Chris
School:
Hampton School
A-Levels: Geography (A), Psychology (A). Maths (A)
Pre-U: History (Distinction 3)
- Academic scholarship
- Captain of School
- Captain of Cricket
University:
Oxford University
BA Geography (2:1)
Teaching experience:
I have five years experience tutoring with Oxford Tutors as well as the Coronavirus Tutoring Initiative. My speciality is Geography but I am also able to teach the following subjects:
SUBJECTS TAUGHT UP TO 10 YEARS: English, Maths, Sciences, Geography, History, Senior school entrance examinations.
SUBJECTS TAUGHT UP TO 15 YEARS: English, Maths, Sciences, Geography, History, Senior school entrance examinations.
SUBJECTS TAUGHT UP TO 18 YEARS: Geography, History, Psychology, University entrance (including Oxbridge).
I am also a Level 2 qualified cricket coach and former first class and professionally contracted cricketer. On occasion students have bought tutoring and cricket coaching sessions as a package.
Teaching style and philosophy:
I am fascinated by people and how they interact with each other and their environments. This is why I chose to study Geography at University, but it could easily have been History (which sheds light on human behaviour and how it has shaped society) or Psychology (which tries to explain that behaviour). During my undergraduate degree at Worcester College Oxford I switched on to the scale of the climate crisis, and have since spent three years working in London in sustainable finance and consulting. I am now undertaking an MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy at the Institute of Development Studies with the hope of transitioning into policy work, ideally at the international scale, thus returning to a focus on people and society.
Alongside these endeavours, I am an experienced and passionate tutor in a diverse range of subjects. Inspired by my Dad who was a headmaster and careers advisor, I often find myself flirting with the idea of changing tack and teaching full time, and likely one day will. I find the chance to have even a minor influence on someone else at such a key stage of their life exhilarating, and as such enjoy the pastoral element of tutoring as much as the academic. I hope, therefore, that lessons will be as valuable for me as I hope they could be for prospective tutees. As School Captain of Hampton School, for example, I feel I gained a huge amount from opportunities to mentor younger students.
In terms of subjects, I am most experienced in teaching Geography, History, Psychology and Oxbridge entry, but have also supported students with English, the Sciences, and Maths, and feel particularly confident in helping struggling students in these areas. At school, for example, I didn't find Maths as natural as the humanities but I was wonderfully taught and ended up with an A at A-level a year in advance. I would love to be able to pass on the techniques I was taught and help someone else get over their line in such an important subject. In terms of philosophy, I like to be very student led. As discussed in my video, empowering the student to reach a conclusion themselves is in my opinion a much more rounded and sustainable manner of learning that brings benefits beyond simply the information retained. I think plenty of tutors have good grades, many probably better than mine, but I believe I can bring a much more rounded perspective than most, which allows me to connect and win the trust of a broad range of students while helping them to navigate some of the most challenging years of their lives both within and beyond the classroom.
Additional information:
Outside of work I play as much sport as possible. I was Blues cricket captain at Oxford having formerly held a professional contract with Hampshire CCC and still play and coach for fun. I also play football, hockey and escape on my bike whenever I can. This summer I walked and camped nearly 300 miles around the Cornish coast path to raise money in memory of my late father, and hope to undertake more similar adventures down the line.