Oxford Science and Maths Tutors
ONE YEAR A-LEVEL COURSES
Our one year A-Level courses are designed to cover the subject completely from the beginning, and are suitable for students in a variety of situations. For instance students who want to retake all of their A-levels, but who have too much ground to make up, to do so in one term. Or students who have achieved poor AS level grades and want to make a fresh start elsewhere. In fact, because we cover the subject completely, it is not necessary for you to have studied it at A or AS level at all. However, we do ask that you have a good GCSE grounding in it, and some experience of A/AS level work, even if in a different subject.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The courses are similar to the one term retake courses but not as intense. Students are better able to absorb the material and master the subject, as time is taken to explain topics in depth and practice more questions. We believe there is no substitute for developing a comprehensive knowledge of the subject, together with sound exam technique. This is achieved through high quality tuition, regular practice and good study habits, as well as frequent testing and monitoring.
Students are taught through individual tuition and small classes. Our tutors are highly experienced. They have considerable expertise - both in their own subject and in communicating it to others. Small classes provide a stimulating interactive environment. Students are able to clarify points by discussion with each other as well as with the teacher. We use examiners reports, as well as our own experience, to identify general weaknesses and address these in class. Yet all students are different - and one to one tutorials are invaluable for focussing on individual difficulties.
EFFECTIVE STUDY
Knowledge is an essential prerequisite for success but, by itself, it is often not enough. Many potentially able candidates underachieve because they do not know how to study. They will open a book, for example, and flit from one topic to another without a coherent plan. They do not know how to take notes, organise their time, memorise facts, revise, use textbooks, write essays, and so on. When it comes to the examination, they will struggle to put the information they have absorbed, down on paper.
These aspects are very rarely addressed at school, and most students are not even aware of these deficiencies in themselves. The development of efficient study and revision methods and of exam technique are essential components of our courses. We will discuss and develop with each student a personalised study routine and revision timetable. These will be based on their own strengths and weaknesses, and regularly reviewed and updated in the light of their progress.