GCSE · iGCSE · A-Level Biology

Expert science
tutoring by
Thomas Haycock

I still teach in a secondary school — which means I know exactly where students lose marks, why concepts don't stick, and how to fix both. As a trained exam marker and Head of Faculty, I know precisely what examiners reward, because I've sat on both sides of the paper.

15
Years Teaching
Free
Intro Call
4–9
Grades Supported
🏫
Head of Science Faculty
Current secondary school leadership role in Cornwall
🎓
NPQSL Qualified
National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership
📝
Trained Exam Marker
Experienced marking GCSE science papers — knows exactly what examiners reward
🔬
All Three Sciences
Biology, Chemistry & Physics — GCSE through A-Level
🌍
UK & International
AQA, OCR & Cambridge iGCSE specialist
📍
Online & In Person
Worldwide online · In person in St Ives, Cornwall
Enhanced DBS Certified
Full enhanced DBS certificate held — safe and fully vetted
Free 15-minute introductory call — discuss your goals, identify the gaps, and agree a plan before we start.
How It Works

The process

01
📞
Free Intro Call
15 minutes to understand your goals and agree a plan before any commitment.
02
🎯
Diagnosis
Identify exactly where marks are being lost — not just what feels difficult.
03
📚
Content
New topics explained clearly and built into a coherent framework.
04
📝
Exam Technique
Past papers, command words, mark scheme thinking. Skills most students are never taught.
05
📊
Progress Reports
Regular updates so students and parents always know where they stand.
About

Thomas Haycock

"15 years teaching and leading in secondary science has shown me that every student can excel — the starting point just varies. My job is to find the right pathway for each individual, whether that means rebuilding confidence from the ground up or pushing for that final grade boundary. No two students are the same, and no two sessions are either."

I'm a Head of Science Faculty at a secondary school in Cornwall with 15 years of classroom experience and an NPQSL qualification. I work with students at every point in the academic year — not just in the weeks before exams.

For students earlier in their course, sessions focus on building genuine understanding of new content as it's introduced at school, so nothing is left to unravel later. As exams approach, the focus shifts to past papers, mark scheme thinking, and the exam technique skills that most students are never explicitly taught.

Students who start in September consistently outperform those who begin tutoring in the spring term. Year-round support is always available.

Thomas Haycock
Head of Science Faculty · NPQSL Qualified
15
Years of Experience
Secondary school teaching across all three sciences
3
Exam Boards
AQA, OCR and Cambridge International
5
Subjects & Levels
GCSE, iGCSE, A-Level, Triple Science, BTEC
Year-Round Support
New content, revision, and exam prep — every stage
Subjects

What I teach

Specialist tuition across all three sciences from GCSE through to A-Level, covering UK and international curricula. New content and exam preparation available year-round.

GCSE Combined Science
🔬
Combined Science (Double Award)
AQA · OCR · Foundation & Higher
Biology, Chemistry and Physics covered together as a Double Award. Both Foundation and Higher tier supported across AQA and OCR. Ideal for students who want strong, well-rounded science results without taking the three sciences separately.
GCSE Separate Sciences
🧬
Biology
AQA · OCR
Cell biology, genetics, ecology, and beyond. Higher tier focus with grades 8 & 9 as the target. Exam technique and mark scheme thinking built in from session one.
⚗️
Chemistry
AQA · OCR
Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, organic chemistry. Clear explanations that make complex concepts genuinely stick.
Physics
AQA · OCR
Forces, energy, waves, electricity. Mathematical problem-solving built alongside conceptual understanding for confident exam performance.
🏆
All Three Sciences
AQA · OCR · Full Programme
A structured programme covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics together. Ideal for Triple Science students targeting top grades across all three. Sessions coordinated to complement your school timetable year-round.
A-Level & International
🌱
A-Level Biology
AQA · OCR
AS and A2. Extended answer technique, essay structure, and the depth of understanding that separates A from A*.
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Cambridge iGCSE
Cambridge International
Biology, Chemistry and Physics for students at international schools worldwide. Coursework and practical support included.
Pricing

Transparent rates

All sessions are 60 minutes. Block bookings of 10 sessions receive a 5% discount. Every new student begins with a free 15-minute introductory call.

