Alfie

School:

St Benedict’s Catholic School

A-Levels: Maths (A*), Biology (A*), Spanish (A*), English Lang/Lit (A*), Chemistry (A)

University:

University of Oxford

BA Human Sciences – First Class (Gibbs Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement, St John’s College Prize for Academic Achievement)

MSc Social Anthropology – Predicted Distinction

Teaching / tutoring history:

My previous teaching experiences comes from three main streams: my first experiences tutoring at my school (St Benedict’s Catholic school), my year and a half as a tutor with MyTutor, and my three years with the St John's College Access and Admissions Office. With MyTutor, I completed 1000+ hours of tutoring across a range of subjects from KS2 to A-Level. At A-Level, I specialise in Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Spanish, English Lang/Lit, Sociology, and Psychology. I deeply enjoy engaging with A-Level students who are passionate about their subjects, but I must say my proudest tutoring experience is still the initial classes I taught at St Benedict’s Catholic School with students re-taking their Maths and English GCSEs. The lack of confidence among these students was the main culprit in their previous exams, and it was a pleasure building up their independence and self-belief to a level where they all passed their GCSEs.

During my work with the Access and Admissions Office of St John's College, I developed a detailed and holistic understanding of the admissions system and how to prepare a powerful application. Inspiring a range of ages and backgrounds to engage with their potential as Oxbridge students was my favourite part of the job, and I delivered many lectures and mock tutorials during my time there, specialising in personal statements, admissions tests (particularly the TSA), and interview preparation.

Teaching style and philosophy:

As mentioned with my GCSE students, I centre confidence and kindness at the heart of my teaching. Results are important, and my own academic drive and ambition has taught me how to achieve them, but it is through building self-belief and empathetically catering to the specific needs of the individual student that these results are achieved. As such, I cater my teaching approach to complement the learning style of the students, ensuring to encourage independent, critical thinking and curiosity around the subject.

Additional information:

Beyond tutoring at St Benedict’s Catholic School, MyTutor, and my work with the Access and Admissions Office of St John’s College, I am a keen actor and comedian. While at Oxford, I was president of The Oxford Revue (a sketch comedy group). The team wrote their best work and performed to a high level when they felt confident in themselves and their ability. Fostering an atmosphere where it is ok to make mistakes, make suggestions that may seem silly at first, and explore new ways thinking was imperative to our success. I have brought this experience with me into tutoring, celebrating the mistakes and innovative ways of approaching a problem that students come up with.

I am based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and am willing to teach online or in-person within a 15 mile radius.