Tutor Profile

Ian

Private Psychology Tutor in Whitley Bay

Experienced A-Level Psychology Teacher and Senior Examiner helping students build confidence, develop exam expertise and achieve their best possible grades.

I'm passionate about helping students develop a deep understanding of Psychology, improve their exam performance and achieve their academic goals.

As both a classroom teacher and examiner, I understand not only how students learn the content, but also how examiners award marks. This enables me to help students develop the knowledge, skills and exam techniques needed to succeed in exams.

My interest in Psychology began when I first studied it at A-Level in 1998. I went on to complete a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at Northumbria University before qualifying as a teacher in 2008. More than 25 years later, I'm arguable more passionate than ever about Psychology and genuinely enjoy helping students discover how fascinating, relevant and rewarding Psychology can be.

Students and parents often describe me as approachable, patient and supportive. I believe students make the greatest progress when they feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and challenging themselves to improve.

Whether the goal is to build confidence, improve grades, secure a university place or develop a stronger understanding of the subject, my aim is simple: To help every student achieve their potential and enjoy Psychology along the way.

Teaching Experience

I have been teaching since 2008 and currently work in a high-performing secondary school with a strong track record of academic success (Ofsted rating of Outstanding on the 3 inspections during my time here). Throughout my career, I have supported hundreds of students through their A-Level studies, helping them develop both academically and personally.

My specialist area is AQA A-Level Psychology, and I have extensive experience teaching the full specification across all areas of the course. This breadth of experience enables me to identify connections between topics and help students develop a deeper, more integrated understanding of Psychology.

Alongside my classroom teaching, I work as a Senior Examiner and Team Leader for the exam board, and currently examine Paper 1 and Paper 3. This provides valuable insight into how examination responses are assessed, the mistakes that commonly cost students marks, and what distinguishes good answers from the highest-scoring responses.

In addition to teaching Psychology, I have extensive pastoral experience as Head of Year and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, supporting students throughout Sixth Form, helping them manage workload, develop effective study habits and navigate the challenges of A-Level study.

With nearly two decades of teaching experience and over 25 years of involvement with Psychology as a subject, I bring a combination of subject expertise, examiner knowledge and practical classroom experience to every lesson.

Tutoring Approach

Every student is different, so every tutoring session should be tailored to individual strengths, areas for development and academic goals.

Whether support is needed with challenging topics, essay writing, evaluation skills, Research Methods, revision strategies or exam technique, lessons are designed to deliver clear and measurable progress.

Students benefit from: ✅ Clear explanations of challenging concepts ✅ Expert guidance on essay-writing and evaluation ✅ Examiner insight into what earns marks in exams ✅ Targeted support with specific topics ✅ Effective revision and retrieval practice ✅ Personalised exam practice and detailed feedback ✅ Proven techniques to build confidence and independence

As both a teacher and examiner, I place a strong emphasis on helping students understand not only what they need to learn, but how to apply their knowledge effectively under exam conditions.

Lessons are supportive, engaging and focused on progress. Students receive practical strategies they can use immediately, helping them feel more confident, more prepared and more successful.

My goal is simple: to help students think like psychologists, perform with confidence and achieve the very best grades they are capable of.

Availability

Morning
Early Aft
Late Aft
Evening
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

Qualifications

Graduate Teacher Programme

QTS · Northumbria University · 2008

Level 2 Certificate for Adult Learner Support

Other · City & Guilds · 2005

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Bachelors · Northumbria University · 2:1 · 2003

Reviews

Feedback
3
Published3
Unpublished0
Extra comments0
LiamFirst Tutors

I contacted Ian to discuss tutoring my son for his AQA A level psychology at a later date. Ian was most helpful and will definitely use him in the future.

Tutor response

Thank you for the kind feedback. I'm looking forward to getting started and helping Liam with his psychology.

SashaFirst Tutors

Ian has been absolutely brilliant for my daughter, who needed some last minute help before her psychology A level exams. Ian very kindly acquainted himself with Edexcel, even though he normally teaches AQA, and has been very organised and business like in arranging lessons. He explains things clearly and has a very nice manner. Nothing is too much trouble. I would highly recommend Ian.

FinlayFirst Tutors
View all of Ian's reviews
Tuition onlineDBS checked
  • This tutor has an average feedback rating of at least 4.75/5
  • This tutor is a Teacher (self-declared)
  • This tutor offers a free first / introductory lesson
  • This tutor is happy to teach online
  • This tutor has recently joined TutorDex
Subjects Taught