Maxine - Ruthin tutor





Maxine's profile picture

Information About Maxine:


Personal Description:

Hello! I'm a qualified teacher currently teaching in a north Wales secondary school. I have 28 years teaching and tutoring experience and an honours degree in Biomedical science. I previously spent 3 years working as a qualified scientific officer at a large teaching hospital. I love my job and I'm passionate about science and working with students to improve their confidence and grades.

My two sons are both at secondary school so I understand the pressures of exams as a parent too.
I really enjoy tutoring and have met lots of lovely people along the way. It's great to be able to help students out and see the rewards of their efforts. I offer a flexible approach to learning (see below).

I live with my husband, sons, a crazy sheepdog and three cats who also love to make an appearance during online tutoring! My passions are gardening, genealogy, crafting and of course - science! I enjoy podcasts, broadcasts, books and magazines especially on the topics of human evolution, molecular biology and pathology.



Teaching Experience:

I have been teaching in schools in England and Wales for over 24 years and I currently specialise in teaching WJEC/EDUQAS (Welsh exam board) A level biology along with GCSE biology, physics and chemistry. I began tutoring in 2000 with online tutoring since the COVID restrictions in March 2020. I also work for an exam board marking A level papers.

I have successfully tutored many students over the years mainly in A level biology, GCSE physics, chemistry and biology. I have recently started teaching AS level Physics too.

My experience includes teaching:
WJEC A level biology; A level health and social care, and child care (current specifications)
WJEC level 3 certificate health and social care (current specification)
WJEC GCSE biology, physics, chemistry and applied science (current specifications)
Key stage 3 science
AQA GCSE biology, physics and chemistry (current specifications)
AQA A level biology; A level health and social care
BTEC National level 3 certificate health and social care (current specification)

I have also worked as a moderator at A level biology for AQA exam board (2007).



Tutoring Approach:

As the mother of two teenage boys, I understand the importance of patience and humour in tutoring. I love science and really enjoy passing on my passion to others. Tutoring has allowed me to meet some fantastic people and I get a huge sense of satisfaction in helping out and watching them progress.

Since COVID, my tutees and myself have made the transition to online tutoring which, although I was sceptical at first, I now feel this method works even better than in person. It gives me better access to resources to use in lessons and to pass to students without the need for printing, it allows more flexibility with lessons, allows me to reach students who live further away, avoids lesson cancellations due to poor weather and is less intrusive for the student's family.

What to expect during lessons:
Online lesson via Teams.
Teaching using an online whiteboard tackling the topics or problems requested by the student
Using current past paper questions to practise exam technique as well as knowledge and skills
Exam preparation and revision tips
Links to other study resources, past papers and mark schemes (I don't show videos during lessons)

I'm happy to be flexible about:
Subjects and topics - I'm happy to switch between science subjects or topics within a lesson or between lessons since I offer GCSE biology, physics and chemistry.
Times e.g. sometimes students want extra time before school assessments or need just a bit longer to finish off a session.
Dates - life is often busy so I'm happy to move lessons around if I'm free.
Lessons - things happen and sometimes students need to cancel a lesson at the last moment. Online tutoring gives us the flexibility to do this without any problems or any fee.
Help - students can contact me with any problems or questions at any time and get some quick help as soon as I am able.

Please get in touch if you have any further questions.



Map showing Maxine's location

Qualifications:

  • PGCE secondary science (1998)
  • BSc Biomedical Sciences (1994)
  • MLSO histology (1996)
  • A level Biology, Maths, Chemistry (1990) Physics (2024)

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekdays (evenings)
Types of Tutoring:   Online
References Supplied?   Yes
Current DBS/CRB Check?   Yes