Frequently asked questions
Choosing a programme
Which qualifications do you teach?
The small-group programmes teach Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science (Double Award). Diamond 1-to-1 supports Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science at GCSE and International GCSE level, plus Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Human Biology and A-level Biology. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science is a particular specialist area, with Angeline's current Physics examiner role providing additional assessment insight rather than limiting the offer to Physics.
Can international students join?
Yes. International students are welcome where the timetable, course and examination route are suitable. Diamond 1-to-1 is particularly suitable for students following Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Human Biology overseas, with lesson times arranged by mutual agreement. GCSE students following other specifications and A-level Biology students can also enquire. Families remain responsible for confirming local recognition and arranging examination entry, fees and any access arrangements in their country.
What is the difference between the Two-Year and Intensive programmes?
Both pathways cover the same Pearson Edexcel International GCSE specification. The Two-Year Programme spreads learning over two academic years at a steadier pace. The Intensive Programme completes the qualification in one academic year, with more live teaching each week and a greater expectation of independent work between lessons.
Should we choose Combined Science or an individual science?
That depends on the qualification the student is working towards, their examination plans and how much science they want to study. Combined Science includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics and leads to the Double Award qualification. Individual science courses focus on one subject. If you are unsure, the enquiry process is designed to help you choose a suitable route rather than asking you to decide alone.
How do we know which programme is suitable?
After your initial enquiry, Angeline reviews the intended qualification, examination year, previous science study, confidence and the pace the student is likely to manage. A short conversation is offered when the route is unclear or reassurance would be useful. You then receive a specific programme recommendation before formal enrolment.
Can a student join after the programme has started?
Possibly. A late start is considered individually because the right answer depends on how far the group has progressed and what the student has already studied. Angeline will be clear about whether joining is realistic and what catch-up would be needed; completion of the full specification cannot be guaranteed where a student joins late or misses substantial teaching.
Lessons and learning
What happens in a typical lesson?
Lessons are live, online and 60 minutes long. The teaching rhythm moves from a clear welcome and purpose into discussion, explanation and modelling, then application through scientific thinking, calculations, practical reasoning and exam-style questions. Each lesson ends with a focused Next Step so students know how to continue learning independently.
How large are the classes?
Standard live core classes are published as capped at eight students. A class may only rise above eight in exceptional circumstances where Angeline is confident that the quality of learning and group experience can still be maintained.
What happens if a student misses a lesson?
A missed student lesson is not refunded because the place in the programme remains reserved. The recording and related resources remain available for 90 days, with catch-up guidance designed to help the student rejoin the course without creating a separate private lesson.
How much independent work is expected?
Students in the group programmes receive purposeful independent Next Steps rather than routine homework for its own sake. The amount varies with the topic and pathway, and the Intensive Programme requires more independent work between lessons. Diamond 1-to-1 students are set one specific homework task from each lesson, which can be submitted for individual marking and feedback.
What is the Science Café?
Science Café is an optional 30-minute academy gathering for enrolled students. It is designed for curiosity, conversation and community rather than as another specification lesson. Topics may include science news, careers, documentaries, real-world questions or ideas beyond the course. It is recorded and follows the normal 90-day recording period.
Technology and recordings
Which platforms do students use?
Live teaching and lesson recordings are provided through Lessonspace. Supporting summaries, resources and Next Steps are organised through the academy Learning Hub in Dropbox at launch. Students receive access only to the courses in which they are enrolled.
Do students have to turn their cameras on?
No. Cameras are optional. Students may be encouraged to appear briefly to say hello where they feel comfortable, but participation can also happen through voice, chat, shared annotation and written responses.
Are lessons recorded, and how long are recordings kept?
Yes. Programme lessons are recorded in Lessonspace for safeguarding and remain available for 90 days unless a safeguarding or legal reason requires a recording to be preserved for longer. A student’s face may appear in a recording if they choose to use their camera.
Can parents access lesson recordings?
Students have access to their relevant course recordings. Parents may request appropriate access, but parent access is not provided automatically because privacy and safeguarding considerations need to be taken into account.
What technology do students need?
Students need a reliable internet connection and a device that can comfortably access Lessonspace and the Learning Hub. Working audio is important for live participation; a camera is optional. Access and basic platform readiness are checked during the individual Welcome Meeting before group teaching begins.
Exams and practical skills
Which exam board do you teach?
The small-group programmes are aligned to Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science. Diamond 1-to-1 supports Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science at GCSE and International GCSE level, plus Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Human Biology and A-level Biology. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is a particular specialist area. Angeline is also a current Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics examiner, adding current assessment insight within the broader science offer.
Does the academy enter students for their examinations?
No. Families remain responsible for arranging examination-centre entry, examination fees and any access arrangements unless a separate written service is introduced in future. Angeline can provide general educational guidance, but the academy cannot guarantee examination-centre availability.
How are practical science skills taught online?
Practical thinking is built into normal teaching rather than treated as an afterthought. Students practise planning investigations, interpreting observations and data, evaluating methods, applying scientific ideas to real situations and answering practical-context exam questions. Lessons use discussion, modelling, demonstrations and suitable resources to make the reasoning behind practical work clear.
How are students assessed?
