Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost and when do sessions run?

If you’ve looked here but can’t find the information you need, then just get in touch.

How long does a session last?

Sessions are usually 1 hour long.

Can you provide references?

Yes, just get in touch.

How do you know what my child needs?

We will always discuss your child’s needs with you before the first lesson.  We then spend a few minutes during the first session, where we identify with your child what their needs are, as well as getting to know them as an individual. This also enables them to take responsibility for their learning and to set themselves some goals, along with sharing things that make them feel at home: what do they enjoy most at school, hobbies, pets etc!

We enjoy ensuring that they are able to make rapid gains, as well as embedding skills and ideas to ensure that learning is not just ‘here today and gone tomorrow’. We recognise that some children need extensive repetition in various forms, while others grasp things quickly and need to be moved along.   Very often, children fall into both groups depending on the type of learning in question.

What if I only want a few sessions?

As long as we can fit you in this is not a problem. Sometimes a six week period can make all the difference.

 

My child is incredibly bright – how will you stretch them?

We have both taught numerous exceptional pupils. Each one is different, and it is a brilliant challenge to find the next steps to take them above and beyond. We find that while some are extremely self-confident and need to be taught to be a little more critical of their work, others need plenty of reassurance to continue to achieve their full potential. High achievers sometimes struggle in a particular area e.g punctuation, as their minds race ahead at top speed. We support learners with finding strategies to really show off what they can do.

My child really struggles – what can you do to help?

We highly recommend getting in touch for a chat.  We have experience of a diverse range of needs so it is  unlikely that we would have no idea how to help.  However, if  we feel that you need to seek more specific professional help, we will let you know.  We sometimes have contacts that we can suggest.

Can you help with preparing for entry exams for private schools?

Yes, this is something we have done very successfully.   If you are confident that your child has the ability and desire to succeed, we are happy to help.  If you are unsure, we are happy to assess this over one or two sessions. We use informal methods to ensure that pupils are not overwhelmed.  They usually quite enjoy the new challenge!

English is not my child’s first language- can you help?

We have taught numerous pupils with English as an additional language. We really enjoy supporting children as they develop their confidence, and we can tailor support to help them to achieve fluency and accuracy more quickly.

An hour is a long time for my child – what do you do about breaks?

We are happy to be guided by you in general. If a child is clearly struggling to concentrate we may take a short break or simply change to a different activity.  Sometimes, shorter lessons are possible, so do ask.

 

Do I need to buy anything?

We might recommend a resource to you, but we provide pens, paper/ exercise books and a folder if needed and usually additional suggestions will total no more than £25 over the course of a year.  However, for the 11+, we may recommend certain books that your child can work in during lessons and/or at home, costing £35-70 a year on average.

Will you set homework?

We generally take your lead on this. Homework will be set if requested by parents. For some pupils, this is an excellent opportunity for personalised stretch and challenge tasks, with individual feedback. For others, it is the last thing that is needed. We are happy to discuss what is best in your situation, and this can always be adjusted later if things change. 

How will you mark work?

Feedback in all forms can be valuable, yet it is the child’s response that is the most important. We give high levels of verbal feedback as a natural part of a session, which then enables your child to move their learning forward. We also give written feedback at times, ensuring that it is useful to your child and to you in supporting them too. Parents often have strong views about what is needed in terms of marking and we are happy to discuss this with you.

Do you have a notice period or can I leave at any point?

We generally request 4-6 weeks notice or payment in lieu of notice after any agreed trial period.

What if my child cannot attend a session?

Occasionally it is possible for us to offer you an alternative slot later in the week or soon after.  You are welcome to ask, although it is not always possible.

Do you continue through school holidays?

Yes we are usually available if you wish to continue lessons during the holidays .   This is a useful way to keep things ticking over for your child, but we are also really keen for them to  have plenty of time to do other things and to relax.  If we are going to be away ourselves, we give as much notice as possible. However, we don’t take holidays during term time.

What about insurance?
We have £5m public liability insurance.

How can I be sure that children are safe in your care?

We each have a recent  DBS certificate, and we ensure that the areas that children are in are safe and secure. Prior to starting lessons you will also be asked to share some basic contact details and medical information in line with best practice. 

You are welcome to be present throughout lessons if you wish.  We encourage parents to pop in and out of lessons if possible, even if you are mainly letting your child ‘get on with it’, so that you can be comfortable that your child is in a safe environment and to enable you to monitor the content of lessons.    This is particularly important since lessons are usually one to one.   Lessons via Zoom can be recorded if you wish.  We encourage you and your children to talk about the content of lessons and any informal chat that we have.  If you ever have concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

For face to face lessons, you are encouraged to stay for part of the lesson if you wish or to call back before the end of the session at whim.  This provides peace of mind both for yourself and for us.  For lessons in your own home, again, you are encouraged to pop in and out of the room if not staying throughout.