What Our Students & Parents Say About Us
When I was preparing my UCAS application for Natural Sciences at Cambridge, I felt overwhelmed by both my upcoming interview and getting good grades for my A-levels. My Cambridge tutor at Atom Academy helped me identify my unique strengths and express them confidently in writing. But Atom Academy's support went far beyond just application prep - they connected me with five industry experts, including a pharmaceutical researcher and a lifescience consultant, who gave me invaluable insights into real-world applications of Natural Sciences. These conversations not only helped me articulate my passion more convincingly in my personal statement but also gave me thoughtful points to discuss during my interview.
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The interview preparation was truly invaluable - we practiced common Natural Sciences questions, from explaining complex biochemical processes to solving unexpected chemical problems. They taught me to think aloud and show my reasoning, which proved crucial during the actual interview. When the interviewer asked me to explain protein folding and then threw a curveball about entropy, I remained calm and worked through it step by step, just as we'd practiced.
Being able to reference my conversations with industry professionals, especially when discussing potential research directions, really helped me stand out. I'm now studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge. The combination of academic preparation and industry exposure they provided was game-changing for my journey.
Atom Academy student - Patricia
As a parent, watching my daughter Cecil's transformation since joining Atom Academy has been incredible. Cecil started with their group classes in Year 8 to prepare for a national academic competition - the You Be The Chemist Challenge UK. What impressed me was how the tutors balanced teaching advanced topics while ensuring deep understanding. She mastered 50% of the GCSE content while still in Year 8. A highlight was when her group created an innovative beverage video project under their tutor's guidance, which went on to win the best video award in the national challenge.
But the real success isn't just in the academic advancement - it's in seeing her become an independent, self-motivated learner. She now takes initiative with her homework, actively seeks out online resources, and even knows how to navigate PubMed for scientific research - skills I wouldn't have expected from a Year 9 student! The transformation in her confidence and attitude towards learning has been remarkable. She's no longer waiting to be told what to study.
As a parent, seeing your child develop such academic independence and genuine enthusiasm for learning is priceless. Atom Academy didn't just help her excel in science; they helped nurture a young scientist who's curious, confident, and capable of independent research. From our experience, they don't just teach - they inspire a lifelong love of learning. I wholeheartedly recommend them to any parent wanting to see their child shine.
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Parent of Atom Academy student - Mrs Cai
I was paired with three Cambridge tutors who were perfectly matched to my ambitions. Each tutor brought their own unique expertise to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, sharing insights from their Cambridge experience that went far beyond the GCSE syllabus. When I told them I wanted to be challenged, they really delivered! They would constantly push me with university-level questions after we covered the GCSE content, helping me develop deeper analytical skills. I remember one of my tutors saying, 'If you can explain this to a five-year-old, you've truly mastered it,' which became my study mantra.
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Their demanding yet encouraging approach played a crucial role in my achievement of grade 9s across all three sciences. They weren't just teaching me to get good grades in exams; they were teaching me to think like a scientist. Looking back, those challenging questions and thorough explanations they pushed me with are exactly what helped me develop the confidence and deep understanding needed to excel. The fact that they were all from Cambridge university themselves made them incredible role models - they knew exactly what it takes to achieve academic excellence because they'd walked that path themselves. With my tutors' continued guidance and support through my A-levels, I'm working towards my dream of studying at Cambridge, just as they did.
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Atom Academy student - Jackson
I used to get really poor grades and always thought I just wasn't clever enough. Before joining Atom Academy, I was getting Ds and Es, and honestly felt quite hopeless about my studies. What made Atom Academy different was how my tutor never wrote me off as a 'bad student' - instead, they saw my willingness to work hard as my greatest strength.
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My tutor helped me completely transform my approach to studying - from organising my daily schedule to mapping out my curriculum in manageable chunks. They taught me how to revise effectively, not just spend hours reading textbooks without direction. They introduced me to academic competitions I never knew existed and guided me through starting my own blog to showcase my growing interests. Each suggestion was part of a bigger plan to build my confidence alongside my grades.
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What I appreciate most is how they helped me recognise that success isn't just about being 'naturally clever.' Through their mentorship, I learnt that being hardworking, when paired with the right strategy and guidance, could take me further than I ever imagined. Now, I not only have significantly improved grades, but also a structured study routine, a growing portfolio of achievements, and most importantly, belief in my own abilities.
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Atom Academy student - Gemma
I joined the online career orientation workshop at Atom Academy. I knew about the typical high-earning professions like medicine and law, but I was looking for something different. The workshop was eye-opening, especially when they delved into the world of banking.
was fascinated to learn about roles I'd never heard of before, like equity research in investment banking. The speaker broke down exactly what these professionals do and the impressive earning potential. But what I found most valuable was learning about the complex recruitment process - from online assessments to video interviews and assessment centres. Before this workshop, I had no idea that getting into banking required such thorough preparation.
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They didn't just tell us about these careers; they taught us practical skills like CV writing and cover letter techniques. The tutors shared real-world examples and insider tips that you can't easily find online. Thanks to this early exposure, I'm now consciously building my profile with relevant activities and skills that will help me stand out in future banking applications.
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Atom Academy student - Tom