Frequently Asked Questions – general questions
Essential information and practical matters for A Level Physics tutorials online
This section summarizes information on other pages and answers some of the questions I am most frequently asked.
When are you available for physics tutorials?
My teaching schedule broadly mirrors most state schools’ term and holiday dates in the UK, although I also usually have some availability during half-term holidays and around Easter.
How long does each tutorial last for?
The usual length of a tutorial is 1 hour. In principle, tutorials of any duration can be booked, but about an hour seems to be the optimum time and generally works best all round. (Half an hour is really too short to achieve anything meaningful; much more than 1½ hours and I find students’ concentration starts to wane!).
Does a responsible adult need to be present during tutorials?
It’s up to you. For the first couple of sessions it can be reassuring to some students and parents if a responsible adult is around somewhere in the background, but of course every young person is different. I have two shool-age children and so I fully understand the importance of safeguarding. When online safety is taken seriously, everyone can feel confident and comfortable. I have qualified teacher status (QTS) and hold an Enhanced DBS certificate (the highest level background check available in the UK).
Where do the tutorials take place?
Anywhere – that’s the beauty of working online! You need the right environment for an effective tutorial, so a quiet study area is important. It’s always helpful if the student has books, notes and any other equipment (e.g. calculator, ruler, etc.) ready for the start of the tutorial!
Do you only teach AS/A Level Physics?
Yes. In the past I taught students aged 10 years and upwards, across the full range of science subjects. Nowadays I only teach AS/A Level Physics. Being a specialist in pre-university physics means that I know all of the A Level Physics syllabuses inside-out. I deliver a better service than if I were a generalist teaching multiple subjects at various levels.
I am following a course of self-study, can you help?
Sure! The vast majority of my students are studying A Level Physics at school or college, but I have worked with many young people whose circumstances are different. As for all science subjects, practical work is an important part of learning and understanding physics. My tuition is most suitable for students who are already following a structured course in school or sixth form college, and who are thus able to access such complementary laboratory–based experiments.
Can you guarantee that I’ll get the grade I need?
If only I could! Unfortunately I can’t make any promises about the final outcome (e.g. the student’s eventual exam grade).
What if I need to change something?
Please try to give as much notice as possible for cancellations.
I try to keep things fairly informal – you can cease further sessions at any time. Good communication is vital – please do keep me informed of your requirements and preferences.
How much do you charge?
For online physics tuition (using Zoom, Teams and other online tools), tutorials are available at rates comparable to the best tutors based in London (UK) and around the globe. (Payment is by invoice, e-mailed at the end of each calendar month).
Please contact me for more information!