Online A level Biology Tutor
OCR, AQA, Eduqas,CIE, IAL
★★★★★ Outstanding feedback: 70+ reviews, all 5 stars ★★★★★
“Tom made a big difference to my results and my Biology, and I hope he has the chance to do the same for many more” - Lukas (Eton College)
Current A level Biology teacher
26 years experience teaching exclusively A level Biology
OCR A, AQA, Eduqas, CIE and IAL
Recently tutored students from:
Eton College, Bradfield College, UCS Hampstead, Cheltenham Ladies College, Winchester College, Westminster School, St. Paul’s School, Whitgift School, St Swithun’s School, Benenden School, St. Paul’s Girls School, Wycombe Abbey School, Emanuel School Battersea, North London Collegiate School, Oundle School, Rugby School, Colchester Royal Grammar School, St. Benedicts Ealing, St. Peter York, St Marys’ Calne, Brentwood School, Eastbourne College, Concord College, New English School of Kuwait, Leysin American School (Switzerland), King Edwards Southampton, Royal Grammar School Guildford, Reading School, Kingswood School, Eltham College, Harris Westminster Sixth Form, Barton Peveril, Alton College, Portsmouth Grammar School, Godolphins, Oxford International College, Chesham Grammar, Cardiff Sixth Form Centre, Collingham College, Duff Miller Tutorial College, The John Lyon School, Cranleigh School (Abu Dhabi), Oxford Sixth Form College.
How I can help
A-level Biology exam questions test understanding and application more than factual recall. For this reason, many students find it a big change from what they were comfortable with at GCSE.
Students need to understand why and how a biological process is occurring, rather than trying to rote-learn the steps
After a full explanation of the concepts underpinning a topic, I go through past paper questions and explore what the question is really about, how it relates to the theory, and how to phrase the answer for full credit
I emphasise links to other parts of the specification and encourage students to think synoptically and apply their knowledge to explaining data
Introducing me and my teaching
I read Biology at Sheffield University, followed by a Masters degree in Genetic Engineering at UEA. After working in research, I did a PGCE and then began teaching A level Biology in Sixth Form Colleges.
I teach exclusively A level Biology, at a top sixth-form college. The Biology department is grade 1, as were my lessons in the most recent OFSTED.
My classes have achieved in the top 1% of national A level Biology sixth-form college classes for value-added results. Many students have achieved full marks in exams.
I have specialised in solely teaching A level Biology for over 26 years, and started tutoring online in 2012.
Pre-tutorial notes help preparation
Post-tutorial materials allow the student to recap the lesson
Individual, one-to-one tutorials allow high levels of interaction and focus on individual students’ needs.
During the lesson I explain and annotate the notes and slides, discuss relevant exam questions with markschemes and use the whiteboard to illustrate and build up concepts. Students can upload exam questions they found difficult and we discuss how they should have approached them.
Every lesson is recorded, and stored in a password protected “showcase”. Students often comment that they find these videos a really valuable resource for note taking and revision.
Students that I have tutored have improved from a D in the L6th exams to an A and from a C to an A*.
My explanation of concepts and going through exam questions helped, but more important was their change in approach to learning and taking greater responsibility for their grades.
As a current college teacher of just A level Biology, I am very aware of the shift in emphasis and the different skills required for the current specification A levels.
One-to-one lessons are £180 for one hour.
Group lessons and video streaming options are also available.
I use an excellent web-conferencing program, where both parties can view and annotate notes, past papers and PowerPoints. It is an extremely effective tutoring tool. I use an interactive whiteboard to draw out and explain concepts.
Time is not wasted travelling and I have instant access to a huge range of exam questions, markschemes and teaching resources.
All tutorials are recorded and the video is shared with the student - this is extremely useful for recapping. I use an HD Webcam, a graphics tablet and video conferencing with a super-fast broadband connection.
Prior to the tutorial, I send out preparatory materials for the student to go through so that faster progress can be made.
Read more about online tutoring
Pick the slots that are best for you from the online calendar. If your plans change you can reschedule or cancel through the link in the confirmation email.
One-to-One Tuition
Most students book recurring weekly lessons. Booking ahead is highly recommended if you would like to keep a regular slot. You can book up to one year in advance. If you cannot find any times that suit you then send me a WhatsApp message and I will see if I can find a solution.
I do not offer free introductory lessons.
One to one lessons are £180 per lesson
Weekly Group Tuition
Small Group Masterclasses (£45/lesson)
Each Masterclass focuses on a different exam board (AQA or OCR A) and year group, allowing for detailed guidance and support. Participants can access video recordings of each class for later revision.
The topic-based group lessons include explanations and exam-question walk-throughs. I discuss common mistakes and misconceptions and explain how to approach exam questions to achieve top marks.
Interactive tools are used to ensure that all students actively engage with the material to maximise learning and retention. Students can ask questions at any time but are not required to speak on camera to the group.
There are four classes, divided by exam board (AQA or OCR) and year group.
AQA Y12 - 5.15pm Tues from 1st of October
AQA Y13 - 6.30pm Weds from 9th of October
OCR A Y12 - 5.15pm Weds 25th of September
OCR A Y13 - 6.30pm Tues from 8th of October
More information, a sample video, and reviews here
Group lessons are a great way to get a quality tutoring experience at a reduced rate. They are attended by a mix of one-to-one tutees and group-only students.
Get to grips with Osmosis, Gas Exchange in Humans (including Bohr Shift and Oxygen Dissociation Curves), Plant Transport (including Xylem and Phloem), and the Immune System. And much, much more.
A Level Biology Video Tutorials and Exam Guides
In response to requests from group lesson attendees, I offer streaming access to my large back-catalogue of topic-based lessons. Subscribe for access to 60 hours of tutorials that you can watch any time that suits, pausing and re-playing each video as often as you like. I also offer a series of OCR Exam Guides.
Find out more about video tutorials and exam walk-throughs here.
A level Tutors for Maths, Chemistry, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Economics
If you also need high-quality, experienced tutors for other A-level subjects, or for GCSE Science. Tutor fees from £75/hr.
All tutors are current (or very recent) A-level teachers in a Sixth Form College, and many have been examiners. All have a vast amount of A level teaching experience.
Find out more and book a tutor
Currently available:
A level Maths AQA,OCR. Edexcel
A level Further Maths (any board)
A level Economics OCR AQA
A level AQA Psychology
A level AQA Sociology
A level AQA Geography
A level Edexcel Geography
A level History
A level Politics
GCSE AQA Science Trilogy, Synergy or Biology
Book Your Place
Select ‘recurring’ to automatically select the same timeslot over multiple weeks (you can delete any individual dates that don’t suit).
If you cannot find any available times that work for you, send me WhatsApp message and I will find a solution.