Specialist GCSE and A-Level biology tutor Caroline Shepherd smiles from her home classroom in Ringwood, Hampshire

Hi! I'm Caroline Shepherd - the 'Sheps' behind Biosheps!

I'm a full time tutor who is passionate about helping students love Biology as much as I do. I believe everyone deserves the tools and confidence to succeed in Science, whatever their goals. Find out more about me below…

Caroline clearly has an incredible understanding of how teen minds work, how they can be motivated and how they can be helped to understand really complex things.

This, coupled together with kindness, approachability and enthusiasm for Biology is what makes you such a fantastic tutor.
Caroline is an incredibly approachable and understanding teacher.

She really helped my confidence in Biology A-Level with clear explanations and a flexible approach to teaching. She was always cheerful and I enjoyed our lessons. Her help and guidance results in me achieving a grade higher than my predicted grade at A-Level.
Caroline was able to explain complex concepts in a way that was easy for me to understand and was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure I grasped the material.

I was really struggling with the content and exam technique, but with the help of Caroline, I saw a significant improvement in my grades. She has transformed my outlook on Biology with her continuous encouragement and support.

People often ask me: Why did you become a tutor?

I could say it's because I love my subject and want to share my passion with others. Or that I enjoy working with young people (no two lessons are the same!)

But at the root of it all, I am a tutor because I know personally just how much impact they can have on students' outcomes and confidence. It's no exaggeration to say that without a tutor, I would have failed my Chemistry A-Level and wouldn't be where I am today.

Read my story of how I overcame nearly failing A-Level Chemistry

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Read my story of how I overcame nearly failing A-Level Chemistry ✏️

I'd been struggling for months; a bright and motivated student, I felt like I'd been bashing my head against a brick wall to no avail as I continued to get E's and D's in my exams. I was working so hard but not seeing the results I so desperately wanted. From a state school in Portsmouth, I'd never even heard of people getting tutoring before.... but my parents made the investment in me and I am so grateful they did.

Tutoring was intense but rewarding - I had nowhere to hide and my insecurities and misconceptions with chemistry were soon exposed without a classroom full of others to hide behind. But slowly and surely, chemistry started to click. I learnt techniques to approach the questions and got more experienced at navigating the maths and language of the exams. My tutor was unfailingly patient with a knack for triggering 'lightbulb moments' in my understanding. Lesson by lesson, my confidence grew.

Branded biology tuition laptop with biology tutor working on an ipad in the background

When the day came and I sat in my final A-level exams, I was surprised that the exam paper felt easy. I heard my tutors' advice in my head as I worked my way through the questions and knew exactly what to do (and how to do it!) from start to finish. I walked out of the exam feeling satisfied, relaxed and happy that I'd done my absolute best. When I opened my results, I felt so proud of what I'd achieved.

This is the power that a good tutor can have. I want all my students to feel this way. It's my mission to help all students to feel this way.

My Credentials

Fully qualified ‘outstanding’ qualified teacher with 10+ years of experienced, 5 as Head of Biology in a successful 11-18 state school.
Proven track record of student success: 46% A-A* in A-Level Biology in 2022 - double the national average.
Experienced and current A-Level examiner.
1st Class degree from a Russell Group University: BSc Biomedical Sciences (Uni Southampton)
DBS Checked, safeguarding trained and fully insured: in person, or online, your child is in safe hands.

Biology tutor smiles from behind a microscope in her home in Ringwood, Hampshire

When I'm not tutoring, you'll find me...

Out and about in the New Forest with my husband and our retired greyhound girl, Devi.
Drinking coffee. I'm almost always drinking coffee (although mostly decaf these days)
Swinging kettlebells, lifting weights and practising my pilates (I'm terrible at all 3 but it's all about the progress, not perfection!)
Pottering in the garden, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or reading and listening to my favourite podcasts (ask me for recommendations next time we chat).