My Quest to Offer Tuition which is Top of its Class!

Hi my name is Angie, and I am a professional tutor and experienced maths teacher (I have 20+ years in the classroom, I was head of maths in a large secondary school and I am an examiner, marking GCSE & iGCSE).

When I decided to become a full-time professional tutor I recognised that my teaching experience alone did not automatically mean my tuition would offer the best support out there for you or your child. I therefore studied the research available to tailor my tuition to ensure it really is top of its class! I know you want the very best for your child and that is what I aim to deliver.

 

What is my tuition model and why?

 

Overall the evidence shows that from all the interventions used with students, individual and small group tuition provide the very highest rating of additional progress (6 or more months). However, this comes with a caveat: for tuition to have this high level of impact, certain factors need to be met. These are:

• Very small group (up to three) of students with the same needs

•  Specific needs targetted

• Effective feedback to students

• Engagement

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Group Size

My model of tutoring is to teach students individually or in pairs. As I mentioned above, research shows small group sizes (two or three very closely matched learners) make the same progress as individual students. I therefore teach mainly in pairs and cap my group size at three. I have found my students are more motivated in a pair, and by asking their own questions and offering their own take on a problem, everyone benefits from the additional learning. Students also have more fun this way! 

 

Targetting Specific Needs

Tuition is most effective when you teach your students exactly what they need to make progress. Therefore I assess all students before pairing them to ensure their maths needs are completely matched. I only ever group students of the same mathematical level and working towards the same goals. My programs of study are planned to provide consolidation and progression of all the skills necessary for success. However my lessons are also flexible and centred around the changing needs of my students. This way students are always being taught exactly what they need right now.

 

Feedback to Students

I teach students face to face and online. When online, my students set up a second video link, in addition to the zoom link which is focussed directly onto their work. This enables me to monitor their writing throughout each lesson. Feedback is then immediate, specific and targetted  - as required to maximise progress. This is why I am happy to conduct lessons online as well as face to face - as I know they are equally as effective!

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Engagement

The work I prepare is challenging, interesting and varied each lesson - this is where my love of maths and experience as a classroom teacher come to the forefront! Every lesson includes shorter tasks to practise key skills, longer problem-solving tasks and exam technique where appropriate. Online lessons are the same as face to face lessons, and rest assured NOTHING like the pandemic online school lessons. The video and mics are turned on at all times, and we chat and discuss the maths throughout. I monitor my students' handwritten work via a second video link so I can respond in real time, giving encouragement and making suggestions.