Teaching Experience

I have been a private tutor for over 20yrs + working with those from ages 9 to adult. In addition to tutoring I have previous experience of teaching and lecturing at both college and university and also of providing training courses for teachers and teaching assistants. My background in academia gave me experience of research (and lecturing) in the biomedical fields. During this time I undertook research and associated teaching at the Universities of Cardiff, Oxford and Manchester - I ended my University career as a senior research fellow and latterly teaching fellow to focus on full time tutoring, including some college lecturing at A level.

Additionally, I have authored and co-authored many academic publications including a book chapter and more recently was involved in producing a textbook for FSMQ Maths

Here are further details on my qualifications

PhD (Effects of Age on Autonomic Innervation of the Urinary System) - included neuroanatomy, neurohistology, immunology, and neuropharmacology,

MSc (Surface and Interface science) - a physics/chemistry interdisciplinary subject,

BSc (Joint Hons) Biology, Chemistry with maths and economics as minors

Tutoring Approach

Friendly, approachable and patient with an adaptable/ flexible tutoring style catering for individual student needs. Helping to build confidence and subject knowledge and providing advice on revision and exam techniques as well as past paper question practice for those doing key exams.

A particular focus is on exam technique and practice for those doing key exams, though many of my tutees simply want to improve their confidence and school grades.

Every student is different and so there is no one size fits all - in our initial lesson(s) I assess current knowledge levels, determine gaps and going forward, see what's needed for the student to achieve their goals. I help students build confidence and subject knowledge as well as providing advice and guidance on revision and exam techniques and suggesting useful resources available. And, for those doing key exams, past paper question practice, is super important. Key to gaining the best grades is knowing how to interpret questions, spot key words and phrases and read the whole question and consider mark allocation ... as well as being able to interpret mark schemes!

I am familiar with most of the main exam boards - AQA, EDEXCEL, OCR, Eduquas

AVAILABILITY I tutor all days, including weekends and am also available daytime for those needing homeschooling.

Prime, after school, slots between 3.30 and 7pm on weekdays, tend to fill up quickly but please ask about my current availability.

Close to exam seasons my availability becomes very limited - daytimes are more flexible.

Cancellation/last minute slots are available on a fcfs basis

Enquiries always welcome, especially for those wanting to join my wait list.

Reviews (23)

nadiabaxter58

Alison stepped in at very short notice when my son’s previous GCSE tutor fell ill, and she was an absolute lifesaver. She was accommodating and flexible, offering a mix of face-to-face and remote online lessons that worked perfectly for us. We initially asked her to cover Maths, but she was also able to provide support in GCSE Biology and Chemistry. Every single lesson was highly organized, efficient, and structured so that no time was wasted. Most importantly, my son was very happy with Alison’s tutoring style. She gave him the confidence he needed to do well in his GCSEs, and he got the grades he needed for his first-choice college! If you want a tutor who is reliable, multi-talented, and gets real results, book Alison.

Tutor response

Thank you :)

jennieflanders

I contacted Alison to help my year 10 daughter with some science GCSE tutoring. She has been very patient and approachable and my daughter’s confidence has improved along with her grades.

Tutor response

Thank you so much :)

RebeccaFirst Tutors

Alison has been absolutely wonderful with my son. After an initial meeting with my son to access weak areas in the subject , my son has flourished in the one subject he completely struggled with despite trying other tutors. Alison was amazing from the first session with excellent knowledge and an obvious passion for the subject. That was clear in the enthusiasm, patience and knowledge , resulting in a calm but structured environment provided by Alison for my son to learn . Rather than just teaching the subject Alison made sure my son understood the actual subject , rather than just how to answer correctly in exams which made the whole understanding much more valuable in my opinion . My son has definitely benefited from his sessions with Alison and would highly recommend her to any student looking to improve both their knowledge or even confidence in Chemistry .

Tutor response

Thank you so much. Your son is a pleasure to tutor… he is happy to engage in the sessions and ask questions to further his understanding.

MudassarFirst Tutors

Excellent; thank you Alison

Tutor response

Thank you

NadiaFirst Tutors

I am writing to highly recommend Alison as a tutor. She stepped in at very short notice when my son's original tutor became unwell, and we could not have asked for a more capable and supportive replacement. Alison proved to be exceptionally competent, flexible, and knowledgeable. Although we initially sought help specifically with maths, she was also able to tutor my son in biology, chemistry, and physics — all to the same high standard. Her broad subject knowledge and clear teaching style made a significant difference to his confidence and understanding across the board. We are very grateful for her support, and I would not hesitate to recommend her to any family seeking a reliable and effective tutor.

Tutor response

Thank-you so much, and for such a lovely review. It was a pleasure to tutor your son and see him develop his skills and knowledge and grow in confidence. He went into his GCSE exams well prepared and reported back that they went well. I'm sure he will get the high grades he deserves come August :) but in the meantime I hope he enjoys a very well earned break!

ChristineFirst Tutors

My daughter is happy to have lesson with Alison.

GraceFirst Tutors

Alison my daughter the confidence to understand the content of the course and gave valuable advice in applying techniques. Her tuition enabled my daughter to improve from a grade 6 to grade 9 in her GCSE. Will be looking for Alison’s support when my daughter takes a A’level Chemistry and Biology.

Tutor response

Thank you, and very well done achieving the top grade. Here if you need me for the A levels.

