I have a PhD in Environmental Engineering/Geochemistry and I am passionate about teaching geosciences, geography, and natural sciences to the next generation, and getting people interested in STEM subjects.
I currently teach Geography (and eventually Geology) at a Sixth Form college, so while I may have limited availability, I invite anyone who is self-motivated and interested in excelling to get in contact with me.
Recent Students: 8 |
Total Hours: 1925 |
Last Online: |
All-time Students: 64 |
Total Classes: 1705 |
Signed Up: |
Recent Students: 8 | Total Hours: 1925 | Last Online: |
All-time Students: 64 | Total Classes: 1705 | Signed Up: |
I have a BSc (Hons) degree in Earth Sciences from University of Glasgow, and an MSc (with distinction) degree in Hydrogeology from University of Birmingham. I completed my PhD in Environmental Geochemistry, where I researched how Fe-bearing minerals help clean up pollutants in the subsurface. During my PhD I taught both undergraduate and masters students fundamental chemistry, physics, and maths to get them caught up to an appropriate level for Earth and Environmental Sciences. I have recently been award my PGCE in Secondary Geography with Qualified Teacher Status between ages 11-18.
Outside work, I enjoy cooking and baking (my family keep telling me to apply to Bake Off but I'd rather not), music, hill-walking around the North West of England, and playing the occasional game on sale on Steam. I also have a cat called Max, he likes to play/bite my hand.
I have been tutoring online since 2020, and have spent a lot of time developing resources to help students improve their science understanding, as well as constantly reflecting on strategies to make an enjoyable learning environment. The vast majority of my tutoring has been for students seeking help with IGCSE/GCSE Science, as well as some A Level Environmental Science, Geology, and Chemistry.
I am currently a teacher at a Sixth Form College teaching Geography, and planning to teach A Level Geology from 2025. Currently I teach the Edexcel A Level Geography specification to both Year 12 and Year 13 students, and teach both human and physical geography topics (tectonics; coasts; water and carbon cycles; globalisation; regenerating places; superpowers; migration, identity, and sovereignty). All of the A level specifications have some crossover content, and the style of writing required to achieve higher levels for essays is also similar. I also have experience with examining for AQA GCSE Geography (Paper 2 Human geography).
Prior to online tutoring, I regularly taught and demonstrated during my PhD studies to undergraduate and masters level students. In 2022 I worked as an in-house science tutor at a UK high school.
I believe it is my job to get you where you want to be, and hopefully by the end of each lesson you will come away feeling like you have an improved understanding of something you were struggling with, or perhaps even learnt something new by getting a head start in topics you've yet to cover in school. Whatever your needs are, I try and tailor my lessons to best suit you!
I am happy to tutor on the following subjects:
GCSE/IGCSE: Geography, Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Double Award Science (IGCSE or GCSE)
A Level: Geography, Geology
I have been in tutoring for nearly 3 years, started at GCSE after changing curriculum and getting Es in my mocks, now I am on track to finishing A-level physics with an A*, all due to tutoring.
was just amazing
James is a very good teacher. Always answering questions even out of classes, and giving high support to my son in his Chemistry A Level. Thank you very much!
My son is really enjoying James’ classes and says that he is the best Science teacher he ever had. He makes Science fun and super interesting.
helpful and welcoming
SAVE YOUR DAYLIGHT
James explained very clearly and helped me to confirm my understanding.
James is always available for any doubt. He has tought my son very well and he got an A in his AS last year. We are very grateful.
James is a great teacher, second year with my daughter now .. he is devoted and understanding .. he helped us a lot
perfect
"Hi James! You wouldn't believe what I got in chemistry... A NINE! It is crazy how I went from a 4 to a freaking 9! Thank you so so so much :) I hope you had a great summer and thank you again"
Katie is from the USA and was studying the Edexcel International GCSE chemistry specification. She went from working at a grade 4/5 initially and after several months of tutorials she gained a grade 9.
"James is a great tutor who I found for my daughter Freya who had been homeschooled and self taught for the last 3 years, to initially tutor Chemistry. Freya enjoyed his lessons so much and found James such a great help that he ended up tutoring her for Biology, Physics and Maths. Freya found James's teaching style perfect for her and his understanding of her needs helped to calm her nerves. He focused on exam preparation and she became more confident and as a result Freya achieved a Level 6 for Maths and two Level 7's for Science. I am very thankful to James and we are going to continue with his services for A Level Environmental Science for Freya. I would highly recommend James as a tutor." - Andrew, parent of Freya
Alice (CIE IGCSE Physics) - Alice moved country at the start of year 11, and as such had missed large parts of the CIE IGCSE Physics specification, and was working at a grade E. Alice had 2 lessons a week, and after 13 weeks felt confident with her physics, and wanted to get an A for her physics.
Alice received an A* grade for her IGCSE physics exam, and will be continuing with her physics studies for A level.
"Hi Dr James, we got our results back today and I got the maximum grade I could get for physics, thanks so much! I kinda wish I had studied extended now, but at least I have the grades now to move on to the next stage of my life. Thanks again, without your help I would never have passed"
Thomas is from South America and studied Cambridge IGCSE Physics (Core).
"Hi James, I found out my results today and I got a grade A in physics, I couldn't believe it was my 2nd highest exam mark! Thanks again for your help, as without it I would not have been able to get such a high mark. I'll definitely be recommending you to people in the year below if they are struggling with physics or chemistry"
Juan is from South America and studied Cambridge IGCSE Physics (Extended).
"Hi James……this is Abaantika (parent of Aashika). I just wanted to say a big thank you for helping Aashika reach this level of confidence within the short amount of time you have had with her. Aashika was so pleased with her mocks and the progress that she has made in Physics and Chemistry……even her teachers were pleasantly surprised…….Aashika never thought it was possible. So many thanks indeed and hope that you will continue to help her achieve even better results in her finals…..have a great weekend 🙏🙏💖💐"
Aashika studied the Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Science specification which awards her two IGCSEs. She gained two grade A's in her final exams, after initially working around a C/D level.
"If he wouldn't had found you, he wouldn't have achieved such good marks" - Elisa, parent of José
José is from Spain and gained two grade 9's in his Cambridge IGCSE Physics and Chemistry (both extended). He is currently studying Cambridge International A Level Chemistry, which I am also helping him with.
BSc (with Honours, 2:1) Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, 2013
MSc (with Distinction) Hydrogeology, University of Birmingham, 2015
PhD Environmental Geochemistry, Newcastle University, pass 2021
National Tutoring Programme (UK) School-Led Tutor Endorsement - this was a CPD course on delivering successful tuition in schools, 2022
PGCE with QTS (11-18) in Geography, pass 2024
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