Weekly Masterclasses for AQA or OCR A
AQA YR12 - 5.15pm Tuesdays
AQA YR13 - 6.30pm Wednesdays
OCR A YR12 - 5.15pm Wednesdays
OCR A YR13 - 6.30pm Tuesdays
Booking open for 2025-26 academic year
“The focus the sessions have on understanding biological concepts and how to correctly answer past paper questions has really helped me. Through actively attending the group tutoring sessions my Biology grades are quickly improving from Cs to As. ”
How it works
Join a group of students from your year group and your exam board for a different topic each week. We go through the theory and look at how to apply it to the exam questions for top marks.
Every lesson is recorded (students are not on screen), so you can stream lesson for notes, revision or if you just want to go through a particular part again.
The class is interactive due to the use of simple online tools, which ensure active learning but avoid students having to talk in front of the group or otherwise be put on the spot.
Students answer written exam questions in every lesson. You are welcome to ask questions!
There are typically 6-12 students in each class.
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We cover a different topic every week.
We go through the content and practise answering of exam questions that might come up, and I show you how best to approach these to avoid dropping any marks.Having separate classes for different exam boards means we can do lots of exam practice using past paper questions from your board, with content, guidance and tips focused on the exact requirements and quirks of your specification.
Having separate classes for different year groups means the students are working at a similar level, and I can set the topics to align with the order you are likely to be studying these in your school or college.
I use a variety of simple interactive tools to create an active learning environment. These let me see your responses without you having to screenshare or talk on screen. My Masterclasses are not passive lectures - you will get a lot more out of the experience, with deeper and more effective learning.
Be prepared to actively engage with the topic, and to give your brain a good workout!
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Yes ! You are welcome to come to a trial lesson (not free) to see if group classes suit you. If you want to continue (almost all do), you will automatically be enrolled in the class, if you are away then I will put the recording in your video showcase so you can catch up later.
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Definitely ! It is great when students ask questions. Either type them in the chat or raise a (virtual) hand in Zoom.
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You will have to answer questions by writing answers as that is how you are examined ! You handwrite or type your responses on an online whiteboard so I can see and correct your responses. I am the only person who can see your answers.
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The session runs in “focus mode” in Zoom so I can see you and you can see me, but students can’t see each other. It really helps my teaching if I can see you !
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Yes ! Please come and try out a lesson. Find out if the style of learning is for you.
You book through the online booking system (it is a trial lesson not a free lesson)
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No. When you book, the appointment software stores your card details and does not take payment in advance. After the lesson the card is charged. If your plans change later in the year and you no longer need to be enrolled in the class you can just cancel and you will not be charged.
Group class reviews
Hi Tom, I got A* and met my offer for Oxford, thank you so much for all of your help !! Isabelle - AQA 2024 - Group lessons
Sara got A* in biology and offered a place to do medicine. Once again thanks for all the help in biology ! Sara AQA 2024 - Group lessons
Cassy did very well. She had an A in biology, short of only 3 marks to get an A* Thank you so much for all the support. - OCR A 2024 - Group lessons
I would like to thank Tom for all the support he gave me during my A level Biology course. I achieved an A in my A level Biology exam. The A level Biology group lessons were very informative. Along with the information provided in the lesson, Tom used active recall to test us on our knowledge and engaged us in the lesson which deepened my understanding and retention of A level Biology concepts. Furthermore, when we answered long question types we would use an interactive whiteboard to answer the questions, and he would regularly check our work and provide areas of improvement for our answers. Thank you so much Tom for all your support during my A level Biology course and exam. Cassy - OCR A 2024 Group lessons
Thank you so much for your help Tom. With your help I was able to achieve a grade that i didn’t know would be achievable for me. Thank you:)) Highly recommend - Vongai OCR A 2024 Group lessons
The lessons were concise and efficient and really helped solidify key areas of OCR A-Level biology that were weak points in my knowledge. The tutoring sessions took me from a predicted D/E to a final B grade in my 2024 A - level results, helping me secure my firm place university choice - Jack OCR A 2024 Group lessons
Hi Tom, I get a B in my exam. Best I’ve ever gotten so very happy. Thank you for all you help :) - Elizabeth OCR A 2024 Group lessons
I achieved an A thanks to your help and am requesting a review of marking as I was only a few marks below the boundary for A* - Rasan AQA 2024 - Group lessons
I got a B! Got my place at Uni. Thankyou for all your help! Tilly AQA 2024 Group lesson
Hello Tom! Thank you very much for your message. I did amazing, I got a B!! I'm very, very happy about it, this is what I need for uni💪 Your lessons and videos helped me a lot, without you I would have done much, much worse. Your explanations were always very clear, so that even the most complex part of the syllabus seemed obvious to understand. You are a wonderful teacher, I'm very grateful for your help!! I'm going back to Poland soon, I'll try again to post a review for you on Google. Thank you very, very much!!
