The student is in her early 30s, and is married with three children. She left school at 15 having completed the Junior Certificate in the Irish system. Four years ago she joined the police force, but feels that a long-term career there is not a good fit with her interests and goals. Reflecting on the past, she feels that she missed out on University and would like to take the opportunity she now has to redress this.

Like many mature students who have been out of the formal education process for some time, she has some concerns about her abilities, particularly with Maths and mathematical applications. Set against this is a very high level of motivation and desire to work hard to achieve her lofty aspiration. Although not in the police for long, she has demonstrated considerable ability to prepare for and pass exams with much less preparation than is the norm compared with her colleagues. This indicates that despite the crisis of confidence that she feels about some of the subjects she knows she must learn well there exists the innate ability to excel.

This combination of determination and caution in a student who has clearly demonstrated that she has the intellectual requirements offers a skilled educator a challenging and enjoyable teaching assignment.

To become a child psychiatrist, the student will first need to get into medical school in London. This means that she will need to achieve top grades in at least three, and better still, four A levels. Biology and Chemistry are a given, but after that the discussion about which others is still somewhat fluid. Current thinking is to start the AS courses for Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Geography and then some of these modules have been completed, to re-evaluate the situation.

The Tutor will work with her at a mutually convenient location outside her home, somewhere more conducive to intensive study without domestic distractions, for an average of six hours a day on weekdays. The Tutor, with the support of Tutors International, will also be responsible for finding suitable laboratory facilities for practical skills to be covered. In addition to the tutoring, she expects the Tutor to set some home study but only if practice of a particular skill or if reading preparation is required. Busy work should not be needed or set at any time. It is important that the Tutor remembers that not only did she leave school at fifteen, but that she also has a husband and young family.

The successful candidate for this role will need to be kind, patient, calm, and able to instil confidence. At the same time, she will need to have a track record of success of taking beginners from the start to a high level of success in A levels.

The Tutor should expect to work an average of about 30 hours a week, during normal working hours, five days a week, with breaks as needed. Preparation time is in addition to this. The Tutor will be entitled to a minimum of nine weeks paid vacation per annum taken at times convenient to the Client, as per the Terms.

The Client will be responsible for all costs relating to the Tutor’s travel. If this involves driving, the Tutor will be reimbursed at 40p per mile, and parking charges (not penalties) will be covered. If travel involves public transport the Client will reimburse the Tutor for a season ticket covering the requisite London zones.

No accommodation is provided for the position.

The Tutor should be a non-smoker.