Imperial College mathematics graduate teaching GCSE and A-level Mathematics/Physics students (including TMUA, STEP, IB, UKMT, 11+, 16+, PAT, ESAT, BPhO, CSAT, UCAT etc.)

Find out more about James

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

  Mathematics has always been a passion of mine. I was lucky enough to have some fantastic maths teachers during primary, secondary and sixth form who inspired me (thank you Mr Watkins, Miss Edgerton and Mr Whittaker) to pursue the subject in depth. Tutoring and passing on my knowledge came as a natural progression of this; Superprof was the first online tutoring platform I signed up to and I have not looked back since!

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

  My favourite thing to do with students first is to go through UKMT challenge problems. This gives me an understanding of whether they truly understand the curriculum maths they are taught or whether they simply regurgitate rote knowledge. My favourite questions involve number theory and my least favourite would have to involve any sort of Euclidean geometry.

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

  My grandad was a chemistry teacher for many years. His grandad (my great-grandad) was from a working class shipbuilder family in Newcastle and he won a place to read maths at Oxford. Both their legacies continue to inspire me.

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

  Patience, communication, an aptitude for technology (particularly with online tutoring), a crystal-clear mastery of your chosen subject and a huge dose of enthusiasm.

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

  Sometimes when I am down I am reminded of the time Grigori Perelman (a Russian mathematician who solved the notorious poincare conjecture) received an impromptu call from a Western journalist. His response was "You are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms." This always makes me laugh.

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

  To this day I still have nightmares over the Python and R coursework my degree shoved down my throat. I am slowly improving my mathematical coding.

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

  I enjoy teaching. As much as it helps my tutees, almost selfishly, it helps me just as much. Many an inquisitive student has helped me to question concepts I considered to be fundamental and not worth a second thought. Pedagogy has reinforced my understanding of mathematics infinitely.

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

  My dry humour. No kid wants a bore for a teacher. The engagement comes first and then the understanding and passion will naturally flow.