Garreth Tinker The Chemistry Coach

Merry Christmas one and all.

Hope everyone is taking a short break. Time to relax and decompress is always important.

I wasn’t going to share a post today – it’s Friday, it’s been a long week…
But then this happened.

Two of my former students got in touch. Not only did they offer to help support my tutoring business, but they also wrote me this letter.

Reading it honestly made my week.

From one student starting at Grade 5 and never feeling confident in science… to another pushing from a solid Grade 7 to a 9… this is why I teach.

Their words hit me harder than any inspection or formal observation ever could.

If you’ve had a win this week – big or small – I’d love to hear it in the comments. 👇

Also if you want to see how the way I teach can help, join my Webinar on Sunday at 6pm to find out more. Link to join in the comments.

Here is the full letter;

We can’t recommend Mr Tinker highly enough. We came to him from quite
different starting points - one of us was working at around a Grade 5 level and
had never really clicked with science, while the other was already at a solid
Grade 7 and looking to push towards the top. Thanks to Mr Tinker’s help,
guidance, and support, we’ve both reached the results we hoped for - one of
us achieving a high Grade 8, the other a strong Grade 9.
What really stands out is how he adapted his teaching to suit us both. For the
less science-inclined of us, Mr Tinker made the subject feel accessible and -
even more surprisingly - genuinely interesting. His way of breaking things
down, explaining them clearly, and never rushing through anything built real
confidence where there hadn’t been any before. No question ever felt too
small or “silly”- he always made time and answered with patience and clarity.
His passion for chemistry really shines through, and that enthusiasm was
honestly contagious. His lessons really were some of my most memorable
during secondary school.
For the one of us who already enjoyed science and was aiming high, Mr
Tinker didn’t just go over the basics - he challenged, stretched, and deepened
that understanding. He went beyond the syllabus where it made sense to,
introduced new ways of thinking, and constantly encouraged independent
thinking and problem-solving. Even at the top end, his teaching felt fresh,
engaging, and never repetitive. He made sure that progress was always
happening, even when things felt like they were going well.
We both felt completely supported in different ways. Mr Tinker has a rare
ability to meet students exactly where they are, whether that means building
confidence from the ground up or helping push someone already doing well to
reach their full potential. His lessons were always enjoyable, memorable, and
motivating - and he made learning feel genuinely personal.
He’s also one of the most approachable and down-to-earth teachers we’ve
had. He doesn’t just want to “get through the content”- he cares deeply about
making sure you understand, feel supported, and actually enjoy the process.
If you’re looking for a tutor who can connect with you as a person and tailor
things to your individual needs - whether you’re struggling or aiming for the
very top - Mr Tinker is the one. You really won’t find better.

📚 Why I Love to Teach 💬
It’s not just the subject — it’s the smiles, the breakthroughs, the quiet “I get it now” moments.
These thank-you notes from students mean more than grades ever could.
This is what fuels me.
This is why I teach.
This is The Chemistry Coach.