Introduction to A Level Maths - Tackling Key topics - Grade A/A* GCSE and above

I am a qualified mathematics teacher with 20 years’ experience. I have taught across the age range from 7 – 18 in a mixture of state and private/independent day and boarding schools and up until teaching online this last year, was employed full-time in an English International boarding school with responsibilities for teaching Maths across the curriculum in addition to teaching Cadets outdoor skills.

*My engaging and challenging lessons with Key Stage 2 were used to boost SAT preparation, selective secondary school entrance examinations, UKMT Maths Challenges and Private school taster days.

*I teach across Key Stage 3 and 4 preparing pupils for GCSE Higher and Foundation, as well as being responsible for the ‘Top Set’ and their progression onto AQA Further Maths and OCR Additional Maths Qualifications.

*At the senior age range (17/18), I teach the OCR MEI A Level syllabus throughout, including all Pure, Statistics and Mechanics. Working within an International Baccalaureate School, I teach the Diploma Programme of Maths, originally at the Maths Studies and Standard Level, however with the change, I am now wholly responsible for the teaching of the Applications & Interpretations Diploma course at both Standard and Higher Level.

I love the variety of subjects within maths that I teach and how they all can be applied outside the classroom for enjoyment and understanding, rather than for ‘exams’ sake. Teaching a broad array of ages, abilities, pupils with disabilities (visual and non-visual) makes every lesson unique and unpredictably enjoyable.

In addition to teaching mathematics, my love of outdoor pursuits had led be to become commissioned as an Officer of Cadets in the British Army. Over the last 15 years I have been promoted to the rank of Captain within our Infantry Unit, and hold numerable qualifications from Outdoor First Aid, Skill at Arms Instructor, through to Exercise Conducting Officer and Fieldcraft Educator. Within my timetable, I teach cadets weekly from the age of 14 – 18 through a variety of training programmes that include Fieldcraft, Map and Compass, Military tactics and other Cadet skills that help link together with our Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Outside of my teaching career, I am a father of nine home-schooled children. I provide support to my wife (who is an early years specialist teacher), with all of our children from the age of 2 to 17. As I have a more scientific education, I often take over with the KS2 topics of Science, Maths and Geography, as well as squeezing in outdoor skills and knowledge to fuel their thirst for adventure and excitement!

Whilst studying at University, I became heavily involved with Educational Summer Schools, in particular with NAGTY (National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth), in addition to the promotion of Further Education for those children from disadvantaged backgrounds. I also took my love for cycling one stage further by gaining a City and Guilds Diploma in cycle maintenance, which I used as a mechanic and still do to this day.