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Tuition Details
My tuition sessions are exclusively for current Year 5 children, and tuition is conducted by myself in small groups. Group sessions enable children to work both collaboratively and individually, depending on the material. Students enjoy the competition that comes from working alongside other children, but also they benefit from the camaraderie of small group sessions, with many former students forming friendships within their groups that they continue into high school.
My students’ pass rate for the 11+ entrance exam has consistently remained at around 90% for the past nine years and in 2022-23 it was 92%, which is excellent considering I do not select students based on initial assessments; students of all abilities are welcome to study with me. My focus is on building children’s knowledge, honing their problem-solving skills, and boosting their confidence. We work on exam technique, but I aim to equip them not just for the grammar school entrance exam but also for success in Year 6 and beyond. I am very proud of my students’ academic achievements, and it is highly rewarding to see children unlock their potential through a genuine love for learning.
We meet for an hour weekly. Lessons are hybrid, comprising online and in-person tuition. The first two meetings of each month are held at my office, and the remaining sessions of the month are online using Zoom and a variety of interactive programs. Lessons run throughout the year until the grammar school entrance exam, which is held in September of Year 6 (we don’t meet at half term or Christmas/Easter but we do meet throughout the summer holidays). During that time, students study all the required aspects of a GL Assessment style 11+ test – namely English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. Homework of up to 1 hour duration is set each week.
Knowing how dull online learning can be if not done properly, I aim to make all learning enjoyable and memorable. When we are working online I use lots of interactive material such as online quizzes and games so that students are engaged throughout the session. I’m a Certified Educator in both Formative and Quizizz learning platforms and use paid accounts for the sites I use to make full use of their features. I also use resources from a variety of GLA 11+ providers including GL Assessment, Bond, CGP, LEAP, NFER Nelson, and First Past the Post as well as material I’ve designed and developed myself. This variety ensures your child will be more than ready to tackle 11+ style questions in whichever format and style they are presented in the test. My students have also found the skills developed over their year studying with me invaluable for year 6 and SATs work.
Technical information for online learning:
For online learning, I recommend using a laptop or PC equipped with a headset and microphone to reduce background noise. It’s important to have a reliable internet connection, preferably wired (using an Ethernet cable directly connected to the router) or working close to the router. If an ethernet connection is not possible, I recommend other household members avoid bandwidth-intensive activities such as gaming, streaming and general internet use during the online tuition session to ensure the best possible connection.
I don’t recommend the use of tablets or phones for online tuition as the screen is typically too small for an optimal learning experience.
We use Google Classroom (which requires a Google account), Formative, and various engaging online quiz platforms such as Quizizz, Quizlet, WordWall and Blooket to maximize the benefits of online learning.
During the summer holidays ALL NORMAL TUITION SESSIONS are in-person. This gives students lots of mock test experience. We look at how to develop test techniques, managing work pace effectively, and addressing nervousness while also focusing on mental preparation for the test.
I run subject booster sessions in the summer holidays, too. These are all online and are optional.
Tuition fees (£25 per week from 2021 onwards) are paid monthly in advance by direct debit before the 1st lesson of each month. Fees include all paper materials and also all access to online quizzes, activities, and any other materials used for homework, tests and marking.
If your child is unable to attend a scheduled in-person session (due to holidays, illness, or a prior engagement), I will try to accommodate them in an alternative session if I have space. However, attending a different tuition session during online weeks is more flexible and easily achievable. Fees are not reimbursed for missed sessions, but I will always ensure your child has access to any relevant missed material, and they will also have access to the homework for missed sessions.
You do not pay for sessions that I cancel or for weeks when we do not have sessions (such as Christmas, Easter, and half-term holidays). We do have sessions throughout the summer holidays; however, I typically take a one or two-week break at some point between July and September. There is no charge for weeks I take off for holidays, but I will also ensure that appropriate assignments are provided for students to complete whilst I’m away, in any case.
For term dates see below.
Please contact me by emailing [email protected] if you’d like more information.
Booking online is the easiest way to see real-time availability for dates and times.
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Tuition dates in red will take place in my office, and dates in black will be online but may be subject to change.
October tuition: 2, 9, 16 October (3 weeks)
Half term holiday – October 23th and October 30th (two weeks)
November tuition: 6, 13, 20, 27 November (4 weeks)
December tuition: 4, 11, 18 December (3 weeks)
Christmas holidays – 25th December and 1st January
January tuition: 8, 15, 22, 29 January (4 weeks)
February tuition: 5, 12, 26 February (3 weeks)
Half term holidays – February 19th
March tuition: 5, 12, 19, 26 March (4 weeks)
April tuition: 2, 23, 30 April (3 weeks)
Easter holidays – 9th and 16th April
May tuition: 7, 14, 21 May (3 weeks)
Half-term holidays – May 28th
June tuition: 4, 11, 18, 25 June (4 weeks)
July tuition: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July (5 weeks)
August tuition: 6, 13, 20, 27 August (4 weeks)
September tuition*: 3, 10, 17, 24 September (4 weeks) (*depending on test date)
Tuition dates in red will take place in my office, and dates in black will be online but may be subject to change.
Tuition dates in red will take place in my office, and dates in black will be online but may be subject to change.
October tuition: 3, 10, 17 October (3 weeks)
Half term holiday – October 24th and October 31st (two weeks holiday)
November tuition: 7, 14, 21, 28 November (4 weeks)
December tuition: 5, 12, 19 December (3 weeks)
Christmas holidays – 26th December and 2nd January
January tuition: 9, 16, 23, 30 January (4 weeks)
February tuition: 6, 13, 27 February (3 weeks)
Half term holidays – February 20th
March tuition: 6, 13, 20, 27 March (4 weeks)
April tuition: 3, 24 April (2 weeks)
Easter holidays – 10th and 17th April
May tuition: 1, 8, 15, 22 May (4 weeks)
Half-term holidays – May 29th
June tuition: 5, 12, 19, 26 June (4 weeks)
July tuition: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 July (5 weeks)
August tuition: 7, 14, 21, 28 August (4 weeks)
September tuition*: 4, 11, 18, 25 September (4 weeks) (*depending on test date)
Tuition dates in red will take place in my office, and dates in black will be online but may be subject to change.
Online/Rising Bridge Rd, Haslingden, BB4 5BL.