Biology tutor & more · Ponsanooth

Sian D.

Experienced, accessible, and committed to you

Ponsanooth In-person · 0mi Online 17 yrs Joined May 2026

About

I live in West Cornwall with my young family, and currently work as a private tutor and academic mentor. Born in Brighton, it was there in 2009 I completed my teacher training and began a career as a science teacher.

As well as my classroom teaching experience, I have worked as a laboratory researcher, science editor, and more recently as an independent advocate within the field of mental health. Additionally, I hold an undergraduate degree in genetics and a masters degree in psychology.

I obtained a PGCE in secondary science - gaining qualified teacher status in 2009. During training, I taught at two West Sussex secondary schools. Upon qualifying, I taught at a prestigious all-girls school in central Brighton, and then subsequently at Bellerbys International College in Brighton.

My classroom experience includes teaching ages 11-18 across all three sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics) from GCSE to A-level. I also have 17 years of private tutoring experience, having tutored GCSE, A-level, and mature students. I have a very successful track record.

I am very friendly and approachable, and highly dedicated to my students - giving a lot of time and effort to ensure they are achieving their full potential. Within sessions, I provide solid structure and tailor my approach to their individual needs. I suggest work for completion outside of sessions and provide them with direction to develop their individual approach to learning and revision.

I am able to explain difficult concepts in an easily digested way, making learning enjoyable and confidence-boosting. I have a clear, patient manner, and an excellent grasp of my subject specialisms.

£40/hr · 4 subjects · 10 levels

Subjects & pricing

Biology

£40/hr

  • GCSEAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC
  • A-levelAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · oxford-aqa · WJEC

Chemistry

£40/hr

  • GCSEAQA · CCEA · Edexcel · OCR · WJEC

Languages

  • English Native

Qualifications

Higher education

  • BSc (Hons) Genetics Certificate checked University of Liverpool · 2:2 (Lower second) · 2007
  • MSc Psychology Certificate checked Abertay University · Merit · 2016

Teaching qualification

  • PGCE Science Certificate checked University of Brighton · 2009

Reviews from Tutorperch

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Reviews from First Tutors

5.0 across 9 reviews

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  • Isla

    Apr 2026 ·imported from First Tutors

    I cannot recommend Sian highly enough. She excels on all fronts, from initial communication to clear, compassionate tutoring and great results. Couldn't be happier :)

  • Jessica

    Feb 2026 ·imported from First Tutors

    Sian has, and still is, a real help for my daughter Lilly. She’s done so much to build Lilly’s confidence and explains things in a way that often makes more sense than how they’re covered at school. Her calm, reassuring approach has been especially important as Lilly struggles with exam anxiety, and it’s made a noticeable difference to how she feels about chemistry. We’re very grateful for all her support and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.

  • Andy

    May 2022 ·imported from First Tutors

    I could not be happier with the tutoring that Siân has provided! The lessons have involved really clear teaching with Siân imparting support, patience, positivity, and great knowledge. Siân is extremely reliable and worked really hard to enable me to build my confidence in the subject. The lessons have resulted in me reaching my potential and achieving the top grades in the assignments and two exams.

    Sian D. replied

    Thank you for your generous feedback!

  • Adam

    Dec 2020 ·imported from First Tutors

    Very friendly, supportive and helpful. My daughter had a short period of time to prepare for her a Level Biology retake but, with Sian’s help, improved by two grades. Would highly recommend

    Sian D. replied

    Thank you Adam, much appreciated. I’m so pleased for Holly, it was the grade she wanted and she worked really hard for it - hats off to her! All the best, Siân

  • Linda

    imported from First Tutors

    A great find. Very thorough and efficient.

  • Sallianne

    imported from First Tutors

    Sian is an excellent tutor. Enthusiastic and very thorough. My daughter is already more motivated and has a much better understanding of a couple of segments of her A Level Biology syllabus.

  • Isabelle

    imported from First Tutors

    Sian has been a great help to my daughter with her AS level biology. The lessons are informal and interesting, and have helped to increase her confidence in the subject.

  • Ian

    imported from First Tutors

    Very helpful and knowledgable.

  • Yael

    imported from First Tutors

    Sian helped my son prepare for his GCSE exam. He found the lessons extremely helpful and Sian's teaching excellent. We'd strongly recommend her to anyone looking for a biology tutor.