My specialism , AS & A-level , All exam boards
Know exactly what the examiner is looking for.
I mark GCSE and A-level papers myself, and was Head of Chemistry for over ten years. I teach AS and A-level Chemistry one-to-one, at your home in London or online.
My specialism
A-level Chemistry is my specialism. As a GCSE and A-level examiner with over ten years as Head of Chemistry, I teach the subject the way it is assessed: secure understanding first, then the precise technique that turns understanding into marks.
Lessons cover AS and A-level Chemistry for every exam board, at your home in London or online. If a student finds parts of the course difficult, we rebuild the foundations step by step. If they are aiming for A*, I stretch them beyond the specification and teach them exactly what the mark scheme rewards.
I teach to the exact specification each student is entered for: AQA (7405), OCR A (H432), OCR B Salters (H433), Pearson Edexcel (9CH0) or Eduqas (A410QS). Every student has a personalised study plan, examiner-level feedback on practice papers and support from me by email between sessions.
How A-level lessons work
I plan each lesson around what the student needs now, from the topic their class is covering to the grade they are aiming for.
Clarifying the topics being taught in class, help with homework, and preparation for tests and mocks.
Finding and closing gaps in knowledge, and working patiently through the concepts that feel hardest.
Mock exams, past-paper practice and mark-scheme analysis, with examiner-level feedback.
A study plan aligned with the target grade, with clear, achievable targets along the way.
I break explanations into clear, logical steps, and encourage students to think for themselves rather than memorise. Many families mention the feedback I give at the end of each session.
The examiner advantage
Mark schemes are precise about what earns credit. I mark GCSE and A-level papers, and teach students to read questions, and write answers, the way an examiner will.
Alongside the written papers, A-level Chemistry includes the Practical Endorsement, assessed in school by teachers against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) and reported separately as a Pass.
“State”, “explain”, “deduce” and “evaluate” each ask for something different. I show students what each one requires, so that good chemistry is not lost on an answer that misses the question.
At least a fifth of the marks in A-level Chemistry need mathematical skills. Working set out clearly, step by step, can still earn marks when a final answer goes wrong.
Longer written answers reward a clear, logical sequence of points. Students practise building them, with my feedback on what a mark scheme would credit.
Required practicals also appear in the written papers, with questions on method, results, uncertainty and evaluation, so they are part of exam practice too.
I keep this knowledge current through examiner standardisation meetings and subject conferences.
Stretch
For students aiming at the top grade, I take lessons beyond the specification: unfamiliar problems that apply the same chemistry in new ways, alongside the precise answers mark schemes reward.
A-level Chemistry matters beyond the grade, too. It is a required A-level for Medicine at both Oxford and Cambridge, and Cambridge Colleges usually ask Medicine applicants for an A* in Chemistry.
For students aiming at Oxford, Cambridge or Medicine, lessons combine the A-level course with stretch and challenge beyond it, at the same fees. Students who go on to read chemistry can continue with university chemistry tuition.
Year 12 and Year 13
I can support a student from the start of the course or from any point along the way, through to the final exams.
Year 12
The step up from GCSE is real: more content, more abstract ideas and more mathematics. Early lessons secure the topics the rest of the course builds on, such as amount of substance, bonding and energetics. Students still finding their feet after GCSE can revisit the essentials first; see GCSE Chemistry tuition.
Year 13
The second year adds harder topics, and the final papers draw on everything learned since Year 12. Past papers, mock exams and mark-scheme analysis become central, guided by a plan that leads up to the final exams. For students taking AS Chemistry, I teach to the AS specification and its papers.
Reviews
“She is very patient and takes time to explain ensuring my daughter fully understands the topic. She is always well prepared for her sessions and works with my daughter to cover the things she hasn’t understood in school.”
“Daiane has been a fantastic tutor and has helped my son in his A-level chemistry journey immensely… providing high-quality teaching as well as providing very helpful resources that have helped my son improve his grade.”
“Daiane has been helping my son prepare for his AS Chemistry exams for the past few months. The sessions have gone really well. Daiane is reliable and always prepared for the sessions. My son struggled with his school Chemistry classes but says he feels much more confident after his tutoring by Daiane.”
A selection, quoted verbatim from First Tutors, where my name appears as Daiane.
Fees
One-to-one lessons that I plan and teach myself, with materials and feedback included.
No charge with six or more hours’ notice. With less than six hours’ notice, the full session fee applies.
Fees and termsQuestions
Anything else? Ask it in your enquiry, and I’ll reply.
Yes. I teach to the exact specification each student is entered for, including AQA, OCR A, OCR B (Salters), Pearson Edexcel and Eduqas. As a GCSE and A-level examiner, I know how mark schemes and assessment criteria are applied.
Yes. I teach one-to-one at your home in London (£85 per hour) or online (£75 per hour) for students across the UK and internationally. Read more about online chemistry lessons.
Yes. I teach students taking AS Chemistry to the AS specification and its exam papers, with the same personalised plan and feedback as A-level students.
There is no single right time. Starting early in Year 12 leaves time to build secure foundations before Year 13; students also come to me for focused help before mocks or final exams, as several reviews describe. Tell me where the student is in the course when you enquire.
Tell me about the student’s exam board, target grade and any deadlines, and I’ll be in touch to discuss how I can help.