Hi I’m Riona, I’m a qualified science (chemistry) teacher with 14 years teaching and tutoring experience. I am passionate about supporting students with achieving their science qualifications, the sciences are not the easiest of subjects to study and I endeavour to make it a little easier to manage and improve the grades students are achieving. I currently live in Birmingham with my family but I’m originally from Northern Ireland. I I have been tutoring for several years with lots of my students going on to do A-levels and then asking for another few years tutoring! I develop really good relationships with tutees allowing them to feel comfortable to discuss their learning and feel more confident to ask for the help and support they need. It is amazing to see students confidence blossom during our time together!

I have been teaching secondary science for 14 years across the UK. In that time I have taught a range of different specifications for GCSE and A-level, including AQA, Edexcel and OCR. I teach many aspects across the curriculum, teaching science to KS3 students in years 7-9, chemistry, biology and physics for GCSE combined science, chemistry single science GCSE and I currently teach chemistry to A-level and I have previously taught biology to A-level also. In my 14years teaching I have held a range of different roles throughout school, including KS3 science coordinator, head of chemistry and a head of year for both sixth form and lower school. I have also taken on the role of examiner and examined exam papers for multiple national examination boards.This has given me a great insight into how to prepare students for examinations, imparting little tips and tricks along the way to help improve exam technique and gaining maximum marks- my first tip is always don't write in tiny handwriting, it is incredibly difficult to see on a screen and you may lose marks if what you have written can't be made out!

I pride myself on my ability to teach across a range of abilities, being able to acknowledge the difficulties that some students have accessing science/chemistry as well as being able to challenge those who find it a little easier. Having taught for many years I have developed many approaches to teaching depending on the student(s) sat in front of me. I enjoy helping and seeing students build their confidence with my support. I am rigorous in my approach to get the best out of the students I teach. I will not stop until I am sure they fully understand the topic, even if that means asking and reasking the same question! If we have to go through the topic again then that's what we do! It doesn't matter how many times we need to do it or how many ways we approach it it's my job to help you get to where you need to be! I am personable and reassuring, encouraging my students to tell me if the don’t understand the lesson or the question in order to help best prepare them. No question is ever stupid if it helps you "get it".