Meet the Pin-tuition team!
Pin-tuition's tutors are either fully qualified teachers or currently training to be teachers.
To find out more, feel free to email heather@pin-tuition.com to find out which tutor would be best suited to you!
Owner & Founder
Heather Thomson
Mathematics & English
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Background
Heather became a fully qualified teacher in 2017 and then went on to become a teacher in the middle east for a number of years.
After returning home in 2021, Heather started Pin-tuition and has been dedicated to growing the company ever since.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"Having a few of my own previous students join our team as tutors whilst they pursue their own teacher training courses at University."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"EVERYTHING MATHS! I really enjoy helping people build their confidence with Maths - especially skills that everyone needs in everyday life such as: budgeting, tax, speed distance time, problem solving etc!"
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Advice for students:
It will always work out exactly as it should, your grades do not define you. However, it’s certainly worth learning to work hard - a hard working ethic will help you in any career path.
Tutor
Cody Rushford
English & Biology
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Background
Cody started as a Pin-tuition student in 2021, before joining as a tutor in 2023 and is now studying towards becoming an English teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"When one of my students was told by their classroom teacher that it was highly unlikely that she would pass the exam. She put in so much effort and not only passed but came out with an A"
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Creative writing because I get to see what the students are passionate about. They can be as creative as the like and write about anything they choose - you get a real insight into their personality with these tasks"
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Advice for students:
It will be alright, no matter what happens this year. Ask questions and try your best!
Tutor
Niamh Haran
Mathematics
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Background
Niamh has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2023, before joining Pin-tuition in January 2025.
Niamh currently studying Mathematics at University and aims to complete her PGDE afterwards to become a Maths teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"When a student has previously been unable to understand a topic but when I taught them a different method, they grasped it instantly! It was so exciting to see their attitude towards a topic completed change."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Algebra - especially algebraic fractions. I liked that you’re not just relying on mental Maths like some other topics. It mostly follows a set method."
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Advice for students:
Simplify! Simplify! Simplify! In every question, make sure you give your answer in the simplest form!
Tutor
Ava Bell
Chemistry
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Background
Ava has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2022, before joining Pin-tuition in August 2024.
Ava is currently studying Chemical Physics at University and plans to complete her PGDE afterwards to become a Chemistry teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"Hearing that my students have gained confidence, not just in Chemistry, but across their other subjects too."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Nuclear Chemistry - this started with the production of HBO Max’s "Chernobyl" which sparked an interest into Nuclear studies so I thoroughly enjoy teaching and learning about it."
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Advice for students:
You’re not ‘bad’ at any subject - you’re just not being taught in a way that works for you! Everyone’s brain is wired slightly differently, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to learning.
Tutor
Ryan Barrowman
Chemistry
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Background
Ryan has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2023, before joining Pin-tuition in August 2024.
Ryan is a fully qualified and practicing Maths teacher with a dual degree in Physics.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"I was explaining a concept to a student, who has asked why it worked. We went over the proof together and they were just really interested in the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind it, they were totally engaged the entire time."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"In Mathematics, I love teaching calculus. It’s very procedural and if you know the rules, no matter how hard it looks, you can get to answer.
In Physics, I love teaching any topic to do with space, because it’s my personal passion too. S o much so that I used to work in the space industry as a satellite controller!"
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Advice for students:
Don’t be afraid to annotate. Highlighters are great for taking long complication questions and boiling them down to just the important parts. Even in Maths and Physics, it’s really useful to practice that close reading so that you’re saving yourself time and avoiding mistakes.
Tutor
Niky Maguire
Biology
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Background
Niky started as a Pin-tuition student in 2022, before joining as a tutor in August 2024.
Niamh is currently studying Forensics at University and aims to complete her PGDE afterwards to become a Biology teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"Definitely results day and finding out how well everyone has done!"
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Anything in Biology as it’s the study of all life - including my own! I find every element so fascinating and love how it all works together perfectly."
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Advice for students:
Don’t leave things to the last minute, it’s never too early to set up a study space and get in the habit of revising.
Tutor
Jilly Lefebvre
Chemistry & Biology
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Background
Jilly has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2023, before joining Pin-tuition in January 2025.
Jilly is currently studying Genetics at University and plans to complete her PGDE afterwards to become a Biology teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"Bumping into a student I previously tutored in the university library after she was accepted into her first degree of pharmacology.."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Advanced Biology - it’s a challenging subject and a good opportunity for me to keep current with the basics of my own course!"
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Advice for students:
Try to pick subjects you enjoy! Progress comes easily when studying doesn’t feel like a chore.
Tutor
Alex Patterson
Chemistry & Biology
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Background
Alex has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2023, before joining Pin-tuition in August 2025.
Alex completed his undergraduate degree at University and is now to studying to complete his PGDE to become a Maths teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"When a student changed his mind within 6 weeks of dropping Nat 4 Maths and told me he wanted to go for the Nat 5 the following year. He followed through with this, put a heap of effort and achieved a B!"
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Favourite topic to teach:
"I love teaching Quadratics and Nat 5 & Higher level. I also really enjoy teaching differentiation and integration for Higher."
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Advice for students:
"Always show your working and take your time with each question - it’s not a race!"
Tutor
Andrew Breadon
English​
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Background
Andrew has been tutoring online on a 1:1 basis since 2023, before joining Pin-tuition in August 2025.
Andrew is a fully qualified and practicing English teacher.
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Favourite Tuition Moment:
"Seeing students’ confidence grow with the material they are studying."
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Favourite topic to teach:
"Any kind of drama text! I love any excuse to incorporate drama within English!"
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Advice for students:
"Take your time answering questions, there’s no prize for finishing first. It’s better to learn how to answer accurately to begin with, then you can work on timing (if need be) for the final exam!"
IT Manager
Sean Whelan
Background
Sean graduated from University with a First Class Honours BSc in Audio Technology in 2017 and has handled IT for Pin-tuition since 2021.
Sean is also Heather's brother!
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Favourite IT Moment:
"Development of the "top secret" Pin-tuition project! "
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Favourite IT topic:
"I enjoy working with creative IT software most of all!"
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Advice for students:
"Chase absolute perfection with all your focus and determination. Everyone can improve, so never stop!"
Apply Today!
Email heather@pin-tuition.com for career opportunities