All students encounter exam-style questions during teaching. Gold and Platinum members also receive one 60-mark assessment based on past examination questions per teaching block, with personalised examiner feedback and a concise written report. Diamond students receive individually selected assessment as part of their bespoke 1-to-1 programme, alongside marked homework and personalised feedback.
Do you teach exam technique as well as the science?
Yes. Understanding comes first, but students are also shown how to communicate that understanding effectively for marks. Angeline’s examiner-informed approach includes command words, calculations, interpreting data, applying ideas to unfamiliar contexts and learning from mark-scheme expectations without reducing science to memorising answers.
Progress and parent communication
How will I know about the student's progress?
Communication is designed to be useful rather than constant. All families receive clear practical updates, and Angeline raises meaningful concerns or celebrations when needed. Gold and Platinum families also receive assessment feedback and a concise report after each assessment cycle. Diamond families receive personalised feedback through marked homework, assessment and individual progress review as appropriate.
What is the difference between Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond?
Silver, Gold and Platinum are memberships for the small-group programmes. Every group membership receives the same live classroom teaching, recordings, summaries, resources, Next Steps, Learning Hub access and Science Café. Gold adds a marked 60-mark assessment, personalised examiner feedback and a concise report each block. Platinum includes everything in Gold plus one personalised 30-minute one-to-one session each month. Diamond is different: it is a separate bespoke 1-to-1 tuition service at £45 per 60-minute lesson, with individual teaching, one specific homework task after each lesson, marking and feedback, and assessment tailored to the student. Times are arranged by application and availability.
What happens if a student is struggling?
Angeline looks at what is causing the difficulty rather than simply labelling the student as behind. A difficult topic, confidence, attendance, programme pace, a learning need and a wider welfare concern require different responses. Meaningful concerns are raised early, with specific observations and realistic next steps agreed with the family where appropriate.
Can you support students with additional learning needs?
The academy asks for relevant learning, health, SEND and access information so reasonable and proportionate adjustments can be considered. Teaching can include extra processing time, clear visual structure, different ways to respond and breaking complex explanations into manageable steps. Angeline will also be clear if a student’s needs cannot safely or effectively be met within the small-group model.
Who are the Platinum one-to-one sessions for?
The monthly 30-minute Platinum session is primarily for the student. It can be used for understanding, confidence, organisation, exam preparation and reviewing individual goals and next steps. It supplements the student's group programme; it is not the same as Diamond's fully individual 60-minute teaching.
How does Diamond 1-to-1 tuition work?
Diamond is bespoke individual science tuition at £45 per 60-minute lesson across Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Human Biology, with A-level Biology also available. Lessons are planned around the student's specification, strengths, gaps and examination needs. Angeline has audited the full available past-paper sets across the science qualifications she teaches and used those papers extensively in tutorial sessions, so past-paper work can be selected purposefully rather than used as generic practice. She is also a current Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics examiner. One focused homework task may be set from each lesson and submitted for individual marking and feedback. Assessment and progress review are tailored to the student, and lesson recordings are normally available for 90 days. Lessons can be paid individually at least one week in advance, or through a prepaid 4-lesson pass costing £180. Lesson times are offered by application and mutual arrangement, subject to limited availability.
Enrolment, payments and cancellations
How does enrolment work?
You begin with a short enquiry rather than a long enrolment form. For current support, Angeline can discuss Diamond 1-to-1 tuition; families can also register interest in future small-group provision. Formal enrolment only follows once a specific service, timetable where relevant, fees and key policies have been confirmed.
How does the £50 deposit work?
The £50 deposit applies to group-programme enrolment when a specific intake is open. Future group intake information will state whether a deposit is required and how it is handled. Diamond tuition does not use the group enrolment deposit.
How are programme fees paid?
Future small-group programme fees, instalment schedules and payment methods will be published with each confirmed intake before enrolment. Diamond tuition is currently £45 per 60-minute lesson, paid lesson-by-lesson in advance or as a four-lesson pass for £180.
What happens if there are not enough students for a course to run?
Future small-group courses may require a minimum number of enrolled students before they are confirmed. The minimum, confirmation date and any deposit arrangements will be stated clearly for each intake before families commit.
How do I withdraw a student from the academy?
One full calendar month’s written notice is required to withdraw. Cancelling the GoCardless Direct Debit mandate by itself does not count as notice of withdrawal and does not automatically cancel fees that are properly due. Membership changes normally take effect from the start of the next teaching block.
How do Diamond payments and cancellations work?
Diamond lessons cost £45 per 60 minutes. Families can pay for each lesson individually at least one week in advance, or buy a prepaid 4-lesson pass for £180. With 24 hours or more notice, a Diamond lesson can be rearranged or the lesson value refunded or credited in full. With 12–24 hours notice, 50% of the lesson fee is refunded or credited. With less than 12 hours notice, or when cancelling on the day of the lesson, no refund or credit is due. If Angeline cancels, the lesson is rearranged or its full value is refunded or credited.
What does Founding Family pricing mean?
Founding Family pricing related to the original HSA launch cohort and is not a current general offer. Prices for any future group intake will be published specifically for that intake. Diamond is a separate 1-to-1 service with its own current pricing.
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