I am a qualified physics and mathematics teacher and an experienced tutor with a PGCE in Physics with Mathematics and a PhD in theoretical physics.

I have worked as a mathematics and physics tutor for KS3, KS4, and KS5 students of all levels for over 7 years, and as a school teacher for 2 years.

I am familiar with the exam boards Edexcel IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE and in both GCSE and A-Level: Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR (including Level 3 FSMQ Additional Maths).

All my tutees have achieved their target grades or grades above the initially predicted ones.

I am passionate about physics and mathematics, I enjoy teaching, and I have a genuinely positive and encouraging attitude towards one`s aspirations and wishes.

I put an emphasis on a deep understanding of each concept, theory, method, and observation, dissolving misconceptions, as well as acquiring and mastering technical skills. I am thorough in teaching, and besides explaining everything clearly I also provide and walk with the student through the necessary material – usually in the form of slides, interactive questions and quizzes, simulations, notes, problems, exam practice papers and past papers – for a solid understanding through assimilation of the ideas as well as practice. Problem-solving methods are discussed and explained, not only as to how a problem is solved, but also why it’s solved that way: this helps the student understand the maths and science behind the problem better, as well as develop their critical and analytical abilities that will help them tackle any other problem in maths and science as well as in life in general.

I encourage questioning, not hesitating to raise unclear points, individuality in thinking and working, having an inquisitive and creative mind, and being good friends and generosity with working time. My particular planning and delivery of the tutorials depend on the individual student’s current motivation, needs, and knowledge, as well as the particular content of the topic that is taught. I also often discuss with the student ways to learn as well as study. True learning and understanding has a multifaceted nature.

For online lessons (single or group), I use an interactive platform where I as well as the student can write on the lesson slides, so we can answer questions, write derivations and make clarifications in writing. The platform also allows for online interactive simulations that bring theory to life. This platform is also used for in-person sessions for faster responses and a more stimulating and interactive lesson. For group tutorials at home, I utilise a physical whiteboard in my living room on which both I and the students can write, in addition to slides presented on a screen. In all cases, the whole lesson is available for revision as a pdf file after each session.

I believe that everyone has the potential to reach their aims, and I always do my utmost so that this will happen for each one of my students.

Some of the feedback I have received:

"Thank you so much for teaching me this year; you have been a tremendous help and I can`t thank you enough for giving me the confidence and wisdom to excel in Maths + Physics."

"Just to let you know I got my GCSE results today and was delighted as I got an 8 in maths. This was really down to your excellent tutoring and support."

"We’d like to thank you for your help & support over the last year with _{__} she has gained confidence & clarity & really enjoys the sessions."

"You are an amazing tutor and it really made me feel more confident."

"Just wanted to let you know that _{__} got a Grade 7 in maths - she is over the moon!!"

"Thank you very much for your help and support over the last months. I have really found it useful and I have loved the lessons - I really have learnt a lot."

"Just wanted to thank you for helping me achieve the 7 in Maths that I got today.

I’m really pleased and very grateful for your help - I don’t think I would have achieved a 7 without it."

"Just wanted to let you know I got a 5!! Thank you so much for all your help through the lead up to the exams."

"Enjoying a mix of GCSE physics and maths tutoring. Explains concepts well, plans appropriate lessons, follows up with notes and homework. And is encouraging me to develop problem solving skills

Highly recommend"

"Helping my daughter with GCSE maths. My daughter is already feeling more confident and has taken to on-line lessons well. Only been a few weeks but we would definitely recommend Smaragda."

"Afer 3 lessons we are very satisfied with Smaragda. My son likes her and the most important he understand her tutoring and he enjoys doing math."

"I`m very pleased with the progress of my daughter thanks to Smara. Smara is very patient and outstanding as a teacher.

Thank you Smara."

"Smara has been working with son who has autism which means he finds it very difficult to engage in tasks and can be very challenging. Smara works brilliantly with him however and has managed to engage him to the extent that he is doing really well and making good progress. I would highly recommend Smara."

"I really enjoyed Smaragda’s AS physics tutorials and she was very clear with her explanations. I would definitely recommend her to my friends as she was friendly and I wasn’t afraid to ask her questions. She made herself available via email almost 24/7 for assistance if and when I required it. She accommodated my learning style very well with her broad subject knowledge and I really enjoyed every Monday! Smaragda also set relevant homework questions which reinforced my learning from tutorials. I have just done my exams and I feel confident I have done the best I can with her support. Thank you, Smara!! :) "

"Excellent tutor, very organised and clear."

"Very friendly, enthusiastic and reliable."