Places in London to do A-Level Chemistry / Biology

[Martigan]

For what it's worth, I just did A2 Chemistry completely home study (and got the A) in 6 months. I used Campbell Harris for my exams (including the practical). Not sure if this would work for the new syllabus but it might be worth checking it out.

Cheers
Vicky

I've done the same but sitting the exam/practicles with bright futures. So it is possible with the new sylabus under Edexcel.

[adriantoll]

Martigan & Vicky - so this means that you both did home study, using Bright Futures / Campbell Harris for the practical components and taking the actual exam? Having had a look around, Campbell Harris charge £1333 per subject per term, Bright Futures charge £2495 per subject per year, whereas Hammersmith College only charges £510 per subject per year. Is there a reason for the large disparity, such as regular tuition above and beyond what Hammersmith offers? The Hammersmith course information is here: EHWLC Courses

[Martigan]

The price you quote for bright futures is the fully tutored price.

I would have gone the hammersmith course, except I would of had to give up running dance workshops, costing £1k plus social life. Then explain to my boss, who doesn't know my plans, why I'm leaving work 3 hours early every Monday...

[dotvicky]

I just used them for the exams both written and practicals. I also did a 1 week practical revision course with them over the Easter holidays - of course it was more 'vision' than 're-vision' for me but it gave me everything I needed to cruise the practical part of the exam.

<strike>If the £510 is for the AS and the A2 and includes the exams it might work out cheaper than paying for the exams through somewhere like Campbell Harris! It's probably for only the AS *or* the A2 in which case, you can probably do it for less yourself.</strike> Oops - didn't see the link!

I think Campbell Harris charge slightly more for their exams but you don't pay the £510 tuition. But then again, their week of intensive practical revision was a couple of hundred pounds I think so...

Personally, I enjoyed the freedom of being able to work at my own pace and not having to worry about a set time each week which wouldn't have been ideal as I had just given birth (!). I did use a tutor for a couple of hours at one point but I think he was more used to tutoring people with a lot more basic difficulties because I didn't find him that helpful.

Cheers
Vicky

[dotvicky]

And completely OT - you teach dance, Martigan? Very cool. I'm a dancer myself although it's gone a bit by the wayside in recent years.

Cheers
Vicky

[adriantoll]

I would have gone the hammersmith course, except I would of had to give up running dance workshops, costing £1k plus social life. Then explain to my boss, who doesn't know my plans, why I'm leaving work 3 hours early every Monday...

Ah, fair enough. I'm self-employed, so I'd have to perform some very complicated psychological gymnastics to hide anything from my boss

Personally, I enjoyed the freedom of being able to work at my own pace and not having to worry about a set time each week which wouldn't have been ideal as I had just given birth (!).

I can see how that would be tricky As this is the first time I'll have studied anything scientific in a while, I quite like the idea of having some kind of structure for the year. Having said that, being self-employed I'm pretty disciplined when it comes to working to a self-imposed schedule.

I guess being single does have its plus sides!

[Martigan]

And completely OT - you teach dance, Martigan? Very cool. I'm a dancer myself although it's gone a bit by the wayside in recent years.

Cheers
Vicky

Yep. I'm a jive bunny!

[dotvicky]

Yep. I'm a jive bunny!

Nice. Did 20*cough* years of classical dance (Modern, Ballet and Tap) and more recently got into Ballroom but want to do competitions/medals and can't find someone to do that with me. Have dabbled in Ceroc and Salsa too.

[Martigan]

One of my Taxi Dancers does ballroom competitively. Pm me where your located and I will see if she knows any one up for a partner.

[aotdowson]

Hey guys, good thread. Adrian, sign-up at Hammersmith and I will most likely see you there! Does anyone know/have experience of the feasibility of working full-time and doing intensive A-level evening classes for say the full Chemistry A-level and Biology AS?! Any advice would be hugely appreciated! Adam