Our tutors - Emma Palmer

Emma - Maths, University of Oxford

Hello! I’m Emma and I recently graduated from Oxford University, where I studied Maths at Brasenose College. Throughout my time at university, I was awarded three prizes for excelling in college exams, and I volunteered as part of the access and outreach team touring prospective students at open days and taking part in zoom calls to give advice to current applicants.

During the university application process, I joined multiple online courses aimed at preparing applicants to take the MAT and TMUA exams, whilst introducing new exciting maths to help bridge the gap between A Level and degree level studies. This - combined with lots of hard work - resulted in me achieving 90% in the MAT and feeling prepared and confident in my abilities at the beginning of my undergraduate course.

Prior to university, I achieved A Levels in Mathematics (A*), Further Mathematics (A*) and Physics (A*), as well as an AS Level in Biology (A) and twelve top grade GCSEs. At sixth form I was awarded the Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Learning from Home, while at secondary school I was awarded the Thomas Barton Charity Shield for Academic Achievement, acknowledging my hard work throughout my studies.

Whilst studying for my A Levels, I volunteered as an academic mentor in Mathematics, supporting GCSE and fellow A Level students by creating personalised exercises designed to stretch able students and identify and practice areas of difficulty for less able students. I have four years of teaching experience at the Lee Academy of Dance and Drama, where I danced aged 4 to 18 and was employed as a student teacher from the age of 14. I was responsible for preparing students for exams, choreographing routines and planning and carrying out lessons. My aim was to keep the children excited and focused while fostering a fun, inclusive environment.

My main goal while tutoring is to ensure that students can explain challenging concepts back to me; I believe that I don’t fully understand something until I can explain it to somebody who knows nothing about it, so why should it be any different for my students? I also believe in showing tutees the connections between different branches of maths. It teaches how concepts are applicable to different areas, encourages the problem-solving aspect of maths often overlooked at school, and allows an opportunity to revisit previous topics.