GCSE, A level Maths and Further Maths and Oxbridge Entrance Exams, including STEP

GCSE 

I have taught Edexcel, OCR and AQA GCSE as well as Further Maths GCSE and iGCSE.  I firmly believe that all students can achieve a pass at GCSE with most students being capable of a grade 7 or more when their confidence improves.  When I work with students preparing for GCSE I focus on their understanding of why particular methods work with a particular focus on why incorrect methods don't.  It is not enough to tell a student their method is wrong, they must understand exactly why the method won't work in order to avoid making the same mistakes again.  I do not teach Maths by rote learning, I seek to improve confidence and ensure that I do not become a crutch for the student. 

A level

I have taught A level Maths and Further Maths for the last 15 years and I have experience of OCR A, OCR B (MEI) and Edexcel.  I have been an A level examiner for both Edexcel and OCR.  I have taught both Mechanics and Statistics, as well as Pure content, for Maths and Further Maths.  I am able to work with students of all abilities for both A levels across the whole specification. 

As with GCSE it is important that A level students spend time understanding why methods are incorrect or inappropriate.  It is not acceptable to tell a student that a method is wrong without a deep exploration of why.  My focus is always on confidence and independence so that students are able to handle unfamiliar questions in exam conditions.  I spend a lot of time working on exam technique and write clear mathematics, so the examiner can easily award the marks.  Examiners are not perfect and I teach students how to ensure they are presenting work clearly 

Oxbridge

Students who wish to apply to study Mathematics at Oxford or Cambridge require support.  Students applying to Oxford must perform well in the MAT (Maths Admissions Test) sat in November of year 13 and students offered a place to study Maths at Cambridge must pass STEP (Sixth term examination paper).  The MAT is a challenging paper where students answer 10 multiple choice questions followed by 4 longer answer questions.  STEP is an extremely challenging pair of papers (STEP II and STEP III) where students are marked on a maximum of 6 out of 13 questions.  Both papers require a lot of preparation as they are designed to separate the best from the very best.  Being a double A* A level Mathematician is simply not enough to do well in either paper.

In 2023 Cambridge made over 500 offers to sit Maths, following over 1500 applications, but only around 250 of those 500 students passed STEP.  This means that around half of the students who receive an offer to study Mathematics at Cambridge (after their interview) actually attend.  If you do not prepare for STEP it is very hard to pass.  Students can start preparing for STEP in year 12 if the questions are carefully chosen.  I have prepared dozens of students for STEP and I have an excellent knowledge of which questions are best to use at each stage of preparation.

In 2023 Oxford saw approximately 2700 applicants for Maths or a joint honours with Maths.  Of those 2700 students approximately 900 were invited to interview following the MAT exam and then approximately 300 offers were made.  MAT plays a big part in the application process.  In 2023 the mean mark of applicants in MAT was 51%, the mean mark of applicants invited to interview was 68% and the mean mark of applicants offered a place was 75%.  Students wishing to apply for Oxford should start preparing for the MAT as early as possible and certainly should be done in year 12.

Strategic Learning

We will focus on effective strategies to master the curriculum.  My approach is tailored to navigating the complexities of A level examinations with confidence.

Comprehensive Coverage

From algebra to calculus, we will cover essential topics, ensuring an holistic understanding of the syllabus.

Interactive and Engaging

The masterclasses are interactive sessions where students can ask questions, engage in problem-solving and participate in discussions.

Resources

Students will have access to a wide range of resources, including past papers, custom study materials and more.