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FAQ
Common Questions from Parents and Students
How can online tutors help my child?
A tutor can help reiterate concepts shared with your child in school and further quiz them on this knowledge. They will work at a more appropriate pace to consolidate concepts and encourage mastery of the subject. A tutor will also share exam techniques and can create new resources to practise for the exam.
How long before the exam should I get a tutor?
As soon as you realise you are not reaching your full potential and struggling to keep up at school or college. The longer you wait to start, the less time there is for a tutor to help you. If you get a tutor a month before an exam but have been struggling the whole year, unless they teach you full-time, they probably won't be able to help you as much as you hope. It's better to start early and have enough time to ensure difficult topics sink in and become second nature.
How long and frequent should the lessons be?
The length of the recommended lesson would depend on the level being studied. For GCSE students, I would recommend 60-90 minutes once a week. However, if the student is having particular difficulty completing the homework between each lesson, and quite often asks for help with their school homework, it would be more beneficial to have two sessions of 45-60 minutes per week.
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For A-level and IB students, I would recommend 90-120 mins once a week. This is due to the complexity of the topics and exam-style questions. Any shorter lesson will compromise the number of questions that can be covered with sufficient detail.
It's half term, is it ok to skip lessons?
In general, it isn't recommended to skip tutoring sessions, especially if you have a tutor to help you catch up with schoolwork. Any prolonged gaps between the lessons will set the student back again. Therefore, try to avoid missing tutoring sessions, and if you are going away on holiday, check with your tutor if they can reschedule that partial session to a different day.
How long will it take to see an improvement in my child’s grades?
The rate of improvement in grades is affected by many factors, including the consistency of the tutoring sessions, how far behind the student might be when tutoring commences, and the student's commitment. You will often notice an increase in confidence and a more positive attitude about school before grades increase.
Do you have a DBS check?
Yes, I hold an up-to-date enhanced DBS certificate that can be seen on request.
Are all tutors qualified teachers?
In the UK, to teach in state schools, you are required to have a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). It can be obtained via many different programs in addition to a PGCE. Many private schools, also seen as independent schools, can choose whether they want their teachers to have a QTS or not. To be a tutor, you need to have a very good understanding of the subject you are tutoring as well as a detailed understanding of the way the exams are written and marked. This allows them to teach at the same level as qualified teachers.
Are you a qualified teacher?
I do not hold QTS or PGCE, but have a BSc in Pure Mathematics from UCL. Therefore, I have a deep understanding of the subject and exams required to succeed.
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I have tutored students aged 14+ for over ten years, helping them improve their grades and achieve success. I also worked for a year in a special needs school.
I'm still not sure if I want to book a lesson, what should I do?
If you are still unsure or have more questions, please fill in the contact form below, and we can have a call to discuss them. There is a free trial lesson available for all students, and there is no obligation or contract to continue lessons once you have started. You can stop having lessons at any point, ideally when you have enough confidence to continue your studies alone.
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Can I get a refund after my lesson?
I have a no refund policy once a lesson is completed.
What levels can you teach?
I can teach:
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GCSE
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A-level
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IB
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International GCSE and A-level
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Functional maths at any level
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Any other GCSE equivalent maths qualifications required for professional qualifications. (Just provide me with the exact name of the qualification or specification for the course beforehand so I can make tailored lessons for you)
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Any non-mathematic degrees that require help with mathematical modules. (For example, if you are studying geography and need help with some calculations in your course, etc )
Can't see an answer to your questions?
