Qualified Maths Teacher and Tutor for all ages and abilities up to GCSE.

Learn more about Jane

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  A Mathematician loves working through problems and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a page full of algebra or trigonometry! This has always been the case for me, and being able to help students with even a little bit of this is a true passion. Being able to help students who hate Maths and start to understand concepts that have always been alien to them; or supporting those targeting a top grade at GCSE through complex problems. Whoever the learner is I am driven to meet their requirements and support them to improve their Maths skills.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I have worked in Primary and Secondary schools so have taught all Maths topics from simple calculations to complex strategies. I love teaching most topics but a Mathematician loves numbers, symbols and patterns. Students struggle with long-worded questions, and I always have empathy with them. I show them strategies to overcome this and what key vocabulary to look for in questions.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I went to a very small primary school and so spent three years in a class with the same teacher. He was also the Headteacher of the school and gave us an amazing school experience academically and creatively. He encouraged my love for Maths but was very cross with me when I didn’t learn my times tables over the summer holidays. So, I learnt them ALL that night!! He has inspired me to make learning an important but fun experience to develop confidence.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I listen carefully to what students I tutor are saying or notice what they are struggling with. I will either quickly adjust the current lesson to meet their needs or make notes to cover those problems in the next lesson. My target is always to make students feel comfortable with me, so they are happy to communicate and inform me of what they want help with, and therefore build confidence. A thorough knowledge of school and exam expectations are also needed so targets can be met.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  My anecdotes all come from the amazing interactions, communications and reviews between my students and parents reporting on getting the top mark in class or most improved in year group. Here are some of those quotes and reviews:
  
  ‘Did India tell you about her Maths test? She was soooo happy.’
  
  ‘She (student) has become more confident and proficient with her Maths - she went into her exam believing she could actually pass GCSE and she did, achieving a Grade 5 for Foundation Maths!’
  
  ‘In a short time, she has done wonders for my son’s confidence and motivation to aim high in his GCSE Maths, partly because Jane is so quick to identify his weaknesses and support him in a way suited to my son’s style of learning.’
  
  ‘She was great at instantly winning her trust. Not bad considering my daughter is your typical 14 year old. She actually really looks forward to her Tuesday night lessons…..Wow!! No higher compliment than that! My daughter’s grades have since improved and her predicted GCSE score has already risen by 2 points.’

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Young people are very influenced by other people’s views on Maths. Their primary school teachers may not have loved the subject, their parents hated it at school, or their friends think it’s uncool. My aim in both the classroom and tutoring is to make it as accessible (and fun) as possible to change these opinions!

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I teach because I love supporting young people to build confidence in Maths (and every aspect of life). For me, having a young person who has previously hated Maths but then say that it is now their favourite subject (yes, that has happened a couple of times!) is incredibly rewarding. Encouragement, kindness and support go along way in building a strong learning environment.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I have been a teacher for over twenty years and also provided one-to-one Maths tuition for most of this time. I have worked with all ages, abilities, backgrounds and needs; and experience of working through a vast number of exam questions during this time (through tutoring and as an Examiner). The wide experience I have and dexterity of quickly being able to switch between different Maths topics and individual needs means I’m a Superprof!!