Tuition

Online GCSE and A Level Computer Science tuition, with a patient, practising teacher

Ian Ramsden

Computer Science can be a tricky subject to help with at home. The programming feels like a foreign language, the theory moves quickly, and it isn’t always easy to tell whether your child is stuck or just needs a bit more practice.

Book through Sherpa

I’m Ian, a practising Computer Science teacher with 24+ years in education. I offer one-to-one online tuition for GCSE and A Level students, wherever you are in the UK. All tuition is booked and paid for through Sherpa, a tutoring platform, and sessions take place in Sherpa’s online classroom. I keep the number of regular students small so each one gets proper attention, so availability is limited.

You can see my prices and available times, and send me a message before booking, on my Sherpa profile.

And if you’re the student reading this: no question is too basic. We’ll go at your pace and work on the bits that haven’t quite clicked yet.

What’s included

Each session is built around what your child has already covered and what they need next, not a set script. Depending on where they are, that might include:

  • Programming. Hands-on Python, built up step by step through small projects such as simple games, until writing, reading and fixing code starts to make sense.
  • Theory. Topics like data representation, networks, algorithms and computer systems, explained in plain English with plenty of examples.
  • Exam technique. Real past paper questions, marked against the official mark schemes, so your child can see exactly what examiners are looking for. I also cover the common mistakes that examiners point out in their reports.
  • The bits that haven’t clicked in class. Sometimes a topic just needs explaining a different way, or a bit more time.
  • Notes and homework. After each session your child gets short written notes on what we covered, anything to watch out for and what comes next, plus some homework to keep things moving.
  • Going further. If your child is keen, we can stretch beyond the course into problem-solving and computational thinking.
  • Keeping you in the loop. From time to time I’ll send you a short update on how things are going and what we’re working on next.

Levels: GCSE and A Level Computer Science. I can also help Key Stage 3 students, and Year 9 students making an early start on GCSE.

Exam boards: OCR, AQA and WJEC/Eduqas.

Why Ian

  • A practising teacher. I teach Computer Science day to day, so I know the current courses and how they’re examined.
  • 24+ years in education. I’ve been explaining this subject to young people for a long time, and I’m still happy to explain something a third time if that’s what it takes.
  • Patient and plain-spoken. No jargon without an explanation, and no making anyone feel silly for asking.
  • Keeping parents in the loop. Short progress updates now and then, so you know how your child is getting on.
  • Small numbers on purpose. I only take a few regular students, so each one gets proper attention.
  • Your child’s own work. I won’t do coursework for anyone. I’m keen for students to use AI tools well, as a way to learn, not as a way to get the work done for them.
  • Safe and simple. Sessions take place in Sherpa’s online classroom, parents are welcome to be nearby, and bookings and messages go through Sherpa.
  • Careful with your child’s details. I keep only your child’s first name, year group and what we’ve covered. Read how I handle tuition notes.

You can read more about my background, qualifications and experience on the About page.

How it works

  1. Find me on Sherpa. Visit my Sherpa profile and send me a message. Tell me your child’s year group, the course and exam board they’re taking, and what they’d like help with. I aim to reply within 24 hours.
  2. Book through Sherpa. If I have a space at a time that works, you book and pay through Sherpa. Sessions are usually at the same time each week in the evening, with breaks for school holidays.
  3. The first session. We meet in Sherpa’s online classroom. The first session is a chance for me to find out where your child is and what would help most.

Feedback from students and parents

“Ian consistently kept in touch with me as a parent to let me know how my son was doing. My son engaged well with him and enjoyed the lessons.”
Parent
“Ian is an excellent Computer Science tutor. He breaks things down step by step and checks my understanding throughout.”
Student
“Made it easier for me to understand the problems.”
Student

Frequently asked questions

Which exam boards do you cover?

OCR, AQA and WJEC/Eduqas, at GCSE and A Level. If your child is on a different course, just ask and I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m the right person to help.

Can you help with the NEA or programming project?

I won’t do any of the NEA or coursework for a student, and I won’t do anything that breaks the exam board’s rules. The work your child hands in has to be their own. What I can do is teach the programming, problem-solving and planning skills that projects rely on, using separate practice tasks.

Which programming languages do you teach?

Mainly Python, which is what most GCSE and A Level students use. We build it up through small, hands-on projects. If your child’s course uses a different language, mention it when you message me on Sherpa.

How do online sessions work?

We meet in Sherpa’s online classroom, which runs in a web browser. It has a shared whiteboard and a shared code editor, so we can work through examples and look at your child’s code together. All sessions are one to one and online.

What does my child need?

A laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection, a quiet space, and ideally a headset or headphones with a microphone. For programming, a laptop or desktop works much better than a tablet.

How much does it cost and how do I pay?

My prices are shown on my Sherpa profile. You book and pay through Sherpa, so I don’t take payment for tuition directly.

How often should my child have sessions?

Most students have one session a week at a regular time, with breaks for school holidays. We can talk about what makes sense for your child.

What if we need to cancel or rearrange?

Cancellations and changes are handled through Sherpa, under Sherpa’s own terms. Please let me know as early as you can.

If you need to rearrange, I’ll do my best to find another time, although that isn’t always possible with a small number of slots.

When are you available?

Sessions are in the evenings. I keep the number of regular students small, so availability is limited. Message me on Sherpa and I’ll tell you honestly whether I have a space at a time that suits you. If I’m full, you’re very welcome to ask about the waiting list.

Get in touch

Would tuition suit your child?

Send me a message on Sherpa and tell me a little about what they’re working on. There’s no obligation, and if I don’t think tuition is what they need, I’ll say so. I aim to reply within 24 hours.

Message me on Sherpa

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