Author: Dr John Ankers

Dr John Ankers is a tutor, coach and writer. For writing and consultancy work, please contact me at John@wooltontutors.co.uk

How to answer A-level Biology essay questions

The Synoptic essay question on paper 3 of the AQA A-level biology course carries 25 marks, so doing well can make a big difference to your overall grade. The essay encourages you to think across different topics (some call this “synoptic” or “holistic” thinking). This is also valuable for other areas of the exams, particularly the application questions.

Here are a few tips for tackling your A-level biology essay: (As an example, let’s use the title “The importance of movement in cells and tissues”)

  1. Think broadly…

Essay titles are deliberately vague to give you the chance to show your knowledge in a variety of topics. To help you to choose what’s most relevant, look out for subjective words like “movement” and “cells”. Think of the possible alternatives. “Cells”, for example, hints that you could discuss plants, animals, single-celled organisms etc. in your essay. “Movement” could mean short distances (across a membrane) or much further (circulation or mass flow) or even the whole tissue moving (phototropism). Continue reading “How to answer A-level Biology essay questions”

FIVE last-minute exam tips

Here are a few last-minute exam tips to help GCSE, A-level and international students with your exams. Let me know if they work for you – or if you’d add any more 😊

  1. Read the question.

This is the easiest piece of advice to follow, and the easiest to forget. Sometimes we scan a question quickly, spot a few key words and make an assumption about how to answer without reading on. I can’t understate this – please read the question. Read it twice. There might be clues in there. This is particularly important for questions with data and diagrams – make sure you understand what the chart shows before starting on your answer. Continue reading “FIVE last-minute exam tips”

We’re hiring! – Freelance Maths tutor wanted

Would you like to join us as a freelance maths tutor? We’re looking for the right person to help with the growing demand at Woolton Tutors.

We’re inviting CVs and expressions of interest from tutors who:

  • Are friendly, supportive and inclusive.
  • Have experience in tutoring GCSE maths for UK exam boards (especially Edexcel)
  • Are happy to work with us for a fixed term (initially until July 2023) but potentially onwards.
  • Are excited by the flexibility of online tutoring
  • Have a current DBS check / certificate
  • Are (or will be) registered as self-employed or partially self-employed with HMRC
  • Are happy with pay based on experience, but starting at £25 per hour.

Continue reading “We’re hiring! – Freelance Maths tutor wanted”

Hiring an online tutor from the UK

Our job is to make hiring a British tutor in the UK as easy as possible for international students. We are currently working with online tutees in Dubai, The USA, China and Europe who are working towards UK exams like GCSE and A-levels as well as IB, IGCSE and International A-levels.

Many of our international students are ex-pats looking to return to the UK, or students who move around a lot.

We work to support their learning, answering questions they may have from taught lessons in international schools. Exam practice is also popular!

Our aim in to support you wherever you are – we are even on hand in-between taught sessions via Skype for troubleshooting on specific topics.

Our sessions are clear and focussed but also supportive and friendly. We are flexible around our student’s lives, fitting in around busy schedules – and time zones! If you are an international student, or perhaps a British ex-pat looking for extra help for your child please get in touch to see if we can help.

Dr John Ankers
Specialist in online biology tutoring
www.wooltontutors.co.uk

Continue reading “Hiring an online tutor from the UK”