Sarah

Everyone calls me "Sally". I am an enthusiastic and experienced teacher, specialising in A-Level Maths and Further Maths and university access exams such as TMUA, and ENGAA. I am an examiner for GCSE and ALevel. Before entering teaching I completed a Civil Engineering degree at Imperial College, becoming a Chartered Civil Engineer and working in industry for 16 years. I designed a reservoir (40 Million litres!), I managed multi-million-pound contracts, managed a Control Centre which supplied water to three million people (in London), I spent time working down sewers. If you get the chance to look out of the window of an aircraft flying out of Heathrow you can look down and see some of the large open reservoirs which I had responsibility for.
All this time I worked together with lots of other people, often managing them, and helping multi-disciplinary teams to think things through and overcome problems.
I started to provide a facilitation service to a wide range of organisations and it was then that I realised I wanted to move into teaching. You can find me under "AardvarkMaths".

Tutoring Experience

I am a qualified teacher (PGCE), with 17 years’ teaching experience, including seven years in a sixth form college and over ten years as Head of Maths in different schools / colleges. My classroom teaching consistently rated as outstanding with excellent feedback from individual students.
I have always taught across the ability and age range – teaching A-Level classes and some Core Maths and iBAC, as well as preparing students for university admissions tests as well as interviews. I am up to date with the specifications for both A-Level (Maths and Further Maths), and GCSE.
I first started tutoring in 2006, and have tutored GCSE and A-Level; students from year 10 to adults; re-sits and high achievers, students at state schools, private schools, university and sixth form colleges as well overseas.
I currently manage a team of maths specialists providing training for teachers, and enrichment and support for students, to help students get into STEM degrees and careers.

Tutoring Approach

The sheer number of topics in maths qualifications means that schools, colleges and universities have to focus on speeding through topics. For many people this doesn’t give time to develop understanding and confidence. Tutoring resolves this.
My approach is adapted to each individual student; I take the time to find out what the student understands, how they learn, and what else affects their learning and confidence. I then work with them, helping them to deepen their understanding, confidence and study skills. I also spend time as necessary on exam technique, as well as study and revision skills, and personal organisation.
I do currently have very limited availability for regular tutoring.