GCSE
Single Science
£50
per 60-minute session
  • Biology, Chemistry or Physics
  • Foundation & Higher tier
  • AQA & OCR exam boards
  • Year 10 & 11 students
GCSE
Triple Science
£55
per 60-minute session
  • All three sciences covered
  • Grades 8 & 9 focus
  • AQA & OCR exam boards
  • Resource pack included
A-Level
Biology
£65
per 60-minute session
  • AS & A2 Biology
  • A & A* grade targeting
  • Essay & extended answer technique
  • University preparation
Cambridge iGCSE
International Science
£60
per 60-minute session
  • Biology, Chemistry & Physics
  • Cambridge International spec
  • Practical & coursework support
  • Flexible time zones
Block booking discount: 10-session bundles receive 5% off the standard rate. Sessions must be used within one term. Payment taken upfront at booking. A free 15-minute introductory call is included for every new student.
Ready to get started?

Every new student begins with a free 15-minute introductory call — no commitment required. Let's discuss your goals and build a plan.

Example Session

What a session looks like

Every session is tailored — but here's a typical 60-minute GCSE Biology session to give you a clear picture of what to expect.

0–5 mins
Check-in & Review
We start with a quick check on how the previous week went at school — any new topics covered, any homework that raised questions, anything that didn't make sense in class. This keeps sessions connected to what's actually happening in school right now.
5–20 mins
Concept Explanation
The target topic is introduced or revisited using a shared digital whiteboard. Diagrams are drawn live — cell structures, biological processes, graphs — so the student sees the thinking, not just the finished result. Common misconceptions are tackled directly rather than avoided.
20–40 mins
Exam Question Practice
Past paper questions are worked through together on screen. We annotate the question first — identifying command words, marking allocations, what the examiner is actually asking for. The student attempts the answer, then we compare against the mark scheme line by line. This is where most marks are found.
40–55 mins
Technique Refinement
We identify the specific patterns in the student's answers — where they're losing marks, what language they're using that the examiner doesn't credit, what they know but aren't writing down. This is the most valuable part of any session and the thing most classroom teachers don't have time to do.
55–60 mins
Summary & Homework
A short recap of what was covered, one or two focused practice questions to try before the next session, and a note of what we'll work on next time. Parents receive a brief written summary after every session so they're always in the picture.
Tools Used Every Session
💻
Zoom or Google Meet
HD video with screen sharing and annotation tools built in
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Shared Digital Whiteboard
Live diagram drawing and annotation — both student and tutor can write
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Real Past Papers
AQA and OCR past papers with official mark schemes used throughout
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Progress Notes
Written session summary sent to parents after every session
Not just content — craft

Most students already know more science than they think. What they're missing is the exam craft — knowing how to translate that knowledge into marks. As a trained exam marker, I know exactly what gets credited and what doesn't. That's what every session is built around.

International Students

Cambridge iGCSE worldwide

Online sessions for students at English-speaking international schools — wherever in the world you are. Scheduling adapted around your time zone.

🌐
Fully online delivery
Professional setup with HD video, shared digital whiteboard, and screen sharing. No compromise on session quality.
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Flexible time zones
Available to students across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Sessions scheduled around your school timetable.
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Coursework & practicals
Full support for Cambridge iGCSE practical and coursework components that differ from standard UK GCSE specifications.
🎯
A & A* targeting
Exam technique built specifically around the Cambridge International mark scheme and grading criteria.
🇪🇺
Europe
🇦🇪
Middle East
🌏
Asia
Cambridge iGCSE Science
Exam BoardCambridge International
SubjectsBiology · Chemistry · Physics
GradingA* — G Scale
TargetAll Grades · C to A*
FormatOnline · 60 Minutes
Rate£60 per session
AvailabilityFrom September 2026
Get in Touch

Start with a free call

Every new student begins with a free 15-minute introductory call. We'll discuss your goals, pinpoint the gaps, and agree on a plan — before any commitment.

📧
Email
t.d.haycock@gmail.com
📍
In Person
St Ives & West Cornwall area
🌐
Online
UK-wide & international students welcome
🕐
Availability
Evenings, weekends & international time zones
📅
Starting
September 2026 — now taking bookings
Response time: I aim to reply to all enquiries within 24 hours. The free introductory call is included for every new student — there is no obligation to proceed after the call.

Free intro call included · Response within 24 hours

Enquiry received

Thank you for getting in touch. I will reply within 24 hours to arrange your free introductory call.