Question 1

Do you hold a valid DBS certificate?

Accepted Answer

I hold an enhanced DBS certificate through The Tutors' Association. I am also registered with the DBS Update Service, which allows eligible organisations and employers, with my permission, to check the status of my certificate online, free of charge. My DBS certificate number is available upon request.

Question 2

What subjects do you teach?

Accepted Answer

I provide 1-1 tuition in English (writing and reading comprehension) and Maths for students in Year 3 up to Year 8.

I also provide small group maths tuition for students in Years 5 and 6 (separately).

Question 3

What does a typical session look like?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are prepared in advance and include a mix of pre-teaching topics and consolidation. I am a firm believer in making learning fun, but not for the sake of it: tasks must be meaningful and memorable for the right reasons. I place a great deal of emphasis on subject-specific vocabulary, particularly when supporting students with writing, as that shared language enables a child to understand and act upon targeted feedback and make progress. My style is 'firm but fair'. I am also fun and enthusiastic and offer plenty of positive praise: a child with a healthy self-esteem makes for a more effective learner.

Question 4

Where do tutoring sessions take place?

Accepted Answer

One-to-one sessions take place in your home. Your child will benefit from a quiet and comfortable environment where they won't be disturbed by noisy siblings, but where you are able to check-in as and when you wish.

Small group sessions take place in the cosy comfort of my home classroom on Aldwickbury Crescent which is less than a five-minute walk to Crabtree Juniors and High Beeches Primary, and a short drive to Manland, The Grove Juniors and Harpenden Academy.

Question 5

How much does a session cost?

Accepted Answer

A one-hour, one-to-one session costs £55. This includes the cost of learning materials and takes into account the additional time spent planning and preparing the session.

A one-hour small group maths session costs £25 and must be paid for in advance in half-term blocks. For further information regarding what is included in the cost of each session, please see the Cost section on the Year 5 and Year 6 small group tuition pages.

Question 6

How many 1-1 sessions will my child need and how often?

Accepted Answer

This is dependent upon your goals. Something small and specific could be supported and progress made over half a term. Conversely, a child who needs to secure the basics of maths, for example, would likely benefit from long-term tuition.

You are required to commit to half-termly blocks of weekly 1-1 tuition (paid for following each session). This means that you can get a feel for how much the sessions are benefiting your child and we can go from there.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

When you decide to use the services of ACE Tuition Harpenden, you agree to the terms and conditions that can be found at the bottom of this webpage.

Briefly, these are the key terms:

If 1-1 sessions are cancelled within 24 hours, 50% of the session cost will be charged and billed for.

If two or more 1-1 sessions are cancelled for reasons other than illness in a term, we reserve the right to offer the session day/time to another family on the waiting list.

Although it is appreciated that school trips or key events are scheduled on certain dates, these are known well in advance and should therefore also be communicated before the start of each half term, otherwise a cancellation charge of 100% of the session cost will be levied. Please note, it is not appropriate to cancel a session for reasons such as your child wishing to participate in a sporting fixture or attend a party.

Small group sessions are paid for in advance in half-termly blocks. Sessions cannot be rearranged and refunds cannot be offered for any weeks that are missed.

Question 8

Am I able to cancel or reschedule a session?

Accepted Answer

Please get in touch if you need to cancel a 1-1 session due to illness or a serious family emergency. If two or more 1-1 sessions are cancelled for reasons other than illness or an emergency in a term, I reserve the right to offer the session day/time to a client on the waiting list.

If you need to reschedule a 1-1 session, I will do my very best to accommodate; however, please be aware that this is generally very difficult to do since I tutor most evenings.

Small group sessions cannot be rearranged due to the nature of this type of tutoring.

Question 9

Will you work with my child's school / teachers?

Accepted Answer

I am happy to make contact with teachers to gain a deeper understanding of your child's progress and attainment; however, teachers are very busy people and I have found that, if they don't have time to speak to me, I can still glean a great deal from school reports, exercise books, and spending time with your child.

Question 10

Do you offer 1-1 sessions during the school holidays?

Accepted Answer

I do offer 1-1 sessions during the school holidays. Please contact me to discuss this further.

Question 11

Are you able to offer tuition during school hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am able to offer this subject to availability and the agreement of your child's school. I would require the use of a quiet space/room in their school for the duration of the session.

I am also available to offer regular tutoring for home schooled pupils, either in your home or my own.

Question 12

Do you offer online tutoring?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer online sessions as I believe it is far less effective than in-person tutoring.

Question 13

Do you offer tutoring for KS1 / KS4 (GCSE) / KS5 (A Level)?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer tutoring for KS1, Year 9, KS4 (GCSE) or KS5 (A Level) at this time. I have experience tutoring maths up to GCSE and plan to offer this service again in the future.

Question 14

Do you offer tutoring for the 11+ / 13+ / Common Entrance exams?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer tutoring for Common Entrance exams at this time. A good place to start if you are looking for an experienced tutor or online learning platform would be to ask for suggestions from the school where you are looking to apply. Some schools recommend Atom Learning and I am aware of parents who have used this and feel it has been a good investment. In addition to in-person tutoring, there is a huge range of reasonably priced learning materials available to purchase on sites such as Amazon from brands including CGP, Collins and Bond. Vocabulary flashcards are a great resource: broadening your child's vocabulary will benefit them far beyond the Common Entrance exam.

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