GCSE Science tutoring, one-to-one and online
Combined Science and the separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our tutors specialise in each subject and teach exam technique alongside the science.
- per hour (GBP)
- From £25
- per hour (GBP)
- Free assessment call
- 15 minutes
- Free assessment call
- One-to-one lessons on Microsoft Teams
- 1 hour
- One-to-one lessons on Microsoft Teams
- Combined or separate
- All three sciences
- Combined or separate
What we cover
We teach:
- Combined Science
- GCSE Biology
- GCSE Chemistry
- GCSE Physics
Where the specification has tiers, we teach both Foundation and Higher.
Exam boards we teach
- AQA
- Pearson Edexcel
- OCR
- Eduqas
- Cambridge IGCSE
- Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
We also teach international students taking IGCSE, following their own specification and exam board. This includes Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE, where we have a suitably matched tutor.
How each exam board examines GCSE Science
We teach the science specifications of all the major UK exam boards. This is how each board examines its science GCSEs, from the board’s own specification.
Combined Science
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) | Six papers, two each in biology, chemistry and physics, of 1 hour 15 minutes and 70 marks each. 21 required practicals. | Foundation and Higher tier |
| AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy (8465) | Four papers of 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each. 21 required practicals. | Foundation and Higher tier |
| Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Combined Science (1SC0) | Six papers of 1 hour 10 minutes and 60 marks each. | A double grade from 9–9 to 1–1; Foundation 1–1 to 5–5, Higher 4–4 to 9–9 |
| OCR Gateway Science Combined Science A (J250) | Six papers per tier of 1 hour 10 minutes and 60 marks each. Worth two GCSEs. | Foundation 1–1 to 5–5; Higher 4–4 to 9–9 |
| OCR Twenty First Century Science Combined Science B (J260) | Four papers per tier of 1 hour 45 minutes. Worth two GCSEs. | Foundation 1–1 to 5–5; Higher 4–4 to 9–9 |
| WJEC Eduqas GCSE Combined Science | Four components of 1 hour 45 minutes and 90 marks each. | Foundation 1–1 to 5–5; Higher 4–4 to 9–9 |
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE Biology (8461), Chemistry (8462), Physics (8463) | Two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each. Required practicals: ten in Biology, eight in Chemistry and in Physics. | Foundation tier grades 1–5; Higher tier grades 4–9 |
| Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Biology (1BI0), Chemistry (1CH0), Physics (1PH0) | Two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each. Eight core practicals in each subject. | Foundation tier grades 1–5; Higher tier grades 4–9 |
| OCR Gateway Science Biology A (J247), Chemistry A (J248), Physics A (J249) | Two papers per tier of 1 hour 45 minutes and 90 marks each. At least eight practicals. | Foundation tier grades 1–5; Higher tier grades 4–9 |
| WJEC Eduqas GCSE Biology | Component 1: 2 hours 15 minutes, 120 marks. Component 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks. | Foundation tier grades 1–5; Higher tier grades 4–9 |
International GCSE
| Qualification | How it is examined | Tiers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Chemistry (0620), Physics (0625) | A multiple-choice paper (45 minutes) and a theory paper (1 hour 15 minutes), plus either a Practical Test or an Alternative to Practical paper. | Core grades C–G; Extended grades A*–G |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1), Chemistry (4CH1), Physics (4PH1) | Paper 1: 2 hours, 110 marks. Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks. Experimental skills are assessed in the written exams. | Untiered; grades 9–1 |
Required practicals are not assessed separately: questions about them are part of the written exams. On AQA and OCR, at least 15% of the marks assess practical skills.
From each exam board’s own specification; each name links to it. Boards update their specifications, so check the one your child’s school uses.
Where students find it hardest
Biology
- Required practicals
- Extended written answers
- Applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts
- Genetics and inheritance
- Ecology
- Cell biology and organisation
Chemistry
- Chemical equations
- Quantitative chemistry and calculations
- Bonding and structure
- Organic chemistry
- Electrolysis
- Required practicals
- Applying knowledge to unfamiliar reactions
Physics
- Equations and rearranging formulae
- Multi-step calculations
- Electricity
- Forces and motion
- Energy
- Waves
- Required practicals
- Applying mathematical skills to unfamiliar situations
In all three sciences, students often find long-answer questions, command words, and applying knowledge rather than recalling facts, the hardest.
How we teach GCSE Science
Science and exam technique together
We teach the science and the exam technique side by side. Students learn the content, how to spot what a question is asking, and how to write an answer that fits the command word.
Diagrams, calculations, past papers
Lessons use diagrams, worked calculations, practical scenarios, past-paper questions and targeted recall practice.
What families say about GCSE Science lessons
“I was struggling to understand some of the Chemistry topics and didn't know how to approach the longer exam questions. The lessons are really clear and we use lots of past-paper questions, which has helped me understand what the examiners are looking for.”
