Lesley

I am a chemistry teacher currently undertaking a secondment as a subject manager for chemistry and science. I have a background of chemistry and biology from my first degree, I worked in the chemical industry (ICI/Zeneca) for over 15 years as an organic chemist (in research, developement and manufacturing, working in the fields of agrochemicals, biocides, life science molecules and pharmaceutical chemistry specifically DNA and RNA medicines during this time ). I also gained a second degree during this time in pure chemistry.
I gained my teaching qualification in 2004 and taught at the same school since starting my probationary period until my secondment.
I am presently studying for a degree in Astrophysics in my spare time with the Open University for my own personal enjoyment.
I offer online tuition as well as in person. I have offered online for the last 7 years and I feel this method has gone very well. I find that I can be much more flexible with my students since the travel element has been removed allowing me to accept more students from a wider variety of locations and can offer a wider choice of time slots. I have also been able to avoid increasing my fee for online too as I have no fuel / mileage or travel time costs to add.
Please note that I only tutor to the Scottish Education system.

Tutoring Experience

I have been a teacher of chemistry and science for over 20 years. Teaching all levels of Scottish education system from old standard grade; intermediate 1; intermediate 2; Nat 4, Nat5, higher; revised higher CFE higher advanced and CFE advanced higher. Since the beginning of my probationary period I have tutored mainly higher and advanced higher. I have tutored standard grade and intermediate levels since 2007, I have tutored the revised higher and also the revised advanced higher. I have also taught and tutored the newer CFE N5 and CFE higher course and I have developed and taught the new CFE advanced higher course since their inception.
In my current post my role was originally centred around the revision of CFE courses focusing mainly on AH and delivering CPD to chemistry teachers and producing materials to support teachers during the pandemic for the alternative certification model and laterally preparing and delivering CPD for the return of the N5 and H assignments and AH project.

Tutoring Approach

My approach to tutoring is very simple...I tutor to the needs of the pupil, wether this is a frantic burst to get through an exam where exam technique and fast revision strategies are important, or a more leisurely pace, with deeper learning and understanding. As a self confessed chemistry geek I love to find different ways to allow that light bulb moment to happen with my pupils. I am approachable and friendly and can quickly put my pupils at ease. I mainly do one-to-one tuition which allows a rapport to become established which breaks down barriers to learning such as lack of confidence.
I have participated in online tutoring for 7 years (via FaceTime /Zoom and use email to allow exchange of work, both setting and marking) I have offered this successfully with a great number of AH, H and N5 students. This has gone extremely well in terms of successful outcomes for tutees and the ability to offer a more competitive cost due to time and travel savings.