“We had planned to stop the tutoring after the 11+ exam, but with the next lockdown and more disruption to her education, we quickly relented when she literally begged us to continue going! The sessions are adjusted to her needs and she describes them as ‘really fun’ and she likes it that the work is specific to her level and much more individualised than the class work at school.”
Tutor Profiles
Tutors at I Love to Learn
Howard Jones:
is the Centre Director. He is a secondary teacher with over 13 years experience and has now tutored 6 to 16 year olds for 12 years. Howard loves to teach all topics but especially senior Maths. He is passionate about education and seeing children reach their full potential. He enjoys politics, running and reading; but not at the same time! He is married to Linda and they have two fantastic children.
Linda Jones:
is the Co-Director with Howard. She has a huge amount of primary experience, having been a Literacy Coordinator in West Sussex, and Literacy Development teacher here in Portsmouth. Linda is now dedicated to perfecting students’ skills through tutoring. She finds working with children energising! She also enjoys cooking and playing Boggle.
4 Study Habits for the New Academic Year
4 Study Habits for the New Academic Year
It’s back to business after the freedom and fun of the summer holidays. Let’s hope our children will have the excitement and enthusiasm for a new year motivating them through the first term. Forming a few good habits early can help them when facing new challenges later.
Effective study skills can often make good students into great students. Here are four great study habits to help your child get the most out of their learning this year.
- Study Planner-schools let children know the topics they will be studying nowadays. Make a long term plan of the year ahead to help focus their learning and avoid last minute cramming.
- Study Schedule-stick to regular homework sessions on a timetable making as it will become part of the daily routine.
A calendar and a weekly plan leading up to due dates will give everyone a clear view and help in allocating time to getting things done.
- Study Time- designate a ‘communication blackout hour’ or until homework is done, no phones, messages, gaming or TV.
- Study Space-create a study area away from above distraction, ideally a quiet, well lit area, having materials and equipment to hand including spare reading glasses if needed.
Help with Homework
We don’t think that parents should have to do all the work, so this kind of support for children is a good way to help them take responsibility. Generally the rule of thumb is, if you are working harder on their homework than they are it is time to back off! Of course it is OK to help with their homework, (make it clear who is responsible) if they ask for it but perhaps limit it to 30 mins before charging!
Getting the balance right can take time. Try to avoid threats if things get tough, this usually leads to trenches getting dug rather deep. Instead try offering encouragement like ” As soon as it’s done you can/we can ………..”.
To read more try…. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pride-and-joy/201209/battles-over-homework-advice-parents
Transition to a New School
Blasting Though to the Next Level!
Many of our little superheroes will soon be pushing through to the next level at school. This may be a transition between Infant to Junior or Junior to Senior. Even changing year groups can be a lot for younger children.
Do you remember the feeling of excitement and fear of going up to a new class or school?
Now is a good time to talk to your kids about these changes. Fear of the unknown is the worst thing
especially for imaginative young minds.
It is a good idea to ask your child to write a list of questions themselves. You never know what their concerns might be.
Talk to the Teacher
Always talk to the new teacher or school about your child’s special needs, personality, strengths and weaknesses. Understanding a child is usually a great way to help teach that child.
Practical preparations are important also to help the child get ready mentally. A new uniform or bag might seem a small thing, but it might help your little superhero think themselves into a new role.
If you do have any concerns about your child’s progress in reading, writing, spelling and maths please do not hesitate to call Howard and Linda on 023 93 968 626 or click on the Assessment Request button!
Overcoming Challenges (like SATs)!
YOU CAN DO IT!
You may have noticed but SATs seem to have had a bad press recently. As parents, tutors and teachers, how should we respond to this? Are we setting kids up for failure and depression?
I spoke to someone who didn’t pass her 11+ exam many year ago. She said, “I failed when I was at that age, I was a failure because I didn’t pass the 11+.”
She still felt the pain of this many years later. Should we blame a system for damaging and hurtfully labelling children?
Prof M Seligman in ‘Learned Optimism’ says that we can teach our children to deal with challenges if we help them fight the worst bully of all, themselves. It’s that little voice that they hear when things go wrong. “You’re not good enough, you can’t do it, you never will.”
SOME SUGGESTIONS
- When things go wrong be a good model, don’t say ‘I’m such an idiot’ (which is permanent) but ‘I am having a bad day’(which is temporary). As my mum used to say, “You can’t win them all.”
- If, for example, your child gets shouted at by a teacher and feels down, explore with them what that experience makes them believe e.g. he hates me, the class thinks I am stupid.
Ex-Student Mary (Now and Accountant) Help them dispute this by making it less personal e.g. He shouts at everyone, the class knows this. You may want to go through some practice scenarios to help your child develop these skills.
- If they do something well, say something like, ‘because you practised hard you have become much better/faster/stronger.’(personal, they did it) ‘How do you feel? I would feel great if I could have done that at your age.’ (feeling good gives them energy)
- If they say ‘I hate maths’ (a permanent negative belief), say ‘You’re just finding it difficult right now but you can work at it.’ (temporary and they can change)
We can’t avoid difficult things in life, and the evidence is that responding with a positive optimistic style is the best way to overcome adversity. So, ‘Onwards and upwards’ as my mother used to say!
Take a look at this great video. https://youtu.be/2hHNq45rEnU
Find out more about SATS and get SATS resources….
SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME 2016
Summer School- 22nd -26th August
Maths and English Tuition
Every year we have put on a fun and popular summer school for children aged 6-16. Everyone gets a full 10 hours of expert tuition during the week. We are able to concentrate on any areas of weakness, and really boost each child’s confidence.
Tuition takes place for 2 hours a day for 5 days, 9-11am or 12-2pm and costs £195. Individual plans and all abilities catered for.
- Primary Maths and English Catch-up.
A great way to reinforce learning during the long holiday.
- Getting Ready for Secondary School.
Make sure your child enters secondary school with the most skills and confidence possible.
- GCSE Revision Programme
Excellent for GCSE Maths & English students to focus on key skills and areas or weakness.
Sport and Tuition All Day Programme
We also have a joint programme with Portsmouth Schools Trampolining to provide trampolining, tennis and gymnastics every afternoon until 3pm. This takes place at Priory Tennis, the children will learn new skills, and achieve a badge and certificate in Gymnastics at the end of the week.
You can book both Sport and Tuition for the special price of £270 £240 for 5 days 9am-3pm. The children are supervised over lunch and just a packed lunch is needed. Suitable for 6-12 year olds.
Childcare Vouchers Accepted
Child care vouchers accepted. If you receive Working Families Tax Credit you may receive up to 70% of the fees.
Please fill out the form to enquire
General Enquiry
Why is there a new National Curriculum and what does it mean?
What’s new in the National Curriculum?
Mainly it means that the government wants to raise standards and put a greater emphasis on core subjects like numeracy and literacy. Although the new curriculum is intended to be more challenging, the content is actually slimmer than the previous curriculum, focusing on essential core subject knowledge and skills such as essay writing and computer programming.
| Subject | What’s new in the Maths & English Curriculum |
|---|---|
| English |
|
| Maths |
|
What does this mean for our tuition?
Our tutors have always had a strong emphasis on handwriting, grammar and spelling in English; as well as times tables and other mental maths skills. We hardly ever let children use calculators! We have also sourced a new set of English and maths activities which support your child’s leaning and, as a result, we will be trading under a new name. From Mon 11th April we are delighted to announce that we will be known as I Love to Learn Professional Tuition.
