About Rory
Hello!
I'm Rory, a maths tutor living in Dove Holes, Derbyshire.
As well as maths, I also love spending time with my family (pictured), hiking, running, and gardening.
I also create card games & boardgames (such as 'Algebrain') that I sell online and at markets on weekends.
You can read more about my personal journey below!
Early Life
I wasn't always keen on maths.
In fact, from an early age, I misbehaved quite a lot, both at home and at school!
And, despite my nowadays RP accent, I've lived in 25 houses, attended 8 schools, and was on free school meals as a low-income student.
For a short while, I lived in Macclesfield, and loved exploring nature in the Peak District. Hence why I have moved back so many years later!
Home School
When we were forced to move across the country in the middle of Year 9, I ended up in an area with ZERO school places nearby — so my sister and I had to be homeschooled for a while.
It was at homeschool that I really discovered a passion for maths, and in a few months managed to teach myself not only GCSE but also A-level Maths, as well as Dutch, Latin, Italian, German, and a lot of philosophy.
Not a typical curriculum — but I enjoyed it!
Space School!
Eventually, I joined a tiny, newly-founded local state school. This was Space Studio West London, a science-specialist school that was initially based in an old disused job centre!
For the first time, I loved school — because the teachers there gave students independence and encouraged creativity.
Olympiads
Despite my attainment in Maths, I had never really studied Chemistry before, and my first mock exam came out at a D.
Because my teachers saw potential in me, they encouraged me to enter the Chemistry Olympiad nonetheless, since they knew I enjoyed a challenge!
Over a few months, I learned much of the GCSE and A-level syllabus, became pretty good at Chemistry, and ended up winning the INEOS Prize for the Chemistry Olympiad, a Sixth Form competition, when I was just 15.
The Deep End...
In fact, I think I now have more Gold Awards than almost anybody in the country in both the Chemistry Olympiad and the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge (Lower Sixth), on account of entering them both so early and getting top marks every year until I became too old to sit them anymore!
I also came top in a National Essay Competition for History run by the New College of the Humanities in London, as well as second in the country in the Lincoln Physics Challenge.
Suffice to say, I always learned best by getting out of my comfort zone and diving straight into the deep end of a subject... and I still do!
Off to University
I applied for Cambridge, although for a long time I wasn't sure if I should take it or not.
Did poor kids like me go to Cambridge and enjoy themselves? I wasn't sure.
Thankfully, I had met my interviewer at both of the Chemistry Olympiad camps I went to, so the interview wasn't too nervewracking.
I got in — initially as a Chemist, but slowly changed my degree to study more Geology, Evolutionary Biology, History of Science, and even Philosophy. I loved studying such a breadth of subjects and in such depth, too.
But my focus was rarely on academics while I was there!
When in Rome...
I knew fairly soon that I didn't want to stay in academia for too long. It felt too sheltered, and I strove for freedom.
Instead, I spent most of my time being President of my college's student body, being Captain of the boatclub, going on runs about Cambridge, gardening, and otherwise making the most of life.
Studying, writing essays and solving problem sheets were done too, but I knew it wasn't what I was there for...
After Graduating
After I graduated, I ended up doing a few things.
I was a campaigner for an animal welfare charity, which got me debating on TV with ex-MP Jacob Rees-Mogg!
I then worked in fundraising & sustainable transport and then at a sustainable pet food start-up.
Then, I set up a card game company, and worked as a freelance web developer.
I met the love of my life, who I am marrying in September 2025, and we eventually left our jobs in Bristol to move up to the Peak District, where I had so enjoyed living as a young teenager.
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My Life Tutoring
Throughout all of this upheaval, I have always tutored the next generation of students.
I love teaching maths and science to people of all stripes, bringing them the joy of understanding.
I started tutoring at the age of 16, just after getting my A* in A-level Maths, and have kept going for almost the entire time.
Only this year, after buying our house and settling at last in the Peak District, have I made tutoring my full-time profession.
It gets me out of the house, doing something I love, in a part of the country that is more beautiful than (in my opinion!) anywhere else.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little.
Now, I'd love to get to know you, too.
Why not book in a call below?