Kaja - Group lesson OCR A 2024
Thank you so much for the tutoring! I managed to get a B today in biology, and able to get into my firm choice university. - Jack OCR A Group lessons
“I personally struggle a lot with A level Biology, however the way that Tom describes and explains each topic has made it very easy for me to understand and I have been seeing improvements already in my results. Tom always makes sure that the following lesson is a topic that all students in the group are wanting to cover to make it relevant to us. He is always happy to help when needed and was able to provide me with a huge amount of practice questions prior to one of my exams. I am also very grateful that Tom goes over how to correctly answer exam questions in the tutor group and allows us to interact and write answers for him to check in the moment.”
“The classes last an hour, you may think not very long, but Tom packs a phenomenal amount of information into a comparatively short session. These are zoom classes, there isn’t any complicated tech involved and Tom is very approachable after class.”
“The focus the sessions have on understanding biological concepts and how to correctly answer past paper questions has really helped me. Through actively attending the group tutoring sessions my Biology grades are quickly improving from Cs to As. I would recommend the A level Biology group tutoring sessions to any student needing that extra push and guidance (like myself) to achieve the best grade possible in A level Biology.”
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you I was getting D in year 12 Bio but I got an A your lessons were fantastic and perfect detail 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻”
“I was sceptical about the online sessions but he’s got everything sorted to make it a smooth session. 10/10 would recommend. ”
“I’ve found Tom’s biology tutoring immensely helpful. His sessions are engaging and interactive, and he covers each topic in detail, followed by practice exam questions, to ensure understanding.”
“Hi :) I got an A in Biology and a place at my firm uni York!! Thank you so much for all your help I’m so greatful!!”
OCR Y12 Wednesdays at 5:15 PM
June 2025
18 June Classification and Taxonomy (a-c)
25 June Evolution (d-f): Evolution and the evidence for Evolution by Natural Selection, Variation;
July 2025
1st July Tuesday (6:30pm) Evolution (h-i) Adaptations; Mechanisms of Evolution; and implications
September 2025
24 Sep – 2.1.1 (a–g) Cell structure
October 2025
1 Oct – 2.1.2 (f) Water and inorganic ions
8 Oct – 2.1.2 (a–e) Microscopy, magnification, and resolution
15 Oct – 2.1.2 (g) Carbohydrates
22 Oct – 2.1.2 (h) Lipids and phospholipids
November 2025
5 Nov – 2.1.2 (i) Proteins
12 Nov – 2.1.2 (j) Food tests, colorimetry, calibration curves, chromatography
19 Nov – 2.1.4 (a–d) Enzymes and reaction rates
26 Nov – 2.1.5 (a–b) Plasma membranes and transport
December 2025
3 Dec – 2.1.5 (c), 2.1.4 (e–f) Osmosis, enzyme inhibitors and cofactors
10 Dec – 2.1.3 (a–c) Nucleotides and DNA replication
17 Dec – 2.1.3 (d–f) Protein synthesis
January 2026
7 Jan – 2.1.6 (a–e) Cell cycle and mitosis
14 Jan – 2.1.6 (f) Meiosis
21 Jan – 2.1.6 (g) Cell specialisation and differentiation
28 Jan – 2.1.6 (h–i) Stem cells and therapeutic uses
February 2026
4 Feb – 3.1.1 (a–b) Transport in animals – Blood vessels and tissue fluid
11 Feb – 3.1.1 (c) The cardiac cycle
25 Feb – 3.1.1 (d) Electrical activity of the heart and ECGs
March 2026
