I haven’t always been a science teacher. I originally trained to be a Diagnostic Radiographer – that’s someone who takes X-rays, CT scans etc. Most people have at some point in their lives needed an X ray of some kind and that’s what I used to do. I find that as I have had experience of science in the real world I can really pass on that interest to others, my pupils are always so keen to ask me lots of questions about my previous role and I feel it hugely adds to my teaching abilities the fact that I haven’t just been a teacher all my life!

I love helping people and retrained so that I could teach science quite a few years ago. Your Science studies are hugely important. So many of my kids moan about having to learn science – ‘why bother if I’m not going to be a scientist?’ they ask. I completely get it, but you need to understand that your science studies are so much more than the content that you learn. Its all about the skills that you gain and a way of thinking. Studying science encourages you to question what people tell you, gives you the skills you need to approach problems in an organised way, helps to show you how to solve problems creatively. It gives you the courage to make mistakes, change your mind and try again.

I am hugely passionate about this side of your studies. I teach through conversation and discussion allowing you to develop confidence in yourself and your learning.