About Hopusu
Building Mathematical Confidence Since 2015
Hopusu started in a small classroom in Clapham when Rachel Thompson, a secondary school mathematics teacher with 12 years of classroom experience, noticed a pattern. Students who struggled weren't lacking ability—they needed individualised attention that traditional classroom settings couldn't provide. What began with five students meeting twice weekly has grown into a dedicated tutoring service supporting over 200 students annually across South London.
Our Foundation
The service was established with a straightforward principle: mathematics becomes accessible when teaching adapts to each student's learning style. Rachel assembled a team of qualified educators, each holding at least a Bachelor's degree in mathematics or related fields, with a combined 85 years of teaching experience. The team includes former exam board markers and university lecturers who understand curriculum requirements from GCSE through A-Level and beyond.
From our office at 83 Elmfield Road in Wandsworth, we coordinate both in-person sessions at students' homes and online lessons. This dual approach emerged from practical necessity during 2020 but proved so effective that we maintained both options. Students in Wimbledon, Balham, Tooting, and surrounding areas benefit from face-to-face interaction, while our digital platform serves families across Greater London and beyond.
Our Mission
We provide structured mathematics instruction that addresses specific learning gaps. Each student receives a diagnostic assessment within the first session, followed by a customised learning plan that targets areas needing reinforcement while building on existing strengths. Our aim is measurable progress in exam performance and problem-solving capability.
Our Vision
We work towards a situation where students approach mathematical challenges with competence rather than anxiety. This means developing not just computational skills but analytical thinking that applies beyond the classroom. We measure success through improved grades, certainly, but also through students who choose mathematics-heavy subjects at university.
Core Values
Our practice rests on three operational principles. First, transparency: parents receive detailed progress reports every four weeks, including topics covered, assessment results, and recommended focus areas. Second, qualification standards: every tutor holds QTS or equivalent certification and undergoes annual DBS checks. Third, curriculum alignment: our materials follow exam board specifications precisely, using past papers and mark schemes from AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.
Structured Learning
Lessons follow a consistent format: review of previous material, introduction of new concepts with worked examples, guided practice, and independent problem-solving. This structure, refined over eight years, helps students build knowledge systematically rather than cramming before exams.
Evidence-Based Methods
We use spaced repetition for formula retention, interleaving of topics to strengthen connections, and retrieval practice through regular low-stakes quizzes. These techniques come from cognitive science research rather than educational trends, and our data shows they improve long-term retention by approximately 40%.
Responsive Support
Students can submit questions between sessions via our online platform, receiving responses within 24 hours during term time. Before major exams, we offer additional revision sessions at no extra charge. This availability addresses the reality that mathematical difficulties don't respect scheduled lesson times.
Experience and Expertise
Our team consists of seven core tutors and three associate tutors who join during peak exam periods. Collectively, we've prepared students for over 1,500 GCSE examinations and 600 A-Level papers. Three team members have marking experience with major exam boards, providing insight into how examiners assess responses—knowledge that directly benefits students in understanding mark scheme requirements.
92% We track outcomes systematically. Since 2018, 92% of our GCSE students achieved grades 7-9, compared to a national average of 22% for these top grades. At A-Level, 78% secured A or A* grades. These figures reflect our focus on students targeting high grades rather than representing all ability levels.
Our experience spans the full secondary curriculum: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, and mechanics. We support students following standard, additional, and further mathematics courses, as well as those preparing for admissions tests like STEP, MAT, and TMUA for Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College.
Operating from London since 2015, we maintain availability Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, with Saturday morning slots from 10:00 to 14:00. Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20 7345 9812 to discuss how we can support your mathematical education goals.