Adam K., GCSE Chemistry
“Physics was one of my weakest subjects at the start of Year 11. My tutor breaks down the equations and calculations step by step, and we practise questions until I can do them independently. I now feel much more confident going into tests.”
Daniel R., GCSE Physics
“We wanted some extra support for Biology before the exams. The lessons have been well organised and focused on the areas my daughter actually needed to improve. I particularly like that the tutor uses past-paper questions rather than just going through the textbook.”
Helen W., Parent of GCSE student
“The lessons have helped me keep on top of all three sciences without feeling overwhelmed. We can focus on Biology, Chemistry or Physics depending on what I need that week. Going through past-paper questions has also helped me understand how to get the marks.”
Maya S., GCSE Combined Science
“We initially arranged tuition for Maths but later added Science as well. Having access to tutors who understand the different exam boards has been really helpful. The lessons are tailored to what our daughter is currently studying at school rather than following a generic programme.”
Aisha R., Parent of Year 11 student
“Focused sessions with excellent exam technique. We finally saw measurable progress.”
Adam, GCSE Science
Genuine reviews, published with permission. How we check reviews. Results vary by individual. Outcomes depend on attendance, effort, homework completion and exam conditions. No grades are guaranteed.
Talk to us about GCSE Science
Free 15-minute assessment call. We reply within 24 hours.
Who teaches it
- Your child is matched with one tutor from our team, who teaches every lesson.
- Tutors teach within their specialism and have relevant academic and/or teaching experience.
- Every tutor holds an Enhanced DBS certificate with a Children’s Barred List check.
We have tutors for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science. Availability depends on the subject, exam board and tutor timetable.
How lessons work
Length and frequency
Lessons last one hour.
Most students have one or two lessons a week. Students close to their exams may need more. We agree the timetable with you, based on your child’s goals, availability and workload.
Lessons run 09:00–21:00 UK time (Europe/London), seven days a week.
Online, on Microsoft Teams
Lessons are on Microsoft Teams. Tutors use the Teams whiteboard and screen sharing to explain ideas, show worked examples and go through questions together. Lessons are not recorded.
Required practicals, taught online
We teach required practicals through explanation, diagrams, videos and other visuals, experiment scenarios and exam-style questions. Students learn what each practical is for, its variables, equipment, method and safety points, its results and sources of error, and how to analyse and evaluate it.
Homework
Homework is usually set after each lesson and takes 15–30 minutes. It might be exam questions, worksheets, practice questions, short recall tasks or work that backs up the lesson.
We can set more or less after talking with you and your child. The tutor checks it and uses it to decide what to go over again.
Materials
Tutors use:
- Past exam papers
- Exam board materials and questions
- Online learning resources
- Virtus Academy resources, where useful
- Worksheets and materials the tutor makes
- Other resources chosen for your child’s specification and level
We choose materials to suit your child’s exam board, tier and what they need to improve.
How you hear about progress
We keep you up to date with how your child is doing. How often depends on your child and what you prefer. Updates can cover:
- What has been covered
- What your child is doing well
- What needs more practice
- Homework completion
- Exam technique and preparation
- Next steps
Price and the free assessment call
The rate depends on the student’s needs: current level, target grade, and how much re-teaching is required. We confirm it after the free assessment call.
All prices are in pounds sterling (GBP). Payment is taken in GBP.
The free 15-minute call helps us understand where your child is now and what they want to achieve. We talk about:
- Year group and current level
- Subject and exam board
- Foundation or Higher tier, where it applies
- Strengths and what they find hard
- Recent test or exam results, if you have them
- Target grades and exam goals
- How your child likes to learn
- Availability and how often to have lessons
If your child isn’t sure what they need help with, the call helps work out where tutoring will help most.
GCSE Science questions parents ask
Does my child need Triple Science for A-level science?
Not necessarily. Entry requirements vary between sixth forms and colleges, so check the requirements of the places and courses your child is considering. Students who take Combined Science can go on to study science further, if they meet the entry requirements.
Is Triple Science much harder?
Triple Science covers more content, so your child needs to be comfortable with the extra workload. Whether it suits them depends on their interests, current attainment and future plans.
Can you teach all three sciences?
Yes. We have tutors who specialise in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and tutors who teach Combined Science.
Do you cover required practicals?
Yes. Required practicals, and the exam questions about them, are part of our lessons.
More about lessons, cancellations and payment is on the FAQs page.
Free resources
Virtus Academy is a free GCSE resources site run by the same owner, publishing revision worksheets. These are its GCSE Science pages:
- GCSE Combined ScienceRevision worksheets and a topic guide across biology, chemistry and physics.
- GCSE BiologyCell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis, inheritance and ecology.
- GCSE ChemistryAtomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, organic chemistry and analysis.
- GCSE PhysicsEnergy, electricity, particle model, atomic structure, forces, waves, magnetism and space physics.
Choosing between the two routes? Combined science or triple science: it is not about ambition.
Talk to us about GCSE Science
Free 15-minute assessment call. We reply within 24 hours.