David gained maximum A-Level grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics then achieved a first-class degree in Physics from the University of Oxford in 2002. During his A-levels he received a congratulatory letter for excellent work in his Pure 3 Maths examination. While at Oxford he gained a distinction in the Preliminary Examination (top 15% of candidates) and was placed high in the first class in his finals. Since leaving Oxford he attended the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and currently works as a professional musician. He was captain of the RNCM's University Challenge Team for the 2003/2004 season.
He has tutored in Mathematics privately since 2004, including at a local independent school from 2008 until the pandemic.
Image credit - Paul Duxbury
Tutoring philosophy
My tuition for the PAT has always centred around taking the student's work and building it to a solution where possible. This is far more effective than any attempt to lecture the student or presenting my solution without understanding the vantage point of the student first. Despite having extensive experience in tutoring for the PAT numbering in excess of 100 one-to-one students over several years I keep the fees for my tuition reasonable for a number of reasons:
1. Oxbridge tuition should not represent big profits or passive income. Oxford and Cambridge are for talented students who want to be challenged and are prepared to put the hard work in, regardless of all other variables.
2. Each season my tuition usually leads to spin-offs which provide interesting tuition for the rest of the year. Examples include the British Mathematical Olympiad, Cambridge STEP and Engineering and Physics degree tuition.
3. I find the combination of setting students' minds at rest regarding the PAT whilst preparing them well for one of the most difficult exams for candidates of school age in the world to be immensely rewarding - genuinely my September/October wouldn't be the same without it.
My work is purpose led in that the purpose of the tuition is to help my students tackle the challenge of the PAT whilst setting them up to do well in their degree whether their application is successful or not. The fees are secondary to this.
He has tutored in Mathematics privately since 2004, including at a local independent school from 2008 until the pandemic.
Image credit - Paul Duxbury
Tutoring philosophy
My tuition for the PAT has always centred around taking the student's work and building it to a solution where possible. This is far more effective than any attempt to lecture the student or presenting my solution without understanding the vantage point of the student first. Despite having extensive experience in tutoring for the PAT numbering in excess of 100 one-to-one students over several years I keep the fees for my tuition reasonable for a number of reasons:
1. Oxbridge tuition should not represent big profits or passive income. Oxford and Cambridge are for talented students who want to be challenged and are prepared to put the hard work in, regardless of all other variables.
2. Each season my tuition usually leads to spin-offs which provide interesting tuition for the rest of the year. Examples include the British Mathematical Olympiad, Cambridge STEP and Engineering and Physics degree tuition.
3. I find the combination of setting students' minds at rest regarding the PAT whilst preparing them well for one of the most difficult exams for candidates of school age in the world to be immensely rewarding - genuinely my September/October wouldn't be the same without it.
My work is purpose led in that the purpose of the tuition is to help my students tackle the challenge of the PAT whilst setting them up to do well in their degree whether their application is successful or not. The fees are secondary to this.