4 Mar – 3.1.1 (e) Carriage of oxygen and carbon dioxide
11 Mar – 3.1.2 (a–b) Gas exchange in humans
18 Mar – 3.1.2 (c) Gas exchange in plants, insects, fish and spirometers
25 Mar – 4.1.1 (a–c) Communicable diseases – types, transmission, plant defences
April 2026
1 Apr – 4.1.1 (d–e) Barriers to infection, inflammation and phagocytes
8 Apr – 4.1.1 (f–g) Specific immune response and antibodies
15 Apr – 4.1.1 (h–i) Immune cell activation, clonal selection, plasma cells
22 Apr – 4.1.1 (j–l) Immunity, autoimmunity, vaccination programs
29 Apr – 3.1.3 (a–b) Transport in plants – Xylem and transpiration
May 2026
6 May – 3.1.3 (c–e) Potometers, phloem, xerophytes, hydrophytes
13 May – 4.2.1 (a–b) Biodiversity – levels and sampling
20 May – 4.2.1 (c–e) Species richness, Simpson’s Index, genetic diversity
27 May – 4.2.1 (f–h) Human impact, agriculture, conservation
June 2026
3 Jun – 4.2.2 (a–c) Classification and taxonomy
10 Jun – 4.2.2 (d–f) Evolution and natural selection
17 Jun – 4.2.2 (h–i) Adaptations and mechanisms of evolution
24 Jun – Revision / practical skills or paper walkthrough
“I joined Tom’s lessons in Year 13, a few months before my Biology A-level exams. His sessions helped me understand the topics much better. He covered both the details and the most crucial information. I was impressed by the amount of knowledge he could squeeze into an hour-long session. Thanks to his lessons, I felt confident during my exams. Thank you very much, Tom!”
OCR Y13 Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
September 2025
16 Sep – 5.2.1 (a–d) Photosynthesis – chloroplasts, pigments, light-dependent stage
23 Sep – 5.2.1 (e–h) Photosynthesis – light-independent stage, Calvin cycle, limiting factors
30 Sep – 5.1.1 (a–c) Communication and Homeostasis – Part 1
October 2025
7 Oct – 5.1.1 (d–f) Communication and Homeostasis – Part 2
14 Oct – 5.2.2 (a–c) Respiration – glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle
21 Oct – 5.1.4 (a–c) Hormonal Communication – Part 1
November 2025
4 Nov – 5.2.2 (d–g) Respiration – Part 2 (oxidative phosphorylation, chemiosmosis, anaerobic, RQ)
11 Nov – 5.1.4 (d–e) Hormonal Communication – Part 2
18 Nov – 5.1.4 (f–g) Excretion and the liver (incl. diabetes)
25 Nov – 5.1.4 (h–i) Kidneys – Part 1 (structure, nephron, function)
December 2025
2 Dec – 5.1.4 (j–l) Kidneys – Part 2 (osmoregulation, dialysis, urine testing)
9 Dec – 5.1.3 (a–d) Nerves – Part 1 (neurone structure, resting/action potentials)
16 Dec – 5.1.3 (e–g) Nerves – Part 2 (synapses and transmission)
January 2026
6 Jan – 5.1.5 (a–c) Animal responses (brain, reflexes, nervous system organisation)
13 Jan – 5.1.5 (d) Meiosis recap and muscle structure
20 Jan – 5.1.5 (e–f) Inheritance: monohybrid, dihybrid, linkage
27 Jan – 6.1.2 (c–d) Chi-squared and t-test
February 2026
3 Feb – 6.3.1 (a–d) Succession, distribution, and abundance
10 Feb – 5.1.5 (l) Muscle contraction
24 Feb – 6.1.1 (a–c) Cellular Control – mutations, gene regulation
March 2026
3 Mar – 6.1.3 (a–b) Manipulating Genomes – DNA & gene sequencing
10 Mar – 6.1.3 (c–e) DNA profiling, PCR, gene analysis
17 Mar – 6.1.2 (e–f) Evolution, Hardy-Weinberg
24 Mar – 6.1.2 (g–h) Speciation and artificial selection
31 Mar – 6.1.3 (f–g) Gene therapy, cloning
April 2026
7 Apr – 6.1.3 (h) Genetic engineering
14 Apr – 5.1.5 (g–j) Plant responses (a–d)
21 Apr – 6.3.2 (a–b) Populations and sustainability – size, interactions
28 Apr – 6.3.2 (c–e) Conservation, preservation, and management
May 2026
5 May – 6.3.1 (e) The nitrogen cycle
