Maidstone · Online UK-wide
Dr Sandip Desai — PhD-qualified Chemistry Tutor and Experienced Examiner with 20 years of teaching and examining expertise. I help GCSE and A-Level students achieve top grades through clear explanations, structured learning and targeted exam preparation informed by examiner knowledge. Over 140 students have achieved A and A* grades in A-level chemistry under my tuition. DBS verified.
Fig. 2 · About
I've loved chemistry from a young age — but what many people don't know is that I didn't always find it easy. At school I often struggled to reach my potential: I'd work hard, revise for hours, and still feel confused by certain topics. Most frustrating of all, sometimes I genuinely understood a topic yet still missed the marks I expected in exams.
Because of that, I understand the frustration, self-doubt and loss of confidence so many students feel when studying chemistry.
Everything changed when I began teaching at university while completing my PhD. I realised most students weren't struggling for lack of ability — they were struggling because no one had explained the subject in a way that truly made sense to them. When concepts are broken down clearly, linked together logically and taught with patience, chemistry becomes far less intimidating and genuinely enjoyable. Helping students reach those 'lightbulb moments' is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, and it still shapes how I teach today.
Whether your child is struggling, lacking confidence, preparing for exams or aiming for the very highest grades, I'm here to help them build a deep understanding of the subject and reach their full potential. Chemistry isn't about memorising facts — it's about understanding how and why things happen. Once that understanding is in place, confidence grows, results improve, and students realise what they're truly capable of. Just be ready to work hard.
Most of my students attend grammar and independent schools, including:
• Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, Rochester
• Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone
• The Judd School, Tonbridge
• Dartford Grammar School for Girls
• The King's School, Canterbury
• King's School, Rochester
• Rochester Independent College
• Henrietta Barnett School, London
I often teach students internationally too, including those from Hong Kong, Dubai, Ukraine and the USA.
Chemistry isn't about memorising facts — it's about understanding how and why things happen.
Dr Sandip Desai
Fig. 4 · Inside a lesson
Tutorials take place online via Microsoft Teams. Using an HD webcam, drawing tablet and interactive whiteboard, I share my screen with you in real time — so annotated diagrams, notes, past-paper questions and worked examples are all viewed interactively, live.
Every topic in the specification is taught clearly and in detail. Lessons begin with the fundamentals and build to the highest level the exam demands — always for deep understanding, never rote memorisation.
Each lesson applies new knowledge to carefully selected past-paper questions. I've built topic-based question banks covering exam questions from 2010 to the present, shared through Google Drive, with new material always being added.
Weekly homework reinforces learning and pinpoints areas to improve. It's reviewed and assessed regularly so progress stays steady — and visible to both student and parent.
Students can ask questions between lessons by email or WhatsApp (with parental consent for under-18s). Extra guidance and clarification are there whenever they're needed.
Self-belief is central to how I teach. Through consistent encouragement and structured support, students grow in confidence — in their own ability and in the exam itself.
Fig. 4 · Method
Diagnose, build, practise, master. Every student follows the same clear path — and every lesson along the way is one-to-one, taught live, and built entirely around them.
A short call to discuss how tutoring works, the student's current grade, and their target goals. I'll be honest about whether I'm the right fit before any lessons are booked. A parent is welcome to join this discussion and may also observe any future lesson, with or without notifying me in advance, to see my teaching approach firsthand.
One-to-one, sixty-minute lessons tailored to the individual student. I teach through live writing and explanation, using hand-prepared notes rather than PowerPoint presentations. Every lesson is built around active learning, with ideas developed and worked through past paper questions in real time. Students leave each session with clear notes and materials they can use for revision and independent study.
By the end of the course, you will have completed most of the past-paper questions from your own examination specification. To push your understanding further, I also use carefully selected challenging questions from other exam boards and specifications. These often test the same underlying concepts in unfamiliar ways, helping to develop deeper understanding, stronger problem-solving skills.
By the final lessons the goal is not new content — it is calm. A student who knows the syllabus, knows how it is examined, and trusts their own working.
Fig. 5 · Reviews — in their own words
What follows is verbatim — every word, exactly the way each student or parent wrote it on Google.
“Sandip tutored me in chemistry from the beginning of year 11 for my GCSEs. When I started tutoring, I was struggling to keep an 8 in my exams, however, shortly after Sandip started helping me, I wouldn't achieve anything lower than a 9.”