AwaniFirst Tutors

I wanted a chemistry and physics tutor who could help my year 8 child understand concepts and advanced level content( A levels). Unfortunately it did not work out as Alison was more experienced and knowledgeable with GCSE combined science. We had only 1 class and then stopped

Tutor response

Thank-you for taking the time to leave feedback that I am ‘experienced and knowledgeable with GCSE Combined Science’. This tuition request was for GCSE combined science for a year 8 student - to help your daughter understand the concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and ultimately advance her towards a GCSE grade 9. We only had one, introductory hour and an initial class is, amongst other things, about finding out the knowledge level of the learner and how best to adapt tuition to suit. As the class progressed and your daughter’s understanding and coverage of the topic became clearer we explored more detailed, advanced aspects, whilst bearing in mind that she is only in year 8 and had wanted help preparing for an upcoming test and had some areas for clarification. Teaching advanced (A level) concepts to this year group, especially on a first lesson wouldn't be appropriate.

JAMESFirst Tutors

Alison got to grips with what was needed straight away and has had an immediate effect.

Tutor response

Thanks - much appreciated.

RobertFirst Tutors

For the last 12 months Alison has helped my son with Year 13 A level mathematics. He became fully engaged with the one to one learning, this improved his understanding and imbedded the curriculum. Alison really helped my son through the course at a particularly challenging time with weekly online lessons and focusing on areas where her student felt the most help was needed. He now feels confident for the final examinations being taken in May. This would not have happened without Alison's teaching.

Tutor response

Many thanks, appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback - it's been a pleasure working with him and so glad the tuition's helped him through what has been a very, very challenging year. He has worked hard and shown himself to be a very able mathematician, which I hope is reflected in the final grade.

LindaFirst Tutors

Alison is a very nice lady and very knowledgeable, however my daughter's learning style did not match Alison's teaching style.

AndyFirst Tutors

Alison is brilliant, our daughter enjoys her lessons and learns a great deal. Alison is very professional and provides well structured lessons that work.

Tutor response

Thank-you for the feedback, very much appreciate you taking the time and that she's enjoying her lessons.

MarwanFirst Tutors

Alison was extremely helpful, and during the short period she spent with Ali he was able to become very confident in his upcoming exams. Due to the Covid19, unfortunately lessons could not go ahead anymore.

Tutor response

Thank-you for the feedback. Ali was a conscientious and hard working student and I hope he gets the grade he was hoping for to continue his studies :)

NoraFirst Tutors

Alison is a knowledgable and capable tutor. Her lessons are well-structured, engaging and interesting. Valentina found them very useful.

Tutor response

Thanks, I'm glad Valentina found the lessons useful. She's a pleasure to tutor.

MegFirst Tutors

Alison has been an excellent tutor for my daughter ! My daughter enjoys the lessons with Alison ! She had made great progress and her love for the subject has grown along with her confidence . Will highly recommend Alison !

Tutor response

Thanks … and I very much enjoy tutoring her. She is keen to learn and participates in the lessons with enthusiasm and her maths continues to go from strength to strength.

AbiFirst Tutors

An amazing tutor! Very pleased with my daughter’s progress.

Tutor response

Thanks - she's a very keen student, willing to learn and a pleasure to tutor.

EugeneFirst Tutors

Alison is a wonderful teacher and my son is very happy with his lessons. He says they are really helping him with his dual science Gcse.

JaneFirst Tutors

Alison has been working with my 16-year-old stepson to help him prepare or a GCSE Maths re-sit. We have been VERY impressed by all aspects of her work. She gives us regular feedback on his progress and has sent us links to several useful websites to help with his revision. I would not hesitate to recommend her as a Tutor. She is simply superb!

AngelaFirst Tutors

Alison has been very positive for our son. He feels that she knows the subject areas extremely well. We asked Alison to focus on exam technique & marking schemes etc & she has completely tailored the sessions around that. For a 15 year old boy to notice the benefits, complete additional work & be pleased to attend says it all! We will definitely use Alison again for our other children.

Tutor response

Thanks, much appreciated and very glad to hear Oliver has benefit already

KathFirst Tutors

Alison, Sian and I are really pleased! Within the first hour with you Sian felt far more comfortable with science in general and that things were making sense. The book that you recommended has made a huge difference too. Wish we'd done something earlier and we'll definitely be carrying on (hoping you'll have space!) next year. Thanks Kath & Sian

Tutor response

Thanks for taking the time to write and glad the sessions are helping :)

NaveedFirst Tutors

My son Shahab had some excellent tutoring in Biology from Alison. In a short time, his confidance grew and he was happy with his performance in As Biology examination. I am grateful to Alison for a job well done.

Tutor response

Thanks for the positive feedback and I'm glad Shahab found the lessons useful - I certainly found him a pleasure to tutor. Let me know how he got on when results come through.

JennieFirst Tutors

Thank you so much for guiding Hannah through her A level Biology course work and revision programme. You had a soft and gentle approach that helped Hannah gain more confidence in both herself and her studies. I know the time was short but you covered a lot of ground and helped Hannah structure her revision porogramme and better consolidate her learning. We do now look forward to the results much more positively! Thank you.

Tutor response

Many thanks and I hope the exam went well.

SimonFirst Tutors

very helpful assessment. Will be back if needed.

Tutor response

Thanks - glad to be of help.

Tutor Profile

Alison

Alison

Teaching Experience

Tutoring Approach

Qualifications

PhD Neuroanatomy

MSc Surface & Interface Science

Biology, Chemistry Joint Hons with Maths, Economics

Reviews (23)