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
Approach
How you can improve your grades
“Exceeded all expectations. From the first lesson i could hear my son saying “oh NOW I get it”
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
“Tom is an extremely capable tutor who is well worth the higher fees. He has been tutoring my daughter for A level Biology. She is enjoying the lessons with Tom and I am confident that he will help her achieve the A-A* she is targeting - reports from her school about how she has been doing in her homework tasks and tests shows that she is now heading confidently towards her target - so we are very pleased. Would highly recommend Tom for any biology students targeting the top grades.”
Experience
Yes I have done this before ….
“My eldest daughter has just started medicine. Tom helped her improve from a D to an A grade literally within months! So glad I found him.”
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.
“Tom has been an exceptional tutor who has supported my daughter in her application to study Medicine. He has been excellent in explaining content whilst maintaining a clear focus on the requirements of the exam board. As a teacher myself, I really appreciate Tom’s level of professionalism. He has always been friendly and reliable.”
One to One
A small change can have a huge effect
“Tom is an amazing Biology tutor and is the best teacher I have ever had. He explains topics in detail and always sends relevant revision material before the lesson which helps a lot. Tom has helped me discover the depths in Biology, and I really enjoy his lessons as he covers topics at a really good pace as well as explaining everything properly. I asked Tom to tutor me after I got a bad grade for my A-level and after having lessons with him, my biological knowledge has improved a lot!! Would highly recommend him. ”
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 are also available.
Why Online Works
The tools I use in online tutoring
“Tom is the ideal tutor. Doesn’t rush through anything until he’s sure you’ve understood it. I was sceptical about the online sessions but he’s got everything sorted to make it a smooth session. 10/10 would recommend ”
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
“Tom is easy-going and fun, and under pressure, can explain half a term’s worth of topics in an hour. Online tutoring is the future and his use of a drawing tablet makes it seem as though he were a seat away from you. If it wasn’t clear from this ringing endorsement, 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.”
“Tom was crucial in my A-Level campaign, He has an incredible knowledge of the course. Unlike many other tutors, he supplies extra resources, which have a huge impact on your learning. I have greatly benefited from Tom and highly recommend him.”
Starting Tutoring
Taking the first steps
“Tom has been an exceptional tutor who has supported my daughter in her application to study Medicine. He has been excellent in explaining content whilst maintaining a clear focus on the requirements of the exam board. As a teacher myself, I really appreciate Tom’s level of professionalism. He has always been friendly and reliable.””
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.
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
AQA Y13 - 6.30pm Weds
OCR A Y12 - 5.15pm Weds
OCR A Y13 - 6.30pm Tues
“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. ”
Outstanding A level Tutors
(for other subjects)
A level Tutors for Maths, Chemistry, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Economics, Business Studies, Environmental Studies, GSCE Maths or Science
If you also need high-quality, experienced tutors for other subject then please get in touch.
All tutors are current (or very recent) A-level teachers in an “Outstanding” Sixth Form College, and most have been examiners. All have many years of A level teaching experience. I have worked with all the tutors and know them personally.
“Feedback From Carolyn Rich
Feedback given: 18/06/2023
Rating: 5/5
Tom has been brilliant with my son and has really helped him with his understanding of the A level course. He is excellent at explaining things and builds knowledge around topics so my son has a greater understanding of the concept. He has lots of additional resources too, which my son has found really useful.
Tom also videos the sessions which are then available to view afterwards. My son is dyslexic and so prefers revising from videos and visual material rather than books and so has found this invaluable as he prepares for his exams. The videos are all clearly labelled with the topics they covered so he could go back and use them again and again,
And from a parent perspective, Tom is incredibly organised with the sessions which makes life easier. Dates are booked in in advance, links and reminders are sent automatically and he invoices at the end of the month which saves you from having to remember to pay in advance each week.
Would really recommend Tom to anyone who needs help with biology A level. My son has made a huge amount of progress and has grown in confidence over the sessions which has made an impact on his grades.”