12 May – 6.3.3 (a–b) Biotechnology – microorganisms
19 May – 5.1.5 (k) Plant responses (e–f)
26 May – 6.3.1 (f–h) Ecosystems and biomass transfer
AQA Y13 Wednesdays at 6:30pm
September 2025
10 Sep – 3.4.5 Species and taxonomy
17 Sep – 3.4.6 Biodiversity within a community
24 Sep – 3.4.7 Investigating diversity
October 2025
1 Oct – 3.5.1 Photosynthesis – Part 1
8 Oct – 3.5.1 Photosynthesis – Part 2
15 Oct – 3.6.1.1 Survival and response
22 Oct – 3.5.2 Respiration – Part 1
November 2025
5 Nov – 3.5.3 Energy and ecosystems
12 Nov – 3.5.2 Respiration – Part 2
19 Nov – 3.5.4 Nutrient cycles
26 Nov – 3.6.1.2 Receptors
December 2025
3 Dec – 3.6.1.3 Control of heart rate
10 Dec – 3.6.2.1 Nerve impulses (neurones, resting & action potentials, propagation, saltatory conduction)
17 Dec – 3.6.2.2 Synaptic transmission (summation, inhibitory synapses, drugs)
January 2026
7 Jan – 3.6.4.1 Principles of homeostasis and negative feedback
14 Jan – 3.6.3 Skeletal muscles
21 Jan – 3.6.4.2 Control of blood glucose concentration and diabetes
28 Jan – 3.6.4.3 Control of blood water potential – Part 1
February 2026
4 Feb – 3.6.4.3 Control of blood water potential – Part 2
11 Feb – 3.7.1 Inheritance – Part 1
25 Feb – 3.7.1 Inheritance – Part 2
March 2026
4 Mar – 3.7.2 Populations and Hardy-Weinberg
11 Mar – 3.7.3 Evolution may lead to speciation
18 Mar – 3.7.4 Populations in ecosystems (including succession)
25 Mar – 3.8.1 Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA and effects on proteins
April 2026
1 Apr – 3.8.2.1 & 3.8.2.2 Non-coding DNA / Regulation of transcription and translation (incl. stem cells)
8 Apr – 3.8.2.3 Gene expression and cancer, 3.8.3 Using genome projects
15 Apr – 3.8.4.1 Recombinant DNA technology
22 Apr – 3.8.5 & 3.8.6 Probes and DNA fingerprinting
29 Apr – Stats tests, P values, standard deviations, range, averages
May 2026
6 May – Maths Questions and Magnification
13 May – Evaluation Questions
20 May – Extended Response Question Practice
AQA Y12 Tuesdays at 5:15 PM
September 2025
30 Sep – 3.2.1.1 Structure of eukaryotic cells
October 2025
7 Oct – 3.2.1.2 Structure of prokaryotic cells and of viruses
14 Oct – 3.2.1.3 Methods of studying cells
21 Oct – 3.1.6, 3.1.7, 3.1.8 Water and inorganic ions
November 2025
4 Nov – 3.1.1, 3.1.2 Monomers, polymers and carbohydrates
11 Nov – 3.1.3 Lipids and phospholipids
18 Nov – 3.1.2, 3.1.3 Food tests and calibration curves (applied molecule Qs)
25 Nov – 3.2.3 Transport across cell membranes
December 2025
2 Dec – 3.2.3 Osmosis
9 Dec – 3.1.4.1 General properties of proteins
16 Dec – 3.1.4.2 Many proteins are enzymes
January 2026
6 Jan – 3.1.5.1, 3.1.6 Structure of DNA and RNA, ATP
13 Jan – 3.1.5.2 DNA replication
20 Jan – 3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
27 Jan – 3.2.4 Cell recognition and the immune system
February 2026
3 Feb – 3.2.4 HIV and monoclonal antibodies
10 Feb – 3.3.1, 3.3.2 SA:V, gas exchange in insects and fish
24 Feb – 3.3.2 Gas exchange in humans
March 2026
3 Mar – 3.3.3 Digestion and absorption
10 Mar – 3.3.4.1 Mass transport in animals – Circulatory system & tissue fluid
17 Mar – 3.3.4.1 The heart and cardiac cycle
24 Mar – 3.3.4.1 Haemoglobin and the Bohr shift
31 Mar – 3.3.4.2 Mass transport in plants – Xylem and potometers
April 2026
21 Apr – 3.3.4.2 Phloem – Mass flow hypothesis
28 Apr – 3.4.1 DNA, genes and chromosomes
May 2026
5 May – 3.4.2 DNA and protein synthesis
12 May – 3.4.3 Genetic diversity – mutations and meiosis
19 May – 3.4.4 Genetic diversity and adaptation