Tom

My Passion & How I Inspire

I have an informal but focused approach, finding the best way for the student to understand the theory and apply it to questions. The best way to improve is through practice, and all lessons have a heavy emphasis on exercises, with particular use of past exam papers. I believe it is important to encourage confidence and a systematic thoroughness, but also that lessons are engaging and fruitful.

My Experience

I have been a maths tutor since 2008. This has included a good deal of work in small groups, in particular as part of a holiday study groups, and have also worked in the classroom environment. I have been placed in charge of high-flyer groups to give them more challenges, as well as to give extra time to those who struggling with the subject. This has also included a lot of work with SEN students. Most of my work as a tutor is one-to-one. From Key Stage 1, all the way up to second year degree students, I have tutored at every level, many syllabus' and at all levels of ability.

Subjects That I Teach

  • Science - Common Entrance
  • English
  • English - 11+
  • GRE
  • GRE - 11+
  • Maths
  • Maths - 11+
  • Science
  • Science - 11+
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning - 11+

My Qualifications

GCSE: 8 A*s, 1 B

A-Level: (PRE-A*) Maths (A), Further Maths (A), Physics (A), Computing (A)

MSc Mathematics from University of Bristol (first class)

My Reviews

1) I have had Tom Shepherd tutor my son in Maths for the past 9 months. His grades have gone up at an extra ordinary rate, with two lessons a week. At the age of 12 our son's Maths scores have gone up from 20-28% to now a terrific 85%. Tom is very reliable and punctual and gets on very well with our son, but he instils an essence of respect and the urgency to do your best. We still have Tom tutor our son, who has been accepted into our chosen school after he took his entrance exam.

2) When Tom came to work for us last year our son was badly demoralized, stressed and lacking in confidence to the point where he could not motivate himself to do his school work. We are extremely grateful to Tom who was always receptive to his challenges and didn’t give up on him. Tom has made the A-Level lessons fun and we will be sad not to see him at the kitchen table in future, as our son passed with flying colours.

3) Tom has been fantastic. Erik seemed to click with him straight away and in fact would happily have carried on with the tutoring sessions! Tom managed to make the whole procedure interesting and more importantly as stress-free as possible for Erik. Erik not only passed his 11+ exams but was offered academic scholarships to all three schools he applied to. The tutoring improved all aspects of his maths and english, and greatly increased his confidence in his ability. I have no hesitation in recommending Tom's services. My only worry is that he'll be too busy to tutor my other children when the time comes!

My Video Introduction

Fun fact

One of my other interests is playing the piano, and am preparing for my diploma, so I know how it feels to have a tricky exam looming!