A bit about Sarah N

I've always been a bit of a science nut and just love learning. I have worked in a few different industries (forensics and hospitality to name two), so I tend to come at teaching from a different angle than most. Being a mum of two teenagers, I also excel at helping my students grasp some of the more difficult concepts by relating them to their daily lives. My main area of scientific interest is Physics, though I am fascinated by science in general and have taught Physics, Chemistry and Biology GSCE. The majority of my recent teaching is the delivery of all three sciences to GCSE (combined and triple). My lessons will usually start with finding out what my students already know and understanding how they approach their learning. We then move on to covering the information in the way that suits them and applying what we've just learned. Giving the student the time and space to understand the concept and helping them discover the next step in their learning is easily my favourite part of teaching. I have been teaching since 2018 and tutoring since May 2020 although I have primarily been a classroom teacher since retraining. I made the switch to become a full time tutor to give me a better work life balance. I also discovered that I really loved working one to one with students, I can focus entirely on them making sure they get exactly what they need. I love when a student starts to see the world in a different way - when things they have always seen, and thought they knew, become mind blowing when they understand the science behind them. Watching a class of students see the impact different colours of light have when they interact is always one of my favourite lessons! I like a fun, interactive lesson - lots of questions and giving just enough information to help the student find that next step. As much as I love explaining a concept I love seeing how a students mind works with the information, so questions and discussions are key to how I teach. So far one of my favourite questions has been 'So if everything is made of elements - what elements are in a bacon cheese burger?' I love working one to one with students. Developing a relationship that allows a students to feel comfortable asking questions and giving answers that they may not have the confidence to in a classroom setting is important to me. I love the moment you see a student grow a few inches when they know they understand a concept they've found difficult. Learning is a individual process - once the key to how a student thinks and learns is clear the sky is the limit. But mostly learning should be fun and relatable. Science is in every moment of our lives a basic understanding of how the world works can make you look at everything just a little differently. I love to make my students think differently about everyday things - especially if I can get them to laugh whilst they do. I will often use odd examples from their lives to help get a concept across - a heavy Christmas shopping trolley is usually my favorite when introducing the idea of inertia. Setting up a physics club for girls. Most girls are excellent at physics bringing a logical step by step process to the work, but unfortunately many lack confidence. Particularly if they think their answer is not 100% correct. Giving them a space to explore the ideas and concepts has given the girls that attended the club far more confidence which has carried over the classroom where they are giving the boys a run for their money! I hold an honours degree in Applied Science, a Masters in Forensic Science and PCGE and QTS. I have been teaching science in secondary schools since 2017 with a wide range of abilities including some quite specific SEN needs. Working as a scribe during exams in my children's schools I realised that I really wanted to be able to help them understand the work they were doing. It was incredibly hard not to prompt them during those exams! I have always loved learning and inspiring that love in others is an amazing feeling. I love to travel and try to find the best food wherever I end up. I always bring some kitchen tool or gadget back from where we end up. I have a peeler from Vietnam, salt & pepper pots from Barcelona, a ladle from Malaysia - I love having some thing from different places that I use all the time to remind me. When we aren't travelling I tend to be in the kitchen cooking up a storm, my latest challenge is American style BBQ! I have taught year 7 through to year 11. Covering the entire curriculum in both KS3 and KS4 (AQA) in all sciences. At GCSE level I have taught both combined and triple science.