You are welcome to contact me about tutoring:
by phone on 01202 759069;
by mobile phone on 0785 599 5157 or;
by email via duncan@poolesciencetutor.co.uk.

Swanage availability updated mid-January 2010:
Wednesday 16.00-17.00 £25

Poole and Bournemouth availability updated mid-January 2010: (Because I no longer have availability during the week in Poole or Bournemouth I have recently decided to make Saturdays available for tutoring.)
Saturday 09.00-10.00 taken
Saturday 11.00-12.00 £25
Saturday 13.00-14.00 taken every other week
Saturday 15.00-16.00 £25
Saturday 17.00-18.00 £25

Maths and Science are special subjects: Research has shown that these are subjects where tutoring can have a measureable impact on exam performance (ref: research at the Institute of Education). I agree with this and believe that my tutoring approach makes optimal use of the hour-long sessions. As the student and I work through questions and concepts (which the student chooses, or if they start running out of problems we can work through model exam questions) I do not act as "expert"... instead I share good exam technique and skills and we work as a team (this means they are learning that improved Maths/Science performance is a learnable skill and not something magic). Typically I will guide them to a partial answer using their existing knowledge, explain that we've already got half the marks... and then use exam tricks to get extra marks. Finally, if I judge that the student can cope with the extra information I will spend 5 minutes-or-so improvising some extra questions that will build their knowledge... then return to the original question and let them try again (when they would typically then get 100%).

About me: I have experience of learning, researching, teaching and marking exam papers in Maths and Science. Twelve years ago I completed my PhD in Applied Physics. I then worked as a Senior Research Associate and Civil Servant doing research in Mathematics/Environmental Science. I then spent 5 or 6 years travelling (and doing some teaching along the way, mainly in Environmental Science including work for the Forestry Commission and Marwell Conservation Education Centre... places where I had to teach to a high standard and also run commercially viable, fun and enjoyable lessons). I am now settled in Bournemouth and working on a self-employed basis. I can accept payments by credit/debit card, Paypal, cheque or cash. I don't have a flash website, but I'm happy to spend time answering all your questions. I do not charge for travel if it fits in reasonably with my other bookings. I may make a small (at cost) charge for travel if necessary.