Tutor Profile

Ben

Private Chemistry and Maths Tutor in Wallingford

I have 13+ years of experience teaching in person and online. I have a 1st class Masters degree in Theoretical Physics (York, 2015), a PhD in Theoretical Plasma Physics (Warwick, 2019), 7+ years as an academic physicist, and soon a degree in Medicine (Oxford, 2030).

For the past 7 years I have worked as an academic plasma physics fusion energy researcher, winning multiple national awards during this time and becoming leader of my research team (Turbulence in fusion plasmas). I have had a wonderful career as a plasma physicist, but it is time for a change; I will soon leave this job and start Graduate Entry (accelerated) Medicine at Oxford in September - I am incredibly excited! Below is a brief outline of my tutoring experience and qualifications.

  • 13 years of tutoring experience mostly in Maths and Physics. From GCSE to University level as well as adult learner.
  • Experience tutoring for Oxbridge entrance exams, including PAT and MAT.
  • Theoretical physics MPhys (1st), University of York, 2011-2015.
  • PhD in Theoretical plasma physics, University of Warwick, 2015-2019, awards for best plasma physics PhD thesis in the UK, best physics PhD thesis at Warwick, and postgraduate teaching at Warwick.
  • Career as a Nuclear fusion researcher, 2019- 2026, UK early career plasma physicist award, research group leader, Chartered physicist, 28 peer-reviewed publications.
  • Medicine (accelerated graduate entry), University of Oxford, Sep 2026 - 2030), I am going back to University to retrain as a medical doctor.
  • I have historically taught Maths, Physics, and some adjacent areas such as certain Computer Science and Economics University modules. I am now in a position to also teach Chemistry GCSE and A-level, and the UCAT medical/dental entrance exam.
  • 3000 in my UCAT

  • Full and recent (2024) DBS check
  • Private pilot with night rating (I can offer advice for the 9 ground school exams and can handily link with Maths and Physics).

Outside of work and study, I am qualified private and licensed skydiver and generally enjoy all things aviation and outdoors.

Please see below for a breakdown of my tutoring experience, the services I can offer, and my approach to tutoring.

Thanks for reading!

Teaching Experience

I specialise in bespoke 1-to-1 lessons with students, but I can also offer group lessons upon request. Lessons are usually by the hour, but can be in the format of a "crash course" in a subject over, for example, a weekend.

I am happy teaching in-person at your home, but equally comfortable teaching online using Zoom Pro.

Here is a list of things I have taught in the past and am able to teach now:

Maths - A-level / GCSE / International Baccalaureate.

  • Physics - A-level / GCSE / International Baccalaureate.
  • Chemistry - A-level / GCSE / International Baccalaureate.
  • UCAT preparation (medical and dental school aptitude test).
  • Medical school interview preparation.
  • Cambridge and Oxford maths, physics and engineering entrance exams (e.g. PAT, STEP)
  • Scottish advanced highers maths.
  • Scottish advanced highers physics.
  • First year university physics.
  • Second year university physics.
  • First year university maths.
  • Second year university maths.
  • First year university mechanical engineering.
  • Second year university mechanical engineering.
  • First year university maths for economics.
  • First year university maths for computer science.
  • Maths/engineering HND diploma.

I am fortunate to be able to, in some instances, be the sole tutor for all of a student's A-level subjects. For instance, if you have a child studying Chemistry, Maths, and Physics A-levels with the aim of doing a Physics/Maths/Medicine degree; I would be able to tutor your child in all these subjects as well as entrance exams and university interview preparation.

If there is something not on this list that you would like help with than please feel free to message me so we can explore our options. I am happy to offer either a 50% discount on our first hour, or a free 30 minute trial lesson.

Tutoring Approach

I find an informal style works best, particularly with secondary school students. The 1-to-1 (or small classroom) nature of tutoring lends itself well to this style, and over the years I have found that creating an environment in which the student is at ease and not afraid to make mistakes is essential to the learning process.

