Teaching and learning are complex processes whose success is based primarily on a trusting relationship between student and tutor.

The student needs to know what they want to discover whilst the tutor must find out how a student learns best, how much they already know and how confidently the student will progress.

Initially I will question, listen, challenge and probe to discover the students’ depth of knowledge, skill at expressing their science - verbally to start with and then in writing, ability to think scientifically and what their aspirations in the subject might be.

We will then identify areas of weakness together and work at developing greater confidence in talking about and writing answers to questions on the topic.

Finally, we will practice past exam style questions in preparation for the forthcoming exams.

Time needs to be given for development of the knowledge and skills.