Rafay N.

Hi, I’m Maja! (Pronounced Maya). I’m an astrophysics graduate and a qualified secondary school science teacher. I’ve been through the full rollercoaster of science education, from fighting my way through a master’s degree and emerging with first-class honours, to teaching Year 9s on a Friday afternoon who would rather be anywhere else. Now I help GCSE and A-Level students believe what I already know: you can do this. My goal is to make science feel understandable, interesting, and even a bit fun. When I’m not teaching, you'll find me hanging upside down on an aerial hoop, or writing stories inspired by science and folklore. I went to secondary school in Hungary, where I was initially more interested in the humanities, until I fell in love with space and modern physics. For my leaving qualifications, I completed Advanced Exams in Mathematics and Physics and achieved an A. At university, I completed an integrated Master of Physics degree at the University of Southampton. My first three years focused on general physics (including lab work, mechanics, quantum physics, solid state physics, and wave physics) with a few modules of astronomy. During my master’s year, I had the incredible opportunity to conduct research at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, where I studied the relationship between black holes and their host galaxies and wrote my thesis on this topic. I graduated with first-class honours in Astrophysics. After university, I felt drawn to education and wanted to help students grasp the beauty of science, so I completed a year of school-centred initial teacher training. I now hold a PGCE with QTS as a qualified science teacher.

Teach GCSE Biology and Chemistry. 2nd year Medical student, A-A* throughout GCSE and A-level sciences. GCSE mentor for 2 years. Focus on establishing a solid base understanding to extrapolate into more difficult concepts. Emphasise development of exam techniques and hitting marking points. Am versatile and patient with whatever teaching style would suit each tutee. Aim to inspire confidence in tutees’ own abilities with a focused and compassionate approach. Queen’s University Belfast Medicine currently. Studied chemistry, physics, and Biology. Attended grammar school at Dr Challoner’s High School. Highest scoring student of the year at GCSE from Beaconsfield Secondary School, with grade 7-9, featuring in local news paper.

Levels and subjects you teach: I can teach maths at A level and lower Exam boards experience: AQA , Edexcel Preferred student age group: GCSE/A Level I use my communication skills to effectively explain complex concepts in simple terms. My responsibility in my role, is to assist students when help is required. I have gained skills in time management and teamwork. Also I have experienced professionalism and have had to be flexible and resilient to complete a given task. Dedicated, third year Mathematics student at Queen Mary University of London. Having achieved such excellent grades at GCSE and A level, I now move with care and passion in my studies, allowing myself to be prepared for upcoming challenges I may face, ensuring that I always perform to the best of my ability.

I’m a third-year aeronautical engineering student who knows from experience what it feels like when lectures, textbooks, or problem sheets just don’t make sense the first (or fifth) time. I’ve been in the position where school support wasn’t quite enough, which is why I enjoy helping students bridge that gap and actually understand what’s going on, not just memorise steps. My approach is relaxed, patient, and focused on building confidence alongside knowledge. There are no silly questions here — if something doesn’t make sense, that just means it’s worth asking about as I strongly believe that asking questions is part of learning, and no one should feel embarrassed for needing things explained differently. Outside academics, I’m a big sports fan and still play football for my own club as well as my university team. I love the outdoors, animals, and generally staying active, which probably explains why I like explanations that are clear, practical, and grounded rather than overly abstract. My goal is to make learning feel less intimidating and a lot more achievable. My degree has strengthened my analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, and ability to break complex ideas into logical, easy-to-follow steps — skills that translate directly into effective tutoring. During school, I took on leadership and mentoring roles, including serving as a Maths Ambassador, and went on to complete certifications in Sports Leadership, Mentoring in Violence Prevention, and Mental Health Ambassador training. Together, these experiences strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and ability to build both understanding and confidence in others.