A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS

Michael studied Maths and Computer Science at university, including a DPhil from Oxford in 2012. He grew up near Chicago in the US but has lived in the UK long enough now to say ‘maths’ instead of ‘math’. Michael joined d’Overbroeck’s in 2017, and thoroughly enjoys serving as a Director of Studies and teaching Maths and Further Maths to the diverse group of budding mathematicians in the Sixth Form. He is always keen to share his enthusiasm for proofs and patterns with his students—did you know that every prime number greater than 3 is either one more or one less than a multiple of 6 (and can you prove it?!)

Nick read for a Masters in Mathematics and Philosophy at Christ Church, Oxford, specialising in Ethics, Topology and Set Theory, before training as a teacher. He joined d’Overbroeck’s in 2010, teaching Mathematics to Years 7-13, before becoming Head of Years 7-11. He enjoys any area of Maths involving proof, and can usually be tempted to discuss Philosophy whenever circumstances allow. He is a keen runner and reluctant cyclist.

Sam spent his early adulthood in Montreal, earning a BA in maths and economics from McGill University before moving to Brussels for a master’s in economics and EU policy. His master’s thesis merged his interests of maths and economics, applying qualitative dynamical systems theory to a model of rational addiction. He came to d’Overbroeck’s after a PGCE in maths education at Oxford and teaching maths at an international school in Belgium. In his free time he plays jazz piano and listens to audiobooks.

Nita received an AB, 2 MS degrees and a PhD from various universities in the USA, each in some form of mathematics. For (m>>n) years, she combined teaching undergraduate courses with research in applied mathematics and mathematical physiology. She has ((n-1)^(n-1)) diplomas in mathematics, wrote (n) theses, (n! + 1) peer-reviewed papers and has an Erdos number of (n+1). She relocated to the UK in (670n-1) and has been working at d’Overbroeck’s since (670n) where she is Director of Studies, maths teacher, Head of the d’Overbroeck’s Plus and Oxbridge Programmes, and co-runs the maths Plus group. Over the last few years, she has worked alongside Simon to develop the school’s academic enrichment programme to help spread the message that thinking critically and developing intellectual curiosity are both interesting and fun.

Nita particularly enjoys long walks off the grid with her family; her greatest joy is in raising and spending time with her (n) children all of whose names begin with the (n^n – 1)th letter of the alphabet.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Leon graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in Mathematics. At the end of his studies, he was elected as Director of Events and Services at the Students’ Association, serving a sabbatical year before going into brief stints in Finance and Sales. However, after finding that neither of these vocations suited him, he turned to teaching and found a career he was truly passionate about. Leon has taught at d’Overbroeck’s since 2017, teaching across our sites as well as coaching our school’s under 19s basketball team. Over that time he has become a Director of Studies and taken over as Staff Coordinator to the Student Representative Council.

Beth studied Mathematics at Imperial College London, though interestingly she first went to Guildhall School of Music and Drama to begin a degree in Music. She missed studying Maths and after switching to Imperial she was fortunate to be able to enjoy many extra curricular music societies alongside her degree. Beth completed her teacher training through Teach First, a two year programme in which you learn on the job to gain Qualified Teacher Status. Teach First is a particularly challenging route into teaching, not least because you are placed in schools with pupils from the poorest background. After completing the programme, Beth moved to Oxford and began working at d’Overbroeck’s. As well as teaching Mathematics at both Years 7-11 and the Sixth Form, she leads the Years 7-11 School Council which has gone from strength to strength since she took on the role. Beth feels passionately about enabling all students to express their voice and enable positive change within the school. In her spare moments around school you will find her talking enthusiastically about IT and the potential for Teaching and Learning, as well as getting stuck into any Extra Curricular Maths opportunity such as designing escape room puzzles for the students.

Graham is the Head of Mathematics at TIS and also teaches at the Sixth Form. He has taught all year groups and at all parts of the school throughout his twelve years at d’Overbroeck’s. Before teaching here, Graham completed his doctorate at Oxford University in the research area of Algebraic Topology. He did some teaching and speaking at the University during his research, and has an article published in the American Mathematical Society Journal.

Graham has been involved in many extra-curricular maths activities and also coordinates Running and Athletics across the school. He is a keen juggler and has taught many students how to juggle at his school Juggling Club.

Will is in the process of completing his PhD in algebra, at City, University of London. There, he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and has also taught for two years at Rugby School and one year in Thailand. He has an MSc from Oxford and completed his undergraduate studies in Bristol, and is currently making revisions to his third journal article on algebra which has just been accepted for publication.

Ian graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Mathematics in 2009. A four year career in the gas and power industry followed before he moved to Cape Town, South Africa and started teaching mathematics and physics. He joined d’Overbroeck’s in 2019 after taking four months out to explore southern and east Africa while living in a Land Rover Discovery.

Ian is passionate about teaching students to use mathematics and physics to understand the world (and the wider universe). His favourite moments in the A -Level maths and further maths courses are those when the application of an idea suddenly becomes clear.

When he’s not helping students achieve their ambitions and solving challenging mechanics problems, Ian can usually be found playing rugby or racing sailboats.