Catherine - Portsmouth tutor





Catherine's profile picture

Information About Catherine:


Personal Description:

Dr. Catherine is a dedicated scientist and educator whose career spans advanced academic research, science education, and personal tutoring. With a deep-rooted passion for physics and its applications, she has combined her expertise in experimental and applied science with her vocation to inspire the next generation of learners.

Born with an early curiosity for the natural world, Catherine pursued her studies in physics with determination. She earned her B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Physics from Wroclaw University, where she explored the growth of metals on alloy surfaces. Her doctoral research, "Growth of Pb on Ni3Al(111)", reflected her keen ability to investigate materials at the atomic level. She later expanded her academic journey at Warwick University, completing a second Ph.D. in Physics on "Growth and Characterisation of Metal Alloy and Metal Oxide Surfaces." Her work contributed to advancing the understanding of thin-film growth and nanostructures, leading to several publications in respected international journals. Among her noted contributions are studies on ultrathin metal layers, titanium dioxide films, and surface morphology, establishing her reputation as a careful and innovative experimentalist.

After years in research, Catherine transitioned into education, determined to share her scientific knowledge in a way that would have a direct impact on young people. She completed a PGCE with QTS at the University of Winchester, equipping her with the pedagogical foundation to teach science across all secondary school levels.

Beyond her teaching, Catherine remains connected to her research roots. She has authored and co-authored several publications, including contributions to Applied Surface Science and Materials. These works, ranging from the structural determination of metallic surfaces to the optimisation of thin-film growth, illustrate her ongoing identity as both a teacher and a scientist.

What defines Dr. Catherine's career is the balance she has achieved between the rigour of scientific inquiry and the nurturing ethos of education. She has moved fluidly from the laboratory to the classroom, from international research to local communities, always with the purpose of unlocking potential in others. Whether mentoring young learners, supporting those with special educational needs, or contributing to the broader field of physics, Catherine exemplifies a professional life dedicated to knowledge, care, and inspiration.



Teaching Experience:

Her teaching career has since flourished across a range of schools and academies. Catherine has taught in institutions such as Swanmore College, Wildern Academy, and UTC Portsmouth, where she not only delivered the sciences at KS3 and KS4 but also pioneered the development of a new T-Level course. She embraced opportunities beyond the classroom, leading enrichment activities in CAD and crafts, coordinating SilverCrest Awards, and supporting students in employment readiness. At King's Academy Bay House, she brought her expertise in physics and broader sciences to pupils while nurturing Year 10 learners as a tutor. Her dedication extended to specialist teaching, including her time at Mayville High School and SEN Wavern House, demonstrating her adaptability and commitment to inclusive education.

Alongside her teaching roles, Catherine has pursued private tutoring through KEU Consultancy Ltd and Sherpa, where she continues to support learners preparing for examinations such as GCSE, A-level, and 13+ entry exams to prestigious schools including Eton and Westminster College. Her expertise in exam specifications-AQA, OCR, and Edexcel-has enabled her to guide students with precision and clarity.

Her academic and professional journey is complemented by an impressive commitment to continuous development. Catherine has undertaken extensive training in safeguarding, health and safety, emergency aid, radicalisation awareness, and supporting vulnerable learners. These certifications reflect her holistic approach to education, where student wellbeing is valued alongside academic achievement.



Tutoring Approach:

For Dr. Catherine, tutoring is more than delivering subject knowledge-it is about unlocking each learner's potential by understanding how they learn best. Her approach to tutoring is informed by recent advances in educational psychology, cognitive science, and pedagogy, all of which emphasise that no two students learn in exactly the same way.

Drawing on research in metacognition, memory, and motivation, Catherine builds her tutoring practice around the principle that effective learning occurs when students are not only taught content but also given the tools to understand their own thinking. She encourages learners to reflect on how they solve problems, identify what strategies work for them, and develop confidence in applying those strategies independently.

Central to her philosophy is individualisation. Every child comes with unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Some may thrive on visual explanations, while others learn best through hands-on practice or discussion. Catherine takes the time to assess these differences, adapting her lessons accordingly-whether that means breaking down complex physics principles into manageable steps, linking abstract science to real-world examples, or building scaffolds for students with learning difficulties.

Her approach also aligns with student-centred learning models, which place the child's needs at the core of the educational process. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all method, she co-constructs learning pathways with her students, ensuring that goals are clear, achievable, and motivating. Catherine is attentive not only to academic progress but also to emotional and cognitive wellbeing. She understands that resilience, curiosity, and self-belief are as important as exam results in shaping a lifelong learner.

Practical strategies underpin her sessions. She uses spaced repetition to reinforce knowledge over time, retrieval practice to strengthen memory, and dual coding (combining words with visuals) to aid understanding. She applies the latest insights from cognitive load theory to avoid overwhelming students, ensuring that new information is introduced in digestible stages. At the same time, she weaves in opportunities for creativity and inquiry, inviting students to ask their own questions and experiment with new ideas.

Catherine's tutoring style is also deeply relational. She believes that trust and rapport between tutor and student are foundational to success. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental learning environment, she allows students to take risks, embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, and ultimately grow in confidence.

For her, tutoring is not about producing short-term results but about nurturing independent thinkers who will carry their learning skills into future challenges. This philosophy is evident in her work preparing students for key milestones-such as GCSEs, A-levels, and entrance exams for prestigious schools-where she combines rigorous subject knowledge with strategies that empower students to approach exams with resilience and self-assurance.

In every session, Catherine demonstrates that tutoring is not just the transmission of knowledge, but the cultivation of learning itself. By combining cutting-edge research with compassion and adaptability, she ensures that each student is seen, heard, and supported on their unique educational journey.



Map showing Catherine's location

Qualifications:

  • PGSE with QTS
  • two PhD's in Physics
  • level 2 understanding mental health

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
Additional Languages Spoken:   Polish