Serena's Tuition
Southfleet
Southfleet
We all know how much easier it is to learn when we are interested, engaged and challenged; this is why I plan all my lessons with these three aims in mind. Whether your child needs support with their English and Maths OR they are taking on the 11+/Kent/Medway Test, I will do all I can to prepare, resource and deliver pacy lessons that keep them on their toes!
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What do you love most about your job?
I genuinely feel as if I have the best job in the world! Working with small groups and - in the holidays - 1-2-1, to build a child's confidence and love of learning is a privilege. Every lesson is unique: I haven't repeated a lesson in four-years, so there is always something to keep me on my toes. Working with families and communicating openly about their strong and weak areas, means that the tuition can be tailored to their needs. I LOVE LEARNING, and I want to ensure my students feel the same way!
What inspired you to start your own business?
I was increasingly frustrated in the classroom environment. Learning happens best when it is fun, engaging, relevant and - when possible - practical, and the logistics of teaching in this way with 30+ students (not to mention the admin and restrictions that got in the way), I didn't feel I could teach in a way that I wanted to. Leaving the classroom setting and 'going it alone' was the best decision I ever made, both professionally and personally. I couldn't have imagined how rewarding and exciting it has been setting-up and growing my own tuition business.
Why should our clients choose you?
My sessions are unique - it's as simple as that! I don't take shortcuts when planning and delivering my sessions. Detailed and tailored lesson plans are emailed to parents prior to every lesson. Extensive feedback is sent after each lesson, and I'm available for hints, tips and support in between. Children also LOVE coming here - they literally run up the path and ask throw themselves into the pacy and challenging learning. Homework activities are set to complement the learning in class, and these approach the topic from at least five different angles, including: online games, practical activities, worksheet-based activities, online research, videos and board games/puzzles. If learning isn't fun, it's very hard to motivate yourself. I want every child to realise that they are natural learners; they just have to take the right approach!
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
I provide small-group tuition (no more than six students with a TA to support the teacher). These sessions run from two locations, Portland Road in Gravesend, and Dale Road in Southfleet.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
My lessons went online throughout the pandemic. As the restrictions eased, students started attending in small groups, with all equipment wiped down and cleaned after each session. I continue to 'anti-bac' all stationery, chairs and tables after each session now -it's a hard habit to break!
LKS2 English/Maths Boosters
These group sessions cost £22.50 per hour, and alternate between English one week, and Maths the next. They cover all elements of the Year 4 Maths and English curriculum, and are differentiated to ensure every student can access the learning (even those in Year 3). Each lesson includes a quick mental maths/spelling/SPaG starter to complement the objective set for that lesson. This is followed by an introductory presentation with a worksheet activity to ensure the children have a record of their learning.
To consolidate our learning - and ensure each lesson is pacy and fun - each lesson also contains an online/practical/puzzle/quiz/group game or activity. In the past this has included cooking, measuring objects 'out-and-about', Easter Egg hunts and any number of scavenger hunts and other challenges!
Lessons are differentiated to provide sufficient challenge to each student; this is achieved through changes to the work that is set, the support that is available and the use of differentiated questions.
Resources, a lesson plan and homework tasks are all printed off and ready when the children arrive. Furthermore, the upcoming lesson plan is emailed to you prior to each lesson, to ensure you - and your child - know what to expect from the each session.
Following each session, you will receive a personalised follow-up email detailing your child's conduct and progress during the lesson and explaining the work that was covered during the hour.
When it comes to completing the homework, I am available (via email 24/7) to support your child with any of the work that I have set.
If you/I/your child have any concerns about a topic that needs more work, 1-2-1 sessions are available during the school holidays to work specifically on that area. These individually tailored 1-2-1 sessions cost £40ph and - again - include all resources, homework activities, stationery, water and a snack.
UKS2 Maths Boosters
Each one-hour lesson includes a mental maths starter, which is followed by an interactive presentation/PPT to introduce that day's topoic. I have planned a detailed scheme of work to cover all elements of the Year 6 Maths curriculum and adapt the lessons to meet the needs of each student, including those in Year 5. The work is differentiated - by activity/targeted questioning/level of support - to provide sufficient challenge to each student. When possible, a game or problem-solving element is used to help make the learning more interesting and more relevant to real life. Having invested in new tablets, I also aim to include an online element in sessions when appropriate.
I find that 'chunking' lessons into a range of varied activities helps learners as it allows them to approach a subject from a number of different 'angles' and it also stops them getting bored. Every time a new activity starts, different parts of the brain are 'fired up' and new memories are made!
UKS2 English Boosters
Each one-hour lesson (£22.50ph) includes a spelling test, followed by a SPaG activity linked directly to the Year 6 curriculum. The main part of the lesson focuses on a reading or writing objective from the curriculum, and is linked to a termly topic. In the past these have included a number of historical/cultural topics, such as: The Shang Dynasty, Italy, The Victorians, Mexico and, currently, The Benin Kingdom. These ever-changing topics also allow for some fantastic opportunities for immersive experiences, including eating, drinking and even dressing in ways related to our topic! I make use of targeted questions to challenge each and every child and a 'no hands up' policy keeps children on their toes and engaged - they never know when a question is going to come their way!
I cover a mixture of SPaG, comprehension and creative writing skills - creating a link between all three areas so children can see how each area complements the other. Resources, a lesson plan and homework tasks are all printed off and ready when the children arrive. If you are interested in boosting your child's KS2 English learning, do please get in touch.
Kent and Medway Test Preparation
With nine years of 11+ experience, I am confident in my understanding of this convoluted process, and I aim to help guide you - and your child - towards the September deadline in a reassuring and calm way!
Lessons alternate between Maths/NVR and English/VR and all resources and activities are prepared and ready in advance - including home work tasks. Whenever possible I plan hands-on activities to help learners engage with the work that I have set; in the past this has included treasure hunts, walkabouts and even a panic room scenario. As we near the September deadline, there is an increasing emphasis on exam technique, revision of tricky areas, practice papers and general confidence-building activities.
My aim is to make the 11+ process as painless as possible. This includes a 'Meet a Year 7 student' session, where learners have the opportunity to have a Q&A with children attending local grammar and comprehensive schools.
If you would like to know more about preparing for your child for the 11+ , do please get in touch and I will happily talk you through the process.
