Dr Joe - Cambridge PhD - Experienced and patient online Maths & Science tutor. SEN support. London based * Currently FULLY BOOKED for academic year 2025-26 *

Find out more about Joe

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

  I've been interested in Maths and Science since I was a young child. Trips to the Science Museum, books on astronomy and TV Science programmes all inspired me. I've been tutoring since I was a student myself, and even though I've had academic success, I've also struggled at times too and can understand when my students find subjects difficult.

• 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 love the overlap between Maths and all 3 Sciences (and many other topics like Economics, Languages, Cooking). We learn these subjects in isolation, but it's all part of the same World around us that we're trying to understand. I really enjoy questions from students that help them understand, but also prompt me to think out things in a different way.

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

  My Chemistry teacher at school definitely was an inspiration - she was a passionate teacher, and even let me use the Chemistry lab at lunchtimes to do my own experiments!

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

  Aside from a deep knowledge of the subjects : Patience and empathy. A tutor has to be able to understand when their student finds something difficult or even seemingly impossible, and patiently find ways to guide them.

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

  So… when I was allowed to use the Chemistry lab at lunchtimes, I tried some adventurous experiments. I once had a huge hydrogen gas explosion that broke lots of glassware, and another time the whole building had to be evacuated because of a hydrogen sulphide leak (Poisonous and stinks like rotten eggs!). You learn a lot from your own experiences, especially the mistakes. That's such an important part of the process.

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

  One of the challenges I enjoy, especially as a teacher of Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology is that there are always new topics and discoveries to keep up to date with. Biochemistry/Genetics in particular has advanced dramatically over the last 20 years, and some content on A level specifications wasn't even discovered yet when I was at university. Science knowledge is constantly evolving, and I love staying topical and relevant.

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

  One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is watching a student flourish, especially in an area where they thought it was impossible, and seeing passion and enthusiasm appear where it hadn't been before. Seeing that 'I get it now!' moment is always so special.

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

  I'm knowledgeable and passionate about my subjects, and also about learning, especially in the context of SEN teaching. I'm patient and enthusiastic, and also able to be honest when I don't know something yet myself. A good teacher also has to be able to learn new things themselves. I've been a tutor for nearly 20 years now, so I've got huge amounts of first hand experience across many subjects, tests, students, extra needs and educational situations. I've worked in schools as well as being a private tutor. I look forward to meeting many more new students.