Jeremie Ntumba

The lessons are supposed to be light-hearted and engaging. It should be something where intrigue in Maths is grown or enhanced. While examination content will be focused on primarily, it will be built upon critical thinking puzzles (particularly from UKMT) which will allow the person to develop Mathematical competency in a variety of different scenarios. Typically, the lessons will begin with introducing a mathematical concept, going through it, and answering questions about it. This will be followed by a break where we will play a game (of any sort around the subject) and then apply the subjects to a UKMT question. This intends to help the person progressively get to an Olympiad scorer in UKMT challenges while acing their GCSE Maths exams. And hopefully, this will create strong bonds and growth of character too! Though, this shouldn't be limited to people currently working towards their GCSEs, because I believe that anyone is capable of developing these skills too. While building these skills early on is the ideal way of creating this mindset, a renewal of mindset from pre-conceived ideas can occur when the correct interventions are used in order to help any person. My experience of Maths has definitely been one of ups and downs. It was identified early on from my teachers that had a mathematical brain that was really enveloped in Mathematics, and so naturally it was nurtured the more involved in Maths that I became. Towards GCSE, I became more self-reliant on improving my Maths which was not the best course of action to improve. I believe that a ship without a rudder will eventually crash, and not having a rudder meant that I would eventually hit a brick wall at improving at Maths. This was not helped by the fact that I accrued 2 seizures 2 months before GCSE. It was particularly difficult through this time to get any help from people when you cannot get help from others due to circumstances. Part of my philosophy for my lessons is to gain a sophisticated mindset so that when the worst happens to you, you will still thrive no matter what environment you find yourself in. I managed to still get 8-9s and 3-8s at GCSEs, and I believe that being the rudder for others will help them not only get 11-9s at GCSE but also thrive in whatever subject they choose to do. This experience helped me to develop the humility to not rely on myself to be the person to steer a boat on a course I don't know but to have someone there to steer me onward. I want to be the person to be there for everyone who needs help in anything and I believe that using Mathematics will put into perspective a deeper understanding of the circumstances of life and where Maths can bring you. Ultimately, Maths is the safety net put out for you to fall back on while you strive to Change the World.