Tutor Profile

Simon

CHIEF EXAMINER and SUBJECT EXPERT (GEOGRAPHY)

I am a specialist in UK and international A-Level as well as all GCSE and iGCSE syllabuses. I am currently a Senior Examiner and Moderator for AQA and OCR and a Lead Examiner for AQA INTERNATIONAL A-Level (formally known as a Chief Examiner - i.e. the person who writes the exam paper).

I have now gone part-time to concentrate my efforts fully to your exam success having been teaching 11-18 Geography for 30+ years. I’ve taught around 1400 GCSE students in that time and around 500 A-level students and have tutored over 400 students over the last 8 years with over 150 five-star reviews. I am married with 3 children. I have been a Head of Humanities; Geography and a Senior Teacher over many years. I have a passion and love for Geography that I can’t wait to share with you. You will get loads of high-quality resources and revision ideas to get you the exam success ‘we’ want as well as save you time from creating your own revision notes e.g. case study notes.

Teaching Experience

I have a wealth of examining experience, starting way back in 1992 with S.E.G (now AQA). I have moderated coursework for all exam boards and am currently a senior moderator at A-Level (NEA) for OCR and AQA. I have been a Team Leader since 2005 for OCR and currently provide INSET for OCR schools and teachers as a subject expert. I am also currently a senior examiner (TEAM LEADER) for AQA and OCR currently marking the A-Level paper 1 (physical) for both boards. I also team lead AQA paper 3 and have past experience of both Geog1 (2004 – 2016) and Geog3 (2005-2016). I was the Principal Examiner for GCSE coursework from 2009 – 2014. I have also marked Unit 1 and Unit 2 GCSE exams for AQA, iGCSE and the OCR and the SDME (now paper 2). This gives me a clear insight into what the examiners look for and the essential skill here is to understand what they want with a clear understanding of the importance of command words for academic glory. In summary I’m your man if it’s improved exam techniques that focus on the actual question being examined, as well as content led revision specific to your syllabus and needs. Unlike many other tutors out there I ONLY tutor geography.

Tutoring Approach

I don’t want to blind side you with lots of jargon about ‘targets’ and what predictors say but here it is……” Coaching, questioning, and effective modelling and feedback, as well as metacognition and study skills are all essential to the process of learning”. What this actually means is I want you to get the best grade possible and will pass on all (well as much as you can take) of my experience to “get you through, with the best grade possible”. To this end, it’s about meeting your individual needs. Therefore, I don’t have any one single approach but I’m totally flexible to your needs. This may include revision techniques, understanding command words, knowledge on specific topics that you struggle with, geographical skills and obviously the NEA at A-Level. My tutoring will be adapted to suit your learning style and needs. I will support you in every any scenario - SEN; enforced Gap Year / re-take / improving grades; re-starting after ill health; moving school; moving country; home study. Remember my goal is to get you the best grade possible, create a love of Geography and hopefully have some fun on the way. PLEASE CHECK my reviews to confirm this.

Availability

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Qualifications

PGCE Geography

PGCE · HULL University · HONS · 1990

BSc Hons GEOGRAPHY

Bachelors · Sheffield University · 2,2 · 1989

A LEVELS

School · Dane Valley H.S · Geog (A); Chemistry (C); Biology (E) · 1986

Reviews

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IndigoFirst Tutors

Great teacher - very knowledgeable and supportive to students

Tutor response

Thank you for your very kind comments

FayeFirst Tutors

I immediately liked you Simon for your pragmatic and engaging style, as well as your experience as a teacher and examiner. My daughter is really enjoying her online sessions with you and has already seen a very significant improvement in her A level mock results! Thank you. Would highly recommend you as a tutor.

Tutor response

Thank you. She is starting to fly now and believes in herself

JoannaFirst Tutors

Simon is wonderful and has helped my son with his A-levels in a calm, confident and humour filled series of lessons. He is kind and thoughtful and clearly cares for his students and absolutely knows his stuff (a geography expert). I would highly recommend him

Tutor response

Thank you. He’s great too…... but you already know that.

IbraahimFirst Tutors

Simon tutored my son in geography from January up until his exams. He is a reliable tutor who knows how to connect with teenager. My son found the lessons fun, engaging and tailored. My son says he would be able to target his weak areas and learn exam technique. My son went from 5/6 in his mocks to a grade 8 in the final exam 5 marks shy of a 9! Fantastic tutor.

Tutor response

Thank you for your kind words but as I always say he did the work.

TinaFirst Tutors

Simon was a great help to my daughter going through her Exams. I would highly recommend him.

Tutor response

Thank you. She was great too.

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