Having discussed the content of the lesson with the student / parent(s) prior to the lesson, a typical lesson would usually start by clarifying what the student expects out of the lesson and what knowledge I hope to impart upon the student. Using A-level Maths as an example, let’s assume for the moment that the student is completely stuck at differentiating using the quotient rule (a common complaint I’ve received from students). I typically set the student a warm-up problem and ask them to do it whilst I watch. I watch and make mental and written notes of the key steps where their understanding is lacking or where their procedure for doing the question could be improved. I then discuss this with the student, and often, I take the time to derive the rules from first principles, with the aim of forming links in the student’s brain so they don’t “think” about answering the question next time. As an example, the quotient rule and be derived from the product rule, and once I show them this (not often done at school), the logic behind it is no longer opaque, and the student is often able to perform better on subsequent problems.

We then typically work through a subset of increasingly more challenging problems, and I resist the urge to tell the student the answer, instead asking targeted questions to guide them in the right direction. I almost always set homework problems, including at least one stretching problem, which are tailored to the needs of the specific student I am teaching, and we begin the next lesson by clarifying anything from the problems. Most lessons, I naturally make links between the content and my own career or another example from the world of work. I find this gives the students context and enthuses them.

Importantly, I don’t recommend further tuition when it is not necessary. As an example, you may decide to start with hourly lessons twice per week. As your child’s understanding and confidence grows, we may decide together that we feel comfortable dropping down to once a week. This is an excellent outcome that we can take pride in. I view my job as not only to impart knowledge and turn that A into an A*, but also to give the student the tools they need to direct their own learning.

Qualifications

Plasma Physics PhD

Doctorate · University of Warwick · 2019

Theoretical Physics MPhys

Masters · University of York · 2015

Physics - A-level - A

School · Tong Leadership Academy · 2011

Maths - A-level - A*

School · Tong Leadership Academy · 2011

Reviews

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rebecca2026 Comment

Ben is an excellent GCSE Maths and Science tutor. He is kind, patient, and has complete mastery of the subjects he tutors. Ben provides clear teaching, patient support, and grade improvement. Highly Recommend! Ben makes very complex concepts feel manageable because he explains them in a clear concise way. My son's mock exam scores improved significantly from Ben's tuition. What impressed us the most was Ben's focus on exam technique; he prioritised what the examiners are looking for, increasing my son's confidence and ability to do well with his GCSE preparation. We are very happy with with all the support Ben has provided!

First Tutors

Benjamin has been an excellent A‑level Physics tutor for my son in the weeks leading up to his mock exams. He explains concepts with great clarity and has helped my son finally understand topics that had previously caused real difficulty. Benjamin is patient, takes time to address every question thoroughly, and consistently offers helpful feedback on progress along with practical suggestions for improvement. I particularly appreciate his approach to teaching how to apply mathematics within physics, which has boosted my son’s confidence and problem‑solving skills. Overall, we are very happy with Benjamin’s support and highly recommend him.

Tutor response

Thank you very much for the kind and informative feedback. I look forward to continuing to work with you and your son.

First Tutors

My boys have throughly enjoyed their time with Benjamin as he helped them prepare for exams, allowing them to go into the exams with confidence. Benjamin was both inspiring and encouraging, a wonderful combination in a tutor! From a parents perspective, his professionalism and clarity at keeping me abreast about my boys progress was also greatly appreciated.

Tutor response

Thank you for the kind and encouraging comments. I thoroughly enjoyed working with your boys :)

First Tutors

Ben has picked up tutoring my son quite late in the day as a previous tutor could not continue for medical reasons. Ben is friendly and encouraging and my son really likes working with him. Thank you Ben you have given him added confidence for the A Level next year. I personally think you are excellent and will recommend you to anyone looking for a physics tutor.

Tutor response

Thank you for your kind comments. I look forward to continuing to work with your son.

First Tutors

Ben is an excellent tutor! His patience and willingness to analyse my son's ability to learn has been very valuable. Ben is down to earth, supportive, and is very knowledgeable. We receive regular feedback about my son's progress. In addition, he is always punctual and dependable. Our son is slowly understanding exam tips and how to improve his study habits. I fully recommend Ben. We are very fortunate he is helping our son!

Tutor response

Thank you for your kind comments. I look forward to continuing to work with you and your son :)

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