Nicola

I’ve always had a passion for chemistry, which made it the natural choice for my university studies. After completing my degree, I knew I wanted to go into teaching, but I decided to gain some real-world experience first. I spent four years working in the water treatment industry before completing my PGDE and becoming a qualified teacher. Since then, I’ve been teaching chemistry and also spent a year abroad teaching English, which broadened my skills and perspective.

Tutoring Experience

Since 2019, I have been delivering Chemistry at my school, developing a wide range of resources tailored to different teaching contexts. This includes in-person materials for classroom use, online resources during lockdown, and supplementary materials to support students’ independent learning. I have also led the development of adapted assessment materials based on past papers, providing students with relevant, unfamiliar questions to better prepare them for their final exams.

Tutoring Approach

Following a consultation to understand the student’s needs and expectations, I use a variety of teaching strategies to help them succeed in chemistry. I focus on building understanding through guided questioning and clear, step-by-step explanations of key concepts. Once the foundations are in place, I provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge using practice questions that reflect the language and format of the SQA, helping to develop both subject knowledge and scientific literacy.