Geoffrey

I have been a secondary school teacher for over 40 years, with extensive experience in state and independent schools and colleges in the UK and internationally. My career has also included roles as a senior examiner, mentor and school leader, giving me a broad understanding of effective teaching techniques and the assessment processes used by examination boards. I believe that students learn best when they feel comfortable asking questions, exploring ideas and, importantly, making mistakes. In my experience, high-achieving students can sometimes be reluctant to get things wrong, yet mistakes are an essential part of developing deeper understanding and making progress. There is no such thing as a bad question in my lessons. I encourage discussion and interaction, and aim to create an environment where students feel confident tackling unfamiliar or challenging problems. My approach is to develop genuine understanding rather than simply teach students to memorise methods. I aim to cover each topic thoroughly, while developing the problem-solving and thinking skills that enable students to become more confident, independent learners.

Subjects

Physics (GCSE, A Level) Mathematics (GCSE)

Education

University of Bristol - BSc Physics (hons) University of Bristol - PGCE Physics with Mathematics

Experience

Geoffrey is a highly experienced professional tutor and educator with over 40 years of classroom teaching experience in Mathematics and Physics, alongside extensive leadership and management responsibilities. He spent ten years as Principal of a British international school in Saudi Arabia, while continuing to teach Physics to A Level. Earlier in his career, Geoffrey worked as an examiner, senior examiner and coursework moderator for a range of examination boards. This experience has given him a particularly strong understanding of assessment, examination technique and the skills students need to demonstrate in order to achieve their potential. Geoffrey is passionate about education and firmly believes that Mathematics and Physics can be understood by all students when concepts are presented clearly and in a way that suits the individual learner. He encourages students to ask questions, develop confidence and understand the principles behind a topic rather than simply memorising methods. He particularly enjoys finding new ways to explain difficult concepts when a student has struggled with a conventional approach. His extensive experience in both teaching and educational leadership has given him a broad understanding of effective teaching and learning. He draws upon a wide range of approaches, adapting his tuition to the needs, ability and aspirations of each student. Geoffrey has supported students across a wide range of abilities and ambitions, including students who have progressed to Oxford and Cambridge, Russell Group and Ivy League universities, as well as medical schools in Europe and the Middle East. During his career, Geoffrey has taught at a variety of institutions. His success schools are: Bolton Sixth Form College, the British International School of Tabuk, Hugh Baird College, Rutlish School and Sir John Thursby Community College. He has extensive experience of major UK and international examination specifications, including AQA, Cambridge International, OCR and Pearson Edexcel.