What We Do

Strategies for mathematics include a mixture of concrete, pictorial and abstract approaches. This allows children to visualize and physically experience mathematical concepts before working in an abstract way.

Games and practical, hands-on activities are used to engage students and make learning fun.

All areas of the mathematics curriculum can be covered. Some sessions may focus on core concepts, e.g., times tables or number bonds, while others develop reasoning and problem-solving skills for mastery.

Writing lessons are based on engaging texts, images and short clips to inspire ideas and increase engagement. An emphasis on developing vocabulary and oral story-telling is embedded within the sessions because if you are unable to say it, you will be unable to write it! Pieces of high-quality writing will be shared and discussed with the pupils so they have a clear goal and example to work towards.

Through reading books, extracts and non-fiction texts, reading fluency and comprehension skills are developed. Texts and questions are discussed and analysed to help students unpick meanings and build the skills needed to answer comprehension-style questions.

Grammar, spelling and punctuation skills are taught through practical games, visual memory strategies and short-burst writing tasks to allow children to practise and develop these concepts in context.

Handwriting development will initially involve games and activities to develop muscles and fine motor skills. Later work will focus on correctly forming individual letters, joins and words.

Each school uses a different phonics scheme, which has an order in which sounds are taught. Phonics lessons aim to follow the same sound order as the scheme used at your child’s school to ensure consistency and continuity.

Sessions focus on securing gaps in your child’s phonics knowledge; challenging your child to read with increased speed and fluency; or consistently embedding phonic knowledge into writing. A strong emphasis will be placed on segmenting and blending sounds and building a solid phonemic awareness.

Practical methods and games are used within sessions to aid memory, understanding and enjoyment. I have experience teaching phonics to children of a range of ages, so older children with spelling and reading difficulties are welcome to have these sessions. I have also taught children in Year 1 and delivered phonics screening tests.

The Key Stage 2 National Curriculum content for Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar is covered in Year 6 SATS sessions. Initial assessments identify the child's current starting point, and subsequent lessons are planned to develop knowledge and progress. Exam techniques are taught through completing past papers and mock questions.

These activities build familiarity with the layout and skills needed to complete the test, helping pupils to feel more prepared, confident and relaxed in test conditions.

The 11+ exam is usually taken at the beginning of Year 6. Therefore, 11+ tuition is most beneficial for children in Year 4 or Year 5.

There are two exam boards that could be used for the 11+ entrance exam at your chosen grammar school; the CEM and the GL. Once it has been established which exam board your chosen school uses, tuition to develop mathematics, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and, at times, English will begin.

Verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning lessons are not taught in the National Curriculum, so it is unlikely that your child has experienced these at school.

Verbal reasoning is used to test your child's potential and requires good vocabulary. The questions focus on words, sequences, codes and logic. Non-verbal reasoning questions involve solving problems with pictures and diagrams.

11+ tutoring sessions cover the content needed to prepare your child for the specific papers that they will sit for your chosen grammar school.

The sessions aim to develop confidence and increase familiarity with the test papers and exam skills.

We are also able to help with any homework that your child is sent from school! Bring it along to the session and you will be given the support and teaching needed to complete it successfully.