional body for private tutors. I also have secondary level classroom teaching experience.

I hold a degree in Biomedical Chemistry and a PhD in Analytical Biochemistry from Imperial College London. I have led cutting-edge research projects for multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and academia, putting my research training in science and statistics into practice. My published research has been cited more than 7,000 times in peer-reviewed scientific literature. I also currently serve on the editorial boards of several respected international scientific journals.

Despite this background, my approach to tutoring is friendly and patient. I am very approachable and believe it is important for students to realise that high levels of qualifications are achievable.

I enjoy working with students of all ages and abilities, from those who need to strengthen their foundations and rebuild confidence to ambitious students aiming for the highest grades and competitive university courses. I take the time to understand each student's individual strengths, challenges and goals, tailoring my teaching to help them make sustained progress.

My experience in higher education also enables me to offer expert guidance beyond the classroom. As a university lecturer, I taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and supervised eight PhD students to successful completion. Having also interviewed numerous UCAS applicants, I can support students with university applications, personal statements and preparation for the next stage of their education.

Ultimately, I want every student I work with to feel supported, challenged and confident in their ability to succeed. Academic results are important-and I am immensely proud of the outcomes my students achieve-but I also believe that the most valuable tutoring builds confidence, independence and a genuine understanding that stays with students long after their examinations are over.



Teaching Experience:

I have been a full-time professional tutor for over thirteen years.

At A level, my most recent results were 100% A*-C, with 85% achieving A*-A, 8% achieving B and 7% achieving C. Every student secured a place at their first-choice university, with 31% progressing to medical school. These results are consistent year after year.

At GCSE in 2026, my students achieved 100% grades 9-7 on Higher Tier papers, while students taking Foundation Tier papers achieved 100% grade 5, the highest grade available at that level.

I have extensive experience teaching across all major examination boards, including AQA, OCR, Edexcel, IB and CIE. As a current and highly experienced Biology examiner and question setter, I can give insight into how examiners award marks and what distinguishes high-level answers.

Alongside tutoring, I have taught in secondary schools, keeping my teaching closely aligned with current curricula, classroom practice and examination requirements.

I also have experience supporting students with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and partial hearing. I particularly enjoy finding new ways to approach topics to ensure understanding and seeing students get their "light-bulb" moment. Further, having lived and worked in another European country for several years I can empathise with the additional difficulties that students for whom English is an additional language (EAL) face.

I tailor my approach to each student, combining clear subject teaching with targeted exam technique and confidence-building. My aim is not simply to help students improve their grades, but to give them the understanding, skills and confidence to achieve their full academic potential.

My standing within the profession is reflected in my election as Vice-President of The Tutors' Association, the UK's professional body for tutors.



Tutoring Approach:

I offer both face-to-face tuition and online tuition via Zoom, allowing students and families to choose the format that best suits their circumstances and learning preferences.

For face-to-face tuition, students travel to me for lessons in a dedicated and quiet learning environment, free from distractions. Having my full range of teaching resources and reference books immediately to hand allows us to make the most of every session. Driveway parking is available, making drop-offs and pick-ups easy.

Online tuition via Zoom offers an equally personal and highly interactive experience. Although some students are initially unsure whether online learning will feel as engaging as face-to-face tuition, many find that they quickly adapt and ultimately prefer it. Learning from home provides a comfortable and familiar environment, removes travel time and disruption, and offers greater flexibility around busy school and family schedules. It is also a convenient and more environmentally sustainable way to access specialist tuition.

Every lesson is supported by high-quality, carefully selected resources. Online students receive a detailed AI-generated summary following each session, together with a PDF copy of all work completed on my interactive whiteboard. This gives students a clear, structured record of the lesson that they can revisit independently, helping to consolidate understanding and reinforce learning between sessions.

My teaching is genuinely personalised. Before tuition begins, we establish clear objectives and identify the areas that will have the greatest impact on the student's progress. I then design a tailored programme of study around their individual needs, strengths and aspirations. Progress is monitored continuously through questioning, assessment and regular review, allowing me to adapt the pace, content and focus of tuition as the student develops.

I place particular importance on creating a learning environment that is positive, supportive and intellectually stimulating. Students should feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and tackling challenging material without fear of getting things wrong. I want them to leave each lesson feeling that they have achieved something meaningful and, importantly, that they are capable of achieving more.

Ultimately, my aim is to combine expert subject knowledge, rigorous exam preparation and genuinely individualised teaching with an enjoyable learning experience. When students understand what they are learning, feel confident in their abilities and can see their own progress, they are far more likely to achieve their very best.



Map showing Alison's location

Qualifications:

  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Chemistry
  • PhD in Analytical Biochemistry
  • PGCert Studies in Education (Distinction)

Further Information:

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