Thinking about tuition in Urmston or Stretford?
If you are thinking about hiring a tutor in Urmston or Stretford for your child, you probably aren’t sure where to start. At Better Tuition, customers come to our Urmston tuition centre based on word-of-mouth recommendation: that’s why you won’t see us advertising. The recommendation of a friend or teacher is a good place to start, but before you arrange lessons there are a few important questions to ask.
1. Is this person fully qualified and have they been CRB checked?
A qualified teacher will be able to show you their certificate of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and their degree certificate. An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check is essential for a tutor, and it goes without saying that all Better Tuition’s teachers have these renewed every three years. Our teachers are fully qualified and we display their teaching qualifications in our waiting area: we employ properly qualified professionals because we know they’ll get results.
Anyone can call themselves a tutor – and there are some great unqualified tutors out there – but Qualified Teacher Status provides a guarantee that your child’s tutor is capable of the assessment, lesson design and instruction that will really boost your child’s educational progress. We know there are some great unqualified tutors around and we don’t want to diminish their successes, so if an unqualified tutor has a CRB check and great word-of-mouth, go ahead and arrange to meet them.
Better Tuition‘s Directors of Teaching and Learning, Paul Syrett and Christine McLaughlin, are founder members of the Association of Professional Tuition Centres – the national association of tutors with the quality mark guarantee that only fully qualified, CRB-checked teachers will work in our centres. Paul and Christine are also graduates of elite, Russell Group universities and expert in both primary and secondary education.
Testimonial: “All the team are so professional and it’s clear we are in expert hands!” Joseph’s mother
2. Does my child feel comfortable with their tutor?
Our FREE assessment provides an opportunity for you and your child to look round the centre, meet with Better Tuition‘s Directors of Teaching and Learning Paul or Christine (often both) and get a feel for the place. You are also welcome to pop in during lessons (after four pm, Monday to Thursday, or Saturday morning), but be aware that our teachers won’t have time to chat at this time. We do have super friendly receptionists who can answer all your questions and book you in for an assessment, and you can also call any time on 0161 748 3912.
Testimonial: “The teachers at Better Tuition are just lovely, we couldn’t be happier. Ruby is an anxious child but she felt totally at ease from the start.”
3. How will my child be assessed?
Beware the tutor who assumes that your child is average or thereabouts and proceeds accordingly. No child is average: yours in particular is completely unique (!) and it is impossible to begin tutoring them without a thorough assessment.
At Better Tuition we assess your child in three ways:
– Initial FREE Assessment
We identify strengths and weaknesses and give your child targets to work towards. You are under no obligation to sign up for lessons if you come for a FREE assessment, but many do and this thorough assessment helps us plan the first lesson.
– Ongoing Assessment
Assessment is embedded in each and every lesson at Better Tuition, and you will see real, measurable progress every week.
– Formal Assessment
Our expert teachers will assess your child formally every twelve weeks and you will receive a written report which will comment on their progress and compare their current scores with their previous scores as well as providing new targets to work towards.
Testimonial: “Jake’s assessment was so thorough, and Christine explained really clearly how he could boost his level. Just wonderful.”
3. What feedback will I receive from my child’s tutor?
At Better Tuition we work as a team with parents: we give verbal feedback after every single lesson. Parents are shown the lesson plan for their child and each activity is explained. Equally importantly, we listen to the parents and value their input. You can call Directors of Teaching and Learning, Paul Syrett and Christine McLaughlin at any time on 0161 748 3912 to discuss your child’s progress.
Your child will also receive a formal, written report every 12 weeks.
Testimonial: “I love the way Better Tuition helps parents get involved and understand those crucial next steps.”
4. Where will the tuition take place?
Will it be round the tutor’s kitchen table, in a quiet corner of your house (so you have to creep around for an hour or two) or in a professionally equipped tuition centre?
Our dynamic learning environment has been designed by educational experts to stimulate your child’s brain without overloading it and enhance their learning experience. Our format is designed to improve concentration and focus on success. You can read more about the magic ingredients of the Better Tuition lesson format here.
5. What kind of resources will my child’s tutor have available?
A well worn text book and a bundle of tatty worksheets or a vast range of books (we have more than 300 individual text books from every major educational publisher), professionally designed worksheets (we have around 2500), exclusive computer software, audio, visual and kinaesthetic learning aids?
Better Tuition’s resources are tailored to the UK National Curriculum and GCSE syllabus and to the specific requirements of children in Trafford LEA (Urmston,Stretford, Davyhulme, Flixton, Partington). Beware: other tutors may use a one-size-fits-all approach with resources that have been written decades ago and designed to be used around the world. Always ask to see the resources that your child’s tutor will be using.
You can book a FREE assessment at the Better Tuition Centre on 0161 748 3912 and find out today why we’re better.
Testimonial: “Calling Better Tuition is the best thing I ever did. I recommend them wholeheartedly.”
