DBS verified Stephen C.
Friendly, supportive maths tutor | GCSE | FSMQ | A level Maths/Further Maths | TMUA | STEP | university interview prep
About
I am currently taking bookings for TMUA and STEP tuition, to start in Jun/Jul/Aug 2026. (TMUA takes place in Oct 2026/Jan 2027; STEP takes place in June 2027.)
Unfortunately, I have no availability for other types of tuition to start in September.
I taught mathematics at universities in the UK and Australia for more than 25 years. I was Admissions Tutor for Mathematics at the University of Nottingham for several years. I have also taught year 7-10 classes in Nottinghamshire secondary schools, in person and online, as part of a teacher training course.
I have used my university teaching experience to support students in their A level preparations and university applications, including the UCAS application process, personal statement, preparation for the TMUA and STEP exams, and interview practice. A level students that I have tutored recently have secured places at top-tier universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Warwick, Bristol, Bath, York and Birmingham.
My teaching experience in local schools equips me to tutor GCSE students in both Foundation and Higher Tiers, and students studying for the FSMQ Additional Mathematics, Level 2 Further Mathematics or Level 2 Extended Mathematics. My recent GCSE students have succeeded in goals ranging from passing the Foundation exam to securing a Higher Tier grade 9.
I have a current Enhanced DBS certificate.
So whether you are looking to catch up on some missed learning as you head towards GCSEs, aiming to improve your performance in A levels or in university applications and entrance exams, I can provide you with the support you need.
I have a First Class honours degree in Mathematics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Bristol. While working at the University of Nottingham, I won a Lord Dearing Award for my “excellent reputation for engaging students and delivering innovative teaching” and a Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for setting up and running a successful peer-mentoring scheme for Mathematics students.
I am calm and patient. I aim to build confidence and develop a good understanding of mathematics through a careful sequencing of tuition; this helps to ensure that the student’s learning is secure and that my tuition provides an excellent foundation for exams and for future studies.
Homework is a key element of my tutoring: it gives the student the opportunity to practise skills that they have developed during the tutoring sessions; it also shows me where the student’s new knowledge is secure and where we need to do further practice to help consolidate that knowledge. Normally, I set and mark weekly homework for each student and use their performance in the homework to guide my planning of subsequent sessions.
It might be that you have specific topics in maths that you would like to work on, or it might be that you want to regain your confidence more generally. Accordingly, we might agree to focus on specific topics, or we might choose topics to fill knowledge gaps as they become apparent through tutoring sessions and weekly homeworks.
Tutoring sessions themselves generally include a mix of explicit teaching from me together with a lot of student practice on relevant problems. My aim in the tutoring sessions is to support the student as they develop greater competence and fluency across a range of mathematical topics. As their mathematical fluency grows, my students become more confident mathematicians.
Subjects & pricing
Languages
- English Native
Qualifications
Higher education
- BA (Hons) Mathematics · University of Oxford · First-class (1st) · 1986 University of Oxford · First-class (1st) · 1986
- PhD Mathematics · University of Bristol · Pass · 1989 University of Bristol · Pass · 1989
Reviews from Tutorperch
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Reviews from First Tutors
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- imported from First Tutors
Peter
Stephen helped my son prepare for his interview at Cambridge and then for his STEP papers. His support is over and above the hour with support through feedback on questions ahead of scheduled sessions. My son is feeling much more prepared for these tricky papers.
Stephen C. replied
Thank you for your positive feedback regarding my online tutoring for your son. It has been my pleasure to support him in his preparations for the Cambridge interview and for STEP. It has been particularly rewarding for me to see him improve his already high standards as the weeks go by.
- imported from First Tutors
Elizabeth
Stephen is an excellent tutor and very committed to tutoring our son. He is very reliable and punctual. He has provided tailor made homework for him which he reviews in the week. We are very pleased to have found him.
Stephen C. replied
Thank you very much for the positive feedback. It has been a pleasure to tutor your son and to support him as he develops his confidence and ability in mathematics.
- imported from First Tutors
Ashwini
Stephen has been teaching my son in A level mathematics since last year. He is an excellent tutor, and his teaching style is effective and well organized. He plans every lesson meticulously, collates different learning materials to explain the difficult topics clearly. We are delighted to notice that my son’s overall confidence in problem solving skill has improved significantly. Stephen has also mentored my son on University admissions exams and drafting UCAS personal statement! We would highly recommend Stephen.
Stephen C. replied
Thank you very much for the positive feedback. It has been a pleasure to work with your son in our online sessions over the past year, supporting his A level maths and further maths and building his confidence and fluency in mathematical problem-solving. I know that your son has worked extremely hard in his university entrance exam preparations and also in working to produce an effective UCAS personal statement, which is something students often approach with trepidation. I am sure his hard work will bring him the success he so thoroughly deserves.
- imported from First Tutors
Craig
Steve is a fantastic tutor who makes learning maths enjoyable and engaging. Each lesson is well planned ahead and Steve can convey his material in a way that is easy to follow and understand. As an adult learner myself, Steve has had to adapt his style/materials to suit me and I have every confidence that he would be able to do the same with other types of tutees. Homework is set after each lesson and is the right combination of stretch and challenge. Feedback is prompt and thorough which makes learning from mistakes less of a chore. I would highly recommend Steve to others wanting to learn maths.
Stephen C. replied
Hi Craig Many thanks for your feedback. I am glad you have found our sessions enjoyable so far. I have also enjoyed and always look forward to our mathematical discussions each week. I entirely agree with you that prompt feedback is key to the business of learning from mistakes. Every single person who does maths makes mistakes and it is important to regard them as the valuable learning opportunities that they are. It is important to be brave and to be willing to make (and learn from) mistakes on the road to understanding. Keep up the excellent work. Steve Hi Craig
- imported from First Tutors
Claire
We engaged Stephen to provide some additional tutoring for our son who is Year 13 to help with his A level maths preparation. Stephen has been excellent throughout. He quickly understood where there were gaps in knowledge and understanding and focussed on these areas, working on building our son’s confidence about his exams and his ability. He has built a great rapport with our son and gained his and our trust from the beginning. I would thoroughly recommend Stephen and am delighted that he has worked with our son.
Stephen C. replied
Thank you for your very supportive comments. I agree that trust between tutor/student/parents is very important. Students often feel bad about making mistakes and about having gaps in their knowledge. So I work hard to create an environment of trust by emphasising to students that both of these things are a natural part of the learning process. Your son's strong progress has been helped by his excellent work ethic and by his willingness to adapt in response to my feedback on his work. I have enjoyed seeing his confidence develop as he masters more and more areas of A level maths.
- imported from First Tutors
Matthew
Stephen has been excellent in helping my son prepare for the MAT and TMUA university admissions exams. He is a brilliant mathematician and able to explain difficult concepts very clearly. He is also very diligent, preparing for each session thoroughly, including setting work and marking it in advance, so that the sessions themselves can be used as productively as possible. He has even shared useful feedback on my son's UCAS personal statement! Thank you!
Stephen C. replied
Thank you for the very positive feedback. It's a real pleasure to tutor your son - he is extremely well organised and receptive to new learning. He listens carefully and puts advice into action very effectively. Thanks again!