“Sandip is very encouraging and supportive in all areas and is an amazing tutor. His personal understanding of how I learn best allowed me to achieve a grade 9 in my GCSEs this summer and I can't thank him enough for his help.”
“Dr Sandip has been an excellent tutor for my daughter. I can confidently say he has made a huge difference in my daughter's understanding of A Level Chemistry.”
“He explains complex concepts clearly, breaking it down and always comes prepared with helpful resources. His teaching style is patient, supportive, and tailored to my daughter's learning pace. I've seen real improvement in my daughter's confidence and her grades. Highly recommended to anyone looking to boost their performance in Chemistry!”
“It has been a few years since I sat my Chemistry A-level but Dr Sandip's teaching is still helping me through my degree and I will forever be grateful for his support.”
“He sent me handwritten notes and all the practice questions for Chemistry A-level for all the exam boards since 2003 via post. I will never forget his generosity and patience while tutoring me, as well as how he called me after each A-level paper and on results day to check on me.”
“Dr. Sandip was recommended to us by a student friend, and we couldn't be more grateful. He has a real gift for explaining complex topics clearly and thoroughly, diving deep when needed to ensure true understanding.”
“He's friendly, approachable, and creates a comfortable learning environment. It's clear he genuinely cares about the student's progress and well-being. We're really glad to have found him.”
All testimonials sourced from public Google reviews · more than 50 reviews, 5.0 average
Fig. 7 · Terms
These terms apply to all tuition provided by Dr Sandip Desai (Kent Chemistry Tutor). By booking and attending lessons, students and parents are deemed to have accepted them.
I provide tuition online unless otherwise agreed in advance. Lessons take place at the agreed day and time and are reserved exclusively for each student.
The lesson fee is £75 per hour, confirmed when booking.
If a student arrives late for a lesson, I am unable to extend the session beyond the scheduled finish time, and no fee adjustment will be made for lost time.
If I am late for a lesson, I will either extend the session where possible or add the lost time to a future lesson by mutual agreement.
I am fully committed to helping every student achieve their potential. I provide clear explanations, structured lessons, guidance, encouragement and ongoing support throughout our time working together. I genuinely believe that every student can improve with the right teaching approach and a willingness to learn.
Meaningful progress, however, requires effort from both of us. While I will do everything I can to support, motivate and encourage my students, I cannot learn the subject on their behalf. Students are expected to attend lessons regularly, engage positively during sessions, complete agreed independent study tasks, and make a genuine effort to apply what they have learned.
Over the years I have seen students make remarkable improvements, often moving from predicted grades of C or D to A or A*. The common factor is not natural ability but commitment, consistency and perseverance.
If I feel a student is consistently unwilling to engage, complete agreed work, or make a reasonable effort despite ongoing support, I reserve the right to terminate tuition with appropriate notice. I do this because parents should receive value for their hard-earned money and lesson time should be used productively to maximise progress.
a) If I need to cancel
Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances may mean I need to cancel or rearrange a lesson. In such cases I will offer an alternative lesson wherever possible. If a replacement cannot be arranged, no fee will be charged.
b) If a student needs to cancel
I ask for at least 24 hours' notice if a lesson needs to be cancelled.
Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at the full lesson rate, unless the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances such as serious illness or family bereavement.
I reserve a regular weekly slot for each student.
If a student cancels two consecutive lessons during term time (with the required notice) for reasons other than illness, the second missed lesson will be charged at the normal rate.
Any further consecutive cancellations may incur a retainer fee equivalent to the lesson cost, in order to retain the student's regular tuition slot.
I may set independent work between lessons where appropriate. Completing this work is an important part of the learning process and helps students gain maximum benefit from tuition.
I provide regular feedback during lessons, highlighting strengths as well as areas for improvement.
Parents or guardians are welcome to request a progress update, provided via email or a pre-arranged telephone call.
Payment should be made by bank transfer (BACS) at the beginning of each month.
I will always do my best to help students improve their understanding, confidence and examination performance. However, I cannot guarantee specific grades, examination results, university offers or academic outcomes.
Success ultimately depends on a range of factors, including attendance, effort, independent study and examination performance.
I accept no liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from the use of my tuition services, resources, advice or materials.
I cannot be held responsible for any delay or failure to provide lessons due to circumstances beyond my reasonable control, including illness, internet outages, power failures, natural disasters, government restrictions or other unforeseen events.
Where possible I will offer alternative arrangements. No fees will be charged for lessons that cannot take place due to such circumstances.
By booking and attending lessons, students and parents are deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
Updated June 2026 · open as a full page
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